Momota, Marin win Japan Open badminton titles

TOKYO: Japan’s Kento Momota outgunned Thai rival Khosit Phetpradab 21-14, 21-11 in a onesided final to capture the Japan Open badminton title on Sunday.

The 24-year-old sank to his knees after a towering smash completed a comfortable win, kissing the Japanese badge on his shirt as he took another step towards redemption following a gambling scandal that threatened to ruin his career.

Olympic champion Carolina Marin retained her Japan Open women’s singles title by beating local favourite Nozomi Okuhara 21-19, 17-21, 21-11.

XAVI EYES ASIAN TITLE

MADRID: Spanish legend Xavi Hernandez can take a significant step on Monday towards becoming the first player to win both the UEFA Champions League and its Asian equivalent.

After four continental titles with Barcelona, the midfielder has one foot in the semifinal of the Asian Champions League with Al Sadd, the club he joined in 2015. The Qatari powerhouse won its quarterfinal first leg at the Iranian home of Esteghlal 3-1 in August and is ready for the return match in Doha. “I think we can compete with the rest of the teams in Asia for the AFC Champions League,” Xavi told the AFC website.

ADITI TO LEAD DELHI

NEW DELHI: India international goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan will lead a 20-member Delhi team for participation in the Senior Women’s National Football Championship to be held in Cuttack in Odisha.

The selection committee of Football Delhi named another former international Swati Rawat as vice-captain of the team. Delhi will play its opening game on September 18 against Madhya Pradesh.