TENNIS
Bopanna-Yuzuki pair finishes runner-up at Japan Open
Rohan Bopanna and his Japanese partner Takeru Yuzuki went down in straight sets to Hugo Nys and Edouard Roger-Vasselin in the Japan Open final in Tokyo on Tuesday.
The second-seeded Monegasque-French duo of Nys and Roger-Vasselin defeated wildcards Bopanna and Yuzuki 7-5, 7-5 in an hour and 32 minutes.
Bopanna, a former World No. 1 in doubles, reached his first final since winning the Miami Open last year.
By reaching the final, the Indian became the second-oldest ATP Tour doubles finalist in Open Era at 45 years and six months, only trailing John McEnroe, who won 2006 San Jose title (with Jonas Björkman) at 47 years of age.
– Team Sportstar
MOTORSPORT
Mahaveer Raghunathan, India’s only driver in the Italian GT Sprint Championship, delivered one of his strongest weekends of the season at Imola. Partnering with Lorenzo Ferrari in the AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3, the duo clinched first place (P1) in the GT3 Pro-Am category and fourth overall (P4) in Race 2 of the ACI Racing Weekend.
The result marked a return to the podium for the pairing after a run of mixed fortunes in the previous races. Speaking about this weekend’s race, Mahaveer shared, “Race 2 at Imola was incredible. After a great qualifying, starting top 5 overall, we fought our way forward, and I handed the car to Lorenzo in a strong position.”
“In Race 1, we were well on course for the overall win. We had built a strong 16-second gap to P2 after the pit stops during my stint. Unfortunately, a jump-start penalty cost us the overall Race 1 win. But bouncing back with the Pro-Am win in Race 2 felt great after Saturday’s disappointment. Still, standing on the top step of the podium at such an iconic track feels fantastic and shows what our team can do,” he added.
– Team Sportstar
Johann Emmanuel dominates with double win in Qatar Championship
The Emmanuel siblings from Chennai, Johann and Geoffrey delivered podium finishes in the second round of the QSTK Championship at the Losail International Circuit, here on September 26 and 27.
Johann, competing in the Superstock 600cc category on a Kawasaki ZX-6, won both races after having qualified for pole position while Geoffrey, astride a Yamaha R6, enjoyed two P3 finishes in the Supersport 600cc class.
These performances follow the three podium finishes in the previous round at the same venue.
Johann’s victories were even more significant as he crossed the finish line ahead of Dmitry Sedin, a three-time Russian Supersport Champion and a rider with vast experience and credentials.
“It was an unforgettable weekend with two victories, and the Indian National Anthem was played twice. Also, beating such an experienced rider as Sedin was even more special. The hard work is paying off, and this is only the beginning,” said Johann.
Meanwhile, Geoffrey, 20, too enjoyed some success with P3 finishes in every session and both races in the Supersport 600 class to pick up valuable championship points while also underlining his potential.
-Team Sportstar
FOOTBALL
Five players released from national football team camp
Indian men’s football team head coach Khalid Jamil on Tuesday released five players, including Jithin MS and Manvir Singh (Jr.), from the preparatory camp in the lead up to the AFC Asian Cup qualifier matches against Singapore.
“Defender Asheer Akhtar, forwards Jithin and Manvir Singh (Jr.), Mohammed Aimen, who plays on the wing, and midfielder Vibin Mohanan have been released from the camp,” the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said on its social media handle.
This comes a day after talismanic striker Sunil Chhetri and his two Bengaluru FC team-mates – Rahul Bheke and Roshan Singh Naorem – joined the preparatory camp in Bengaluru.
Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan trio of Liston Colaco, Deepak Tangri, and Sahal Abdul Samad have also joined the squad.
With the joining of the trio, the total number of players who have reported to the camp has risen to 31.
– PTI
GOLF
Indian names among headliners at Stars Golf League 2026
India’s sporting icons and golf champions will take part in the inaugural Stars Golf League (SGL), a high-stakes global team-format tournament. The landmark league is scheduled to take place at the Els Club Dubai from March 25 to March 28, 2026.
The SGL features a standout contingent from India, led by Jeev Milkha Singh, as well as women’s trailblazers Diksha Daga, and rising star Tvesa Malik.
Adding cricketing firepower are legends Kapil Dev, 1983 World Cup-winning captain and PGTI Chairman, and Yuvraj Singh, the 2011 World Cup hero now tackling golf with trademark intensity. Bollywood and sports fans alike can expect a star-studded showdown, as these homegrown heroes compete alongside global names like AB de Villiers, Ryan Giggs, Alan Shearer, and Ruud Gullit.
– Team Sportstar
HOCKEY
Ishika, Sonam goals give India junior women’s hockey team victory over Canberra Chil;
The Indian junior women’s hockey team won its second consecutive match of its tour of Australia by defeating Canberra Chill 3-1 at the National Hockey Centre, Canberra. For India, the goals came from Ishika and Sonam.
India went a goal down in the first quarter when Naomi Evans converted a penalty corner for the hosts, but bounced back within the next couple of minutes, with a goal from a penalty corner for Ishika.
Locked at 1-1, the two teams continued to hunt for the next goal, and it was India who got its nose out in front, just before half-time as Sonam scored a field goal, making it 2-1.
Midway through the third quarter, India added a third goal, as Ishika completed her brace and gave her side a 3-1 lead. From then on in, India kept its opponents at bay to secure the win.
India, which has now won two games and lost two games in Australia so far, will play its final tour match against Canberra Chill, on 2nd October.
-Team Sportstar
Published on Sep 30, 2025
