Lahiri wins Indonesian Masters
Jakarta: Keeping his emotions and nerves in check, Anirban Lahiri holed a sensational 20-foot eagle putt on the very last hole on the final day to grab his fourth Asian Tour title and the first outside India at the Indonesian Masters here on Sunday. It also brought Lahiri an early wedding gift, as he is getting married next month. Lahiri, who started the day in second place, began well by firing three successive birdies starting from the second hole. He seemed to have been affected by a break prompted by a three-hour rain delay, as he double bogeyed the 13th when play resumed. But the Indian fought back wonderfully to birdie the 14th and finally leapfrogged from second past the clubhouse leader Baek Seuk-Hyun of Korea (65) with that stunning eagle on the last hole. (PTI)
Levy secures 1st European title in China
SHENZEN: Frenchman Alexander Levy overcame Tommy Fleetwood’s spirited challenge to secure his maiden European Tour title with a four-shot victory in the China Open on Sunday. Levy began the day with a three-shot lead and carded a closing three-under-par 69 for a 19-under total at the Genzon Golf Club in Shenzhen to become the 20th different winner of the event in its 20th edition. Meanwhile, Gaganjeet Bhullar had a tame finish with a final round of 75 that had three bogeys on either side and just three birdies overall. Bhullar with one-over 289 was tied 57th after being close to top-20 at one stage of the tournament. Earlier, Shiv Kapur and Jeev Milkha Singh missed the cut after the second round. (Agencies)
Azarenka pulls out of Madrid, Rome
LONDON: World number four Victoria Azarenka’s French Open preparations have suffered a heavy blow, with the Belarusian pulling out of clay court tournaments in Madrid and Rome as she continues her recovery from a foot injury. Since reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, the 24-year-old has played only one tournament, at Indian Wells last month where she was beaten in her first match and clearly hampered by injury. Azarenka’s problems with her left foot flared up at the Australian Open in January, where she was attempting to win the title for the third year in a row. Missing the May 3-11 Madrid Open and the May 12-18 tournament in Rome leaves her with little time to gain match fitness ahead of Roland Garros, which kicks off from May 25. (Reuters)
Paes rakes up London Olympic ‘sadness’
New Delhi: Padma Bhushan awardee Leander Paes is still agrieved by the selection furore prior to the 2012 Olympics and holds Mahesh Bhupathi responsible for making the Games a “real sad” outing for him. The build-up to the London Games was marred by a selection row as players resorted to bickering. A can of worms opened up when Rohan Bopanna refused to partner Paes in the event, insisting on teaming up with Bhupathi. “Mahesh was the reason the last Olympics in London was a real sad one for me. Not only did they not give me a chance to get a medal, India lost an opportunity to get a medal. That’s something that’s gone down in history,” Paes said. Asked if there is a possibility of pairing up with his former partner Bhupathi in future, the answer from the 14-time Grand Slam winner in doubles was an emphatic no. (PTI)
