Zverev beats Kyrgios, leads Germany to Davis Cup quarters
BRISBANE: Alexander Zverev has powered Germany through to the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup World Group, beating Australia’s Nick Kyrgios 6-2, 7-6 (3), 6-2 in the first reverse singles Sunday. Germany went into Sunday’s play leading 2-1 after a doubles win Saturday. The final singles match between Australia’s Alex de Minaur and Jan-lennard Struff was not played, giving Germany a 3-1 win. Germany will play either Britain or Spain in the quarterfinals from April 6-8.
USA, KAZAKHSTAN THROUGH
Kazakhstan and the United States coasted into the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup with 3-0 victories over Switzerland and Serbia respectively on Saturday. Timur Khabibulin and Aleksandr Nedovyesov finished off the job for Kazakhstan, sealing a thrilling 6-4 6-4 3-6 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 win over Marc-andrea Huesler and Luca Margaroli in Astana.
The USA also needed just the three rubbers to advance, Steve Johnson and Ryan Harrison beating Nikola Milojevic and Mil- jan Zekic in Nis. A partisan crowd at Sportski Centar Cair were left disappointed after Johnson and Harrison prevailed 6-7 (3-7) 6-2 7-5 6-4 following singles wins for Sam Querrey and John Isner on Friday.
KVITOVA LIFTS 21ST WTA TITLE
SAINTPETERSBURG: Czech Petra Kvitova brushed aside defending champion Kristina Mladenovic of France in straight sets on Sunday to claim the St Petersburg Ladies Trophy, her 21st WTA crown.
Two-time former Wimbledon champion Kvitova, who appeared in the main draw courtesy of a wildcard, prevailed 6-1, 6-2 to chalk up her fifth win from six meetings with fourth seed Mladenovic, who is ranked 10th in the world.
CRPF WIN B DIVISION HOCKEY
RANCHI: Central Reserve Police Force were crowned champions of the 8th Hockey India Senior Women’s National Championship 2018 (B Division) after they defeated Kerala Hockey 7-0 in the final. Steel Plant Sports Board defeated Bengaluru Hockey Association 4-0 in the third-place play-off. Pricilia Tirkey (12’, 22’, 47’, 59’), Pragya Mourya (3’), Siddhi Singh (19’) and Bharti Thakur (45’) scored for CRPF.
HARYANA, RSPB WIN
RANCHI: Hockey Haryana and Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) registered brilliant wins over their respective rivals on the fourth day of the eighth Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2018.
RSPB continued their fine form as they beat Hockey Punjab 4-1, while Hockey Gangpur, Odisha notched up a comfortable 5-0 win over Assam. Maharashtra also registered a hard-fought 3-2 win over Uttar Pradesh Hockey to stay in contention.
Tamil Nadu beat Chhattisgarh 4-3, while Haryana too continued their winning run, defeating Hockey Odisha 2-0.