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Consecutive losses on the top two boards saw India slump to a 3-1 defeat to USA and slip to the tied third spot after the second round of the...

India lose to USA in world chess

Consecutive losses on the top two boards saw India slump to a 3-1 defeat to USA and slip to the tied third spot after the second round of the World Team Chess Championship in Bursa,Turkey. K Sasikiran and P Harikrishna lost to Hikaru Nakamura and Alexander Onischuk respectively,while Surya Shekhar Ganguly and S Arun Prasad only managed to secure draws. Meanwhile,Greece stunned top seeds and ratings favourite Russia 2.5-1.5.

Bagan-Churchill game postponed

Indian Football Association (IFA) has postponed the Mohun Bagan-Churchill Brothers I-League match to Friday,while the East Bengal-Chirag United match has been rescheduled for January 9. Both the matches will now be held at Vidyasagar Krirangan in Barasat instead of Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Salt Lake,officials at the state football association said. The matches had to be postponed due to security concerns in the wake of Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs visit to the city.

Nadal makes Qatar semis

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Rafael Nadal reached the semi-finals of the Qatar Open after Belgian opponent Steve Darcis retired with a back problem on Thursday while trailing 6-1 2-0. Nadal,a two-time quarter-finalist in Doha,will next meet Viktor Troicki of Serbia,who beat Lukasz Kubot of Poland 4-6 6-4 7-6 (1). I am playing well, Nadal said. There was more confirmation that I am hitting the ball well. I started well and served good. I am in the semi-finals without losing a set. I am happy with that.

Henin,Clijsters on course

Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin were forced to draw on their vast experience to avoid being eliminated from the Brisbane International on Thursday. The two Belgians,both back on the professional circuit after retiring from the sport,scraped through their quarter-finals to remain on course for a possible showdown in Saturdays final. Henin advanced after downing Hungarian Melinda Czink 6-2 3-6 7-6 while Clijsters overcame a second-set wobble to beat Czech Lucie Safarova 6-1 0-6 6-4 in one of the lead-ups before the Australian Open.

Spain in Hopman semis

Spain eased past Australia to book their place in the final of the Hopman Cup on Thursday,dashing any hopes the hosts had of advancing with an emphatic 3-0 whitewash. Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez trounced Sam Stosur 6-4 6-1 in the opening singles rubber before Tommy Robredo outplayed Lleyton Hewitt 6-2 6-4 to secure a third straight victory for the unbeaten Spaniards. The pair then teamed up to win the mixed doubles 6-3 3-6 10-7 to finish top of Group A without losing a match.

Vieira to move to Man City

Patrick Vieira confirmed on Thursday he was leaving Inter Milan to join Manchester City in a bid to secure more first team action and gain a place in Frances World Cup squad. Vieira,whose career has been plagued by injuries,won the last of his 107 caps for France in a friendly against Nigeria in August but his last appearance in an official match was September 2007 in a Euro qualifier against Scotland.