MCA summer coaching camp

The selection trials for the Summer Vacation Coaching Nets of the Mumbai Cricket Association will be held on April 17 and 18 for all age-groups. For the U-23 category, it will be held on April 25 and 26. Candidates must reach their nearest centre in white clothing. For details , log on to www.mumbaicricket.com.

Ramkumar Ramanathan and Prajnesh Gunneswaran handed India a 2-0 lead over Uzbekistan as they staved off a spirited challenge in their respective singles matches in the Davis Cup Asia/oceania Group I tie here on Friday.

In the first match, 267th ranked Ramanathan overcame Temur Isamilov 6-2, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5, while debutant Gunneswaran, ranked 187, outwitted Sanjar Fayzieb 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Ismailov is ranked 406, while Fayzieb was played in place of Denis Istomin, who had pulled out of the second round tie due to a foot injury.

To his credit, Ismailov made life difficult for the Indian despite suffering cramps in his right hamstring. Ramkumar dominated the proceedings before a bout of double faults handed Ismailov a small opening, which the Uzbek grabbed with both hands to make a match of it.

The Indian sealed the opening set in a jiffy and was leading 4-3 in the second when he saw himself down 0-40. He saved two breakpoints but netted a backhand on the third to allow Ismailov stay alive.

The Uzbek played freely while Ramkumar put himself under pressure to finish the job quickly. The nerves got to Ramkumar and, in utter desperation, he squandered four set points and was eventually broken in the 12th game. The Uzbek had snatched the momentum but suffered cramps in his right leg in the third set, making the job of the Indian easy. Ramkumar ran away with the third set as Ismailov’s restricted movements gave him easy points.

In the second singles of the day, Guneshwaran won the first, third and fourth set. In the second set, Gunneswaran trailed Fayziev 1-4 and the Uzbek levelled the match 1-1. Fayziev led the third set 3-1 as Gunneswaran committed some silly errors, which made his task even more difficult. But, Gunneswaran refused to get bogged down.

DJOKOVIC SHRUGS OFF INJURY CONCERNS

World No 2 Novak Djokovic shrugged off his recent elbow injury to give Serbia a winning start in their Davis Cup quarterfinal against Spain on Friday with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Albert Ramos-vinolas.

Djokovic, who skipped the Miami Masters because of the injury and came into the tie in Belgrade with just seven wins on the tour this year, wrapped up the rubber in style, dropping just one point on serve in the final set.

“I am satisfied with my game, especially with the serve,” said Djokovic.

AUSTRALIA LEADS USA 2-0 IN QUARTERS

Nick Kyrgios finished off John Isner with his 20th ace to give Australia a 2-0 lead over the United States in their Davis Cup quarterfinal on Friday.

Kyrgios won 7-5, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5) after Jordan Thompson upset Jack Sock 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 on a hard court at Pat Rafter Arena.

Australia can clinch the tie and advance to a semifinal in September against Italy or Belgium with a win on Saturday in doubles.

Sam Groth and John Peers are scheduled to play the American pair of Sam Querrey and Steve Johnson.

JUHU SPARKS HELD

Juhu Sparks rallied to hold HDFC Bank 1-1 in a closely fought Super Division match of the Mumbai District Footbal Association League at the St Xavier’s ground on Thursday.

HDFC took the lead through Avlion Noronha’s strike in the 22nd minute before Juhu Sparks managed to find the equalsier through Nickel D’souza’s goal.