Sunday, October 18, 1998
today's calendar
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S P O R T | Sunday, October 18, 1998 |
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P. Srinath bags |
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Anwar, Ijaz lead strong reply |
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Weary Sampras pips Martin
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P. Srinath bags ITF crown MUMBAI, Oct 17 (PTI) — Indian Davis cupper and second seed Prahlad Srinath stopped giant-killer Danai Udomchoke of Thailand 6-2 6-2 in the men’s singles final of the Indian ITF Satellite Tennis circuit at the MSLTA Courts here today. In a totally one-sided final, world number 541 Srinath outplayed the 1077 ranked Thai Davis cupper in all departments of the game. The match, which lasted for one hour and seven minutes was delayed by three hours due to wet conditions. The 18-year-old Thai started off with a bang when he broke the Indian in the second game of the first set but dropped his own in the third game. With Srinath playing like a man possessed, the Thai, who had accounted for top seeded Andy Fahlke of German, eighth seeded Marian Leysek of Slovakia and fourth seeded Johan Hede of Sweden on way to the final, failed to produce the same form which he had showed in the earlier rounds. Srinath easily broke the Thai in the fifth and seventh games to take the first set at 6-2. In the second set too, Udomchoke, failed to produce his true form and looked totally tired. He dropped his serve in the third and seventh games to bow out 2-6. Srinath collected 21 ITF circuit points and Rs 31,840 for his efforts while his opponent had to be content with 15 circuit points and Rs 23,504. Srinath told reporters after the match that his performance was not that great. "I have not done anything big and I was lucky to play unseeded players till the semifinals and even in the semis yesterday third seeded Federico Rovai of Sweden did not play to his true potential." "The only good thing about this win is that my ranking will go up after I dropped a few points soon after coming back from injury last month," he added. The 24-year-old Karnataka star, who has a national and SAF Games titles to his credit, said the 18-year-old Udomchoke looked a bit tired. He could have played much better than what he did today but probably had run out of steam playing three setters in his earlier rounds. "I knew that he disliked rising balls especially if it goes over his shoulder. I did not give him time to settle down and kept feeding the rising returns on his back which is pretty weak," he added. Srinath had beaten two qualifiers and a wild card Basapparaju Keerthi and Vinod Sridhar (both Indians) and Gerhard Fahlke on way to the finals. With three more satellite legs to be played in India in the next three weeks, Srinath, is hoping to garner at least another 40 points to break into top 400. The Kirtane cousins fourth seeded Nitin and Sandeep defeated unseeded Zolton Borockzy of Hungary and Johan Hede of Sweden 7-5, 6-3 to annex the men’s doubles crown in the Indian ITF Satellite Tennis circuit at the MSLTA later in the day. With this win the Kirtanes, who were on the court for one hour fifty minutes, have collected 15 circuit points and US $ 393.75 (around Rs 16,506) while the losers had to be content with 10 circuit points and US $ 206.25 (around Rs 8652).
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Anwar, Ijaz lead strong reply PESHAWAR, Pakistan Oct 17 (AFP) — Pakistan’s batsmen dominated the third day of the Test match against Australia here today, losing just two wickets as they piled up 329 runs after Aussies skipper Mark Taylor made a surprise declaration. Taylor, unbeaten on 334 overnight and just 42 short of West Indian Brian Lara’s record of 375, unselfishly put his team before personal glory by declaring on the overnight score of 599 for four. But many in the crowd felt Taylor may live to rue his decision after Pakistani batsmen Saeed Anwar and Ijaz Ahmed took advantage of perfect batting conditions to hit glorious hundreds. Pakistan, 1-0 down in the three-match series, should now comfortably notch up the remaining 61 runs needed to avoid a follow-on and effectively steer the second Test to a draw. Taylor said he decided not to go for the record for two reasons. "I want to win the series in the subcontinent and this was the only way I can be bracketted with Sir Donald Bradman," Taylor said. Taylor equalled the highest Test innings recorded by an Australian — by Bradman who hit 334 against England in Leeds in 1930. Allan Border, former Aussie skipper and the highest run-scorer in Test history praised Taylor’s decision. "His decision has proved that he keeps personal interests behind. He is an Australian first," Border said. "That is the way Australians play their cricket, it is not strange," former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja added. Pakistan's reply was spirited and brisk — they maintained a run-a-minute average throughout the day. Left-hander Saeed Anwar followed his 145 in the first Test with a fiery 126. Saeed hit the first ball he faced for four and in all he hit 18 fours and three sixes in his 289-minute innings off 226 balls. Ejaz, who was dropped for the first Test, hit 16 fours in his ninth Test hundred, his fourth against the Australians. The Ejaz-Saeed stand yielded 211 runs after Pakistan lost Amir Sohail for 45. Pakistani openers Aamir Sohail and Saeed Anwar started briskly, putting on 45 runs by the ninth over. Saeed completed his seventh century with a pulled six off Mark Waugh. He took 204 minutes and 163 balls, hitting 16 fours and two sixes. The Australians kept a tight leash on their bowling after tea and just 27 runs came in the following hour before Saeed mistimed a drive off off-spinner Colin Miller and was caught behind by keeper Ian Healy. Pakistan (Ist
innings):
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Superb comeback by Taylor SYDNEY, Oct 17 (AP) — Australian cricket greats from Dennis Lillee to the Chappell brothers were telling Mark Taylor that his career was over and it was time to tuck the bat under his arm and walk. Just 16 months ago only Taylor didn’t think he was a dead man. He went 20 straight innings without a half century and was in the worst slump of any Australian captain in history. His bat consisted entirely of edges and there was glue upon the soles of his boots. "He didn’t look capable of scoring 34, let alone 334," wrote cricket columnist Peter Roebuck after Taylor joined Sir Donald Bradman as the highest scoring Australian on Friday in the second Test against Pakistan. Today, Taylor decided against batting on to pass Bradman, his declaration at 599 for four coming as an anti-climax at home where news bulletins all day tipped he would chase runs for another 40 minutes. His decision also cost him a chance to beat Brian Lara’s world record 375 and left Taylor and Bradman as equal seventh on the all-time highest Test score list. "The record doesn’t mean anything," Taylor said yesterday. "I'd prefer to win this game, that’s what I'm here for." The Australian team held a vote Friday night and decided that Taylor should bat on. He ignored it. The innings itself, and a declaration which put the team cause ahead of his own record hopes, was inspiring stuff from a man who brings little artistry but an extraordinary work ethic and self-belief to the game. "I give him absolutely full marks for this innings," said Bill Brown, an Australia opener during Bradman’s era. I’ve always liked his style of play and liked the man himself, I think he's a delightful fellow." Of course a good character has never been enough in sport where results are paramount. Taylor’s 18-month personal crisis, through 1996 and into 1997, was enough to have him sacked had he been a mere player instead of the captain of the world’s best side. But while Greg and Ian Chappell, the loudest of many detractors, were demanding he stand aside, Taylor infuriated them with his determination to stay. Despite the slump, he was leading a winning team. That gave him the support of his predecessor Allan Border. There was strong speculation that Taylor might be dropped ahead of the last year’s Ashes tour of England. It seemed everyone was taking sides, even the Prime Minister, John Howard. A lot of Australian captains in the past went through the sort of valleys and troughs of despair and not getting many runs and I devoutly hope that the Australian selectors stick with Mark," said Howard. The selectors agreed, while the English taunted Taylor. With a three-meter wide bat on his arrival for the Ashes, and after a run of failures in the warm-up games there was increased talk that he would be dumped. In a reversal of fortunes, Taylor thrived, scoring 129 in the Edgbaston first Test, but the team lost. Fortune shifted again: Taylor slipped back into the doldrums and Australia won the series. While Taylor found it hard to score a run he won all five coin tosses. "My future is going to be based around how I play," Taylor admitted on his return from the Ashes tour. "My captaincy certainly hasn’t fallen away in the last year. It’s going to be up to me to make some runs." Taylor scored another fine century earlier this year against India but lost the series. Now, after two years of failing as the team soared and soaring on the rare occasions the team failed, Taylor has a chance to lead the team to the summit with his bat rather than his captaincy brain. He led the team to its first victory in Pakistan for 39 years during the first Test and this innings has placed the team on the verge of a series win on the subcontinent, Taylor’s last major goal. His old fans were still with him today. "Congratulations on a fantastic innings," Howard said on Saturday in his message to the cricket captain. "Your tenacity and durability as a batsman and Australian captain is admirable. All Australians are excited by your achievement." The issue dominated Sports Talkback radio today. "I've been a cricket fan for 20 years and I’ve never heard a 300 before," said one fan on Australian Broadcasting Corporation Radio. "I couldn’t believe it, I was jumping up and down and my guide dog had never heard me make a noise like that before." Taylor wasn’t the only one with blind faith after all.
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Don Bradman leads tributes to Taylor SYDNEY, Oct 17 (Reuters) — Sir Donald Bradman paid tribute to Mark Taylor today for equalling his 68-year-old record for the highest individual score by an Australian in Test cricket. Taylor smashed an unbeaten 334 against Pakistan in the second Test in Peshawar to match Bradman's 334 made against England at Headingley, Leeds, in 1930. A spokesman for Bradman said the 90-year-old was unable to watch Taylor's innings from his Adelaide home because he was feeling ill but was full of admiration for his performance. "I want to congratulate Mark Taylor on his achievement", Bradman said. "I wish him the very best of luck". Australia coach Geoff Marsh told reporters in Pakistan today that Taylor, known affectionately as "Tubby", had made a gread sacrifice for his team. "A lot of the guys wanted him to bat on for his own record but Tubby being Tubby and one of the greatest team men of all time has put the team before his own record", Marsh said. "He's the captain and he's the one who's got to make the decisions. That's why he's a great leader". Former Australia batsman David Hookes, who is in Pakistan working as a television commentator, said Taylor's decision to put the team ahead of himself would long be remembered as one of the most unselfish acts in international sport. "It sends such a great message to his team and everybody around the world who thinks there's a place for selfish play in sport", Hookes said.
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Warne’s comeback may be delayed MELBOURNE, Oct 17 (AFP) — Shane Warne may not be fit to play against England until the second Test at Perth starting on November 28 after failing to bowl in his comeback match here today. The record-breaking legspinner was kept in cotton wool on his comeback for district cricket side St Kilda against Melbourne and is now certain to miss Victoria’s opening Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania next Wednesday. "It was left to him and the medical people to decide when he was ready to bowl," Victorian Cricket Association (VCA) operations manager Shaun Graf said. Warne had undergone surgery to repair torn cartilage and ligaments in his bowling shoulder after returning from Australia’s tour of India and Sharjah earlier this year. Now that he is likely to miss the first Sheffield match, he may not be ready for Test cricket at least until the second Test at Perth — starting November 28 — or even the third Test at Adelaide starting on December 11. His next chance to play Sheffield Shield for Victoria is against New South Wales starting on November 4.
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Weary Sampras pips Martin VIENNA, Oct 17 (Reuters) — Weary world number one Pete Sampras edged out fellow American Todd Martin 6-3 7-6 (7-4) to reach the final of the CA-Trophy today. Sampras, who is bidding to end 1998 at the top of the rankings for a record sixth consecutive year, never approached the devastating form he displayed in thrashing Briton Tim Henman 6-0 6-3 on Friday. The 27-year-old will meet the winner of a semifinal between world number seven Karol Kucera of Slovakia and Britain’s big-serving Greg Rusedski. After sweeping through the first set with a break in the fifth game, the American began to look tired and had difficult holding his serve. Neither player achieved a break in the second set of a bland 90-minute match which went into a tiebreak won 7-4 by Sampras. "In the tiebreak, I raised my level a little bit and I came out ahead," he said. Sampras, a last-minute wild card entrant, has won only three titles this year in Philadelphia, Atlanta and Wimbledon. This total is the lowest at this time of the year since 1991 when he only had two victories to his name. Rios whips Courier SINGAPORE: World Number three Marcelo Rios of Chile whipped Jim Courier 6-2 6-1 today to set up a final against Australian veteran Mark Woodforde at the $ 700,000 Singapore Open. While the 33-year-old Woodforde had to overcome a calamitous start to beat Dutchman Sjeng Schalken 0-6 6-4 6-2, Rios was never in trouble after breaking Courier’s serve in the opening game. In a clash of fierce forehands, the top-seeded Rios always had the upper hand, moving the former world number one American around the court before snapping a whiplash shot down the line to win the point. His victory set up an intriguing clash tomorrow with Woodforde, 10 years his elder. The Australian’s world ranking has slid to 95 and it is four years since he last appeared in singles final. But the doubles specialist has been playing well in Singapore, beating second seeded Croat Goran Ivanisevic and Denmark’s Kenneth Carlsen in previous rounds. In the first set against Schalken, it looked like those earlier matches had taken everything he had. Schalken, ranked 80th in the world, could do nothing wrong his groundstrokes working like clockwork. Woodforde never looked likely to hold his own serve and the set was over swiftly. "In the first set, my
strategy was all wrong," said Woodforde. "I hit
it too hard straight at him. All-American final ZURICH: World number one Lindsay Davenport will meet Venus Williams in an all-American final at the European Indoor Championship after they both posted easy straight set wins today. Davenport, the defending champion, beat Romania’s Irina Spirlea 6-2 6-3 while Williams defeated fourth seed Nathalie Tauziat of France 6-3 6-4. Second seed Williams, who clocked the fastest serve in women’s tennis history in her quarter-final yesterday, still had plenty of power left for Tauziat, sweeping aside the veteran on her 31st birthday. After losing the first set, tauziat mounted a comeback in the second, breaking Williams and holding serve to go 4-1 up. But Williams broke back at her first opportunity and did not allow Tauziat another game. "When I got up I didn’t even know who I was playing today," said Williams. "I’m happy with the way I played the first set was very solid." Davenport finished off her 58-minute match with an ace and has not dropped a set on her way to the final. The win extended the U.S. Open champion’s five-year winning streak on Swiss soil to 16 matches. "I thought I played very well," said Davenport. "I was able to break her a few times and I just played real solid. In reaching last year’s final Davenport beat Williams in straight sets in the quarter-finals.
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Paes-Bhupathi duo in Heineken Open final NOTTINGHAM, Sept 24 (PTI) — India number one Leander Paes today drew to meet world number eleven Greg Rusedski in the opening singles of their Davis Cup world group play-off tie against Britain to be played here from tomorrow. Mahesh Bhupathi will take on Tim Henman, the current British top seed who enjoys a world ranking of 15 in the second singles, according to the draw made at the Nottingham Tennis Centre here today. "It is a good draw for us. It is the draw India was hoping for," Indian non-playing captain Jaidip Mukherjea told PTI after the draw. With Leander Paes taking on Rusedski, coming out of a bad ankle injury he suffered during this year’s Wimbledon championship, "we have a draw which we can build upon. Though the tie looked very tough, everything now depends on Paes giving India a good start," Mukherjea added. Paes and Bhupathi, ranked world number three in doubles, are expected to meet Henman and Neil Broad who have been named for doubles by British non-playing captain John Lloyd. "We have got a fair draw," said John Lloyd after the draw and asserted that the Canada-born Rusedski, last year’s U.S. Open finalist, was showing full fitness ahead of the tie. India, who start as clear underdogs against Britain, will be hoping that both Paes and Bhupathi produce their usual Davis Cup heroics to enable them put it across in the tie held on plexipave hard courts. India thrashed Britain 4-1 on grass in the world group play-off tie in 1992 and since then the latter have been unable to bounce back into the elite 16-member world group. India had a job on their hands but Mukherjea felt nothing was impossible. Though both Rusedski and Henman were ranked very high "Leander has the potential to cause an upset as he is a very good Davis Cup player," he said. "It can be said to be the best draw for India with Leander in good nick after his sensational upset of Sampras a month ago," he added. Paes claimed his first ATP title at the New Port, Rhode Island grass court event, and then stunned the American world number one on his way to the semifinals at the Pilot Pen hardcourt event in New Haven ahead of US Open. Though India had always opted for grass at home, playing on hardcourt was not exactly a major handicap. "I hope it does not make much difference as our boys are now used to these courts," he said. Bhupathi won a singles in India’s 1-4 loss to Italy on slow clay in Genoa this April and they are definitely better off with the return of Paes, who missed that tie due to a shoulder injury. The 25-year-old Indian currently ranked number 88 after touching a personal best of 73 before the U.S. Open is in fine form and this should be a major encouragement. The Indians, training with Prahlad Srinath and Syed Fazaluddin as the other members, have found the courts here a bit slow and balls heavier. This could help the Canada-born Rusedski, last year’s U.S. Open finalist who is endowed with a booming serve. John Lloyd said though Britain were overwhelming favourites to win the tie, they were keeping their fingers crossed as the Indian duo were capable of upsetting any opponents in Davis Cup on their day. "This is true more on grass courts. We had the option and we went for acrylic court as we know Indians perform well on grass," he said after the draw. But India can hope to apply pressure if they can end the opening day on level terms. "Henman will start a very strong favourite to beat Bhupathi but on his day Paes can beat anyone in the world and I wanted him to play the opening singles," Mukherjea added. Rusedski was also wary of Paes: "He is a very attacking player who will chip and charge everything. He is a very flashy player. Sometimes he gets everything in, other times everything goes out. It will be a tough match." Henman, who regained the British number one spot after the US Open said: "With the team we have, we belong in the world group and we realise the importance of this tie." If India manage to take the tie to the final day by clinching a singles tomorrow and the doubles on Saturday, the pressure could well be on the British. Charged by the cheering crowd and a few Indian supporters waving the tricolour, Paes and Bhupathi took control of the game after conceding a 4-1 lead to Pavel-Sargsian in the first set. In the sixth game, Bhupathi served powerfully and Paes’ good reflexes helped the Indians to convert short rallies into winners. Both chipped and charged and broke Pavel’s serve on the seventh game and then Paes thundered two aces to level the score 4-4. Then on games went with serve and Paes produced another ace in the 12th game to push the first set into a tiebreaker. Paes-Bhupathi raced to a 3-0 lead before Pavel-Sargsian climbed back to 4-4. Bhupathi came up with sharp returns to break pavel for a 7-6 lead before Paes closed out the set at 8-6 on his serve. In the second set, games went with serve till 5-4 in favour of the Indians. Paes made some great service returns and Sargsian sent a backhand volley wide to give the Indians two matchpoints on Sargsian’s service game. Bhupathi smashed a return between the two stranded opponents to take the Indians into their second straight final of the ATP Tour.
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Randhawa moves up, Bhandari slips KUALA LUMPUR, Oct17 (UNI) — Promising Indian professional Jyoti Randhawa carded five-under-par 71 to climb up to 12th slot while compatriot Vivek Bhandari shot one-over-par 72 to slip to sixth place at the end of the third and penultimate round of the Omega Tour’s $ 200,000 Kuala Lumpur Open Golf here today. Vivek Bhandari,who created a course record yesterday with eight-under-par 63 to be at second slot, failed to reproduce same form today and with a total of three-under-par 210 (75,63,72) was lying 6th. Jyoti Randhawa, who had uneven two rounds of 75 and 72, was in tremendous form in the 3rd round and fired 66 to move up from joint 44th slot to joint 12th position. Another Indian Gaurav Ghei had a round of two-over-par 73 and with a total of 215 (70,72,73) slipped from 15th placing to 18th. Fancied Jeev Milkha Singh continued to struggle as he had yet another over par round of 73 to total 219 (74,72,73) and stayed at joint 44th slot. Chawalit Plaphol (Thailand) held on to his lead after a breathtaking birdie on the last to finish a stroke ahead of the field thanks to some final hole heroics. Stuck in some trees,160 yards from the green on the 18th, he hit a masterful eight iron second shot that finished a foot from the cup. Chawalit tapped in for a birdie that gave him a one-over-par 72 for a three-round total of six-under-par 207 and a one shot lead over American Jerry Smith, who returned a five-under-par 66. Chawalit started the day with a three shot lead but bogies on four and nine saw his lead reduced with a front nine of two-over-par 37. On the inward half he burdied 11 but went back to level par again with a bogey on 13. In contrast to Chawalit’s round, Smith raced up the leaderboard after playing the front side in four-under-par 31 with birdies on two, three, four, and six. He made birdies on 16 and 17 to put the pressure on Chawalit. Smith, like Chawalit, won his first event on the Omega Tour this year after triumphing in the Guam Open. The lowest round of the day came from Kadir, whose 65 was made possible by birdies on the last four holes. "I have had five birdies in a row but not in a tournament as important as this,’’ said Kadir, who will represent Malaysia next month in the World Cup in New Zealand.
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Tie washed out; India 'A' to play AHMEDABAD, Oct 17 (PTI) — Unseasonal rain and unfit ground conditions forced the abandonment of play for the N.K.P. Salve Challenger Trophy Cricket Tournament here for the second consecutive day today, without a ball being bowled. Under the influence of the cyclone in the Arabian Sea off the Gujarat coast, it rained here all night and this morning, rendering the ground at the Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium unfit for play and forced today’s last round-robin tie between India "A" and "B" to be called off. With there being no sun to dry out the ground, soaked fully after yesterday’s heavy rain, today’s play was also cancelled by umpires K.S. Giridharan and Dr Sekhar Chowdhary after a formal inspection at 2.30 p.m. The no-result for the second day running knocked the India team out of the competition and left India "A" and "B" to contest tomorrow’s scheduled final which is also under a cloud because of the inclement weather and forecast of more rains. India "A" finished the league with three points in their kitty (following the one-run win over India on October 15 and today’s one point from the abandoned tie), India "B" secured two points from the two abandoned matches and the India team crashed out with a lone point to their credit. The opening clash was also reduced to 40-overs-a-side affair after the start was delayed by two hours and 45 minutes because of soggy ground conditions.
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Waldner upset in World Cup BEIJING, Oct 17 (AFP) — South Korea’s Kim Taek Soo won a surprise victory today over reigning world table tennis champion Jan-Ove Waldner in the World Cup tournament to win a place in the semifinals. Kim, ranked ninth in the world, went down 12-21 in the first set, but rallied to beat the Swede by winning the next three sets 22-20, 21-19 and 21-13 in the Chinese city of Shantou. "I changed my service in the second match and that brought troubles for Waldner, Kim said after his victory. Kim will meet defending World Cup champion Zoran Primorac in the semifinals after Primorac brought down Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus, ranked as world number one. In the third quarterfinal game, young Chinese hopeful Ma Lin — who knocked out former world champion Jean-Philippe Gatien last night — lost to teammate Liu Gouliang. Liu was the only Chinese national to reach the semifinals after world number two Kong Linghui lost to Germany’s Jorg Rosskopf in the last quarterfinal match.
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Shandilya, Lilly struggle to win MUMBAI, Oct 17 (PTI) — Former national champion Ashok Shandilya and international Dharmendra Lilly recorded hard-fought wins in the round robin league on the third day of the NSCI Open All India Invitation Snooker Tournament here today. In a group-B match, Shandilya had to produce his best to down fellow Mumbai cueist Amit Saboo 4-3 with a break of 44 in the seventh frame, while Punjab’s Lilly sidelined Siddharth Rao of Railways 4-2 with no significant breaks in group-D. Amit Saboo had breaks of 42 and 43 in the first frame but failed to keep up the tempo. Rao had a break of 40 in the first frame. In other league matches, local cueist Nalin Patel shocked former junior national champion Alok Kumar of Punjab 4-2 in group-C while in a group-A match, top seed Devendra Joshi of Mumbai beat citymate Amit Khansaheb 4-1. Results (round robin league): group-A Devendra Joshi (Mum) b Amit Khansaheb (Mum) 4-1, (89-34, 52-71, 62-29, 69-42, 61-36). Group-B: Ashok Shandilya (Mum) b Amit Saboo (Mum) 4-3, (0-86, 64-37, 35-69, 71-58, 69-37, 61-45, 69-0). Group-C: Nalin Patel (Mum) b Alok Kumar (Pnj) 4-2, (60-47, 71-64, 60-22, 43-51, 60-64, 64-39). Group-D: Dharmendra Lilly (Pnj) b Siddharth Rao (Rlys) 4-2, (66-54, 55-40, 32-64, 35-48, 63-49, 48-38).
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Wills Cup trophy unveiled NEW DELHI, Oct 17 (PTI) — Former India captain Kapil Dev today unveiled a glittering trophy for the nine-nation Wills International Cup to be played in Dhaka from October 24 to November 1. The trophy, designed by Jaipur based craftsman Arun Pabuwal, who also crafted the 1996 Wills World Cup trophy, is based on the championship theme of "one world one game." The six-kg gold and silver trophy showing how cricket integrates nations was handed over to Atikur Rehman, Minister (Press), in Bangladesh High Commission, who would take it to Dhaka, the venue of the tournament. The Wills International Cup is the first ever one-day championship outside the official World Cup to feature all nine Test playing teams - England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, the West Indies, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. "The unique knockout championship, billed as the mini-World Cup to be played in a country, which is not a full member of ICC, will go long way in popularising cricket in the region," Kapil Dev said at the ceremony. "Under the knockout rule, a team that loses a match has no second chance to stay in the race which will present a battle of nerves with teams treating each match as virtually the final," said K Dasaratharaman of ITC, the sponsors. The trophy comprises a bowl representing the cricket arena surrounded by nine cricket bats and stumps representing the Test playing nations. On top of the trophy is the symbol of the game, a cricket ball with an exponent executing a magnificent shot.
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Finalists declared joint winners NEW DELHI, Oct 17 (PTI) — All the finalists were declared joint winners as rain prevented play in the sub-juniors and mini-juniors finals in the DSCL Open National Tennis Championships here today. Title aspirant and second seed Sunil Kumar of Chandigarh and Anant Sitaram of AP were declared winners in the boys (under-16) category. In girls (under-16), top seed Sonal Phadke of Maharashtra and her statemate and third seed Lisa Pereira were declared winners. In the under-14 category, Dhrub Kumar of West Bengal and the third-seeded local favourite, Nishank Mishra, were the winners among boys while Tamil Nadu’s Samrita Sekhar and seventh seed Sasha Abraham (AP) were the winners among girls. Yesterday, Sania Mirza (AP), Sasha Abraham (AP), Priyanka Parekh (WB) and Ragini Vimal (WB) were declared joint winners in the girls (under-14) doubles as rain prevented any play.
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Vishal Singh emerges leader FARIDABAD, Oct 17 — Rains did not relent but Vishal Singh (Jaipur) made the most of the penultimate day as he forged ahead by a stroke in the Rs 6 lakh Royal Challenge Aravalli Open Golf Championship here today. Jaipur’s Vishal Singh fired five under 67 to occupy driver’s seat with an aggregate of 212 followed by Vijay Kumar on 213. Shiv Prakash was way behind on 219. The Jaipur pro had two birdies on the 5th and the 8th on the front nine and four on the back nine on the 10th,12th, 17th and 18th. His 30-foot birdie putt on the 5th with a two-iron and Sand Wedge shot earned a big applause from an enthusiastic section of spectators. Vishal had only one bogey on the 16th in the otherwise superb display on the course which was not easy to achieve such good score. "I drove well and also putted excellently", said Vishal Singh, adding: "Hopefully, I play with the same application on the final day, tomorrow". Vijay Kumar, joint leader yesterday, played a round of four under 68 with as many as five birdies, including a 30-foot putt on the 15th. His only bogey came on the 14th. Shiv Prakash had a bogey on the first but he managed to return a card of level par 72. He had two more bogeys and the birdies on the 5th, 7th and 8th. Despite three double bogeys on the 1st, 13th and 15th, D Patel tied with Bhoop Singh for the fourth place with an aggregate of 221. Ali Sher, twice Indian Open champion and winner of the just concluded Le Meridien — Gokarna Pro-Am and last year’s Indian Open champion, had rounds of mixture of good and indifferent display. Mohd Yamin displayed his exemplary sporting spirit when he announced that he had putted from the wrong place on the 16th. He thereby earned a disqualification when he was in the run for third place. For this superb gesture, he deserves a fairplay trophy as he made this announcement on the 17th hole. Leading scores: Vishal Singh 72,73,67 -212, Vijay Kumkar 70,75,68 -213, Shiv Prakash 76,71,72 - 219, D Patel 74,74,73 -221, Bhoop Singh 70,80,71 - 221, Binod Pandey 73,76,73 - 222, Feroz Ali 74,76,72 —222 and Ali Sher 80,71,71 - 222.
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Honda Masters Golf from Nov 5 NEW DELHI, Oct 17 — Chiranjeev Milkha Singh, Gaurav Ghei, Feroz Ali and Ali Sher are among top golfers who have confirmed their participation in the 2 lakh Hero Honda Masters, an Asian PGA leg, at the Delhi Golf Club (DGC) course from November 5 to 8. Last year’s champion Tedy Purdy (USA) will not be able to defend his title as he will be competing in the second stage of US PGA Tour School in America. Jeev is a strong contender for the title as he has been playing well this season. He had tied for the ninth place last year but since then his performance on the PGA European Tour "has been satisfactory". The 26-year-old Chandigarh player had 26 under par total in the 1996 Philip Morris Asia Cup. "I have not won a competition in the last 18 months but I am optimistic that the drought of win would end at Delhi", said Jeev, adding: "I am mentally sharper than I was last year". Jeev, the first Indian to play in the European circuit, is currently 104th on the European ranking. He has already earned his card for 1999 after scoring £ 59,873 in prize money. Ghei is however one of the favourites since he has an intimate knowledge of the Delhi course. In 1995, he chipped in from 25 yards on the final hole to win the event. Daniel Chopra, now settled in Sweden, is also a strong contender for the title. Mike Cunning (last year’s Omega Tour Order of Merits), Gerry Norquist, Jim Rtledge and many others are in fray for the title. "Indian golf has come a long way and these are exciting times for the sport", said Pawan Kant Munjal, director, Hiro Honda Masters.
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Sanjay emerges champion LUDHIANA, Oct 17 — Sanjay, a student of College of Agriculture, prevailed over Satyajit Anand of the College of Agricultural Engineering 21-17, 21-18 to clinch the PAU men's singles title in the 10th Prithipal Singh Memorial Open Table Tennis Tournament at the Punjab Agricultural University here today. In the cadet boys singles final, Chandigarh lad Sajal Koushal outplayed Sherbahadur of DCW, Patiala, 21-18, 23-21 to bag the title while in the girls section, Manisha of DCW, Patiala, beat Sarika also of DCW 21-19, 21-15 to emerge as champion. Today's results: PAU men single (quarterfinal) - Satyajit (COAE) b Munish Dhiman 21-13, 21-18. Pankaj (COVSC) b Gaganpreet Singh 21-14, 21-16. Navdeep Singh b Gaurav 14-21, 21-17, 21-18 Sanjay Sharma (PHD b Gaurav Sharma (COA) 21-16, 21-18. Semi finals - Satyajit b Pankaj 21-16, 21-17. Sanjay b Navdeep 21-18, 21-19. Cadet boys singles quarterfinal Sher Bahadur (Pat) b Rajandeep (Khn) 21-31, 21-10. Aditya Puri (Chd) b Pavan Saini (Pat) 21-19, 22-20. Sajal Kaushal (Chd) b Randeep (Pat) 21-17, 21-17. Robin Verma (Pat) b Jagdeep (Pat) 21-16, 21-13. Semifinal: Sher Bahadur (Pat) b Aditya Puri (Chd) 22-20, 21-19. Sajal Kaushal (Chd) b Robin Verma (Pat) 21-18, 21-7. Cadet girls singles (of): Dimple (Khn) b Jai Bharti (Khn) 21-16, 21-17. Sarika (Pat) b Nadia (Chd) 21-12, 21-13. Neha (Pat) b Lalita (Khn) 21-17, 22-20. Nidhi (Khn) b Manisha (Pat) 21-15, 21-13. Semifinals: Sarika (Pat) b Dimple (Khn) 21-13, 21-19. Manisha (Pat) b Lalita (Khn) 21-19, 18-21, 21-16. Subjunior girls singles (of): Ashu (Khn) b Lalita (Khn) 21-16, 21-9. Nadia (Chd) b Rampreet (Chd) 21-16, 21-18. Manisha (Pat) b Megha (Chd) 21-16, 21-18. Minakshi (Jal) b Poonam (Khn) 21-13, 21-10. Subjunior boys singles (pre-q final): Sumit Bari (Jal) b Pawan Saini (Pat) 21-18, 21-19. Sajal Kaushal (Chd) b Gaurav (Pat) 21-18, 19-21, 21-17, 21-16. Onkar (Ldh) b Parminder (Khn) 21-19, 22-20. Varun Kassal (Chd) b Harpreet Singh (Jal). Rakesh (Khn) b Rubal Arora (Ldh) 21-18, 21-19. Aditya Puri (Chd) b Gurpreet (Pat) 21-16, 21-15. Inderraj (Ldh) b Amit Kumar (Khn) 21-13, 21-11. Rajesh (Pat) b Ramit Singla (Chd) 21-16, 21-18.
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REC, GNDEC win championships JALANDHAR, Oct 17 — Regional Engineering College, Jalandhar, led by Harmandeep Singh retained the top position in the men's section of the second Punjab Technical University Inter-College Badminton Championship at Raizada Hansraj Stadium, here today. In the women's section, Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana, won the first place by defeating last year's champions Regional Engineering College, Jalandhar, 2-1. Rupinder Kaur of GNDEC (Ldh) lost to Sampada of REC (Jal) 6-11, 3-11. But fighting back GNDEC (Ldh) won its second single's through Harmanjeet Brar who defeated Rohini of REC (Jal) 11-4, 11-6. Harmanjit with her partner Rupinder Kaur won the first double, by defeating Ruchika and Sampada (REC) 15-7, 15-8. REC (Jal) defeated Sliet (Longowal) 2-0 in the men's section. Harmandeep Singh of REC (Jal) outplayed Shailender of Sliet (Longowal) in two straight games 15-4, 15-3, whereas Nitin Rana defeated Arun (Sliet) 15-6, 15-1. According to Dr Gurmej Singh Dhaliwal, Director, Sports, PTU, all affiliated colleges of the state participated in the championships. The following players have been selected to participated in the North Zone Inter-Varsity at Chandigarh. Men: Harmandeep (Captain)
and Nitin Rana (both REC), Vikram Katoch (BCET),
Shailendra (Sliet), Sohal Gupta (Fdk), Sukhwinder Singh
(GNDEC). A coaching camp will be
held at Jalandhar, Dr Dhaliwal added. |
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PTU table tennis JALANDHAR (FOSR): The Punjab Technical University Inter-College Table Tennis Tournament (for men and women) will be held at Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology (Longowal) on October 22 and 23, Dr Gurmej Singh Shaliwal, Director, Sports, PTU, has said. Nearly 16 teams will participate. No play possible PATIALA, Oct 17 (FOSR) — Overnight rains washed out play on the second successive day of the Dhruv Pandove (under-19) cricket tournament semifinal match between Patiala and Amritsar. With two days play of the match having been completely washed out, the match on the third day tomorrow has been reduced to academic interest. The conditions here are such that even if the sun comes out blazing tomorrow the chances of the match getting started are very slim due to the wet and soggy outfield. Varsity soccer PATIALA, Oct 17 (FOSR) — The North Zone inter university football tournament will be held at the Punjabi University campus here from November 2 to 11 according to a press release of the university. Nineteen universities from North Zone have confirmed their entries.
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