Australian Open 2018

The 2018 Australian Open ended with a high profile bang: Roger Federer one of the most famous and beloved athletes in the world, won his record 20th Major singles title. But the tournament had other memorable champions as well. Caroline Wozniacki grabbed her first-ever Grand Slam trophy -- after two previous appearances in major finals and years of fans wondering whether she had what it takes to win a big one.

And Caro wasn’t the only title-winner in Melbourne to finally overcome the ghost of Grand Slam finals past. The women’s doubles champions, Timea Babos and Kristina Mladenovic, won their first major as a team, nearly four years after coming up one match-win short at Wimbledon.

Roger Federer won his 20th Grand Slam on Sunday, defeating Marin Čilić, 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. Federer arrived at the tournament a heavy favorite to defend his 2017 title and expectations only rose as he moved through each round with ease, making it to the final without having dropped a set. With this trophy—his sixth at the Australian Open—he joins Roy Emerson and Novak Djokovic in a three-way tie for most wins in Melbourne.

One by one, former Grand Slam champions welcomed Caroline Wozniacki to the club late Saturday night at Melbourne Park after her 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-4 victory over Simona Halep. Billie Jean King was first. She handed the beaming Wozniacki the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup, which is awarded to the women’s singles champion at the Australian Open. Chris Evert and Mats Wilander were next.

Pro Wrestling League 2018

India’s Pooja Dhanda stunned World and Olympic champion Helen Maroulis to set up Punjab Royals second straight title triumph at the Pro Wrestling League. The 2013 and 2017 Commonwealth champion, Pooja, who had beaten Helen in the league stage too, repeated her feat in the sixth bout of the day that sealed Haryana Hammers' fate.

World Championship gold medallist Zurabi Iakobishvili showed his class in the next clash, to win 4-0 and clinch the championship for Punjab Royals 5-2 in front of a packed house. Earlier, Anastasija Grigorjeva and Koumba Laroque had won two fights for the Royals while Vladimir Khinchegashvili and Khetik Tsabolov the other two for the Hammers to lock the nine-bout tie at 2-2 after four clashes.

Reigning Olympic champion Vladimir got the Hammers off to a winning start, scoring a comprehensive 4-0 victory over India's Naveen Kumar in the 57-kg competition. Georgia's Vladimir lived up to his reputation, dominating the opening period and racing to a healthy 4-0 lead straightaway. After the breather, he used all his skills and strength to ward off the Indian and comfortably defend his lead to put his team ahead in the nine-bout duel.

The Royals drew level in the second bout, through 2017 World Championship bronze medalist Anastasija Grigorjeva. In an intense fight, she steamrolled India's Sarita Mor 7-2 in the 62-kg women's contest. In the battle of super heavyweights, Punjab's icon player Geno Petriashvili wrestled with a plan to send his side 3-2 up. Geno cruised to an 11-0 lead in the opening round and comfortably won the bout. He has remained unbeaten through the entire league

Hyderabad Hunters won Premier Badminton League Title

Hyderabad Hunters won the third edition of the Premier Badminton League championship with a hard – fought 4-3 win over Bengaluru Blasters in the final. With the match scores tied three-all, the focus shifted to the last match of the evening – mixed doubles. And, to the disappointment of Bengaluru, Kim Sa Rang and N. Sikki Reddy, who played such a big role in the semifinal win, were found wanting losing to R. Satwik sairaj and Pia Zebadiah.

And, to the delight of the vociferous crowd, Satwik and Pia rose to the occasion to ensure a fitting finale. Bengaluru was off to a winning start thanks to the brilliance of veteran Mathias Boe guiding his young partner Kim Sa Rang in the men’s doubles to a fluent win over Markis Kido and Yoo Yeon Seong. At 37, Mathias, former Olympic silver medalist, was too good with his interceptions which effectively nullified the presence of Kido, a doubles legend being former Olympic and World champion.

Later in the first men’s singles, Lee Hyun Il of Hyderabad won the trump match for his side getting the better of Subhanker Dey. The left-hander brought off some amazing smashes and his great acrobatic dives to retrieve almost everything the opponent hit at him. In the second game, Subhanker showed his growing stature in the Indian circuit with a gritty display - mixing his crosscourt smashes and some impressive net dribbles. But it was obvious that he was up against someone who was too good.

For someone who had beaten the reigning World No. 1 last time in 2010 World juniors in four meetings earlier, Praneeth was woefully short of expectations. Nothing went right for him in the face a barrage of stunning smashes and great cross-court returns. The best part of Viktor’s domination was his brilliant backhand which repeatedly tested the World No. 16 and invariably his response was not equal.

The results: Hyderabad Hunters bt Bengaluru Blasters 4-3 (Markis Kido & Yoo Yeon Seong lost to Mathias Boe & Kim Sa Rang 9-15, 10-15; Lee Hyun Il (T) bt Subhankar Dey 15-7, 15-13; B. Sai Praneeth lost to Viktor Axelsen (T) 15-8, 15-10; Carolina Marin bt Kirsty Gilmour 15-8, 15-14; R. Satwiksairaj & Pia Zebadiah bt Kim Sa Rang & N. Sikki Reddy 15-11, 15-12).