Novak Djokovic, 37, won his 99th title last August at the Paris Olympics but is yet to win a single title this season. Djokovic's form has been inconsistent.
Sports News: A major upset occurred at the Madrid Open in Spain, where 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic was defeated in the first round by Italy's Mattia Arnaldi. The 37-year-old Djokovic, who won his 99th title last August at the Paris Olympics, has not won any tennis titles this season.
Arnaldi defeated Djokovic 6-3, 6-4, significantly hindering Djokovic's journey towards his 100th career title. This was the first encounter between the two players, and Arnaldi's victory surprised the tennis world.
Djokovic's disappointing performance at the Madrid Open came despite his hard work and preparation, raising questions about his readiness. This loss before major tournaments like Roland Garros is a cause for concern.
Arnaldi will next face Damir Dzumhur, who defeated Sebastian Baez 1-6, 6-1, 6-2.
Nine Players Tie at the Top of Maharashtra Open Chess Tournament
The third season of the Maharashtra Open Chess Tournament witnessed another exciting development. After eight rounds, nine players tied for the top spot thanks to stellar performances by Indian chess players. These top players include India's Nitish Belurkar, Nilash Saha, Abhijeet Gupta, Deep Sengupta, and Ayush Sharma.
In addition to these Indian players, Armenia's Petrossian Manuel, Russia's Boris Shevchenko, Georgia's Tornike Sanikidze, and Levan Pantulaia also share the top position. This tournament is a source of pride for Indian chess enthusiasts, showcasing the strength of Indian players on the biggest chess stages. Their performances raise hopes for future success and further glory for India.
Angad Cheema Wins Kapil Dev Grant Thornton Golf Tournament
Chandigarh golfer Angad Cheema delivered a stellar performance at the Kapil Dev Grant Thornton Invitational Golf Tournament held in Bengaluru. He shot a six-under 66 to win his fourth professional title. Cheema finished with a total score of 20-under 196, winning the tournament by two strokes. This victory earned him a ₹30 lakh prize, propelling him from 28th to 10th position in the PGTI 'Order of Merit'.
This win is a significant achievement, improving his ranking and solidifying his position in the world of golf. Bengaluru's Khalin Joshi also performed well, securing second place with a score of 18-under 198.
Avinash Sable Finishes 13th at Xiamen Diamond League
Indian 3000-meter steeplechase runner Avinash Sable competed in the Diamond League meet held in Xiamen, China, on Saturday, finishing 13th. Sable clocked a time of 8 minutes and 22.59 seconds. His performance was below expectations; while he was initially ahead, his pace faltered in the final meters. This meet marked Sable's return after the 2023 Diamond League final, where he placed 13th out of 16 runners.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia's Samuel Firewu created a major upset, clocking 8 minutes and 5.61 seconds, defeating reigning Olympic and World champion Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco. Bakkali finished in 8 minutes and 6.66 seconds, while Kenya's Simon Kiprop Koech took third place.
