Saina loses in Hong Kong

Saina Nehwal suffered a disappointing exit from the Hong Kong Super Series, losing 21-16 21-12 to Yao Jie in the opening round. The world No 16 Dutch used her crosscourt net shots to good effect as the Indian No 6, seeded 8 here, was lacklustre in her 27-minute stay on court, finding no answers to her opponent’s high clears and fast drops. Also bowing out of Hong Kong was Aravind Bhat, who started well against Bao Chunlai, before losing his momentum during a 48-minute 21-19, 11-21, 16-21 loss.

Om Prakash wins gold

Shot putter Om Prakash Singh won the first gold for India while three of his compatriots bagged a bronze each on the second day of the 18th Asian Athletics Championships in Guangzhou, China. Manjeet Kaur, Chatholi Hamza and Manjunath Jyothi bagged a bronze each in women’s 400m, men’s 1500m and women’s 100m.

Chikka keeps lead

Defending champion Chikkarangappa brought home a one-under card to take the sole lead after the second round of the Lalit Suri Eastern India golf in Kolkata. Chikka followed up his opening round 68 with a 69 that put him at three-under for the tournament, one shot clear of Ashbeer Saini. Roshan Raj, at eight-over 148, leads in Category B and is closely followed by Delhi’s Honey Baisoya, who is one back at nine-over 149.

Real dumped from King’s Cup

Third-tier Alcorcon lost 1-0 to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Tuesday but dumped the nine-time European champions out of the King’s Cup 4-1 on aggregate. Real substitute Rafael van der Vaart scored from outside the area with nine minutes left and Higuain hit the bar but by then fans were streaming out of the Bernabeu. It is the second year in a row Real have been humbled by a Segunda B side after Real Union beat them at the same stage last season.

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