ATHLETICS
Dutee Chand qualifies for Rio Olympics
Indian sprinter Dutee Chand dipped under the women’s 100m qualification standard of 11.32 seconds at the 26th G Kosanov Memorial Meet in Almaty to qualify for the Rio Olympics.
Clocking 11.30 seconds in the heats of the event being held in Kazakhstan, she also broke her own national record in the process.
Semenya wins African 1,500 m title
Caster Semenya of South Africa continued her good form as she notched an Olympic qualifying time of 4:01.99 while winning the 1,500 m title in Durban. Though 800 m, where she won the silver in the 2012 London Olympics, continues to be her pet event, she has also qualified for the 400 m and 1,500 m events as well.
CRICKET
West Indies beat South Africa by 100 runs
After stumbling to 21 for four, West Indies recovered to score 285 in their 50 overs, courtesy a well-made 102 from Darren Bravo, supported by Kieron Pollard’s 62.
The bowlers then did the trick, folding the South Africans to 185 in the do-or-die match, thereby qualifying for the finals against Australia on Sunday.
Hales, Roy record partnership as England thrashes Sri Lanka
Openers Alex Hales (133 not out) and Jason Roy (112 not out) made a mockery of the chase against Sri Lanka in the second ODI as England won the match by 10 wickets.
Their 256 run opening-wicket stand, an English record in ODIs for any wicket, took them past Sri Lanka’s 254 for seven with over 15 overs to spare.
FOOTBALL
Argentina look to end title drought in Copa America Centenario final
Argentina, looking to end their title drought that stretches back to 1993, will take on Chile in the final of Copa America Centenario finals in a repeat of last year’s finals.
While Lionel Messi has been inspirational for Argentina, scoring goals that took him past Gabriel Batistuta as the country’s leading goal scorer, Chile have also bounced back from their opening defeat in the tournament against Argentina.
Chile had the best performance of the tournament in the 7-0 demolition of Mexico in the quarterfinals and were equally impressive in their 2-0 win over Colombia in the semis.
Neuer believes Germany can thrive under pressure
Germany goal keeper Manuel Neuer believes that the knockout stages of a tournament brings out the best in his team and is confident that they will be able to get past Slovakia, who had recently defeated them in a friendly game.
In other round of 16 clashes on Sunday, hosts France take on Republic of Ireland while surprise-package Hungary will face off against fancied Belgium.
SWIMMING
Beisel concerned about doping
Two time Olympic medallist Elizabeth Beisel is concerned about the prevalent doping menace and doubts whether it will be a level playing field at the Rio Olympics. Ahead of the US Olympic trials, she has stated that the speculation and rumours are always in the back of her mind.
TENNIS
Djokovic, Federer drawn to meet in Wimbledon semi-finals
Novak Djokovic, who will be facing James Ward in the first round, will be meeting Roger Federer in the semi-finals according to the Wimbledon draw released on Friday. Djokovic defeated Federer in the last two finals at the All England Club.
