Nadal records confident win over Norrie in Bastad

Stockholm: Rafa Nadal upset Briton Cam Norrie 6-4 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals in Bastad on Thursday, mounting a terrific second-set comeback in an encouraging display for the Spaniard’s fans ahead of the Paris Olympics. The former world No. 1 skipped Wimbledon to prepare for the Olympics and the plan appeared to be paying off as he rallied back from 1-4 down in the second set to set up a meeting with Argentine fourth seed Mariano Navone.

New Delhi

TOPS to finance Prannoy’s trainer during Paris Olympics

The Sports Ministry’s Mission Olympic Cell has approved Olympics-bound shuttler HS Prannoy’s proposal for financial assistance towards his trainer Rohan George Mathews during his stay at Paris. Meanwhile, wrestler Reetika Hooda is left to plead with the IOA officials to arrange for a visa for her coach Mandeep, who has been excluded from the list of approved support staff.

New Delhi

Indian football team 124th, Argentina remain on top

Success-starved India held on to the 124th position in the FIFA men’s rankings even as reigning world champions and Copa America winners Argentina strengthened their grip at the top of the pecking order. India had broken into the top-100 last year, with a best ranking of 99, but since then it has been a downward spiral. Agencies