Nadal retains top spot, confirms Saudi exhibition tie against Djokovic

PARIS: World No 1 Rafael Nadal, who maintained his comfortable lead in the latest ATP tennis rankings released on Monday ahead of second-placed Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in third place, said he has agreed to play an exhibition match against fellow Grand Slam title winner Novak Djokovic in Saudi Arabia in December. The match between the two stars will take place at Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City on December 22. Djokovic and Nadal have played 52 times in their careers with the Serb leading their head-to-head 27-25.

SCOTLAND TO NOT HOST PAK HOCKEY MATCHES

NEW DELHI: Scottish Hockey (SH) has announced that it will not play host to Pakistan men’s hockey team’s ‘home matches’ in the inaugural FIH Pro League which debuts next year. Following significant changes from the MoU signed two years ago with Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), SH has been unable to negotiate suitable contract terms. “After lengthy negotiations, it is with sadness and frustration that it has not been possible to agree a contract with the PHF,” SH Chief Executive David Sweetman said. The FIH is now looking to find solutions for Pakistan’s ‘home’ matches in 2019.

TWAY WINS PGA TITLE

LOS ANGELES: It has been 15 years since Bob Tway recorded the eighth and final PGA Tour victory of his career and on Sunday it was his son Kevin’s turn to savour that winning feeling after he survived a three-way playoff to win the Safeway Open.

Tway beat Ryan Moore and Brandt Snedeker to claim the title in Napa, northern California. Snedeker had squandered a fiveshot lead during the final round before being eliminated at the first extra hole, Tway then sinking a 10-foot birdie at the third extra hole to beat Moore. It was the first PGA Tour victory for the 30-year-old, who was born less than two years after his father won the 1986 PGA Championship.