‘It’s great to see T20 cricket return to Mysuru, says Gundappa Vishwanath

Indian Wells, March 12 (IANS) No. 23 seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine withstood rain and battled into the Indian Wells Open quarterfinals with a 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 upset of No. 4 seed American Jessica Pegula.

The former Indian Wells semifinalist shook off her early misfortunes and flipped the match on its ear as she claimed 12 of the final 15 games to earn a trip to her 21st WTA 1000 quarterfinal, and first since 2021.

On a misty day in the California desert, Svitolina and Pegula had to brave a lengthy rain delay after the first game of the third set. It was Svitolina who came back from the interlude with fire in her eyes. She put Pegula on the back foot and raced away with the win.

Pegula entered Indian Wells having just won the Austin title earlier this month, but Svitolina came out on top, earning just her third win over Pegula in their eight career meetings.

Svitolina, who is into the quarterfinals at Tennis Paradise for the first time since 2019, will face either Mirra Andreeva, who ousted Elena Rybakina for the second time in three weeks to advance to the quarterfinals with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 win.

The 17-year-old Russian Andreeva’s run in the desert comes fresh off the heels of her capturing a maiden WTA 1000 title at the Dubai Championships, which propelled her to become the youngest player to reach the Top 10 since 2007.

Earlier, Iga Swiatek thumped 15th-seeded Karolina Muchova with 6-1, 6-1 victory tp march into the quarterfinals.

The Pole has dropped just six games through three rounds, which ties Monica Seles’ record for the fewest games dropped en route to the Indian Wells quarterfinals, with a minimum of three matches played.

In the process, Swiatek ramps up her bid to become the first woman to ever win three Indian Wells Open titles, and the first woman to successfully defend the title here since Martina Navratilova in 1991.

Since the event’s inauguration in 1989, Monica Seles has conceded the fewest games en route to the women’s singles title at Indian Wells, dropping just 12 games in 1992 (in five matches). If any player has a chance to match that incredible feat, it would be Swiatek.

–IANS

bc/

Lucknow, April 26 (IANS) After picking a brilliant 5-23 for Lucknow Super Giants in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan said his only priority was to ensure his performances are converted into a victory for the side.

Mohsin’s five-for, the best bowling figures in IPL 2026, helped LSG keep KKR to 155/7. “Right now, I’m only thinking that the team should win first. Whatever performance I’ve had should convert into a win, and our team should win. We will try to bat well too – winning is very important for us,” Mohsin said to broadcasters after his spell at the BRSABV Ekana Stadium.

He also confirmed that he was fully fit and credited his off-season work with trainer Soham Desai for keeping him in shape. “I’m absolutely fine, fully fit. I’ve worked really hard, especially in the off-season with our trainer, Soham bhai. My body feels good, and everything is going well,” he said.

Mohsin explained how he executed the team’s plans, particularly against individual batters, and how variations on the slow surface brought him success. “Whatever we discussed with Rishabh bhai and the plans we made for each batsman, I tried to follow exactly that.

“I read the pitch, and I felt that if I bowled a slower ball, it would hold up a bit. I sensed a shot was coming, so I changed the pace, and that got me the wicket. I’m focusing on my body, just trying to stay fit and healthy and keep playing matches. That’s all,” he said.

Despite LSG conceding 55 runs in overs 17-20, Mohsin remained confident about the team’s chances of winning the game. “We bowled good overs. Maybe a few runs came in the last one or two overs, but we’re going to win today. The score is decent.”

–IANS

nr/bsk/

Seattle, June 25 (IANS) Teenage River Plate forward Franco Mastantuono said that new Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso had played a major role in his decision to sign with the Spanish club.

Mastantuono is set to arrive at the Bernabeu in August after Madrid triggered his buyout clause of 63 million euros (around 72 million US dollars).

The 17-year-old revealed that a phone call with Alonso, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid’s manager last month, had immediately convinced him it was the right move.

“The way Xabi handled things with me was incredible. I’m really grateful,” Mastantuono said in an interview with DAZN, reports Xinhua.

“That conversation had a big impact on me. When a coach genuinely wants you, that’s a huge show of trust, especially when you’re leaving a club as massive as River. That’s not an easy decision, but his words gave me the motivation I needed to make the leap.”

Mastantuono has enjoyed a breakout season for River Plate with seven goals and four assists in 21 games across all competitions.

His performances earned him a call-up to Argentina’s national team, and he became the youngest player to appear in an official match for the Albiceleste when he featured in a World Cup qualifier against Chile earlier this month.

Despite attracting interest from several top European clubs – including newly crowned Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain – Mastantuono said Real Madrid’s offer was too good to refuse.

“It’s the team that has won the most in Europe, any player wants to play there, and the fact that it’s happening to me is a dream come true,” he said.

Mastantuono pointed out that his current focus is on helping River Plate at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, but he is already looking forward to the new challenge.

“I know I still have a lot to learn in football and I’m eager to keep growing,” he said. “I like to listen, observe and absorb everything around me. That’s my greatest strength and it helps me make decisions on the pitch.”

–IANS

bc/