Chennai ATP Challenger: Moutet wins title

Chennai

France’s Corentin Moutet beat Andrew Harris of Australia 6-3 6-3 in the singles final to win the title in Chennai Open ATP Challenger tennis tournament here today. The Frenchman played confidently to dash the hopes of Harris, the conqueror of top-seeded Prajnesh Gunneswaran on Saturday. The 19-year-old left-hander displayed a range of exquisite shots, tremendous agility and exemplary court-craft in subduing Harris, a former junior doubles champion at the French Open and Wimbledon.  

Indore

Advani clinches 9th National snooker title    

Ace Indian cueist Pankaj Advani claimed yet another Senior National Snooker title with a thumping win over young Laxman Rawat in a one-sided final here today. With his win, Advani took his tally of Indian championships (snooker and billiards) to a whopping 32 golds. After winning 11 Indian titles as a junior, Advani has won nine billiards, three six-red snooker and nine snooker gold medals in the senior category. In the women’s final, Varshaa Sanjeev defeated Maharashtra’s Arantxa Sanchis 4-2. 

Guwahati

Lakshya guides AAI to final of Inter State Zonal meet

Lakshya Sen received a huge boost ahead of the Senior National Championships as he guided the Airports Authority of India to the final of the 74th Inter State-Inter Zonal Badminton Championships. With a commanding 3-0 victory over Andhra Pradesh, AAI will now challenge the Railways for the title after the latter beat Assam 3-1 to return to the summit clash for the first time since 2011. Lakshya did not put a foot wrong and outclassed Andhra’s Jagadeesh K 21-10 21-13 in a  contest that lasted 30 minutes. 

Mumbai

Warne named Rajasthan Royals brand ambassador  

Australia spin legend Shane Warne was on Sunday named the brand ambassador of Rajasthan Royals for the upcoming Indian Premier League. Warne, who led Rajasthan Royals to their first and only IPL title win in 2008, was the mentor of the side last season. 

Karachi

Oz refuse to play in Pak, entire series in UAE now    

Australia have refused to play in Pakistan due to security concerns and the two teams will now compete in the World Cup preparatory five-match ODI series in the UAE. After a long delay, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) finally announced today that the entire series would be played in the UAE from March 22 to 31. PCB had urged Australia to send its team to Karachi for one or two matches of the series, and was hopeful of convincing the Australians to come to Pakistan for the first time since 1998.

Pune

ATK, Pune play out a draw     

An engaging tie between FC Pune City and ATK ended in a 2-2 draw in the Indian Super League here on Sunday. Pune took the lead in a see-saw tussle through Marko Stankovic's deflected strike (17).  A superb goal from Jayesh Rane (23) and a penalty by Edu Garcia (61) appeared to have sealed the deal for ATK, but Robin Singh scored a header (73) to help Pune clinch a point. — Agencies