Chang calms Tillstrom
Top seed Michael Chang beat Sweden's Mikael Tillstrom on Saturday while third seed Jim Courier eliminated Romanian Andrei Pavel to advance to the finals of the US Men's Clay Court championship. Chang, the defending champion and top seed, defeated Tillstrom 6-3, 6-4 victory while Courier laboured hard to overcome Pavel 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Paes-Bhupathi crash out
Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi crashed to a three-set loss on centre court to the Dutch pair Jacco Eltingh and Paul Haarhuis in the semi-finals of the Super 9 Monte Carlo Open on Saturday. The Indians lost after an incredible run from the Dutch pair which saw them winning five succesive games in the final set.
Indian golfers hog limelight at Lanka Amateurs
India's Rahil Ganjee and Lalitha Balasubramaniam have won the men's and women's title respectively of the Sri Lanka Amateur Golf tournament played at the Central Hill Resort of Nuwara Eliya. In the men's final on Saturday, Rahil beat compatriot and defending champion Digvijay Singh while Lalitha beat Sri Lanka's Anouk Chanmugam in the women's final played on Friday.
Goa hold edge over Bengal
Last year at Jabalpur, the Santosh Trophy final had seen a young Goan side take on an experienced Bengal. Experience had prevailed with Raman Vijayan scoring the golden goal. This time, the title clash is again between the two formidable sides, but the roles seem to have been reversed. Goa are not so young and Bengal have 10 players in their squad who are playing their first Santosh Trophy tournament.
Fina lifts drugs ban on Chinese swimmers
Four Chinese swimmers, who tested positive for a banned drug earlier this year, had their suspension lifted by world governing body Fina, pending further investigation. Fina originally suspended them from January 14, 1998 until the hearing for the doping panel could be held on Saturday.
Too early to plan for World Cup: Azhar
Indian skipper Mohammed Azharuddin feels it is too early to plan for the 1999 World Cup in England. He averred that it would be better to concentrate on each tournament as it comes in the run-up to the mega event next May.
