India on top
India finished the opening day of their first Test against Pakistan at the M A Chidambaram stadium on Thursday on a satisfactory note and that was the good news. But what was likely to dilute the joyous mood was that they could well have ended the day on a dominant note. Javagal Srinath and Anil Kumble had Pakistan gasping for breath at 91 for five, shortly after lunch. Two successive partnerships of 63 and 60 saw Pakistan recover. However, a total of 238 gave Pakistan breathing space.

Hingis in final
Unseeded Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo staged a stunning Australian Open fightback today to upset world number one Lindsay Davenport 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 and reach her first Grand Slam tournament final. The big-hitting 19-year-old will play defending champion Martina Hingis in the final after ambushing Davenport for the second time in as many matches against the tall American.

Sushma improves
Sushma Rana of CISF bettered her own national record in the 25 metre sports pistol event while Tapas Kumar Sikdar of Navy won the 50 M men's free pistol gold from a field filled with internationals at the National shooting championships (ISU rules) on Thursday.