Smith to miss PSL due to elbow injury
Karachi: Australia's suspended captain Steve Smith is unlikely to take part in the fourth edition of the Pakistan Super League after suffering an elbow injury during the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League. Smith, who has signed up to play for the PSL's sixth franchise, Multan Sultans, only in the UAE leg of the event, has been advised at least six weeks rest to recover from the injury. Smith, whose one-year ban imposed on him by Cricket Australia ends in late March, hurt his elbow while playing for the Comilla Victorians, for whom he turned out in two matches before being forced to return home. Smith has been advised surgery on the injured elbow. The Sultans will have to bring someone from the supplementary category in order to replace the Australian.
sandgren win maiden atp title
Auckland: American Tennys Sandgren lifted his first Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) title after beating Britain's Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday in the Auckland Classic final. Sandgren just spent 79 minutes to wrap up the week in which he did not drop a single set, reports Xinhua news agency. "I'm a little bit at a loss for words, honestly. A lot of work, a lot of training and a lot of sacrifice goes into even making a final and to get a win, I'm kind of speechless," the 27-year-old said.
zverev fit for australian open
Melbourne: German fourth seed Alexander Zverev said on Saturday that he was relaxed and fit to play in the Australian Open despite a dramatic fall during training. In the pre-event press conference, Zverev said he had not twisted his ankle in the fall on Friday and only had a little inflammation between two bones, reports Efe news. "I am fine, I am going to play with a tape. It's nothing that can get worse. I am actually quite relaxed about it," said Zverev, who faces Slovenia's Aljaz Bedene in the first round.
nadal nearing fitness ahead of aus open
Mumbai: Spain's Rafael Nadal said on Saturday he was feeling healthy and approaching full fitness ahead of next week's Australian Open, after his rival, Britain's Andy Murray, announced plans to retire due to injury. Nadal, who won the Melbourne tournament in 2009 and has been dogged by injury problems for much of his own career, was forced to retire from last year's quarter-final against Marin Cilic. "If I was not feeling good, I would not be here", the World No.2 said at a press conference in Melbourne, reports Efe news. Nadal, who pulled out of the Brisbane International due to a thigh strain last week, said he was recovering well from foot surgery, and that while he had struggled for fitness and had had setbacks, he was confident of being able to perform in the first Grand Slam tournament of the season, which starts on Monday. "It's nothing new for me", the 17-time Grand Slam winner said adding: "I just accept the challenges the body and the tennis present.
klopp wins best coach award
London: Liverpool has dominated the Premier League awards for December as its German coach Jurgen Klopp earned the Manager of the Month award while the English side's Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk claimed the Player of the Month trophy. After winning all seven matches Liverpool played in December, Klopp won the prize for the second time in his tenure at Anfield on Friday night, having initially been recognized as Manager of the Month in September 2016, reports Efe news. "It's nice, the icing on the cake. It was a very successful but difficult month," the Premier League website cited Klopp as saying. "It was a very successful but difficult month," it added.
