Advani begins IBSF World Snooker campaign with win
Doha, Nov 8: Three-time champion Pankaj Advani began his IBSF World Snooker Championships campaign with a 4-1 win over Canada’s Sahil Nayyar here on Saturday. Barring a minor hiccup in the third frame of the best-of-seven frame Group H match, the Indian cueist was largely untroubled. Advani got into his stride straightaway, running up a quick 2-0 lead. The Ludhiana-born Nayyar, trailing in the early part of the third frame, pulled one back with small breaks. But the 40-year-old Advani, who last won the title in 2017, quickly put that blemish behind him and took the fourth frame. In the fifth frame, Advani got into a fine rhythm, making a match-clinching break of 53. The Indian ace next takes on Malaysia’s Thor Chuan Leong. In Group E, Brijesh Damani will face France’s Nicolas Mortreux. Hussain Khan, the third Indian in the men’s draw, takes on Ireland’ Brendon O’Donoghue in his opening match. (PTI)
India bow out of Hong Kong Sixes; Australia, Pak enter semifinals
Hong Kong,, Nov 8: India suffered three consecutive defeats to bow out of the Hong Kong Sixes cricket tournament, while Australia and Pakistan won their respective games to qualify for the semifinals, here on Saturday. In a must-win Pool C game against Kuwait, India lost by 27 runs to finish third in the group behind Kuwait, who topped the group, and Pakistan, who came in second. Chasing 107, India were bowled out for 79 for 6 with Kuwait’s Yasin Patel taking three wickets for 23 runs. Following the result, Pakistan and Kuwait advanced to the quarterfinals, while India dropped into the ‘Bowl’ matches. Pakistan then defeated South Africa by five wickets to advance to the semifinals. In the ‘Bowl’ stage match against the UAE, India’s struggles continued. Despite quick-fire knocks from Abhimanyu Mithun (50 off 16) and Dinesh Karthik (42 off 14), India failed to defend their total of 108 as UAE’s Khalid Shah hit a blistering 50 off 14 balls to seal a four-wicket win. Nepal then defeated India by 92 runs in the final game. Nepal posted a massive 137 for no loss in six overs, and then restricted India to 45 for 6. Rashid Khan starred for Nepal by scoring 55 off 17 deliveries and taking three wickets. Meanwhile, Australia powered into the semifinals with a 54-run win over Bangladesh, thanks to half-centuries from Ben McDermott (51 off 14) and skipper Alex Ross (50 off 11), while Chris Green picked up 3/32. (PTI)
India name 111-member contingent for 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo
New DelhI, Nov 8: India will send their biggest ever contingent comprising 111 members, including 73 athletes, for the Deaflympics scheduled to be held in Tokyo from November 15 to December 26. Indian athletes will take part in 11 disciplines – athletics, badminton, golf, judo, karate, shooting, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, wrestling and tennis. The Sports Ministry has approved the contingent at cost-to-government basis. India had returned with a best-ever haul of 16 medals including eight gold, one silver and seven bronze to finish ninth among 77 participating nations in the last edition of the event in Brazil in May 2022. (PTI)
Sabalenka beats Anisimova to set up title clash against Rybakina
Riyadh, Nov 8: No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka reached the title match at the WTA Finals for the first time in three years after overcoming Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the semifinals. Sabalenka will play first-time finalist Elena Rybakina on Saturday. No. 6 Rybakina beat No. 5 Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 on the back of 15 aces. Sabalenka was pushed to the brink by No. 4 Anisimova, who matched Sabalenka’s power and aggression for more than two hours in a rematch of the US Open final. The first set lasted an hour. Anisimova missed five break chances and racked up 24 unforced errors. But she halved that in the second set and broke Sabalenka three times to force a deciding set. Sabalenka made the decisive break for 4-3. (AP)
