Gyanender loses in repechage round

Paris
Gyanender narrowly missed out on a bronze medal play-off as the Indian Greco-Roman wrestlers finished their campaign without a medal at the World Wrestling Championships. Gyanender, who got an opportunity to fight in the repechage bouts of the 59kg category, went down in his second repechage round. The 23-year-old Indian won his first repechage bout against Mostafa Hassan Mohamed of Egypt 3-1 but could not overcome the challenge from Ukraine’s Dmytro Tsymbaliuk in a closely-fought contest, which ended in a 2-2 result. Earlier, Gyanender defeated China’s Libin Ding 4-1 to enter the pre-quarterfinals but faced a 0-9 thrashing at the hands of Kazakhstan’s Mirambek Ainagulov. Ravinder (66kg), Harpreet Singh (80kg) and Naveen (130kg) lost their respective qualification rounds.

Abu Dhabi
Aryan third, Harika 29th at Abu Dhabi chess festival
Harika Dronavalli finished a disastrous 29th, even as 15-year-old GM Aryan Chopra finished a creditable third at the 24th Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival. Chopra beat Leven Pantsulaia of Georgia in 42 moves to finish with 6.5 points. The nine-round tournament was won by Amin Bassem of Egypt with 7.5 points while Briton GM Nigel Short was runners-up with seven points. Harika's 29th place-finish with 5.5 points was due to an inferior progressive score.

Lahore
Pakistan set to host World XI next month
After playing most of their home games in the United Arab Emirates due to security concerns over the last eight years, Pakistan hope hosting a series against a World XI next month will help cement the return of international cricket to the country. Sri Lanka have already indicated their willingness to return to Pakistan as part of a series next month.

Manchester
Sterling stunner for City cancels out Rooney opener
Raheem Sterling’s fierce 82nd-minute volley saved 10-man Manchester City from defeat as they drew 1-1 at home to Everton on Monday after Wayne Rooney had put the visitors ahead at the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola’s City had been forced to play the entire second half with a man down after Kyle Walker was sent off for a second yellow card on the stroke of halftime. Rooney’s goal, his second in as many games this season, was his 200th in the Premier League. 

Barcelona
Barcelona suing Neymar for alleged breach of contract
Barcelona are suing Neymar for ^8.5 million for alleged breach of contract and demanding he return the loyalty bonus paid after he renewed his deal in October, less than a year before he signed for Paris St. Germain, the club said Tuesday. The Catalans are asking for an additional 10 percent payment due.

New York
Azarenka out of US Open amid child custody dispute 
Victoria Azarenka withdrew from the US Open because she was unable to resolve a custody dispute with her infant son’s father. The 28-year-old star gave birth to her first child in December and she returned to the tour in June. She detailed the dispute with the boy’s father in a long Twitter post last week. — Agencies