Briefly: Wrestler Ronak in semifinals at U17 World Championships

Amman (Jordan): Ronak Dahiya was the lone Indian Greco-Roman wrestler to make it to the semifinals of the U17 World Championships while five others struggled to go deep in their respective draws on the opening day of the prestigious cadets’ event. Competing in the 110kg weight class, Ronak began with a 8-1 win over Artur Manvelian and followed that up with a commanding technical superiority victory over Daniil Maslakou. Ronak, who trains at Delhi’s famous Chhatrasal Stadium, will next take on Hungary’s Zoltan Czako.

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Winston-Salem (US)

Nagal bows out in first round of Winston-Salem Open

India’s top singles player Sumit Nagal bowed out of the Winston-Salem Open, an ATP 250 event, after a straight-set defeat against Borna Coric in the first round. Nagal lost 4-6 2-6 to the Croatian player in one hour and 10 minutes. Nagal converted the only breakpoint he got in the contest while dropping his serve four times.

Berlin

Germany’s Gundogan retires from international football

German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has retired from international soccer, the 33-year-old said. Gundogan, who joined Barcelona from Manchester City last year, made his debut for Germany in 2011 and scored 19 goals in 82 appearances for the national side. “After a few weeks of consideration, I have come to the conclusion that it is time to end my national team career,” Gundogan posted online.

Buenos aires

Injured Messi left out of World Cup qualifiers squad

Injured Argentina captain Lionel Messi was left out of the squad announced by the Argentine FA for next month’s South American World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia. The 37-year-old Messi was not included in the 28-man squad following an ankle injury sustained during last month’s Copa America final in the United States.

Madrid

Real Madrid stars fade in season opener

Real Madrid got their LaLiga title defence off to a limp start as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Mallorca, with Vedat Muriqi’s second-half header cancelling out Rodrygo’s early strike and spoiling Kylian Mbappe’s eagerly awaited debut. Real’s so-called “New Galacticos” with Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr headlining a stellar squad came crashing back to earth with a dreary performance at a raucous Son Moix.

Cincinnati

Sinner sets up Tiafoe title clash in Cincinnati Open

Top-ranked Jannik Sinner outlasted Alexander Zverev to reach the final of the Cincinnati Open, while No. 1 Iga Swiatek was defeated in the women’s semifinals by No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka. Sabalenka will face American Jessica Pegula in the final, while Sinner will play Frances Tiafoe. Agencies