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Vidit Santosh Gujrathi defeated Hikaru Nakamura, the world number 3 player in the 2nd round of the Chess Candidates Tournament 2024. World number 2 tennis player Carlos Alcaraz expressed his uncertainty over the chances of playing doubles with Rafael Nadal at the Paris Olympics 2024 due to fitness issues.
Read below to learn more about the latest happenings in the sporting world.
Chess
Vidit Gujrathi defeats Hikaru Nakamura, D Gukesh beats R. Praggnanandhaa in Candidates 2024
Vidit Santosh Gujrathi defeated Hikaru Nakamura, the world number 3 player in the 2nd round of the Chess Candidates Tournament 2024. Gujrathi played with black pieces and ended Nakamura’s 47-game unbeaten streak. His streak had begun after he lost to Ding Liren at the Candidates tournament in 2022. On the other hand, D Gukesh took down fellow Chennai boy R Praggnanandhaa in the second round. While Vidit is set to clash against Pragg, Gukesh will clash against Ian Nepomniachtchi.
Tennis
I don’t know anything about how Rafael Nadal's doing; I’m worried: Carlos Alcaraz
World number 2 tennis player Carlos Alcaraz expressed his uncertainty over the chances of playing doubles with Rafael Nadal at the Paris Olympics 2024 due to fitness issues. Alcaraz said, “At the moment, I don't know anything about his condition, or how he is doing. Obviously, as a Spaniard and a tennis player, I'm worried about that. Let's see how he and I get there, in the end, there are still four months left. Anything can happen, but I hope it can happen.” Expressing his admiration for Nadal, Alcaraz said, “Any personal experience with him has been incredible. I would have loved to share more time with Rafa. I try to enjoy every day that I meet him and cross paths with him, and learn to the maximum."
Love him to death but hate losing to him: Danielle Collins on competitiveness with Bryan
Danielle Collins opened up on the competitive dynamic with boyfriend Bryan. She said, "We haven't had a lot of time on the court for me to like teach him because we just don't find enough time cause we're doing golf and he's also at my matches a lot and he's working.” She added, "He is very competitive. He was a football player at Columbia. Very smart. Engineer major. So, I'm more kind of like the jock in the relationship, and he's definitely more of the cerebral one.”
Matteo Berretini reaches Marrakech semi-finals
Matteo Berretini reached the Marrakech semi-finals after he defeated Lorenzo Sonego 6-3, 7-6 (5) in the Grand Prix Hassan II on Friday. This is his first semifinals at a tour-level event since Naples in October 2022. The 27-year-old saved the only break point he faced and played aggressively from 5/5 in the second tiebreak to get past his competitor after one hour and 42 minutes. Berrettini recently recovered from a foot injury and is competing in just his second tour-level of the season.
Sumit Nagal defeats world number 63 Flavio Cobolli in Monte Carlo
Indian tennis ace Sumit Nagal defeated world number 63 Flavio Cobolli of Italy in straight sets in the Monte Carlo Masters on April 6, Saturday. The Indian registered a 6-2, 6-3 win over eighth-seeded Cobolli. Nagal will be up against the winner between Facundo Diaz Acosta and Diego Schwartzman in the final qualifier. While Acosta is ranked 55th and third-seeded, Schwartzman is ranked 124th and is a wild card entry in the tournament. A total of seven qualifiers will be granted entry to the main round.
Others
Bilquis Mir set to become first Indian woman on Paris Olympics jury
Bilquis Mir, a canoeist from Jammu and Kashmir is set to become the first woman from India to be a part of the Paris Olympics 2024. The appointment was officially conveyed through a letter from the Indian Olympic Association to the J&K administration. With this, Mir will have the opportunity to contribute her experience to the event. Apart from being a jury member, Mir is also the coach of the women’s canoeing team participating in the Olympics.
Football
Dani Alves makes comeback on Instagram after more than a year
Former Brazilian footballer Dani Alves made his comeback on Instagram after more than a year of social media absence. A few weeks after his bail, Alves reactivated his social media channels and posted an update on his Instagram. Alves posted a blurred image on his social media and said that he wouldn’t give interviews. The former footballer accompanied the blurred image with a caption, “It is not true that I have granted any interview to any media, nor am I going to grant one while the judicial process is not resolved.”
Dinamo Zagreb President uses newspaper to call Luka Modric back from Real Madrid
In their desperate bid to call Croatian mid-fielder Luka Modric back to the Dinamo Zagreb from Real Madrid, their president Mirko Barisic used a unique method as they took out a page in Saturday’s edition of Spain’s Marca newspaper which had Modric’s jersey number published on it. The move came following Zagreb, which was the first club of Modric at the professional level, offered the 38-year-old to return to their club after the conclusion of his contract with Spain’s giant Real Madrid at the end of 2023/24. He had joined Ancelloti’s side in 2012.
Karim Benzema opens up poor form since joining SPL; video goes viral
Al-Ittihad striker Karim Benzema opened up on his poor form since he moved to the Saudi Pro League. He recently opened up on his poor form and said that he cannot win matches for the side alone. Benzema also said that he needs help from his team. Recently, a journalist asked him if he is not the same Benzema he was during his tenure with Real Madrid. Benzema said, “It is not the same game. It’s not the same players. I need help. I can’t win game alone.” He added, “I need players. I need a lot of things. I hope I do well this year. I hope I win.” Earlier this year, there were reports that the Al-Ittihad striker wasn’t happy with tenure in the Saudi team and has been considering a transfer move.