Sports Shorts: Lakshya claims Bangladesh Challenge title

Fast-rising Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen notched up his fifth title of the season, claiming the men's singles crown at the Bangladesh International Challenger with a straight game win over Malaysia's Leong Jun Hao in the final, in Dhaka, on Sunday.

The 18-year-old Indian has capped a superb year with a 22-20 21-18 win over Hao in the summit clash to clinch his fifth title in last seven tournaments.

"Happy to end the year on a winning note with my 5th international title here in Bangladesh!! Hope to continue my good form in the next year 2020. Like to thank all my sponsors @OGQ_India @Herbalifeindia @YonexInd @Sports_PDCSE @ppba @bai_media," Lakshya tweeted.

Among other Indians, women's doubles pair of Maneesha K and Rutaparna Panda went down 20-22, 19-21 to top seeded Malaysian pair of Tan Pearly Koong Le and Thinaah Muralitharan to settle for a runner-up finish.

Lakshya started his campaign with a 21-5, 21-10 win over compatriot Rajesh Verma in the opening round. He then beat three Malaysians on way to the final.

The Uttarakhand shuttler thrashed MD Tah M Ziyad 21-13, 21-6, before claiming 21-17 21-9 and 21-9, 21-11 wins over Aisil Soleh Ali Sadikin and Ng Tze Yong respectively. The top seeded Indian then saw off third seed Ikhsan Leonardo Imanuel Rumbay of Indonesia 21-18, 21-16 in the semifinals.

The young Indian shuttler won his first title of the year at the Belgian International in September and followed it up with wins at Dutch Open Super 100 and SarrLorLux Super 100 in October before claiming the Scottish Open crown in November.

Osaka appoints Belgian Fissette as coach: Kyodo

Two-time grand slam winner Naomi Osaka has appointed Belgian Wim Fissette as coach, Kyodo news agency on Sunday quoted the Japanese player's management as saying, as she gears up to defend her Australian Open title.

Osaka has been without a coach since September, when she split with Jermaine Jenkins following a disappointing defence of her US Open title.

Jenkins was himself a replacement for Sascha Bajin, who Osaka ditched in February, weeks after winning her first major at Melbourne Park.

She subsequently suffered early exits at the French Open and Wimbledon.

Former professional Fissette, 39, guided compatriot Kim Clijsters to three grand slam titles between 2009 and 2011 and has also worked with major winners Simona Halep, Petra Kvitova and Angelique Kerber.

Osaka's 2019 win Down Under, after her breakthrough US Open title, made her Asia's first world number one and the first player of any nation to claim their first two Grand Slam titles back-to-back since Jennifer Capriati in 2001.

Now ranked third, Osaka had her father filling in as coach following the split with Jenkins.