22 Friday, May 4, 2018 SPORTS Ahmed Mansoor Kohli signs for Surrey The last time he toured clinches first place ndia captain Virat Kohli with India in 2014 has agreed a deal to play for at the age of 25, he averaged DT News Network also went to the Kingdom of SurreyI in June. just 13.40 in five Tests with a Manama Bahrain, through athlete Ahmed The 29-year-old batsman top score of 39. Since then he ahraini showjumping Jahrami, who competed with will feature in three County has risen to second in the Test athlete Ahmed Mansoor his colleague Mansoor for the Championship matches and batting rankings and first in Bmanaged to achieve first place title, also presenting technical at least three One-Day Cup ODIs. (BBC) in the speed round of Al Ain levels which confirm the games. International Showjumping development of showjumping Kohli, who averages more Championship, which was sport in Bahrain. than 50 in all formats for his held in the UAE, amid large Meanwhile, the experienced country, will lead India in a participation of various athlete Khalid Hilal Al-Khateri five-match Test series in athletes. had a share of advanced England starting on 1 August. Mansoor stole the spotlight positions in the international “It’s long been an ambition during the round, presenting championship, managing to of mine to play county cricket high standards of performance win second place in the Grand and I’m thankful to Alec astride his horse, due to his Prize category. Stewart and Surrey for allowing concentration and clear Al-Khateri managed to me the opportunity,” he said. technical reading of the course, strongly compete for the title Kohli will miss India’s which contributed to achieving after demonstrating ideal levels inaugural Test match with his deserved title. during the round, reaching Afghanistan in June while The second place in the race second place. Khalid Hilal Al-Khateri Second in the Grand Prize category playing county cricket. Virat Kohli (file pic) Ferdinand refused boxing licence London hard to take.” ormer Manchester United Ferdinand’s move into the Serena and England defender ring was being backed by FRio Ferdinand says he is betting company Betfair, as part “disappointed” after being of the ‘Defender to Contender’ refused a challenge. licence. Coached by former The 39-year-old, who retired WBC super- withdraws from football in 2015, launched champion Richie Woodhall, his new career in September. the six-time Premier League The British Boxing Board champion aimed “to win a of Control (BBBofC) said they belt”. would not be reviewing his “Boxing is a physically application, Ferdinand said. tough, demanding and from “It is with a heavy heart that dangerous sport. I always I am hanging up my gloves,” gave it my utmost respect and he said. never underestimated how In his statement, published difficult it would be,” he said. on Facebook, Ferdinand added: “It’s important to approach “To not be given the chance to everything with success in Madrid demonstrate my ability to the mind, and to give it your all, but BBBofC through the standard sometimes things work against assessment afforded to others is you.” (BBC) Open Agnieszka Radwanska has also withdrawn due to a back injury Madrid WTA tour in March after of Serena and we wish her a Radwanska has also withdrawn ormer world number giving birth to her first child speedy recovery,” tournament from the Madrid Open, which one Serena Williams has last September. director Manolo Santana said runs from May 7-13, due to a Fwithdrawn from the Madrid Williams, a 23-times grand in a statement on the Madrid back injury. Open as she continues to slam singles champion, was Open website. Williams missed the regain full fitness ahead of the ousted by her sister Venus in “She is one of the great first grand slam of the year French Open later this month, her comeback tournament at champions of our sport, she at the Australian Open in the tournament’s organisers Indian Wells and last played has always offered a show to January and could also be said yesterday. in her first round defeat by the tournament and we hope ruled out of the French Open, The 36-year-old, who won Japan’s Naomi Osaka at the to see her again at the Caja which is held from May 21 the Madrid Open in 2012 Miami Open. Magica in the future.” to June 10. Rio Ferdinand (file pic) and 2013, returned to the “We regret the absence Poland’s Agnieszka (Reuters) In-form Stefanos Tsitsipas beats Anderson in Estoril Estoril big-hitting South African to final last week, where he lost to tricky conditions,” world “But he was just too good out British number three reek rising star Stefanos just four aces in a second- Rafael Nadal. number eight Anderson said. today.” Cameron Norrie 5-7, 6-2, 7-6 Tsitsipas continued his round match which lasted for Anderson, ranked eighth, “I’ve not played a match in a Tsitsipas, the first Greek (7/1). Gexcellent form on clay by more than two hours in windy sealed his fate as his first while. man to break into the world’s The 103rd-ranked Norrie beating Estoril Open top seed conditions. double-fault of the contest “It’s a little disappointing, top 50, improved to 13-10 for went down in three hours, Kevin Anderson 6-7 (3-7), World number 44 Tsitsipas brought up two match points, I would have preferred better the season. eight minutes to his Spanish 6-3, 6-3 yesterday to reach the beat three top-20 players, with Tsitsipas quickly wrapping conditions for my first match He will face a last-eight opponent who won his first quarter-finals. including Dominic Thiem, en up victory at the first attempt. back, a more comfortable match against Spain’s Roberto ATP title this season in Quito. The 19-year-old held the route to the Barcelona Open “It was really tough, with environment. Carballes Baena, who knocked (AFP)