BADMINTON
Indian shuttlers shine at US Open
Six Indians progressed to the pre-quarterfinals in the singles event at the US Open Grand Prix Gold badminton tournament.
B. Sai Praneeth, H.S. Prannoy, Pratul Joshi, Anand Pawar, Ajay Jayaram and Tanvi Lad (women’s singles) made their way to the next round, while R.M.V. Gurusaidutt went down against Japan’s Kazumasa Sakai.
CRICKET
Indian team reaches West Indies
Virat Kohli-led Indian Test side, scheduled to play four Tests against the West Indies, reached the Caribbean island of St. Kitts on Thursday. Newly appointed coach Anil Kumble took to Twitter to make the announcement, posting a selfie with few of the players.
Maynard sees shades of Roberts in Amir
While comparisons with Wasim Akram has been the norm, Somerset coach and former England batsman Matthew Maynard sees similarities between Mohammad Amir and West Indies legend Andy Roberts.
While Amir is a left-armer and Roberts a right-arm pace bowler, Maynard believes that Amir’s bowling intelligence reminds him of Roberts, especially the ability to change the pace up.
FOOTBALL
Ronaldo's Portugal in Euro 2016 final
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a goal and set up another as Portugal made their way to the Euro 2016 final with a 2-0 win over Wales.
While Ronaldo’s Real Madrid team-mate Gareth Bale had the best opportunities in the first half, it was Ronaldo who drew first blood with a thumping header in the 50th minute. Ronaldo’s miscued shot three minutes later was then steered goalwards by a sliding Nani as Portugal put the result beyond doubt.
TENNIS
Murray and Federer are the flag bearers for the old order
In the absence of Rafael Nadal, missing Wimbledon due to a wrist injury, and Novak Djokovic, surprisingly knocked out in the third round, Andy Murray and Roger Federer are the flag bearers for the so called ‘Big Four’, owing to the fact that they have dominated the sport for the past decade.
Both Murray and Federer had to fight their way through tough five-setters to book their place in the last four. While Murray takes on Czech Tomas Berdych, Federer faces Canadian Milos Raonic in the semi-finals on Friday.
