DJOKOVIC DIGS DEEP AGAIN TO ENTER SEMIS

Agencies

BELGRADE: Top-ranked Novak Djokovic dug deep for the second match in a row to reach the semifinals of the Serbia Open with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Miomir Kecmanovic.

Kecmanovic won the opening set without facing a break point, but Djokovic finally showed signs of getting back to his best in the second and then won the final four games of the decider in what was just his sixth match of the year.

In Barcelona, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Carlos Alcaraz set up a blockbuster quarter-final. Tsitsipas brushed aside Grigor Dimitrov 6-1, 6-4, while Alcaraz defeated Jaume Munar, 6-3, 6-3.

ICC appoints Pakistan’s Wasim Khan as GM

DUBAI: The ICC on Friday appointed Wasim Khan, the former chief executive of Pakistan Cricket Board, as its General Manager -- Cricket to succeed Geoff Allardice.

Khan, who will take up his post next month, was also previously the Chief Executive of Leicestershire County Cricket Club and Chance to Shine. He last held the post of PCB CEO.

He will take over from Allardice who spent eight years in the role before being appointed as the ICC CEO.

Verstappen takes pole for Imola sprint race IMOLA: World champion Max Verstappen secured pole position for Saturday’s sprint race at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix after outpacing Charles Leclerc by 1.2s in a rain-hit qualifying.

The Dutchman drove his Red Bull with care and aplomb to avoid problems on a day of frequent crashes and five red flags that left Ferrari’s championship leader frustrated. It was Verstappen’s first pole this season.