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United News of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- United News of India
Carlsen crushes Arjun, avenges loss to Praggnanandhaa
Las Vegas, July 20 (UNI) World number one Magnus Carlsen and number two Hikaru Nakamura will face off on Sunday in a high-voltage showdown for the third-place prize of $100,000 at the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Las Vegas, after both carved their way through the lower bracket with gritty and dramatic victories. The penultimate day of the tournament saw Carlsen mount a stunning comeback after an early loss, while Nakamura edged past two of his American compatriots to set up what many fans are calling the real final of the event. Carlsen began his day on the back foot, losing his opening match to India's GM R Praggnanandhaa. It was a continuation of his earlier struggles, having lost to the young Indian on the first day of the tournament as well. However, the Norwegian maestro bounced back in characteristic fashion, winning the next three games with precision and flair to take the match 3-1. His clinical execution of strategic themes and a sharp eye for tactics saw him dominate the rest of the encounter, culminating in a must-win game that was later named 'Game of the Day' for its instructive brilliance. Rejuvenated, Carlsen went on to sweep Indian prodigy GM Arjun Erigaisi 2-0 in the next round. The first game saw Carlsen dismantle Arjun's position with a timely exchange sacrifice, while the second game witnessed the Indian falling into an inferior position early on, eventually succumbing to a tactical blow that ended the match. With this, Carlsen secured his place in the third-place clash, collecting four straight wins across two must-win matches. Meanwhile, Nakamura navigated a tough path of his own. He opened with a convincing 1.5-0.5 victory over GM Wesley So. After a quiet draw in the first game, So blundered in the opening of the second, walking into a tactical net that saw his queen trapped and the game lost in just 17 moves. The critical test came in Nakamura's next match against GM Fabiano Caruana, which went all the way to tiebreaks. Caruana missed several winning chances, including a key moment in the first game where he settled for a draw despite having a significant edge. Nakamura, under heavy time pressure, survived multiple scares and capitalized on Caruana's missed opportunities in the blitz segment. In the final game, Nakamura took control early and converted his advantage smoothly, winning the match 3-1 and advancing to the third-place playoff. The much-anticipated Carlsen-Nakamura clash will headline Sunday's final day of the $750,000 tournament, with the winner walking away with $100,000 and the loser receiving $60,000. In the title match, GM Levon Aronian will face GM Hans Niemann, with $200,000 on the line for the champion and $140,000 for the runner-up. Matches for fifth and seventh place will also be held, featuring the remaining four players: Caruana, Praggnanandhaa, Arjun, and So. All games in the tournament are being played in the freestyle (Chess960) format. UNI BDN GNK
United News of India
14-06-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
Gill, Prasidh lead India's measured Test build-up
London, June 14 (UNI) In a blend of experience, intensity and calm, India's red-ball squad kicked off its preparations for the Test season with clarity of purpose and a relaxed yet focused mindset. As skipper Shubman Gill and fast bowler Prasidh Krishna spoke about the group during their ongoing warm-up fixture, the tone was one of measured intensity and self-awareness, knowing exactly when to switch on. Prasidh, reflecting on the mood in the camp, struck the most inspiring chord when he said: "I think all of us are experienced enough to know when it's time to focus and when to relax. That awareness is what keeps us sharp and ready." As players gathered after weeks of playing in different formats and teams, Krishna noted the value of match exposure and the challenge of adjusting to red-ball rhythms. "It's really important for all of us to get this game time. Some guys are coming off the A match, so just getting time on your feet is key. That's what today has been about as well," he said. He praised the playing conditions and competitive spirit within the group. "It's a nice, hard pitch and the bowlers have been in the game throughout. We've seen some really good spells, and it's great to see people showing character. When you're competing against your own teammates, it lifts everyone's level." On the camaraderie and dressing room atmosphere, Prasidh added, "We're all coming together after a while. A lot of us have shared cricket and memories before, so we're keeping things light. You can't be locked in all the time, especially when you're not in the middle. So, we're making sure to enjoy the company of fun people, but stay ready to switch on when needed." Captain Gill, speaking earlier, echoed the emphasis on team clarity and discipline. "Let's maintain our intensity,' he told the squad. 'When we're building as a group, let's make sure we focus on the key areas — whether it's as a bowling unit or batting unit." Both voices underscored the message that India's red-ball ambitions will be shaped not just by skills, but by mindset — one that values preparation, embraces competition, and knows how to stay grounded amid the grind. UNI BDN GNK
United News of India
12-06-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
Cummins claims 300th Test wicket at Lord's in WTC final
London, Jun 12 (UNI) Australia captain Pat Cummins on Thursday became the eighth Australian and 22nd bowler overall to claim 300 Test wickets, as he led a devastating bowling performance against South Africa on the second day of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord's. Cummins' extraordinary 6 for 28 — the best bowling figures by a Test captain at Lord's — dismantled South Africa's batting order and handed Australia a crucial first-innings lead in the high-stakes encounter. In a remarkable statistical milestone, the match also saw history being created as Cummins joined Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon to form the first-ever Test bowling attack featuring three players with 300 or more wickets. Josh Hazlewood, who missed the mark narrowly, sits on 280. Speaking to the host broadcaster at the innings break, Cummins said, "It's great, and I've got some family here which is nice. They were batting pretty well so happy we've got a decent lead this first innings. For any fast bowler 300 is a big number, means you've battled a few injuries and niggles, got through it and played well in different conditions." Cummins, who had struck on the first evening by removing Wiaan Mulder, returned on Thursday to claim five more wickets. He broke the resistance in the morning by dismissing Temba Bavuma and then produced a fiery post-lunch spell of 4.1-4-4, running through the South African lower order. His victims included Kyle Verreynne (lbw), Marco Jansen (caught off a leading edge), David Bedingham (outside edge), and finally Kagiso Rabada — brilliantly caught at deep square leg — which sealed his 300th wicket. With this feat, Cummins now holds the fourth-best strike rate among bowlers with over 300 Test wickets, trailing only Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, and Waqar Younis. He has now taken 79 wickets at an average of 23.03 in this WTC cycle. UNI BDN SSP
United News of India
09-06-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
ARoland Garros lcaraz defends crown in 5-set thriller
Paris, June 8 (UNI) In one of the most dramatic Grand Slam finals in recent memory, Spain's Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday pulled off an extraordinary comeback to retain his French Open title, defeating world number one Jannik Sinner in a marathon five-set encounter lasting five hours and 29 minutes – the longest men's singles final in the history of Roland-Garros. In a clash billed as a battle between the top two players in the world, the 22-year-old Alcaraz rallied from two sets to one down and survived three match points to eventually clinch the championship 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6 (10-2) in front of a rapturous Philippe-Chatrier crowd this evening. The match was a pulsating showcase of grit, nerves, and raw athleticism, with momentum swinging wildly throughout. Sinner, bidding for his first Roland-Garros crown, seemed poised for glory when he led 5-3 in the fourth set and held triple championship point on Alcaraz's serve. But the Spaniard displayed nerves of steel, saving all three and breaking back before forcing and winning the tiebreak. Alcaraz then surged ahead in the final set, breaking early and appearing set for victory when he served for the match at 5-4. But Sinner struck back to level at 5-5, and a first-to-10 super tiebreak was required to separate the two warriors. There, Alcaraz raced to a 7-0 lead and never looked back, sealing the win 10-2 and collapsing in joy. With this victory, Alcaraz joins an exclusive group of players who have won a Grand Slam title after saving match points – the others being Gaston Gaudio (Roland-Garros 2004) and Novak Djokovic (Wimbledon 2019). This triumph marks Alcaraz's fifth major title – and second at Roland-Garros – adding to his two Wimbledon trophies and one US Open crown. He now stands as the third-youngest player in history to win five Grand Slam singles titles, following in the footsteps of legends Bjorn Borg and Rafael Nadal. The match drew tennis legends and celebrities alike, including Andre Agassi, Martina Navratilova, and actor Dustin Hoffman, who witnessed the gladiatorial showdown that kept the 15,000-strong Chatrier spectators on the edge of their seats. Sinner, despite the heartbreaking loss, was magnanimous in defeat, acknowledging Alcaraz's brilliance and vowing to come back stronger. The clash will be remembered as an instant classic – a testament to the new golden age of men's tennis. UNI BDN SS
United News of India
06-06-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
Gauff ends Boisson's dream run, storms into finals
Paris, June 5 (UNI) World No. 2 Coco Gauff delivered a commanding performance to end French wildcard Lois Boisson's remarkable run at Roland-Garros, securing a 6-1, 6-2 victory in just 69 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier here Thursday. With this win, Gauff advances to her second French Open final and sets up a highly anticipated clash against World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday. Gauff, 21, showcased her maturity and composure by neutralizing the fervent home crowd support for Boisson, maintaining focus throughout the match. Her aggressive baseline play and strategic shot selection left little room for the Frenchwoman to mount a challenge. Gauff's dominance was evident as she broke Boisson's serve multiple times, wrapping up the match efficiently. Boisson's journey to the semifinals has been nothing short of extraordinary. Ranked No. 361 at the tournament's outset, she became the first wildcard in the Open Era to reach the French Open semifinals. Her victories over top-seeded players, including World No. 3 Jessica Pegula and No. 6 Mirra Andreeva, captivated fans and marked her as a rising star in women's tennis. Despite the semifinal loss, Boisson is projected to climb over 300 spots in the WTA rankings, potentially entering the top 65 and becoming France's No. 1 female player. The upcoming final between Gauff and Sabalenka promises to be a thrilling encounter. Sabalenka, who ended Iga Swiatek's 26-match French Open winning streak in the semifinals, will be seeking her first Roland-Garros title. This match marks the first French Open women's final featuring the top two seeds in over a decade and is a rematch of the 2023 US Open final, where Gauff claimed her maiden Grand Slam title. The final is scheduled for Saturday, June 7, at 2 PM local time. Fans can expect a high-octane battle between two of the sport's brightest young talents, each aiming to etch their names further into tennis history. UNI BDN RN
