Ramkumar, Paes make early exit from Atlanta Open

New Delhi

After the high of Hall of Fame Open, India's Ramkumar Ramanathan made a first round exit from the ATP Atlanta Open singles. Leander Paes, too, was ousted from the $748450 hardcourt tournament in the doubles category. Ramanathan, who ended as the runners-up at the Newport event last week, lost 4-6 4-6 to American world No. 5 Taylor Fritz. 

Paris
Pavard wins World Cup goal of the tournament  award

France right-back Benjamin Pavard has won the 2018 World Cup goal of the tournament award for his stunning strike against Argentina, FIFA announced today. The 22-year-old Stuttgart defender ran onto a left-wing cross from Lucas Hernandez and sent a right-footed half-volley spinning into the top corner to level eventual champions France's last-16 tie with Argentina at 2-2 in the 57th minute. Pavard's effort won a public vote to be named the best of the 169 goals scored in the tournament, seeing off competition from Colombian midfielder Juan Quintero's free-kick against Japan and Luka Modric's goal in Croatia's group-stage thumping of Argentina.   

Perth
Mitchell Johnson quits 'lengthy' BBL  

The high intensity and length of the Big Bash League (BBL) has forced Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson to distance himself from its further seasons, also raising questions about his further involvement with the Indian Premier League. Cricket Australia had recently announced a revamp of BBL, switching it to a full home-and-away season with 14 games, plus the finals.  "The intensity and length of BBL is just too much for someone who will be 37 at the start of the summer," said Johnson's manager Sam Halvorsen. 

New Delhi
Pinto to take charge of Indian Arrows in I-League          

India's under-20 football coach Floyd Pinto will take charge of the Indian Arrows side in the upcoming I-League season, filling a post left vacant by Portuguese Luis Norton de Matos who stepped down earlier this month. De Matos, who was the head coach of the Indian U-17 World Cup team last year, quit the Arrows job on July 18, citing personal reasons. Pinto's appointment as Arrows head coach was announced today after the All India Football Federation's Technical Committee met here. 

Chennai
World Junior Squash: India meet Pak in pre-quarters          

Pakistan set up a pre-quarterfinal clash with hosts India in the WSF-World junior men's squash team championship with a 3-0 win over Zimbabwe today. Pakistan, who had lost 1-2 to Czech Republic in their opening Group match, made amends by crushing Zimbabwe 3-0. Pakistan settled for the second spot in Group F and thus will play India, who topped Group E for a spot in the last-eight. 

Colombo 
Sri Lanka cricketer quizzed in rape case           

Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka was quizzed by the police today over the alleged rape of a Norwegian woman in a hotel room where he was present. The police, however, said the evidence do not point to the opening batsman's personal involvement in the case, in which one of his friends has been arrested. Gunathilaka, 27, was not aware of what took place between the Norwegian woman and his friend, who was accused of rape and arrested later. — Agencies