Halep maintains top spot
Madrid: Romania's Simona Halep continued to lead the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) rankings released on Monday with 6,642 points, followed by Germany's Angelique Kerber. Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark remained in the third spot in this week's rankings, ahead of Japan's Naomi Osaka and US' Sloane Stephens, reports Efe news. Meanwhile, Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic climbed two spots to world No. 6 following her victory at the Sydney International on Saturday, pushing Ukraine's Elina Svitolina and her compatriot Karolina Pliskova into seventh and eighth spots respectively.
Kerala and Patiala play out 4-4 draw
Chennai: Kerala and Patiala played out an exciting 4-4 draw in a Pool 'E' match in the 9th Hockey India Senior National Hockey Championship for men 'B' Division here on Monday. In other matches, Hockey Coorg beat Steel Plant Sports Board 2-1 and Sports Authority of India defeated All India Police Sports Control Board 2-1. There were also wins for Hockey HIM over Assam Hockey 5-1 and Hockey Madhya Bharat walloped Goans Hockey 9-3. In the first match today, Kerala Hockey and Hockey Patiala were involved in an intense battle for supremacy. S Shijin (11th, 17th, 40th minutes) with a hat-trick helped Kerala take a 3-1 lead. Rahul Sharma's 49th minute goal through a penalty corner equalised the score and Jaswant Singh's 56th minute goal gave Hockey Patiala a 4-3 lead. M Nishant then scored for Kerala Hockey to secure a draw and split points.
Ishan Kishan to lead Bp XI
New Delhi: Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan will lead Board President's XI in a three day warm-up game against England Lions in Thiruvananthapuram from January 18-20. The players involved in the Ranji Trophy quarter-finals have not been considered for selection, said the BCCI in a statement. Jharkhand's left-arm spinner Pappu Roy, rookie Mumbai fast bowler Tushar Deshpande, Andhra batsman Ricky Bhui have earned their places in the side. Deshpande, who has been injured for the better part of the season, has been called as the national selectors alongside Virat Kohli wants to increase the pool of fast bowlers.
Srikanth signs 35 crore deal
New Delhi: Ace Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth signed a four year 35-crore sports sponsorship deal with Chinese brand Li-Ning on Monday. The former world number one, who is the only Indian badminton player to have won six Super Series badminton event, signed a four-year deal with premium Chinese sports brand Li-Ning which will comprise of sponsorship and equipment supply, a media release said. "I am honoured to be the face of Li Ning in India and globally. I love their products and I'm really looking forward to stepping on the court with a renewed vigour to accomplish few more goals that I have set for myself & keep bring laurels for my country," Srikanth said.
Award for former India cricketer VV Kumar
Chennai: Former India leg-spinner V V Kumar was honoured with the Sundaram Finance "Spirit of Mylapore" award for his contribution to the culture and heritage of Mylapore. The award was presented to the legendary Tamil Nadu bowler by the Sundaram Finance Managing Director T T Srinivasaraghavan at a function here, a press note said. Former India Davis Cup player Ramanathan Krishnan had received the award in 2014.
