Saina bows out of Australian Open

Indian challenge ended at the Australian Open Super Series after ace shuttler Saina Nehwal suffered a straight-game defeat against China’s Shixian Wang in the women’s singles quarterfinals of the badminton tournament here on Friday.

World No. 1 Saina failed to stick to her game plan and suffered a 15-21 13-21 loss to twotime All England Champion and fifth seed Shixian in a 41-minute clash. It was Saina’s sixth defeat against the Chinese in 12 meetings. SHOOTERS DISAPPOINT

Indians had a bad day at the office at the ISSf world Cup in Munich on Friday as they failed to enter the final. Jitu Rai finished 25th in the 50m pistol event. Om Prakash ( 552) and Prakash Nanjappa (540) were placed a lowly 35th and 63rd respectively. In the 25 metre pistol for women, Annu Raj Singh was the best placed Indian at 19. Anisa Sayyed and Rahi Sarnobat ended 28th and 43rd. JOSHI ON A HIGH

Young Indian golfer Khalin Joshi charged into contention with a six-under 65 to finish three shots behind leader Mardan Mamat of Singapore after the third round of the $ 300,000 Bangladesh Open at the Kurmitola Golf Club here on Friday. SALGAOCAR-DEMPO DUEL

It’s a do or die situation for both Salgaocar FC and Dempo FC as they face each other in a battle of survival in the final round of the Hero I-League football tournament at the Tilak Stadium here.

Salgaocar were one of the favourites to win the title but injuries to their key players hurt the side badly.