East Bengal Corrects Ticket Pricing for Kolkata Derby After Boycott Threat

East Bengal Corrects Ticket Pricing for Kolkata Derby After Boycott Threat

East Bengal Corrects Ticket Pricing for Kolkata Derby After Mohun Bagan Boycott Threat

In a significant development, East Bengal has announced that it will rectify any discrepancies in ticket pricing for the highly anticipated return leg of the Kolkata Derby against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan on Sunday. This decision comes after Mohun Bagan fans threatened to boycott the match due to perceived disparities in ticket costs.

The announcement was made after discussions with West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas and in recognition of the sentiments of the football community. East Bengal director Sandeep Agarwal, representing principal owners Emami, stated that any discrepancies in ticket pricing would be corrected immediately.

Agarwal also promised that there would be uniform pricing for all spectators in future derby matches. Previously, tickets for East Bengal stands ranged from ₹100 to ₹1000, while Mohun Bagan tickets varied from ₹250 to ₹3000.

East Bengal, as the home team for the return leg, had determined the ticket prices through its principal owners, Emami Limited. However, Mohun Bagan general secretary Debasish Dutta had called for an official boycott, citing the disparity in pricing.

Emami East Bengal defended its pricing strategy, stating that such practices are common worldwide. They also pointed to Mohun Bagan’s similar approach on February 3, 2024, where discounts were offered to their fans.

Agarwal acknowledged that the discount structure had caused confusion and, in light of the discussions with the Sports Minister and the sentiments of the football community, they had decided to correct the pricing.

The Kolkata Derby is one of the most iconic rivalries in Indian football, and the return leg is expected to draw a massive crowd. The correction in ticket pricing is a welcome move that will ensure fairness and accessibility for all fans.

Andrey Rublev Defaults from Dubai Tennis Championships Amidst Controversy

Andrey Rublev Defaults from Dubai Tennis Championships Amidst Controversy

Andrey Rublev’s controversial default from the Dubai Tennis Championships has sparked a heated debate about sportsmanship and fair play. The Russian star was accused of using an obscenity in his native tongue while screaming at a line judge during his semifinal match against Alexander Bublik.

Despite Rublev’s denial and insistence that he spoke in English, the chair umpire defaulted him based on the accusation of a Russian-speaking official. Bublik, who had come back from a set down to lead 6-7(4) 7-6(5) 6-5, was left bewildered and expressed his willingness to continue the match.

Rublev has since apologized for his behavior, acknowledging that it was unacceptable to raise his voice at an official. However, he also expressed frustration over being accused of using words he did not say. “I was being accused of things I didn’t do. Of the words that I didn’t say,” he said.

The ATP initially stripped Rublev of his Dubai ranking points and prize money, but after a successful appeal, he was allowed to keep both. However, he was fined $36,400 for his actions.

The incident has raised questions about the fairness of the default rule and the need for clear communication between players and officials. Rublev’s case highlights the importance of respecting the authority of umpires while also ensuring that players are treated fairly.

Labuschagne's 90 Keeps Australia Afloat Despite Henry's Five-Wicket Haul

Labuschagne’s 90 Keeps Australia Afloat Despite Henry’s Five-Wicket Haul

Australia’s batting woes continued in the second Test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval, but Marnus Labuschagne’s gritty 90 provided a glimmer of hope. Resuming on 124 for 4, Australia lost four wickets in the morning session to reach lunch at 221 for 8, leading by 59 runs.

Matt Henry continued his impressive form, claiming another five-wicket haul to take his tally to 10 wickets in the match. The New Zealand paceman has been a constant threat, exploiting the movement on offer.

Labuschagne, who had endured a lean patch in recent months, showed signs of his class with a determined innings. He anchored the Australian innings, countering the movement by getting across the stumps and hitting into his favored on-side.

Despite his efforts, Labuschagne fell agonisingly short of a century when he was caught at gully by Glenn Phillips off Tim Southee’s bowling. His dismissal was a major blow to Australia, who have struggled to build partnerships throughout the series.

Nathan Lyon, the nightwatchman, made a valuable contribution with the bat, scoring 20 before edging Henry to Daryl Mitchell. Mitchell Marsh also fell cheaply, trapped on the crease by Henry.

Debutant Ben Sears claimed the wicket of Steven Smith, but was unable to unsettle Labuschagne. Offspinner Glenn Phillips dismissed Alex Carey with a poorly executed paddle stroke, putting further pressure on the Australian wicketkeeper.

With Josh Inglis waiting in the wings, Carey’s place in the team is under scrutiny. Australia will need to bat aggressively in the afternoon session to build a substantial lead and put pressure on New Zealand.

Reigning BNP Paribas Open Champion Elena Rybakina Withdraws Due to Illness

Reigning BNP Paribas Open Champion Elena Rybakina Withdraws Due to Illness

Elena Rybakina Withdraws from BNP Paribas Open Title Defense Due to Illness

World No. 4 Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open, the first WTA 1000 event of the season, due to illness. The reigning champion was set to begin her title defense on Friday but was forced to pull out hours before her first match.

Rybakina’s withdrawal is a significant blow to the tournament, as she entered as the tour’s leader in wins this year with 17. She had won titles in Adelaide and Abu Dhabi and reached the final in Doha.

Last year, Rybakina stunned the tennis world by defeating world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the semifinals and Aryna Sabalenka in the final to claim her first WTA 1000 title. Her victory made her the first Kazakh player to win a WTA 1000 event.

Rybakina expressed her disappointment at having to withdraw, saying, “It’s with great sadness that I have to withdraw from the BNP Paribas Open. Those close to me know how much this tournament means to me and how much I wanted to come back and defend my title.”

Prakash Amritraj, a former Indian tennis player and commentator, said Rybakina’s withdrawal is a “massive void in the draw” and a “massive opportunity for players in her section.”

Rybakina’s withdrawal has led to a reshuffling of the draw. Argentina’s Nadia Podoroska, who was originally scheduled to face Rybakina, will now face American Kayla Day. The match will be played on Stadium 3.

The all-American second-round match between Madison Keys and Hailey Baptiste has been moved to Stadium 1 and will be played not before 8:00 p.m. local time.

Hardie, Agar Boost WA for Shield Final Showdown

Hardie, Agar Boost WA for Shield Final Showdown

Western Australia’s hopes of reaching the Sheffield Shield final have been boosted by the return of allrounder Aaron Hardie, who has been cleared to play in the crucial clash against Victoria in Melbourne from Monday.

Hardie, who has been sidelined with a minor calf injury since facing Tasmania in Hobart in mid-February, has been passed fit and will bolster WA’s lineup for the winner-takes-all match. The winner of the Victoria-WA clash will face Tasmania in the final.

Ashton Agar has also been included in WA’s squad as they cover all bases for the conditions they could face at Junction Oval. If Agar plays, it would be his first first-class match since the SCG Test against South Africa early last year.

Agar has slipped down WA’s red-ball pecking order behind offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli, who has been one of their standout bowlers this season with 37 wickets at 30.21. Agar has also fallen down Australia’s white-ball hierarchy after being ruled out of the ODI World Cup through injury.

Victoria have been boosted by the availability of Scott Boland, who has been released from Australia’s Test squad in New Zealand. Boland has made five appearances for Victoria this season, taking 26 wickets at 16.50.

There remains a slim chance that WA could still host the Shield final in Perth if Tasmania lose to South Australia and don’t gain 0.14 more first-innings bonus points than them.

In the Sheffield Shield, teams get six points for an outright win, one point for a draw, plus 0.01 of a bonus point for every run over 200 they score during the first 100 overs of their first innings and 0.1 of a bonus point for every wicket a team takes during the first 100 overs of their opponent’s first innings.

If Victoria-Western Australia finished in a draw, there is an outside possibility of New South Wales sneaking into the final, although they would need a huge amount of bonus points against Queensland.

Swiatek Cruises Past Collins in BNP Paribas Open Rematch

Swiatek Cruises Past Collins in BNP Paribas Open Rematch

Six weeks after their intense Australian Open encounter, Iga Swiatek faced a much smoother rematch against Danielle Collins, cruising to a 6-3, 6-0 victory to advance to the third round of the BNP Paribas Open.

In their previous meeting in Melbourne, Swiatek trailed Collins by two breaks before ultimately prevailing. This time, she applied the lessons learned, dominating the final nine games to secure the win in just 80 minutes.

Swiatek, the world No. 1, is celebrating the two-year anniversary of her first WTA ranking triumph in March, when she became the youngest woman to capture the Sunshine Double in Indian Wells and Miami. Her semifinal appearance in the 2023 BNP Paribas Open further solidifies her comfort level in the desert.

Despite Collins’ announcement that 2024 will be her final season, she has maintained a high level of play. The pair traded service holds early on, but Swiatek’s marathon seventh game proved pivotal. She saved two break points and won 10 of 11 points to take the opening set.

Collins’ resistance crumbled in the second set as Swiatek’s dominance grew. The Pole won six consecutive games, including a double break, to secure the match. Collins saved two break points in the final game, but Swiatek remained resolute, ending the contest with a backhand putaway.

Swiatek’s path to the title remains challenging. She could potentially face another Australian Open rival, Linda Noskova, in the third round. Noskova, the No. 26 seed, upset Swiatek in three sets in Melbourne.

France's Six Nations Title Hopes Evaporate After Early Exit

France’s Six Nations Title Hopes Evaporate After Early Exit

France’s Six Nations title hopes have been extinguished after a disappointing start to the tournament. With three rounds played, the team has recorded a win, a draw, and a loss, marking the earliest exit from title contention under coach Fabien Galthié.

The team’s poor form has raised concerns, especially considering their strong performance at the Rugby World Cup just five months ago. Galthié has responded by making eight significant changes to the starting lineup for their upcoming match against Wales, including three debuts.

Among the changes, hooker Julien Marchand, locks Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou, captain Gregory Alldritt, scrumhalf Nolann Le Garrec, and wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey have been brought in. Thomas Ramos has switched to flyhalf, while Nicolas Depoortere and Léo Barré will make their test debuts in midfield and fullback, respectively.

Meafou’s inclusion has generated excitement among French fans. The 2.03-meter, 145-kilogram prop has been a key player for Toulouse, helping them win three Top 14s and the 2021 European Cup. He received French citizenship last November and has been training with the national team for nearly a year.

Meanwhile, Wales has also struggled in the Six Nations, losing 10 of their last 11 matches. They have made several changes to their lineup, including dropping experienced centers George North and Nick Tompkins in favor of Joe Roberts and Owen Watkin. Captain Dafydd Jenkins has also been moved to the blindside flank to accommodate Will Rowlands.

Despite their struggles, both teams are determined to secure a victory in their upcoming match. France will be looking to regain their form and prove that they are still a force to be reckoned with, while Wales will be desperate to avoid the wooden spoon.

Kerber's Grit and Determination Shine in BNP Paribas Open Triumph

Kerber’s Grit and Determination Shine in BNP Paribas Open Triumph

Angelique Kerber’s triumphant return to the BNP Paribas Open was marked by a hard-fought victory over Jelena Ostapenko, a testament to her unwavering determination and resilience. Despite facing a formidable opponent and challenging conditions, Kerber displayed her trademark grit and tenacity to overcome a set and a break deficit, ultimately prevailing 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.

Kerber’s victory marked a significant milestone in her comeback from maternity leave, as it was her first Top 10 win since the 2021 Billie Jean King Cup Finals. The German veteran, now ranked 607th in the world, showcased her unwavering spirit and competitive fire throughout the match.

After initially trailing 3-1 in the opening set, Kerber rallied to win four consecutive games and held two set points. However, Ostapenko, who has enjoyed a successful season with titles in Adelaide and Linz, fought back to break Kerber’s serve and take the set 7-5.

Undeterred, Kerber refused to let the momentum slip away. She broke Ostapenko’s serve twice in the second set to level the match at 1-1. The third set was a tense affair, with both players trading breaks early on. Kerber eventually seized control of the match with her eighth break of the day, forcing Ostapenko’s backhand into the net.

In a nail-biting finish, Kerber faced four match points in a 12-point game. With nerves of steel, she unleashed an unreturned serve to seal the victory.

“This is why I am back,” Kerber declared on-court after the match. “It’s really an important win for me. Coming here, playing against one of the top players again and winning the match like this, gives me for sure a lot of confidence.”

Kerber’s victory marked her first consecutive match wins since Wimbledon 2022, while Ostapenko’s record against the German dropped to 1-3.

Sinner Extends Winning Streak to 16 with Dominant Indian Wells Debut

Sinner Extends Winning Streak to 16 with Dominant Indian Wells Debut

World No. 3 Jannik Sinner has extended his remarkable winning streak to 16 matches with a dominant 6-3, 6-0 victory over Thanasi Kokkinakis in the first round of the Indian Wells Masters 1000 event. The Italian star is now a perfect 13-0 on the season, having won his last three matches of 2023 at the Davis Cup Finals, the Australian Open title, and the Rotterdam title.

Sinner’s victory in Indian Wells marks his first match on American soil since his triumph at the US Open last year. The 21-year-old is now one win away from matching his career-best winning streak of 17 matches, set in 2021.

The Italian’s dominance in the match against Kokkinakis was evident from the outset. Sinner broke the Australian’s serve in the opening game and never looked back. He controlled the pace of the match with his powerful groundstrokes and precise serve, winning 80% of his first-serve points.

Kokkinakis, ranked No. 103 in the world, struggled to find his rhythm against Sinner’s relentless pressure. The Australian was broken three times in the first set and failed to win a single game in the second set.

Sinner’s victory in Indian Wells is a testament to his exceptional form and his determination to reach the No. 2 ranking. The Italian is now just 100 points behind No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, who is currently sidelined with an injury.

If Sinner continues his winning ways, he could potentially overtake Alcaraz and become the new world No. 2 as early as next week. The Italian is scheduled to face either Jenson Brooksby or Miomir Kecmanovic in the second round of Indian Wells.

Caty McNally Undergoes Elbow Surgery, Eyes New Chapter in Tennis Career

Caty McNally Undergoes Elbow Surgery, Eyes New Chapter in Tennis Career

American tennis star Caty McNally is embarking on a new chapter in her career after undergoing successful elbow surgery. The 22-year-old, who reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 54 last May, has been battling elbow pain for the past 10 months.

Despite conservative treatment, McNally’s pain persisted, leading her to make the difficult decision to go under the knife. The surgery, performed by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Dugas at the Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham, Alabama, was a success.

McNally’s injury troubles began shortly after her impressive run to the semifinals of the 2022 French Open. She missed the subsequent Wimbledon tournament and was sidelined for six months before making a brief return to the tour in February.

During her brief comeback, McNally teamed up with Asia Muhammad to win the WTA doubles title in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. However, her elbow pain continued to hinder her performance, forcing her to withdraw from the Australian Open and miss both the French Open and US Open last year.

McNally’s fellow Americans, including Madison Keys, Jennifer Brady, and former doubles partner Coco Gauff, have expressed their support and well wishes for her recovery.

“Can’t wait to see you back healthy,” Keys wrote on Instagram.

“Wishing you a speedy recovery,” added Gauff.

McNally is now focused on her rehabilitation and is determined to return to the court as soon as possible. She has already begun the grueling process of physical therapy and is eager to regain her previous form.

With her talent and determination, McNally is confident that she can overcome this setback and achieve even greater success in the future.

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