Djokovic battles past Nishikori, Sharapova through to last 16
MADRID: Novak Djokovic scored his best-ranked victory in almost a year by coming through his nightmare first round against world number 20 Kei Nishikori at the Madrid Open. Djokovic prevailed 7-5, 6-4.
In the women’s draw, Maria Sharapova’s clay-court revival is gathering pace after the Russian eased past Romanian bighitter Irina-camelia Begu 7-5, 6-1 for a last 16 berth. World number two Caroline Wozniacki survived a scare to beat Ashleigh Barty 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.
ADITI FINISHES IN TOP-10
TEXAS: Young Indian golfer Aditi Ashok notched up her second successive top-10 finish by finishing Tied-sixth at the Volunteers of America LPGA Texas Classic. The tournament, cut short to 36 holes because of rain, had Aditi setting the clubhouse target as she played her second and final round in 5-under 66 to finish at 7-under 135. This was Aditi’s second top-10 in a row after her T-7 at LPGA Mediheal last week. She also finished T-14 at Kia Classic and T-19 at HugelJTBC La Open.
JASON’S DAY, WOODS 55
MIAMI: Australia’s Jason Day birdied two of the last three holes Sunday to capture the Wells Fargo Championship, collecting his 12th career US PGA title and second of the year.
Day held off Americans Aaron Wise and Nick Watney with a final-round two-under par 69 to finish 72 holes on 12-under 272 for a two-stroke victory. Tiger Woods had his first birdie-free round since 2014 to finish equal 55th.
KENYA TO REPLACE SA
NEW DELHI: Kenya have been roped in as a replacement for South Africa in the Hero Intercontinental Cup football after South Africa expressed its inability to participate in the fournation tournament.
India, Kenya, New Zealand and Chinese Taipei will compete in the Intercontinental Cup that kicks off in Mumbai on June 1. The event will help India prepare for the AFC Asian Cup 2019,.