Ace Indian shuttler P V Sindhu’s promising run at the season-opening Malaysia Open Super 1000 came to an end after she suffered a straight-game defeat to China’s world number two Wang Zhiyi in the women’s singles semifinals here on Saturday. Returning to competitive action after recovering from a foot injury that had kept her out since October last year, the two-time Olympic medallist struggled to maintain consistency against the higher-ranked Chinese opponent and went down 16-21, 15-21, bringing curtains down on India’s campaign in the tournament. Sindhu, however, showed glimpses of her fighting spirit, especially in the second game where she squandered an 11-6 lead after the mid-game interval. Reflecting on the match, the 30-year-old admitted that small lapses at crucial moments proved costly. “I think at 11-6, after the break, I should have taken two or three points. Even when you’re leading, you can’t expect it to be easy. These things happen in a match,” Sindhu said. The Indian shuttler started the opening game aggressively, using her height and reach to good effect and unleashing trademark cross-court smashes to take an early 5-2 lead. Wang, however, relied on her deft net play and defensive solidity to claw her way back. After both players were locked at 13-13, Wang stepped up the pressure with a series of attacking shots and well-placed lifts, racing to an 18-14 lead before closing out the game. In the second game, Sindhu regrouped after falling behind early and controlled the rallies to build a comfortable 11-6 lead at the interval. Wang once again mounted a strong comeback as Sindhu committed a series of unforced errors, allowing the Chinese shuttler to draw level at 13-13 and then seize control. Wang earned five match points and sealed the contest when Sindhu pushed a shot wide. Despite the loss, Sindhu described the tournament as a positive start to her season. “It was a good tournament for me. Coming back after an injury, this performance gives me confidence and motivation. Now it’s important to rest and get ready for the India Open,” she said. Sindhu will next compete at the India Open Super 750 tournament in New Delhi next week.
10 January,2026 01:46 PM IST | Kuala Lumpur | mid-day online correspondentTop-ranked Aryna Sabalenka defeated Karolina Muchová 6-3, 6-4 Saturday to advance to the Brisbane International final. Sabalenka, the defending Brisbane champion, clinched the semifinal at Pat Rafter Arena on her fourth match point to advance to Sunday's final against the winner of a later semifinal between fourth-seeded Jessica Pegula and Marta Kostyuk. On Friday, in a rematch of last year's Australian Open final, Sabalenka broke Madison Keys' in five straight service games on the way to a 6-3, 6-3 win. Last year at Melbourne Park, Keys beat Sabalenka for her first Grand Slam singles title. The Brisbane International is a tuneup event for this year's Australian Open, which begins Jan. 18. In the men's tournament at Brisbane, top-seeded Daniil Medvedev will play Alex Michelsen of the United States in a later semifinal. Two Americans feature in the other semi, with Aleksandar Kovacevic playing Brandon Nakashima. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
10 January,2026 01:20 PM IST | Brisbane | APTwo-time Olympic medallist P V Sindhu advanced to the semi-finals of Malaysia Open after her opponent Akane Yamaguchi of Japan retired due to injury, while India’s ace men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty bowed out of the Super 1000 badminton tournament in the quarter-finals here on Friday. Pitted against third-seed Yamaguchi in the quarter-finals, Sindhu took the opening game 21-11 before the three-time world champion from Japan, who was wearing a knee brace, decided to pull out of the match. Sindhu will face second seed Wang Zhiyi of China in the semi-finals. Later, India’s two-time world championships bronze-medallist men’s doubles pair of Satwik and Chirag lost to lower-ranked Fajar Alfain and Muhammad Fikri of Indonesia 10-21, 21-23 in 47 minutes. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
10 January,2026 09:04 AM IST | Kuala Lumpur | PTITop-ranked women’s singles player Aryna Sabalenka is all set to serve up some style at the Australian Open, which begins on January 12 (main draw commences six days later) as she fondly displayed the new kit she will be sporting at the first Grand Slam of the year. Taking to Instagram, the Belarusian posted a video wearing a stunning orange, pink, and black coloured outfit, while doing a little jig for her four million followers. The 27-year-old accompanied the post with a caption describing the inspiration behind her Nike-designed ensemble. “A little commotion for my @australianopen kit… inspired by the surf.” Australia’s pristine beaches are a world-renowned destination for surfers. Sabalenka, wearing her bright, new kit, will be hoping to recapture the Australian Open crown, which she surrendered last season to USA’s Madison Keys. Prior to that, she had won the tournament in 2023 and 2024. Recently, the World No. 1 featured in a ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition match against Australian Nick Kyrgios. She ended up losing 3-6, 3-6, even as the match itself raised a lot of eyebrows with many claiming it promoted unnecessary and unfair comparisons between men’s and women’s players. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
10 January,2026 09:04 AM IST | Australia | AgenciesThe Pesi Shroff-trained Fynbos will have to be at her very best in the hands of her new partner (Vivek G) in the Villoo C Poonawalla Indian Oaks (Gr 1), the feature event of the Saturday card. The main threat to her may come from stablemate Namiri who, despite being short on experience, ran a mighty race in the 2000 Guineas; and if, instead of going with the pace, she is ridden with restraint, Namiri could unleash a decent turn of foot in the final two furlongs of the mile-and-a-half trip, and may give jockey Trevor Patel a chance to have the last laugh. The Prasanna Kumar-trained Ravishing Beauty, winner of two races from three starts, is also expected to run a big race. Fynbos is nominated as first choice; but as first favourite, she may not hold value as a bet. First race at 1 pm. Selections: Isn't She Special Trophy (Class III; 1600m)Miracle Of Hanukah 1, Break Point 2, Treat 3. Potential Champion Trophy (Class I; 1600m)Pride's Prince 1, El Greco 2, Chagall 3. Pleasure Hunt Trophy (Class II; 1000m)Fighton 1, Esperanza 2, Social Butterfly 3. Tricumdas Dwarkadas Trophy - Div I (Class IV; 1200m)Interceptor 1, Skandha 2, Juracan 3. Gool S Poonawalla Million - Gr 3 (For 3y; 1200m)Starlight Serenade 1, Nebula 2, Lady Scarlet 3. Ramniwas Ramnarain Ruia Gold Cup - Gr 3 (For 4y; 2000m)Baychimo 2, Red Bishop 2, Zacharias 3. Villoo C Poonawalla Indian Oaks - Gr 1 (For 4y Fillies; 2400m)Fynbos 1, Namiri 2, Ravishing Beauty 3. Tricumdas Dwarkadas Trophy - Div II (Class IV; 1200m)Machiavelian 1, Gold Bar 2, Aeon Flux 3. Marchetta Trophy (Class V; 1400m)Ministry Of Time 1, Algonquin 2, Maratha Admiral 3. RecommendationsBest bet: Baychimo (6-1)Upsets: Cellini (3-3), El Moran (4-1) & Remy Red (8-7) Today's poolsSuper jackpot pool: 4,5,6,7,8,9Jackpot pool: I - 2,3,4,5,6; II - 5,6,7,8,9Treble pool: I - 3,4,5; II - 6,7,8; III - 7,8,9.Tanala pool: All races
10 January,2026 09:04 AM IST | Mumbai | Prakash GosaviThere is excitement and anticipation in the air ahead of Saturday's Villoo C Poonawalla Indian Oaks (Grade 1), where champion filly Fynbos aims to redeem her reputation after a Guineas debacle that left tongues wagging. Trained by Pesi Shroff, Fynbos was the darling of the turf until she faltered in the Indian 1000 Guineas, losing to trainer MK Jadhav's Kavya, ridden by David Allan. The defeat came laced with drama, prompting inquiry, and jockey Trevor Patel copped a fine and suspension for his ride. Now, in a twist juicier than a soap opera, Trevor swaps saddles to partner Shroff's other contender, Namiri, sporting the same Dhunjibhoy silks as Fynbos, fulfilling his retainer duties, while Vivek G, Shroff's other preferred rider, has been asked to ride Fynbos. Will the filly forgive the jockey merry-go-round and gallop to glory as the likely hot favourite in the Oaks? That's the question on everyone's mind which will be answered on Saturday afternoon. Interestingly, of the eight four-year-old fillies in the Oaks line up, four hail from Pesi Shroff's yard: Fynbos, Namiri, Kings Gambit and Azalea. Of the remaining four, Ravishing Beauty, trained by Prasanna Kumar who missed the Indian 1000 Guineas on account of precautionary Glanders rules, is worth a serious look as she has kept herself fit by participating in two mock races, and must be looking to crash the party now that she has set her foot in the door. To add to the complexity of the Oaks, jockey David Allan, who had a hand in Fynbos' 1000 Guineas defeat when he gave a perfect ride to Kavya, will be riding MK Jadhav's Dreamer; and Sandesh will steer Golden Dancer, trained by Dallas Todywalla. The Villoo C Poonawalla Indian Oaks on Saturday at Mahalaxmi racecourse surely promises more drama than a Bollywood climax!
09 January,2026 09:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Prakash GosaviOlympic champion Zheng Qinwen announced on Thursday that she was withdrawing from the Australian Open later this month due to a lack of physical conditioning. “After careful evaluation by my team and following medical advice, I will be withdrawing from the Australian Open,” Zheng wrote on Instagram.” Picture Courtesy/Zheng Qinwen's Instagram account She underwent elbow surgery after a first-round loss at Wimbledon in July, and later withdrew from the third round of the China Open in September, admitting she had rushed her return. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
09 January,2026 09:14 AM IST | Paris | AFPStar shuttler PV Sindhu produced an impressive performance, defeating Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki to book her spot in the women’s singles quarter-finals at the Malaysia Open Super 1000 badminton tournament here on Thursday. Sindhu, returning after a long injury lay-off, defeated Miyazaki 21-8, 21-13. Reflecting on her win, Sindhu said, “Today I was prepared for long rallies and her shots as well. Overall, it was important for me to be alert all the time and give my 100 per cent because it’s my first tournament of the season.” Sindhu had not participated in any tournament since October due to a foot injury, and opted to give herself a longer period of time to recover. Meanwhile, the Indian men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also advanced to the last-eight by downing Malaysia’s Junaidi Arif and Roy King Yap 21-18, 21-12. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
09 January,2026 08:31 AM IST | Kuala Lumpur | PTIIn the All India Inter-University Baseball Tournament, Mumbai University's team has managed to claim a bronze medal. The tournament was organised at the Savitribai Phule Pune University from January 2 to 6. A total of 64 students across the country participated in the event. The Mumbai University team performed well and managed to clinch a medal after many years in the baseball event. The side registered victories by 10-0 against LMCT Bhopal, 10-0 against Jalgaon, 4-1 against Amravati University, and 5-1 against Nanded. In the qualifying matches, the Mumbaikars delivered a top performance and secured a 2-0 victory to seal the berth in the final four stage. They clinched a bronze medal by handing a defeat by 3-2 to Delhi University. Coach Nandan Parab played a crucial role in the team's success in the All India Inter-University Baseball Championship. Mumbai University players also showcased immense determination and skills throughout the tournament. The team consisted of the likes of Chaitanya Bhamale, Tushar Lalwani, Chirag Sonawane, Ajay Khedkar, Shantanu Surve, Gaurav Lalwani, Ashish Pandey, Surya Kaunder, Vaibhav Khatikmare, Anish More, Asrar Sheikh, Mehul Tate, Mihir Khuman, Prathamesh Shinde, Ritik Yadav and Vedant Naik. Satish Rajguru was the team manager. Following the success in the tournament, Mumbai University's Vice Chancellor Prof. Ravindra Kulkarni, Pro-Vice Chancellor Principal Dr Ajay Bhamre, Registrar Dr Prasad Karande and Director of Sports and Physical Education Dr Manoj Reddy congratulated the players and extended their good wishes.
08 January,2026 03:01 PM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarA prominent member of India's shooting coaching staff, Ankush Bhardwaj, has been accused of sexual harassment by a minor shooter, prompting the national federation to suspend him. NRAI (National Rifles Association of India) confirmed that an FIR has been filed against Bhardwaj in Faridabad. "NRAI has suspended him and we will issue a show-cause notice," NRAI secretary Rajiv Bhatia told PTI. "He has been suspended on moral grounds. Now, he has to prove himself innocent. Till the inquiry is not completed, he will not be associated with any coaching activity," he added. Bhatia said NRAI had recommended Bhardwaj for a place in the 37-strong coaching team after the Paris Olympics in 2024. "It was on the recommendation of the NRAI that he was appointed by SAI as one of the coaches. It is a case of sexual harassment which happened in Surajkund," said Bhatia. Bhatia did not say when the incident took place but according to the FIR filed by the victim, she was targetted last month after a training session at the Karni Singh Range. The girl, who has been training with Bhardwaj since August last year, stated that she was left traumatised by the incident and spoke up in front of her mother on January 1 after being persistently probed. Bhardwaj, a former pistol shooter, had served a doping ban in 2010 for the use of a beta-blocker during his competitive days. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
08 January,2026 02:56 PM IST | New Delhi | PTINational record-holder and Asian Games gold-winning Indian middle-distance runner Jinson Johnson announced his retirement on Wednesday, after a 15-year career shaped by “relentless training, quiet struggles, and painful injuries”. View this post on Instagram A post shared by jinson Johnson (@jinson__johnson) The 34-year-old has not competed since winning a 1500m bronze in the Hangzhou Asian Games in October 2023. His best moment was winning the 1500m gold in the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games with a time of 3 minutes 44.72 seconds. He also won a silver in the 800m race in the same tournament. “From a boy with dream started the journey from Kolkata and reached up to Asian Games podium in Hangzhou 2023. Thank you Athletics,” Johnson wrote on his Instagram. During the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia, Johnson broke Bahadur Prasad’s 23-year-old 1500m national record (3 mins 37.86 secs). He improved on it in 2019 (3 min 35.24 secs). 3 mins 35.24 secs The 1500m national record time set by Jinson Johnson during the ISTAF Berlin meet in 2019 This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
08 January,2026 08:58 AM IST | New Delhi | PTIADVERTISEMENT
-1768032028907_d.png?tr=w-436,h-271 "P V Sindhu. (Pic/AFP)")
-1768030328324_d.png "Aryna Sabalenka defeated Karolina Muchová 6-3, 6-4. (Pic/AFP)")
