At tennis body

Bhupathi hits out

New Delhi, Nov. 6: Mahesh Bhupathi says he does not mind being fired as the Indian Davis Cup team’s captain but what is unacceptable to him is the tennis federation’s allegation that he refused national duty. Bhupathi, one of the most successful players in India’s tennis history, insisted that he never made himself unavailable for the Pakistan tie, which has now been shifted out of Islamabad by the ITF due to security concerns. The All India Tennis Association (AITA) chose former Davis Cupper Rohit Rajpal as Bhupathi’s successor. “I am not going to sit back after winning 12 Grand Slams and playing for country for 25 years to allow someone to say I am fired because I did not show up for national duty,” a fuming Bhupathi said. “I don’t mind being fired. They can say it’s time for a new captain. But nobody can say that I refused national duty. I genuinely thought it’s unsafe to travel to Pakistan which the ITF has validated. So, they are going to penalise me and players for this, it’s not going to work,” he added.

Paris, Nov. 6: Jorginho scored two penalties as Chelsea came roaring back from 1-4 down to draw 4-4 with nine-man Ajax in a Champions League classic on Tuesday, while holders Liverpool claimed a narrow victory and a stuttering Barcelona were held.

Ajax appeared to be heading for a stunning victory when Hakim Ziyech set up Donny van de Beek to put them 4-1 ahead 10 minutes into the second half.

Before that, Jorginho quickly levelled from the spot after Tammy Abraham’s own goal gave the Dutch champions a second-minute lead, but a Quincy Promes header and a Kepa Arrizabalaga own goal made it 3-1 at the break.

After conceding again, Cesar Azpilicueta poked in from close range for Chelsea to pull it back to 2-4.

The result means Ajax, Chelsea and Valencia are level on seven points atop Group ‘H’, with the Spaniards coming from behind to beat Lille 4-1. LIVERPOOL GO

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