1. Massa to Retire at End of Season
Brazilian Formula One driver Felipe Massa announced on Thursday that he will retire at the end of the 2016 season, according to PTI.
The 35-year-old, who began his Grand Prix career in 2002, confirmed his long-expected departure during a news conference ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
“I’m more nervous now than for all my race starts,” said Massa, who missed out on the championship to Britain’s Lewis Hamilton by one point in 2008 at the final race of the season in his native Brazil.
“After 27 years of my racing career, since I started karting and with 15 years in F1, this will be my last season in F1.
Massa started his career with Sauber before moving to Ferrari in 2006 and then Williams.
He is in his third year with Williams, having joined the team in 2014, and will mark his 250th Grand Prix start at his final race in Abu Dhabi this year.
Massa has won 11 Grands Prix in his career.
2. England Beat Pakistan by Four Wickets in 4th ODI, Lead Series 4-0
England beat Pakistan by four wickets to win the fourth one-day international at Headingley on Thursday and went 4-0 up in the five-match series, according to PTI.
England, chasing a target of 248, finished on 252 for six with 12 balls to spare.
They were in trouble at 72 for four before a fifth-wicket stand of 103 between Ben Stokes (69) and Jonny Bairstow (61) got their innings back on track.
Moeen Ali (45 not out) ended the match by driving Azhar Ali, the Pakistan captain, for six.
Pakistan were held to 247 for eight after winning the toss.
3. Murray, Serena, Venus Move to Round Three of US Open
Wimbledon champ Andy Murray advanced to the third round at the US Open with another straight-set victory, according to AP.
The second-seeded Murray beat Marcel Granollers 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 on Thursday under the roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium with play suspended on the outer courts. The heavy rain outside made quite a clatter on the new roof, and Murray said in his on-court interview that it was tough at first because it was hard to hear the ball.
Serena Williams tied Martina Navratilova’s professional-era women’s record with her 306th career victory in a Grand Slam match, beating Vania King 6-3, 6-3 to reach US Open’s third round.
Hitting 13 aces on Thursday night with the roof closed at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Williams improved to 306-42 in matches at major tournaments.
Venus Williams breezed through her second-round match at the U.S. Open.
The seven-time major champ had spent 2 hours, 42 minutes on court in a tense three-set victory over 93rd-ranked Kateryna Kozlova on Tuesday. But against German veteran Julia Goerges on Thursday, Williams won 6-2, 6-3 in 78 minutes.
She had just 17 unforced errors — in complete contrast to the whopping 63 in her first-round win.
4. India Red Enter Final After Fourth Day’s Play Gets Called Off in Duleep Trophy
India Red entered the final of the Duleep Trophy after the rain-affected game against India Blue ended in a draw with entire fourth day’s play being washed out due to inclement weather and wet outfield, according to PTI.
With only 78.2 overs of play possible through out the entire four days, both teams got a point each and Yuvraj Singh’s ‘Red’ team with seven points from two games ensured that they are through for the summit clash.
The next game between ‘Blue’ and ‘Green’ team starting 4 September will decide on the other finalist.
5. Road For 2018 World Cup Starts As Neuer Named Germany Captain
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was on Thursday named the new captain of world champions Germany, following Bastian Schweinsteiger’s international retirement.
The 30-year-old Neuer will wear the captain’s armband for Germany’s opening 2018 World Cup qualifier in Oslo, Norway on Sunday. Although head coach Joachim Loew has named Neuer as Schweinsteiger’s permanent replacement, it will not be the first time a world-class Germany goalkeeper will captain his country.
Neuer already has experience on the big stage. He was captain in five of Germany’s six matches at June’s Euro 2016 which Schweinsteiger had started on the bench after recovering from a knee injury before the European championships.
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