Anirban is fifth on Asian Tour

Kuala Lumpur: Rising Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri has jumped up to the fifth place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit with a season haul of $57,720. Lahiri won the Panasonic Open (India) on Saturday. He will next feature in this week’s $2.5 million Maybank Malaysian Open.

The Malaysian Open has attracted a world-class field which includes new Masters winner Charl Schwartzel, world No. 1 Martin Kaymer of Germany, British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen and Irish star Rory McIlroy.

Sania rises

Calcutta: Sania Mirza jumped 17 places to 73rd position in the latest WTA singles rankings with 882 points following her quarter final appearance in the Family Circle Cup last week. Her doubles individual rankings also spiked to 29 — four places up from previous week — after her title win at Charleston, partnering Elena Vesnina of Russia. In ATP rankings, Somdev Dev Varman lost one spot to be at 72nd.

Kim trips

Brussels: World No. 2 Kim Clijsters is a major doubt for the French Open next month after injuring her ankle at her cousin’s wedding. The Belgian, twice a finalist at Roland Garros, was already facing four weeks out due to a painful shoulder and wrist.

Nadal point

Monte Carlo: Rafael Nadal damped down the growing belief that he is all but untouchable on clay. “I may have more options on clay. But I don’t feel unbeatable… I know I can lose,” Nadal said.

Indians win

Dubai: Top-seeded GM K. Sasikiran warded off some initial resistance from Australian Vladimir Feldman to open with a comfortable win in the 13th Dubai International Open Chess Tournament. GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly and GM Parimarjan Negi also won .

Bullet hit

Buenos Aires: The home of Matias Messi, brother of Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, was hit by at least six bullets fired from a small caliber weapon, police said Monday.

Tudu brace

Gangtok: Budhiram Tudu struck twice as debutants United Sikkim Football Club (USFC) defeated Delhi’s Simla Youngs 2-0 in the second division of I-League to move into the second position in their pool.

Cup debt

Colombo: Sri Lanka Cricket Monday said that it is saddled with a $23million debt after cost overruns and hefty bills incurred for building stadiums during the World Cup. “The World Cup left us a $22.6m deficit,” sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said.

Preity wish

Mohali: Bollywood star and Kings XI Punjab co-owner Preity Zinta is hopeful of a turnaround after the team’s listless performance in their opening game of IPL-IV.

Staff Reporter & Agencies