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Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty clinched their maiden BWF title of the year as they won the BWF French Open 2024 title on Sunday. World number one tennis icon Novak Djokovic was knocked out of the Indian Wells by 20-year-old Luca Nardi in round three.
Read below to learn more about major happenings in the sporting world.
Badminton
French Open: Satwik-Chirag clinch maiden BWF title of 2024 season
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty clinched their maiden BWF title of the year as they won the BWF French Open 2024 title on Sunday. The number 1 duo defeated Lee Jhe-Huei and Yang Po-Hsuan of Chinese Taipei 21-13, 21-16 in straight games in the men's doubles. Earlier, the Asian Games gold medalists were beaten in the finals Malaysia Masters (Super 1000) and Indian Open (Super 750) in January this year but ended their final drought ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024.
Paris has always been special for us: Chirag Shetty after clinching maiden BWF title
After clinching the maiden BWF title of the year, Chirag Shetty said, “It feels really sweet. Paris has always been special for us and we have always played good badminton here and it has been a second home for us. It is a test venue for the Olympics but that is still some months away. I would be lying if I say that I am not enjoying that but we have won this final.” Satwiksairaj Shetty said, "It all started from Thomas Cup and it became a habit and it has been a long time since we danced. It is after the fourth finals. We just wanted to go and have fun and let them earn points and the match. We wanted to give our 100 percent and enjoy. Even Mathias (Boe) kept telling us to have fun and we got back our rhythm and the momentum changed."
Indian teenage shuttler Devika Sihag wins back-to-back titles in Europe
Indian badminton prodigy Devika Sihag won back-to-back titles in Portugal, as she won the women’s singles title at the 59 Portugal International Championships 2024. Devika defeated second seed Canada’s Rachel Chan 21-16, 21-16. Earlier in January, Devika owned her international account by winning the Swedish Open. Prior to it, she had finished as runner-up at Estonian International. In the quarterfinals, she defeated seventh-seeded Agnes Korosi of Hungary and defeated Singapore’s Lee Xin Yi Megan in the semifinals.
Tennis
Novak Djokovic gets knocked out of Indian Wells by Luca Nardi
World number one tennis icon Novak Djokovic was knocked out of the Indian Wells by 20-year-old Luca Nardi in round three. Nardi hit 34 winners in a 6-4 3-6 6-3 win over the 24-time Grand Slam champion. After the match, Nardi said, "It's crazy. I don't know, I think it is a miracle, because I am a 20-year-old guy, and beating Novak." Novak, on the other hand, said, "No titles this year. That's not something I'm used to.”
No titles this year. That's not something I'm used to: Novak Djokovic after getting knocked out of Indian Wells
World number 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic said that he is not used to getting any titles this year. Djokovic said, “No titles this year. That's not something I'm used to. I was starting the season most of my career with a Grand Slam win or Dubai win. It's fine. It's part of the sport. You just have to accept it. Some you win, some you lose. Hopefully, I'll win some more and still keep going. I guess every trophy that eventually comes my way is going to be great, to break the kind of negative cycle a little bit I'm having in the last three, four tournaments where I haven't really been close to my best."
Tallon Griekspoor loses his cool after losing set in Indian Wells 3R clash
Tallon Griekspoor lost his cool and smashed his racket after losing his Round of 32 clash against Alexander Zverev at the Indian Wells Masters. Griekspoor received the first-round bye at the ATP Masters 1000 event and started the R64 campaign against Yannick Hanfmann. He defeated Hanfmann 6-3, 6-3. Zverev, on the other hand, came on the back of a win over Christopher O’Connell 6-4, 6-4. After losing R32 to Zverev, Griekspoor lost his cool and took his outrage on his racket. While the chair umpire was announcing the first set scoreline, the Dutch player smashed his racket quite a few times.
Football
Michael Edwards appointed for senior role with Fenway Sports Group
Michael Edwards has been appointed to a senior role with Fenway Sports Group, which includes him taking oversight of the club’s football operations. As per The Athletic, Edwards was close to agreeing to a senior role with Liverpool owners. Former FSG President, Mike Gordon said during the announcement, “Michael is one of the most formidable executive talents in world football, and John (Henry), Tom (Werner), and I are absolutely thrilled to have secured his services for our business.”
We need to stick together: Mauricio Pochettino to Chelsea fans
Mauricio Pochettino called for the Chelsea Fans to trust the players after the side registered a 3-2 win over Newcastle. He said, "We need to stick together. Until the end, we are going to fight to try to give our fans the best things. It helped a little bit today we scored from the beginning, and the fans were good and behind us. They need to trust in us." Notably, Chelsea remain 11th in the Premier League standings and are close to within four points of West Ham in seventh, which should secure at least a place in the Europa Conference League.
100 percent a penalty: Jurgen Klopp fumes at Jeremy Doku decision
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp expressed his frustration over the decision to not award his side a penalty during the clash against Manchester City. Klopp talked to BBC Match of the Day and said, "It was 100 percent a penalty. They will find an explanation. It was 100% a foul in all areas of the pitch and probably a yellow card. All the people with iPads around me were: 'Wow, clear'. Maybe they can hide behind a phrase that is not clear. It is of course a penalty but we didn't get it and that is fine. The most important thing for me is that we can play football like that. I saw so many sensational performances today."
England-Premier League
- Chelsea 3-2 Newcastle
Spain- LaLiga
- Almeria 2-2 Sevilla
Italy-Serie A
- Lazio 1-2 Udinese
AFC Champions League QF
- Al-Nassr 4-3 ( 5-7) Al-Ain
