Cibulkova climbs to fifth

PARIS - Surprise WTA Finals winner Dominka Cibulkova has climbed three places into fifth in the latest world rankings published on Monday. The Slovakian player pulled off a stunning 6-3 6-4 defeat of world number one Angelique Kerber at the end-of-season tournament in Singapore. Runner-up in the 2014 Australian Open Cibulkova was the only major mover inside the top 10 dominated by Kerber with Serena williams in second place. Latest WTA rankings: 1. Angelique Kerber (GER) 9.080 pts, 2. Serena Williams (USA) 7.050, 3. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 5.600, 4. Simona Halep (ROM) 5.528, 5. Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 4.875 (+3), 6. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 4.600 (-1), 7. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 4.236 (-1), 8. Madison Keys (USA) 4.137 (-1), 9. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 4.115, 10. Johanna Konta (GBR) 3.455.–AFP

Media XI beat NPC Blues in T20 match

ISLAMABAD – Media XI beat NPC Blues by 3 runs in a friendly T20 match played here at Bhutto Cricket Ground. Winning the toss, Media XI skipper Adil Gill opted to bat first and scored 169-4 wickets on the board. Imran top scored with 37, hitting 4 fours, while Adil Gill added 27, Ahsan 20 and Syed Mehdi unbeaten 18. Asad took 2-22. In reply, NPC Blues came closer to achieve target but a sensational last over by The Nation photographer Syed Mehdi snatched victory from the jaws of Media XI. NPC Blues were all out for 166 in the final over. Faisal hit 34 and Tahir 16. Mehdi grabbed 3-17. OGDCL Sports Board vice president Chaudhry Ajmal Sabir was the chief guest on the occasion and gave away winning trophy to Adil Gill and handed over player of the match shield and Rs 1000 cash to Syed Mehdi.–Staff Reporter

ITF Seniors World Ranking Tennis starts

LAHORE - The Maple Leaf Cement ITF Seniors World Ranking Tennis Tournament commenced here at the Bagh-e-Jinnah tennis courts on Monday. The first match of the day was played between Yawar Ali and Mehboob Waheed Jan. Yawar played better tennis and won the match 6-1, 6-2. In the same age group match, Shehryar Salamat from Lahore played aggressive game against Talha Waheed and outclassed him 6-3, 6-2. In 45 plus age group, Tanveer Haral outpaced Furqan Khan 6-1, 6-2 while Irfan Ullah Khan of KP outplayed Khurram Imtiaz of Lahore. In 50 plus age group, Ali Qayyum from Lahore beat Hussa Qureshi of Lahore 6-3, 6-2 in a well-contested match. Punjab Lawn Tennis association (PLTA) secretary Rasheed Malik, chief referee Arif Qureshi and organiser Faheem Siddique were present on the occasion.–Staff Reporter

LRFC thrash Wild Bears in rugby match

LAHORE - Lahore Rugby and Football Club (LRFC) thrashed DHA Wild Bears 51-0 in the 4th Servis Tyres Rugby League 2016 Division I match played here at the Pakistan Rugby Academy Lahore Cantt on Monday. Pakistan Rugby Union (PRU) president Fawzi Khawaja, head coach Shakeel Malik, manager coach and education Syed Mozzam Ali Shah, rugby players and a good number of spectators witnessed the match. LRFC players started the match with a great try scored by Shoaib in the 8th minute. Umer Usman then scored a good try in the 21st minute while Shoaib scored another try in 39th minute to provide a healthy 17-0 lead to LRFC. In the second half, LRFC players dominated fully as Shoaib contributed two more tries, while Umer Usman, Khalid, Muneeb and Abdullah added one try each to finish the match at 51-0.–Staff Reporter