Recap 2018: Highs and Lows of June

2018 Recap - Here's a look back at the major happenings from the month of June, which included Rafael Nadal's 11th French Open title and Julen Lopeteugi's sacking two days before the FIFA World Cup.

Published : Dec 28, 2018 20:31 IST

Rafael Nadal celebrates his 11th French Open triumph.
Rafael Nadal celebrates his 11th French Open triumph.
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Rafael Nadal celebrates his 11th French Open triumph.

Highs:

  • Afghanistan's Test debut lasted just two days as India won by an innings and 262 runs. Indian openers Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan recorded centuries on the first day. 
  • England ended its eight-match winless streak to defeat Pakistan by an innings and 55 runs at Headingley to level the series 1-1. All-rounder Sam Curran made his Test debut where Jos Buttler starred with an unbeaten 80 with the bat. 
  • England thumped a new-look Australia side 5-0 and 1-0 in an ODI and T20 series at home.
  • R. Praggnanandhaa became the World's second-youngest Grand Master in history by winning the International Chess Festival ad Gredine Open in Italy. The youngster was 12 years, 10 months and 13 days when he achieved the feat. 

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  • Manika Batra and G. Sathiyan led Dabang Smashers to its maiden Ultimate Table Tennis champion when it defeated Falcons TTC 11-7 in the final. 
  • The FIFA World Cup in Russia got underway with the host thrashing Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the opening match of the tournament. 
  • Golden State Warriors thrashed Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 in the finals to lift its second successive NBA title. Houston Rockets' James Harden claimed the MVP award.

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry poses with the NBA trophy.
 

  • Spaniard Rafael Nadal romped to his 11th French Open title after defeating Dominic Thiem 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 in the final. 
  • Simona Halep claimed her maiden singles Grand Slam title when she won the French Open by defeating Sloane Stephens. 
  • Roger Federer claimed his 98th ATP title as he won the Stuttgart Open by beating Milos Raonic in the final, while he also reached the No. 1 rankings in the ATP table.
  • Raiders Ajay Thakur and Monu Goyat inspired India's demolition job of Iran in the Kabaddi Masters final in Dubai. 
  • Sunil Chhetri scored twice as India defeated Kenya 2-0 in the final of the Intercontinental Cup in Mumbai.

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Indian players celebrate after beating Kenya to clinch the Intercontinental Cup.
 

  Lows  

  • Defending champion Germany was knocked out of the 2018 World Cup in the group stages after a 2-0 defeat to South Korea.
  • Five-time world champion Mary Kom opted out of the Asian Games in order to concentrate on the home World Championships in November. 
  • Spain sacked its coach Julen Lopetegui two days before the start of its FIFA World Cup campaign after being named as the successor for Zinedine Zidane at LaLiga club Real Madrid.

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Former Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui.
 

  • The Indian men's hockey team lost 3-1 in the penalty shoot-out to defending champion Australia in the Champions Trophy final in the Netherlands. The teams were locked 1-1 at the end of full time. 
  • India international basketball players Palpreet Singh and Amjyot Singh were handed one-year bans by the Basketball Federation of India for disciplinary issues.
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