Federer will play on clay only at French Open this year

Mumbai, February 14

Roger Federer will make his only appearance on clay this season at Roland Garros, his agent said. The Swiss skipped the entire claycourt season in 2017 and 2018 and last year played only two tournaments on the surface before arriving in Paris for the French Open. There was speculation that Federer would include the Madrid and Rome Masters in his truncated schedule for 2020 but his agent, Tony Godsick, said that would not happen. “As his schedule states, he plans on playing just Roland Garros,” Godsick said. The 38-year-old has been cutting down on the number of tournaments he plays over the last few years in a bid to prolong his career.

Unlike his main rivals, Federer, who won the last of his 20 Grand Slam titles in 2018 at the Australian Open, opted out of the inaugural ATP Cup in Australia to spend time with his family before launching his 22nd season on Tour.

He arrived at the Australian Open having not played a competitive match since the ATP Finals in November but still made it to the semifinals, where he fell to eventual champion Novak Djokovic.

Federer, who has won the French Open only once, in 2009, will arrive well-rested for this year’s campaign at the French Open, which begins on May 24. The March 25-April 5 Miami Masters hardcourt tournament is the last on his schedule before that. The Swiss will defend his title at the Dubai Duty Free tennis championships next week before playing at next month’s BNP Paribas Open in California.

While Federer has gone seven straight Grand Slams without adding to his collection, he said in Melbourne he still thinks he can win more. “Yes, I do believe that,” said Federer. “I think by having the year that I had last year, also with what I have in my game, how I’m playing, I do feel that, yeah.” — Reuters

Lifters claim 2 medals on opening day of Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting

New Delhi, February 14

India made a positive start at the 2020 Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships, bagging two medals on the opening day of the event in Tashkent. While KVL Pavani Kumari won the silver in the 45kg category, Harshada Goud clinched the bronze in the same weight division.

Aus-WI T20 World Cup warm-up game cancelled due to waterlogged outfield

Brisbane, February 14

The opening warm-up game between Australia and West Indies ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup was cancelled after heavy showers at the Allan Border Field left the conditions unfit for play. Exceptionally heavy rain left the outfield at the ground even as the pitch was covered. Chris Tetley, ICC Head of Events, said, “Whilst the curators have worked tirelessly, the volume of rain has left us with no option but to cancel tomorrow’s match. We are hopeful that conditions will permit the matches between Bangladesh and Thailand, and India and Pakistan to take place on Sunday.”— PTI

SA call off proposed Pak tour citing workload

Johannesburg, February 14

In order to manage the workload of their players, South Africa will not tour Pakistan for a three-match T20I series next month. The Proteas, who are currently playing England in a three-match T20 series at home, next host Australia in three T20Is and as many ODIs before travelling to India to play three ODIs from March 12 to 18. “While we were keenly looking forward to hosting South Africa next month, we respect Cricket South Africa’s reason for not sending their side next month,” the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement.

“Managing player workload is a top priority for any board and from that perspective, their decision is understandable. We’re pleased CSA remains committed to rescheduling this short series as soon as practically possible,” the statement added.

Cricket South Africa was due to send a security delegation to Pakistan next month to assess arrangements ahead of the tour. — Reuters

Punjab lose by 48 runs, fails to make it to quarters

Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 14

Bengal beat Punjab by 48 runs in their Group A encounter to enter the quarterfinals of the Ranji Trophy. Chasing a target of 190 runs, Punjab made a mess of their run chase to be bowled out for 141. The spinners dominated the game with Bengal left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed picking up four wickets in the second innings to take his match haul to 11.

Resuming Day 3 at 199/9, Bengal scored only three more runs to set Punjab a 190-run target. It turned out to be enough in a low-scoring game with Punjab getting bowled out in 47. 3 overs. Ramandeep Singh (69* off 104) ran out of partners in the end. Bengal gained six points from the win, pushing them on the top of the standings.

Haryana require 121 for win against J&K

Jammu: A seven-wicket haul by Jayant Yadav helped Haryana bounce back into contention on the third day of their Group C match against Jammu and Kashmir. The off-spinner took a career-best haul of 7/58 to bowl out the home team for 174, leaving Haryana to chase 224 for an outright victory. The home team then picked up five wickets as Haryana finished the day at 103/5, requiring another 121. J&K had taken the first-innings lead after putting up 340 and then bowling out Haryana for 291.

The home team failed to build on a good start in the second innings with openers Suryansh Raina (38) and Jiyad Magrey (16) putting on 55 runs before Yadav got into the act. He got the key wickets of Raina, Shubham Khajuria (9) and Shubham Pundir (12) to trigger a collapse. Captain Parvez Rasool looked good till he was run out for 29 by Chaitanya Bishnoi.

In the second innings, Haryana lost wickets at regular intervals as Rasool (3/35) dismissed first-innings centurion Pramod Chandila (1), opener Himanshu Rana (24) and Yashu Sharma (24).

Brief Scores

J&K: 340 and 174 (Suryansh Raina 38, Parvez Rasool 29; Jayant Yadav 7/58); Haryana: 291 and 103/5 (Chaitanya Bishnoi 31, Himanshu Rana 24; Parvez Rasool 3/35)

HP: 220 and 433/7decl (AP Vasisht 141; Nikhil Gangta 102; Saurabh Kumar 5/121); UP: 119 and 77/4

Bopanna-Shapovalov pair enters semis

Rotterdam, February 14

Rohan Bopanna and his Canadian partner Denis Shapovalov advanced to the men’s doubles semifinals of the ABN Amro World Tennis Tournament with an impressive win over fourth seeds Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau. The unseeded Indo-Canadian combine beat the Romanian-Dutch pairing of Tecau and Rojer 6-2 3-6 10-7 in the quarterfinals. They next meet the winners of the quarterfinal between Jan-Lennard Struff- Henri Kontinen and Jamie Murray-Neal Skupski. — PTI