Mary Kom, Sarita enter semi-finals
MC Mary Kom (48kg) and L Sarita Devi (60kg) were assured of a medal after they entered the semi-finals of the Strandja Memorial Boxing on Thursday. Mary Kom beat Steluta Duta of Romania. Sarita ousted China’s Qi Yawen. Among men, Dheeraj Rangi (64kg) lost to Mauritian Louis Colin Richarno. India are now assured of six medals.
SHUBHANKAR TIED T-38
DOHA: Shubhankar Sharma overcame a double bogey to card 3-under 69 in the first round of the Qatar Masters. The 21-year-old also had five birdies and was tied 38th. SSP Chawrasia shot oneover 73 to be at tied-105th.
SHARMILA TIED T-4
BONVILLE: India’s Sharmila Nicollet carded 2-under 70 to be tied fourth after the first round of the Australian Ladies Classic at the Bonville Golf Resort. Amandeep Drall’s one-over 73 placed her T-37th. Vani Kapoor and Gaurika Bishnoi struggled to 7-over 79 each and were at T-113th.
SOCK, ISNER LOSE
DELRAYBEACH: Top seed Jack Sock was “served off the court” while John Isner and Milos Raonic also exited on a day of upsets at the Delray Beach Open in Florida on Wednesday. Sock was beaten 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 by in the second round. Isner lost in three consecutive tiebreaks against German Peter Gojowczyk, who prevailed 7-6(3), 6-7(4) 7-6(5). Raonic was outplayed 6-2, 6-4 by Steve Johnson.
MUGURUZA WINS AT 2AM
DUBAI: Garbine Muguruza had to wait until 2 am to complete her 6-3, 7-5 win over American CiCi Bellis and enter the Dubai quarter-finals. Muguruza had to wait out a three-hour epic as Daria Kasatkina beat British seventh seed Johanna Konta 4-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-2 in the previous match. Top seed Elina Svitolina took two and a quarter hours to overcome stubborn resistance from China’s Wang Qiang 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 to enter the quarter-final.