INDIAN BOXERS ASSURED OF EIGHT MEDALS

ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA: India’s medal hopes swelled to eight at the Ulaanbaatar Cup after Shiva Thapa (60kg), Mandeep Jangra (69kg) and two other youngsters advanced to the semifinals.

Besides Shiva and Mandeep, debutant Vanhlimpuia (75kg) and Etash Khan (56kg) also made it to the last four stage after registering comprehensive victories in the afternoon session.

Shiva, a former world championship bronze medallist, will meet Battumur Misheelt in the semifinal after notching up a clinical win over Kyrgyzstan’s Ravshanbek in the quarters.

Mandeep defeated Mongolian Batkhuyag Sukhkhuyag in his quarterfinal bout. However, the experienced L Sarita Devi (60kg) lost a closely-fought quarterfinal to Chinese Taipei’s Shih Yu Wu.

In the men’s draw, Salman Sheikh lost a close quarterfinal contest to local favourite Gankhuyag Gan-erdene. On Thursday, India were assured of another four medals after Sonia Lather (57kg), Lovlina Borgohain (69kg), Himanshu Sharma (49kg) and Ashish (64kg) entered the semis.

KYRGIOS BEATS LOPEZ TO SET UP CILIC CLASH

LONDON: Australian maverick Nick Kyrgios blazed past Feliciano Lopez with a barrage of aces to reach the semifinals of the ATP 500 Championships at Queen’s Club on Friday.

The 23-year-old was in dazzling form as he claimed a 7-6(5), 7-6(3) win against the defending champion to set up a clash with top seed Marin Cilic who breezed past Sam Querrey.

Former World No 1 Novak Djokovic of Serbia also looked in ominously good shape as he defeated France’s Adrian Mannarino 7-5, 6-1 to book his place in the semifinal and will face either Jeremy Chardy or Frances Tiafoe.

SPIETH, JOHNSON SHARE LEAD AT TRAVELERS

NEW YORK: Jordan Spieth and Zach Johnson each fired a sevenunder par 63 to share the lead after the opening round of the US PGA Travelers Championship. India’s Anirban Lahiri made a solid start with a three-under 67 that placed him in Tied-23rd position after the first round.

HAMILTON TOPS FRENCH GP PRACTICE

LECASTELLET,FRANCE: Lewis Hamilton topped the times ahead of his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas in Friday’s busy and incidentfilled opening practice for this weekend’s French GP.

On a sweltering and breezy day in southern France, Hamilton produced a best lap in one minute and 32.231 seconds.