Gurusaidutt in main draw of Australian Open

Sydney

RMV Gurusaidutt qualified for the main draw of the $750,000 Australian Open superseries badminton tournament with easy victories in his qualifying matches. Gurusaidutt defeated local challenger Michael Fariman 21-7 21-14 to advance to the second qualifying round, in which he got the better of Malaysian Jiann Shiarng Chiang 21-16 21-12. Gurusaidutt has now joined Kidambi Srikanth and Sameer Verma in the main draw of the tournament. In the first round of the main draw, Gurusaidutt will face No.14 Hu Yun of Hong Kong, while world No. 12 Srikanth will take on another player from Hong Kong — NG Ka Long Angus, ranked 11th in the world. Sameer, meanwhile, will open his campaign against Japanese qualifier Takuma Ueda. In the women’s singles category, world No. 8 Saina Nehwal will clash with Australia’s Joy Lai, PV Sindhu will take on Kim Hyo Min of South Korea. In the men’s doubles competition, Nikhar Garg and M Anilkumar Raju will meet Malaysian eighth seeds V Shem Goh and Wee Kiong Tan in their opening match. 

LONDON

England have no animosity towards Amir, says Broad

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir (in pic) can expect no animosity from England when he comes up against the hosts in the four-Test series starting next month, seamer Stuart Broad has said. “I don’t think any ill-feeling or negativity from the players will have carried through. The crowd might be a different story,” Broad said. Pakistan will play four Tests, five ODIs and a T20I in England between July 14 and Sept 7. England face Sri Lanka in the third and final Test at Lord’s starting on Thursday. The hosts hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. — Agencies

NOTTINGHAM

Wozniacki wins on return, enters Round 2 

Caroline Wozniacki was forced to skip the clay court season due to a right ankle injury, but enjoyed a winning return just as the grass court season began at the Aegon Open, dispatching Cagla Buyukakcay 7-5 6-3 in the first round. Second seed Jelena Jankovic of Serbia beat Katerina Siniakova of Czech Republic 6-4 6-2. 

NOTTINGHAM

Fritz sets up Federer clash, del Potro wins

Taylor Fritz saved one match point as he finished strongly to defeat qualifier Fabrice Martin 3-6 7-6(6), 6-1 on Tuesday in the first round of the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart. The 18-year-old Fritz sets a second-round clash with top seed Roger Federer, who is returning from injury after being forced to miss Roland Garros. Juan Martin del Potro made a welcome return to action as he defeated Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 6-2 in the first round. The Argentine is playing his first grass-court tournament since reaching the semifinals at 2013 Wimbledon. 

Rome

Veteran Ventura named as next Italy coach

Giampiero Ventura, a 68-year-old who has never won a major title and spent much of his career in the lower divisions, was named on Tuesday as the next Italy coach to replace Antonio Conte after Euro 2016. Ventura, who will be in charge up to and including the 2018 World Cup in Russia, was described as a “master of football” by Italian federation chief Carlo Tavecchio as his appointment was confirmed. “I chose Ventura because he is a master of football and has taught many other coaches his innovative methods,” said Tavecchio.

Rome

Totti to play a 25th season at AS Roma

Francesco Totti will play a 25th season at AS Roma, taking him past his 40th birthday, after the playmaker extended his contract with the club for another year on Tuesday. “I really wanted this contract, it represents the fulfilment of my dream,” Totti said. “I always wanted to end my career having only worn one shirt — the Roma one.” Totti joined Roma as a 12-year-old in 1989 and made his professional debut in March 1993, aged 16. — Agencies