Alisha finishes first

KATHMANDU: Alisha Ranabhat, Saru Bhandari and Rachana Lama claimed the top three spots in girls’ 20-kg section at the fifth valley-wide Goju-Ryu Karate Tournament. Winners in women’s section were: Rashmita Limbu (25-kg); Ranju Rana (30-kg); Priya Gurung (40-kg); Shrijana Lama (45-kg) and Roshani Khadgi (50-kg). In men’s section, Rikesh Buddhacharya (20-kg); Sujan Shahi (25-kg); Mahendra Gurung (30-kg); Sumit Majgainya (35-kg); Sami Silaki (40-kg); Suraj Subedi (45-kg); Pramod Basnet (50-kg) and Ravi Shahi (55-kg) were the winners. — HNS

Nadal, Henin triumph

ROME: Spain’s Rafael Nadal won his toughest test to date on Sunday, taking his third straight clay-court title by edging French Open runner-up Guillermo Coria 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 at the $2.7 million Rome Masters. Nadal’s fifth title of the season drew him even with top-ranked Roger Federer for most on tour. Also, in Berlin, Belgian Justine Henin-Hardenne remained unbeaten on clay this year and ran her winning streak to 17 matches by winning the $1.3 million German Open. The former No 1-ranked player beat Russia’s Nadia Petrova 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. — AP

Roger Federer wins

HAMBURG: Top-ranked Roger Federer returned to action after a three-week injury layoff and beat Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 6-3 in the opening round of Hamburg Masters. The defending champion broke Verdasco’s serve to win the first set and broke serve again for a decisive 5-3 lead in the second. Also, Sebastien Grosjean beat Joachim Johansson 6-1, 6-4, and Juan Ignacio Chela beat Thomas Johansson 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. — AP