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Thursday,
July 3, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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All eyes on Henman as Beckham mania
subsides Britain's Tim Henman returns to France's Sebastien Grosjean during their quarterfinal
match at the Wimbledon Tennis championships in
London on Wednesday. — Reuters photo
Paes-Rikl duo
in semis Cream of
Belgium in way of Williams’ show
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BCCI
panel meeting: John Wright, Leipus get extension Vikram
Solanki remains loyal to Asian style
Patients
to sue hospital Russian
tycoon is owner of Chelsea Jung
misses Olympics quota place
Haryana
to set up 38 sports wings Punjab
veteran wrestling trials
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All eyes on Henman as Beckham mania
subsides
London, July 2 Around 13 million people — not far short of a quarter of the British population — tuned in to see Henman’s rollercoaster men’s fourth round victory over David Nalbandian on Monday, and similar numbers were expected to watch his game against the 13th-seeded Frenchman. Despite Beckham’s far greater fame in normal times, his unveiling as a Real Madrid player on the same day, following his recent transfer from Manchester United, was set to be little more than a sideshow. Generally a football-mad nation, every Wimbledon fortnight Britain embarks on a summer romance with tennis, a love affair fuelled in recent years by Henman’s valiant but thus-far doomed attempt to become the first British men’s singles champion since Fred Perry in 1936. Henman, the 29-year-old 10th seed, is well used to shouldering seven decades of national hopes, having reached the semifinals at four of the past five Wimbledons. But with age creeping up on him and this year’s men’s draw wide-open — apart from Henman, none of the other last eight have ever reached the semifinals at the tournament — Britain is thinking that this could be the clean-cut star’s best, and last, real hope. That was the opinion this morning on Wimbledon’s “Henman Hill”, the grassy mound facing a specially-erected screen where patriotic fans traditionally gather to eat, drink and noisily cheer on their favourite. Several hours before Henman’s game was due to start, the hill was packed with those who had queued from the early hours of the morning for the privilege of paying 12 pounds (17 euros, 20 dollars) to watch the game on a giant television. “This year is Henman’s last hope. If he doesn’t do it this time he never will,” said 19-year-old Kim Vaccari, resplendent in a Union Jack cape with matching top hat and face paint. “I think he’s got a real chance as so many of the top players have been knocked out.” Henman is considered in with a good chance against Grosjean, a player he beat at Wimbledon in 1999. The Frenchman inflicted a straight-sets defeat against Henman at Wimbledon warm-up Queen’s event last month, but that was when Briton was still recovering from a shoulder injury. The nation’s fascination with Henman, the immaculately brought up son of a wealthy lawyer, is stoked in part by the fact that he epitomises the national sporting stereotype of a gifted gentleman player who perhaps lacks the necessary killer instinct to land the elusive title. Henman — whose grandfather Henry Billington reached 3rd round at Wimbledon twice — is widely considered perhaps most naturally talented men’s volleyer currently playing, but has yet to win a single title on grass, most suited to his skills. “He’s very British, isn’t he?” said Tina Crossman, also biding her time on Henman Hill. “I think that’s the problem with him — sometimes he doesn’t get really nasty when he should.” — AFP Rain interrupts play London, July 2 Henman, bidding to reach his fifth Wimbledon semifinal in six years, was level with his French rival at 6-7, 6-3, 1-1 on centre court when rain interrupted play for the third time at 4.40 local time. On court one unseeded German Alexander Popp held a surprise two-sets-to-one advantage over Australian Mark Philippoussis, conqueror of world number one Andre Agassi in the fourth round. Popp took the first two sets 6-4, 6-4 but Philippoussis hit back to take the third 6-3. The 2.01-metre tall German, a quarter-finalist in 2000, was 1-0 up on serve in the fourth when play was suspended. The remaining two men’s quarter-finals, Swiss fourth seed Roger Federer vs Dutchman Sjeng Schalken and Jonas Bjorkman of Sweden vs American fifth seed Andy Roddick, were due to follow on centre court and court one respectively. |
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Paes-Rikl duo
in semis
London, July 2 Bhupathi and Miryni, seeded first, are favourties to win their quarter-final match against the eighth seeded Czech pair of Martin Damm and Cyril Suk. In the mixed doubles event, Bhupathi pairing WTA doubles No 1 Paola Suarez of Argentina beat Jared Palmer and Abiqail Spears of the USA 6-4, 6-7 (2-7), 6-1. Meanwhile, India’s challenge in the girls’ singles event came to an end with Sania Mirza crashing out of the second round. She lost 2-6, 6-3, 1-6 to New Zealander Eden Marama. The result was no different in the boys’ singles as well with Somdev Dev Varman going down 6-7 (3-7), 7-5, 1-6 to Devin Mullings of Bahamas in his first round match. — UNI |
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Cream of Belgium in way of Williams’ show
London, July 2 The Williams sisters have between them won the last three tournaments here but Henin-Hardenne has shown that their power can be neutralised after beating Serena in the French Open semifinal before going on to swat Clijsters in the trophy match. Aside from their recent Wimbledon domination, the Williams sisters have met in four of the past five Grand Slam finals - with Serena winning on each occasion. Henin-Hardenne’s win over Clijsters in the French Open final was therefore largely seen as a welcome breath of fresh air - but the presence of the burly Americans in the last four means there can be no talk of a real wind of change. All four semifinalists roared through the opening week, but the going got considerably tougher in the quarterfinals which saw only Henin-Hardenne emerge with a straightforward straight sets 6-2, 6-2 win over Russian 33rd seed Svetlana Kuznetsova. World No. 1 Serena had to scrap before ousting old foe Jennifer Capriati 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 for her eighth straight success over her opponent. Venus also needed a deciding set before defeating 1999 champion Lindsay Davenport 6-2, 2-6, 6-1. Clijsters had to grit her teeth after being stung by a bee before ending a dogged challenge from Italy’s Silvia Farina Elia, the Belgian moving on 5-7, 6-0, 6-1. While Venus and Clijsters vie for supremacy - Venus leads their series to date 4-2 though they have never met on grass - it is the semifinal pitting Serena against Justine Henin-Hardenne which primarily makes the mouth water. Henin-Hardenne knocked the younger of the Williams sisters out of the French Open at the same stage last month.
— AFP |
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Williams’ fail
in doubles act LONDON: Reigning champions Venus and Serena Williams, having just reached the singles semifinals, crashed out of the women’s doubles at Wimbledon on Tuesday, losing in three sets to Russian 15th seeds Elena Dementieva and Lina Krasnoroutskaya. The Russians won 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 when Venus double-faulted on match point to advance to a quarterfinal against Venezuela’s Maria Vento-Kabchi and Angelique Widjaja of Indonesia. “We both put a lot of work into our singles,” explained Serena afterwards. “It’s hard to turn around 15 minutes later and go out for a doubles match. We were a bit fatigued mentally and physically.”
— AFP |
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Richard Williams
blasts umpires London, July 2 Richard Williams said yesterday he was angry about the storm of booing which descended on Serena when she crashed out in the French Open semifinal to eventual winner Justine Henin-Hardenne — whom she faces again here in tomorrow’s semis. “I don’t think they should have booed my daughter when she missed a shot,” said Richard Williams as he blasted the Roland Garros crowd which was overwhelmingly behind Belgium’s Henin-Hardenne in Paris. “I really blame the guy who was sat in the chair, that was wrong,” he told the BBC. “If I had been there, I would have had to walk out on the court and say ‘Hey, why don’t you do your job? If you’re not, I’m going to get you on your behind.’
— AFP |
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The chalk and cheese sisters
London, July 2 Sister Serena loves to talk on the phone and says her best place to visit is the mirror in her house. The ‘chalk and cheese’ sisters are doing it for themselves but their styles could not be more different on and off court. Wimbledon’s Centre Court
yesterday provided a fascinating contrast as the two most famous sisters in sport fought their way into the semifinals on the biggest stage in tennis. Serena wore her heart on her sleeve, pumping her fist and furiously psyching herself up to defeat Jennifer Capriati. Gone was the crestfallen champion who wept in Paris as the crowd at the French Open booed and cat-called her. With victory gained over the ever-dangerous Capriati, Serena waved and exuberantly blew kisses at the Wimbledon fans. In sharp contrast, Venus was so chilled out that she took a nap in the rain break that interrupted her match with Lindsay Davenport. “I love to sleep. I’m a sleeper. So any time I am sitting still, I might nod off,’’ she confessed to reporters. “I am not a very stressed out or hectic person, kind of anything goes — not anything but I’m just an easy going person,’’ she said. Venus, the more bookish and introverted of the sisters, once ruled the tennis world. Now it is the turn of Serena, the bubbly extrovert who is leading Venus 5-4 in terms of Grand Slam titles. Venus, who at 23 is two years older than Serena, is philosophical about that: “It’s impossible to be the shining star every time.... It’s impossible to be in the winner’s circle every time. You don’t learn as much if you don’t lose a few times.’’ She was fulsome in praise of Serena’s dominance: “For sure Serena just always had the better shot last year for no matter whom she was playing. She was definitely very motivated to do well and to win and that’s really what it takes.’’
— Reuters |
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BCCI panel meeting: John Wright, Leipus get extension New Delhi, July 2 BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmia said after the first day’s deliberations of the two-day working committee meeting that the contract of physiotherapist Andrew Leipus and newly appointed physical trainer Allen Gregory King would also run till September next year, when the Champions Trophy Tournament will be completed in England. Mr Dalmia said 50 per cent of the 32-point agenda of the two-day meeting was completed today, and one of the major items on the agenda was the contract issue of the coach and other officials. Mr Dalmia clarified that the BCCI had tried to retain the services of former physical trainer Adrian Le Roux, but he was keen to take up a coaching assignment in his own country, South Africa, as he did not want to miss the chance to “serve his country”. And new physical trainer Allen Gregory King was recommended by Le Roux. Mr Dalmia said there were eight candidates in the fray for the physical trainer’s job, including three from Australia and one from India, but the mantle fell on King, due to his impressive credentials and track record. He is also a level III qualified coach. Meanwhile, the Indian players will receive a whopping Rs 11.46 crore as wages for their World Cup campaign in 2003, which includes Rs 3.85 crore as bonus, Rs 4.6 crore as prize money and Rs 3.01 crore as logo money. Each of the 15 players in the World Cup squad will thus receive over Rs 80 lakh as prize money. Mr Dalmia said the working committee meeting also decided to reward the coach, physiotherapist and physical trainer for their contribution to the Indian team’s fine show in the World Cup. Coach John Wright will be paid a cash incentive of Rs 30 lakh, which will be equal to his three months’ pay packet while former trainer Le Roux and Andre Leipus will receive Rs 7 to 10 lakh as their share of the World Cup pie. Mr Dalmia said the working committee put on record its appreciation of the Indian team’s performance in the World Cup and the Champions Trophy. He said the board had decided not to take legal recourse to recover India’s share of the World Cup profit, amounting to $ 6.5 million, withheld by the
International Cricket Council (ICC), as the new ICC president, Ehsan Mani of Pakistan, had requested the BCCI not to go for arbitration. Mr Mani has expressed his desire to settle the issue through across the table discussions. Mr Dalmia, however, asserted that the BCCI would file counter-claims against Global Cricket Corporation (GCC)—the right holders of the World Cup — for inadequate marketing of the
event. He said the working committee had earmarked Rs 50 lakh to get at the bottom of the marketing strategy adopted by GCC. Mr Dalmia said the board had decided to distribute 26 per cent of its gross revenue among the players, out of which 50 per cent would be paid to international players, 10.6 per cent to first class players and the rest, around 2.3 per cent, to the junior players. Mr Dalmia also ruled out the possibility of the board initiating any steps to facilitate the return of Ajay Jadeja to the Indian team. He said the board was not in a position to defend the match-fixing case filed against Jadeja and former Indian captain Mohd Azharuddin as all the papers pertaining to the match-fixing case, unearthed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), were in the custody of the CBI. He said Jadeja’s and Azhar’s were two different cases, and the board would follow legal opinion before proceeding further with regard to these cases. The BCCI chief said India would play in the Academy Tournament in Sri Lanka in which Sri Lanka and Pakistan will also feature, followed by a quandrangular under-19 tournament to be held in Pakistan and a tri-series to be held in India. In all these three tournaments, India, Lanka and Pakistan will field their A teams. He said the Youth World Cup (under-19) will be held in Bangladesh from February 14 to 18. |
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Vikram Solanki remains loyal to Asian style London, July 2 There is something very English about Hussain, despite his Indian birthplace. He appears measured and calculating. His work at the crease is similarly solid rather than spectacular. He has proved a fine captain of a workmanlike Test team. Solanki, like Hussain, was born in India and bred in England. His uninhibited batting, however, seems to have remained loyal to his Asian roots. His delightful century against South Africa at the Oval last week was full of exotic, impulsive, wristy flourishes. The style was no surprise. The fact that he survived as long as he did was. Solanki has always looked dashing but has tended to deal in one-day cameos rather than lead roles. On Saturday, he was caught behind off a no-ball having just reached the 20s. Reprieved thanks to Shaun Pollock’s two-inch over-step, he went on to make 106 at a run-a-ball. Fellow opener Marcus Trescothick out-scored him by eight runs more but said: “It was fantastic being at the other end...(it was a) typical Vikram innings, really." “I have seen bits and pieces of it but I have never seen him play to that standard against such a good team.” England boasts large communities with direct links to the subcontinent. Their traditional passion for cricket has long been seen as a valuable future resource for the national team. In recent seasons, however, there has not been a significant breakthrough. Several players, like batsmen Aftab Habib (born in Reading, two Tests, average 8.66), Usman Afzaal (born in Rawalpindi, three Tests, average of 16.6) and Owais Shah (Karachi-born, 15 one-dayers, average of 21.76), have been tried without immediately looking the part. Solanki, of course, did not immediately convince either. A compulsive driver, he survived for eight one-dayers in 2000 before being ditched, his highest score 24, and had to wait until this season before getting another game. It remains to be seen whether his majestic century proves yet another false dawn. Michael Vaughan, however, who replaced Hussain as the one-day captain of a totally restructured England team, is clearly a fan. “Vikram is that kind of player where one day he will get a low score and then against South Africa he came out and played exceptionally well,” he says. “We accept that. “He’s just a natural stroke player. We’re not asking him to change his way at all.” Solanki, who bats with his hands jammed down at the bottom of the handle, Saurav Ganguly-style, is also the best fielder in the side, patrolling the point region. Against Pakistan earlier in June he parried a Rashid Latif slash above his head before taking the rebound in a show of athleticism reminiscent of Jonty Rhodes. Hussain, the man from Chennai (and Essex), bowed out of the England one-day side after the World Cup, arguing that he no longer deserved his place. He scored just one century in 88 matches, averaging a fraction over 30. His alliance with coach Duncan Fletcher, however, remains central to the Test team’s fortunes. Solanki, born more than 1,000 miles down the road in Udaipur, is now averaging a fraction under 30 in his 13 one-dayers. His combined batting and fielding promise an extended run. There has been no suggestion, though, of a Test chance. A second one-day innings of substance, however, with a few non-compulsive leaves outside off stump, might make that a possibility.
— Reuters |
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Beckham dons
Real Madrid jersey
Madrid, July 2 With TV cameras broadcasting the ceremony live around the world, team president Florentino Perez unveiled his fourth multi-million dollar man in as many years and hailed Beckham as one of the best English soccer players of all times. “David, welcome to the league of dreams,” Perez told the former Manchester United star. Beckham, 28, opened a brief speech by thanking team officials in Spanish - “gracias”, he said with a smile, then added: “Football is everything to me and joining Real Madrid is a dream come true”. Beckham wore a powder blue suit, open white shirt and a pair of earrings. His wife Victoria, the former Posh in the Spice Girls pop group, sat in the front row. More than 500 journalists from 25 countries were on hand to cover the event at Real Madrid’s basketball arena, the Raimundo Saporta Pavilion. The photogenic midfielder received a white Real Madrid jersey — bearing his name and the number 23 — from honorary president Alfredo di Stefano, an illustrious Real Madrid hero from the 1950s. Beckham later donned the white Real uniform and kicked a ball around a bit on a practice field. Hundreds of fans cheered as they sat in a hot Madrid sun. The unveiling ceremony unfolded on a stage featuring a giant closeup photo of Beckham’s face, his last name and that of his new employer. Mr Perez noted Beckham was a cultural icon and trendsetter with followers all over the planet, a man described as casting a “global spell”. “That may be true,” Mr Perez said. “But what is really true is that Real Madrid signed David Beckham because he is a great soccer player, a great professional whose dedication and spirit of sacrifice, whose team spirit and simplicity are recognised by all who have dealt with him.” “For us he is one of the best English soccer players of all times,” Perez said. “For that reason and none other Beckham is here with us today.” Beckham, transferred last week from Manchester United for 35 million ($ US 40 million), is the latest of a string of big-money recruits to join the 9-times European Cup champion and 29-times titlist of the Spanish league. He will play alongside other Perez acquisitions such as Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo. Beckham arrived yesterday with his wife and their eldest son, 4-year-old Brooklyn, amid a frenzy of media coverage, bodyguards and police protection. One Spanish newspaper said some visiting heads of state don’t get such VIP treatment. After passing a medical exam, Beckham signed a four-year contract at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, completing his transfer. He made it official with a pen his wife bought to mark the occasion. Beckham will make his Madrid debut when the team plays four
friendly matches in the Far East in late July and early August. Its opening game is against the Dragon Team in Beijing on August 2, followed by a game three days later with FC Tokyo in Tokyo. On August 8 Madrid plays China in Hong Kong. Its final game is against Malaysia on August 10 in Kuala Lumpur. Beckham’s first match on Spanish soil is expected to come a week later when Madrid visits Mallorca in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup, which pits the league titlist with the Copa del Rey winner. The return leg is a week later at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, a game which may provide Beckham with his home debut.
— AP |
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Patients to sue hospital
Madrid, July 2 Marca, Spain’s biggest selling daily paper, said scores of patients at the Hospital De La Zarzuela complained of being disturbed and upset by the furore created by the arrival of Beckham and his entourage in the middle of yesterday afternoon. Beckham, undertaking the compulsory medical tests before officially signing for Real Madrid, was greeted by a scattering of fans but around 200 journalists.
— AFP |
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Russian
tycoon is owner of Chelsea
London, July 2 The surprise takeover - the biggest in British football history - was finalised late on Tuesday after talks with long-time chairman Ken Bates. Mr Bates bought the club in 1982 for just one pound, while taking on debts of 1.5 million pounds. Although the club has prospered, debts have grown and it is estimated the new owner will have to put up 80 million pounds to cover them. “This is a great deal for Chelsea Village, the club and its fans. We have achieved an enormous amount over the past 21 years building a fantastic new stadium and a talented team which is firmly established as one of the top clubs in Europe”, Mr Bates, who is expected to remain as chairman, said in a statement. “In today’s highly competitive football market, the club will benefit from a new owner with deeper pockets to move Chelsea to the next level. I look forward to working with Roman Abramovich to achieve even greater things.” “We are delighted to agree this deal to acquire what is already one of the top clubs in Europe. We have the resources and ambition to achieve even more given the huge potential of this great club,” he said in a statement.
— AFP |
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Jung misses Olympics
quota place
New Delhi, July 2 Jung shot 556/600 in the preliminary round and 97.3 in the final to miss the bronze by just 0.1 points. The Olympic quota place, which he missed by 0.4 points, and the silver medal went to a Greece shooter, according to a press note by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) here today. The two other Indians in the fray Vivek Singh and Raunaq Pandit shot 550 and 541, respectively. In men’s air rifle, Abhinav Bindra finished a close fourth with a total of 699.2. Chinese shooters won the gold and bronze with 699.8 points and 699.3, respectively, while Thailand picked up the silver with a score of 699.6 points. Bindra has already booked his place for the Olympics winning a quota place in Germany last month.
— PTI |
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Haryana
to set up 38 sports wings Chandigarh, July 2 He said the players attaining first three positions in the state-level tournament would be eligible for selection. The trials would be held from July 5 at 9 a.m. at the venues of the sports wings in different districts. |
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Punjab
veteran wrestling
trials Sangrur, July 2 The selected team will take part in the World Veteran Wrestling Championship being held at Budapest (Hungary) from July 31 to August 3. Mr Kartar Singh informed that wrestlers in the age group 35-40, 41-45, 46-50, 51-56 and +56 would be selected. Weighing in will be held at 9 a.m. while the trials will start at 5 p.m. Selected wrestlers will attend a coaching camp till the departure of the team. All the wrestlers are advised to report to Mr Rajinder Singh, treasurer of the association at the stadium. Selected wrestlers will have to bear all the expenses. |
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Geeta, Harshita
corner glory Bilaspur, July 2 Geeta Devi won two gold medals while Harshita Bhatti won a silver medal in the 400 metres and a bronze medal in 200 metres. |
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Football
trials Phagwara, July 2 Players intending to give trials should be born on or after January 1, 1988, and must bring with them their original certificates with date of birth.
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Rally flagged off
Ambala, July 2 The enthusiasts from Hare Rama Hare Krishna Fighters Club will pass through difficult terrain on their two-wheelers. Along the way, the young rallyists will encourage people to look after the environment. Among other places, the rally is expected to travel to Una,
Jwalaji, Kangra, Chamba, Manimahesh, Mandi, Manali, Rohtang, Koksar,
Kajapatti, Rekong Peo, Rampur, Shimla, Nahan, Paonta Sahib, Dehra Dun,
Rishikesh, Gangotri, Joshimath and Badrinath. |
GREENE
THIRD PIANO
FOR WIN RONALDO’S
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