Title rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz reached the Wimbledon third round on Wednesday as Japanese superstar Naomi Osaka was demolished on her return to Centre Court after a five-year absence.

The pair were granted a wild card after Murray pulled out of the singles due to his failure to regain full fitness.

The Russian looked out of sorts early on Centre Court as he lost the first set.

Playing with a support on his right leg following a minor operation less than four weeks ago that cut short his French Open, the 37-year-old made a solid start and drew first blood in a marathon fourth game.

FIDE Master (FM) Manon Reja Neer earned a second norm of International Master at the close of nine games of the Saif Powertec 48th Chess Championship after beating FM Tahsin Tajwar Zia at the Bangladesh Chess Federation Hall Room today.

Czech Vondrousova, who became the first unseeded woman to lift the title last year, earned a far less welcome accolade after a 6-4 6-2 defeat by Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

”Today, we have received a mail from the World Aquatics who provided wild cards to Rafi and Sonia for the Paris Olympic Games. Both swimmers gained the wild card on the basis of their timing and ranking in the World Championship," Saif told The Daily Star today.

Osaka returned to the tour this year after 15 months of maternity leave for her daughter who turns one on Tuesday.

The Spanish third seed was taken to a tie-break in the opening set and trailed 2-0 against his unheralded opponent in the second but held his nerve to win 7-6 (7/3), 7-5, 6-2.

Medvedev, a semi-finalist last year, hit 16 aces in his 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win over Aleksandar Kovacevic of the United States.

“We are also expecting another wild card in swimming within a couple of days,” BOA treasurer AK Sarkar told The Daily Star today.

Alcaraz, 21, beat Novak Djokovic to the title a year ago and has since taken his Grand Slam haul to three after winning the French Open earlier this month and despite being seeded three will be favourite to rack up number four.

The Serbian is bidding for a record 25th Grand Slam title.

Novak Djokovic proclaimed himself "pain free" after defeating Daniil Medvedev in an exhibition match on Friday ahead of Wimbledon.

Novak Djokovic will play at Wimbledon after being named in the draw on Friday, despite concerns over his fitness following his withdrawal from the French Open.

Pakistan's medal prospects are undercut by modesty codes which dissuade women from participating in sport.

The 21-year-old overcame a forearm issue to bag his first French Open title, emulating greats including Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andre Agassi with major wins on clay, hard and grass courts.

Under the giant steel roof at the Sheikh Russel Roller Skating Stadium in Paltan, adorned with shining banners featuring a smiling photo of archer Sagor Islam raising his index finger triumphantly, the 18-year-old archer looked radiant alongside his mother during a warm reception yesterday.

Bangladesh archer Sagor Islam received a warm reception jointly from the Bangladesh Archery Federation and his sponsor City Group at the Sheikh Russel Roller Skating Stadium on Thursday. The 18-year-old made history by becoming the country's second archer and third athlete overall to earn direct qualification for the Olympics, starting next month in Paris. He secured a spot in the Paris Olympics after progressing into the semifinals of the men's individual recurve event in the Final Olympic Qualification Tournament in Turkey on June 17. Sagor had his mother waiting for him at the venue. City Group announced a cash reward worth Tk 5 lakhs for Sagor for his achievement. Photos: Firoz Ahmed 

The switch in sports will enable Dev's "valuable experience as a professional sportsman" to drive "the further growth of Indian professional golf," said PGTI chief executive, Uttam Singh Mundy.