timesofindia.indiatimes.com - Novak Djokovic makes winning return to ATP action in Tel Aviv

Novak Djokovic makes winning return to ATP action in Tel Aviv

Novak Djokovic, playing a singles tournament for the first time since winning Wimbledon in July, reached the Tel Aviv quarter-finals on Thursday with a straight-sets victory over Spain's Pablo Andujar. Djokovic eased to a 6-0, 6-3 win over his 115th-ranked opponent in 86 minutes, firing 30 winners and breaking Andujar four times. It was the fewest games Djokovic has lost in any match this season. He was always in control against his Spanish rival who he has now defeated three times, taking control of the match by winning the first seven games. "The first match started off in a perfect way for me," said Djokovic, who last played in Israel as a teenager 16 years ago in a Davis Cup tie.

Everton boosted by Pickford return for Southampton clash

Frank Lampard said. Pickford, 28, sustained the injury during the goalless Merseyside derby against Liverpool earlier this month and missed their league game against West Ham United as well as England's Nations League fixtures against Italy and Germany.

PM Narendra Modi declares 36th National Games open at dazzling ceremony

Narendra Modi at a glittering opening ceremony on Thursday evening in the presence of over 100,000 ecstatic spectators. In keeping with the Olympic convention, but with a modern twist, Gujarat's swimming star Maana Patel brought in the symbolic Torch of Unity into the arena and handed it over to the Prime Minister.

Tottenham's Conte mum on injuries but says they could decide title race

Tottenham Hotspur with players sidelined due to injuries and any more in October could have a say in the Premier League title race, manager Antonio Conte said on Thursday. Spurs visit north London rivals Arsenal on Saturday and could be without key regulars such as goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, winger Dejan Kulusevski and defender Ben Davies. Davies suffered a hairline fracture below his knee before the international break, Lloris sustained a thigh injury that forced him to pull out of the France squad and Kulusevski has a hamstring problem after playing twice for Sweden.

Did India miss the 1950 FIFA World Cup for playing barefoot? New book debunks theory

FIFA World Cup, according to a new book on the history of the national football team. The new book 'Box to Box: 75 years of the Indian football team', edited by noted football journalist Jaydeep Basu and young journalist Sayan Mukherjee, is a collection of essays and interviews from prominent players of yesteryears as well some of the best football writers in the country. It traces the journey of the national team since independence, how it became the champions of Asia during its 'golden period' and how it faded from the 1970s onwards.

Ajinkya Rahane to lead Mumbai in Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy

Ajinkya Rahane was on Thursday named by the selection committee, led by ex-India pacer Salil Ankola, as the Mumbai captain for the league stage of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy at Rajkot, which will kick off on October 11. With Covid-19 threat now almost over, the selectors picked the usual 15-man squad for the tournament. Rahane had earlier this week led West Zone to the Duleep Trophy title.

PM Narendra Modi declares National Games open; says nepotism, corruption plagued sports in country earlier

Narendra Modi declared open the 36th National Games here on Thursday. Indian sportspersons could not perform well in the past due to nepotism and corruption but his government cleaned up the system, he said on this occasion. Speaking at a gala ceremony at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera area here, he praised Indian athletes for winning medals in various international events such as the Olympics in recent times.

Durham hit with 10-point penalty for Maddinson's oversized bat

Australian Maddinson used a bat that failed a bat-gauge test during Durham's game against Derbyshire earlier this month. The equipment was inspected by the umpire before the left-hander was asked to continue with another bat.

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Timesofindia.indiatimes.com Sport News

Novak Djokovic makes winning return to ATP action in Tel Aviv

Everton boosted by Pickford return for Southampton clash

PM Narendra Modi declares 36th National Games open at dazzling ceremony

Tottenham's Conte mum on injuries but says they could decide title race

Did India miss the 1950 FIFA World Cup for playing barefoot? New book debunks theory

Ajinkya Rahane to lead Mumbai in Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy

PM Narendra Modi declares National Games open; says nepotism, corruption plagued sports in country earlier

Durham hit with 10-point penalty for Maddinson's oversized bat