Mary Kom enters semifinals

New Delhi: Six-time world champion MC Mary Kom (51kg) was assured of a medal in her first competitive outing since qualifying for the Olympics last year when she entered the semifinals of the Boxam International Tournament in Castellon, Spain, today. The 37-year-old defeated Italian Giordana Sorrentino with a split verdict. Earlier, in the men’s draw, Olympics-bound Manish Kaushik (63kg) advanced to the quarterfinals with a 5-0 win over Spaniard Ammari Raddouane.

Srikanth through to second round

Basel: Top Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth staved off a spirited challenge from compatriot Sameer Verma to make a winning start to his campaign at the Swiss Open here today. The fourth seed beat Sameer 18-21 21-18 21-11. Sourabh Verma beat Switzerland’s Christian Kirchmayr 21-19 21-18. However, HS Prannoy lost 19-21 21-9 17-21 to France’s Mark Calijouw. PTI

Sania makes it to last-4

Doha: Indian tennis star Sania Mirza and Slovenia’s Andreja Klepac sailed into the women’s doubles semifinals of the Qatar Open. Sania and Andreja beat fourth seeds Anna Blinkova and Gabriela Dabrowski 6-2 6-0. pti