Masik knocks out Prakash

Chikmagalur: Prakash Amritraj failed to capitalise on an early lead and lost to Jan Masik of the Czech Republic 5-7, 1-6 in the second round of the $25,000 Cafe Cup ATP Challenger tournament here on Wednesday.

The Indian Davis Cupper, seeded sixth here, started off on a positive note at the Centenary Stadium courts, but later appeared to lose momentum. Unseeded Masik broke the Indian in the tenth game to level the score at 5-5 and then tightened his grip over the match as he raised the level of his game. Masik advanced to the quarter finals, where he was joined by second seeded Danai Udomchoke of Thailand.

Injured Tergat pulls out

London: World marathon record holder Paul Tergat has withdrawn from Sunday?s London marathon after being injured while training in Kenya last week. Tergat, 36, told reporters on Wednesday he had sustained the injury in a muscle in his left calf.

?I was to fly here on Wednesday but this problem came on Monday. I trained all day without any problem I went to sleep and woke up in pain. I flew from Kenya to Italy to try and get some treatment,? he said. ?I tried everything I could to try and compete here. ?I am really disappointed I can?t. I have worked so hard for this race.?

India up one spot

New Delhi: India went up by a spot to 117th position in the latest Fifa rankings.

The senior national team, without a coach at the moment, is ranked 22nd among Asian teams, down one spot, with 379 points.

India are just three points behind Hong Kong on the Fifa table and only two points ahead of Barbados.

Brazil continue to lead the rankings ahead of Czech Republic and The Netherlands. The US have climbed up to fourth spot.

The next three slots are taken by Spain, Mexico and France, who all gain a position each. Portugal climbed two spots to joint eighth.

Fined for racist chants

Kiev: Second division side Karpaty Lviv were fined $5,000 on Tuesday in connection with anti-Semitic chants by their fans at a Ukrainian Cup semi-final match against premier league side Dynamo Kiev last week. Officials from the Ukrainian Professional Soccer League (PFL) told Ukrainian media that the fine had been imposed against the side for ?unethical chants? towards Dynamo Kiev coach Igor Surkis.

Manager held

Miami: Major League Baseball?s Washington Nationals general manager Jim Bowden was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol during his team?s recent visit to Miami, police said on Tuesday. The 44-year-old was driving a Cadillac when he was pulled over for running a stop sign on Sunday night in Miami Beach?s entertainment district, South Beach, according to a police report.

Bowden smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot, glassy eyes, a red face, and slurred speech, the report said. He refused to take a blood-alcohol test, it said.

Three new faces

Bucharest: Women?s gymnastics European title holders Romania have brought in three newcomers to their squad for this month?s defence of their crown in Greece.

Sandra Izbasa, the 16-year-old who dominated the all-round, floor and vault exercises at the recent Romania Internationals in Ploiesti, has been drafted in along with Dana Druncea and Steliana Nistor. The women?s European championships would take place in Volos between April 27-30 with the men?s from May 4-7.

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