Serena, Osaka drawn in same half

MELBOURNE: Serena Williams has been drawn into the same quarter at the Australian Open as No. 2-ranked Simona Halep and the same half as Naomi Osaka in her latest bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title.

First up for the seven-time Australian Open champion will be Laura Siegemund. US Open champion Osaka will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the first round and has Slam winners Angelique Kerber, Garbine Muguruza, last year’s runner-up in Australia, Venus Williams and Bianca Andreescu in her quarter.

Novak Djokovic’s bid for a third consecutive Australian title, and ninth overall, could get tricky. He has an opener against Jerome Chardy and three-time Major winner Stan Wawrinka, Milos Raonic and Alexander Zverev are in his quarter. Rafael Nadal, aiming to win a record 21st major singles title will open against Laslo Djere and could face fifth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter-finals.

Nagal in repeat clash with Berankis

Sumit Nagal was drawn to face world No. 72 Ricardas Berankis in the opening round, the Lithuanian having beaten the Indian in straight sets earlier this week at the ATP 250 Murray River Open.

Ankita Raina wasn’t one of the four “lucky losers” in women’s singles. But she can still make the main draw if there are three more withdrawals before the start of the firstround matches.

Serena withdraws from WTA semi-finals MELBOURNE: Serena Williams withdrew from the Australian Open tune-up tournament citing a right shoulder injury on Friday within hours of setting up a semi-final against topranked Ash Barty.

Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev ended Serbia’s ATP Cup title defence with victory in the doubles as Germany advanced to semi-finals.

Chelsea beat Spurs 1-0, climb into top six LONDON: Chelsea climbed into the Premier League top six as Thomas Tuchel earned the first major victory of his short time in charge with a 1-0 win at Tottenham on Thursday.

Jorginho’s penalty midway through the first-half was scant reward for a dominant Chelsea.

Pakistan in control despite Nortje fifer RAWALPINDI: Pakistan took four early South African wickets to dominate the second Test in Rawalpindi on Friday, despite a five-wicket haul by fast bowler Anrich Nortje.

South Africa were in trouble at 106 for four after the second day’s play, trailing Pakistan’s total of 272 by 166 runs.

272 in 114.3 ov (B Azam 77; A Nortje 5/56) v 106/4 in 28 ov (H Ali 2/29)

Bengaluru FC hold Chennaiyin to 0-0 draw GOA: Chennaiyin FC’s chances of progressing into the top four received a blow with their goalless draw against Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League.

Serena Williams