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Federer, Safina through to semis
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Jankovic set for Ivanovic test
Asif's fate hinges on urine test
Rameez rebukes Asif
First-ever NBA camp in India
Italy, France set to renew hostilities
Governor presents Bhim Awards
Sarwan salvages draw for WI
Paes, Bhupathi focus on preparations
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Federer, Safina through to semis
Paris, June 4 "I really got on a roll, played great. In the end, I think I played a very good match today," Federer told reporters after reaching the last four for the fourth successive year. "I knew I wasn't playing my best but he also was returning well and getting a lot of balls back. I was broken three times in the first set so obviously you're going to be a little rattled, but I was really happy the way I came back." Gonzalez — who won claycourt events in Munich and Vina del Mar earlier this year — could hardly believe his luck when Federer sprayed his forehand all over the place to hand the first set to the 24th seed on a plate. But as is so often the case, the world number one lifted his game, breaking in the fourth and eighth games of the second set on his way to levelling at one set apiece. The third set effectively hinged on the opening game when Gonzalez let a 0-40 lead slip, prompting him to smash his racket and leave the ball-boy with the task of trying to stuff it into a courtside bin. With his confidence restored, the Swiss eased through the remaining two sets to reach the semifinals of a grand slam event for the 16th consecutive time. Gael Monfils became the first Frenchman to reach the French Open semi-finals in seven years when he defeated Spanish fifth seed David Ferrer 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-1 on Wednesday. No home men's singles player since Sebastien Grosjean in 2001 has reached the last four at Roland Garros. The unseeded Monfils, who will meet world number one Roger Federer for a place in Sunday's final, is bidding for a title that has eluded French men since Yannick Noah's triumph in 1983. "I prepared well for this tournament, I'm trying to take as much as pleasure as I can but also to keep focused," said Monfils. "With the crowd and my family backing me, I feel very strong. I have raised my level progressively, I played beautiful tennis." Dinara Safina staged another remarkable comeback to reach the semi-finals of the French Open with a 4-6 7-6 6-0 win over fellow Russian Elena Dementieva on Wednesday. Two days after Marat Safin's younger sister knocked out world number one Maria Sharapova in the fourth round, she knocked out seventh seed Dementieva in almost identical fashion. In both matches, Safina was a set and 5-2 down before she broke, then saved a match point on her serve at 5-3, broke again, and then went on to take the ensuing tiebreak and rolling over her opponent. The 13th seed, who prevailed after a two hour 36 minute-battle, will meet compatriot and fourth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova for a place in Saturday's final. Russian fourth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova ended the dream run of Estonian Kaia Kanepi at the French Open on Wednesday with a 7-5 6-2 victory, sealing a place in the semi-finals for the second time in three years. —
Reuters
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Jankovic set for Ivanovic test
Paris, June 4 Second seed Ivanovic will walk on to Court Philippe Chatrier as fresh as a daisy after conceding just 20 games in her five matches so far as she seemingly walks towards a first grand slam title with total assurance. Jankovic, meanwhile, has also not lost a set at Roland Garros but her progress has been, by comparison, tortuous. Treated for a wrist injury in her second-round match against Marina Erakovic, she also needed medical attention on a stiff neck and shoulder in the fourth round and made a dash home to Serbia before her quarter-final triumph to receive treatment. The pair have met six times and Jankovic has prevailed only once in Los Angeles two years ago, and Ivanovic won in straight sets in their only previous meeting on clay. But what Jankovic lacks in fitness and previous form, she more than makes up for it in self belief. "My dream is to become number one in the world, and now I'm very close. So I will try my best, and hopefully I can do it," said the third seed, who will replace Maria Sharapova at the top of the pile if she takes the title. "I had troubles in the past against her, but I don't think we played on clay many times. So it's a different game and it's different circumstances, so I think it will be a completely different match. So we will see how it will goes this time. "I really have to attack. She has some weaknesses in her game, and I really need to play good tactically to play the right shots, play the right game, and then we will see. Justine Henin's crown as queen of Roland Garros is looking like an increasingly perfect fit for Ivanovic. She has destroyed the opposition this fortnight, clubbing winners off both wings and appears the clear heir apparent to the now retired four-times champion from Belgium. Both born in Belgrade 2-1/2 years apart, the two Serbs have never developed a close friendship because of their different coaching decisions, but Ivanovic is aware of her rival's strengths. "She's a tough opponent and she defends really well. (I need to) step in and be aggressive and play my game," said Ivanovic, who also has Sharapova's top spot in her sights. —
Reuters |
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Asif's fate hinges on urine test
Dubai, June 4 Pakistan's ambassador to the UAE Ahsan Ullah Khan told PTI that the beleaguered pacer continues to remain in the Dubai airport detention centre and his chances of returning home hinges on the outcome of the urine test he had undergone after being detained. "I am an optimist and always hopeful," the diplomat said, when asked about the chances of an early release of the Pakistani pacer. Meanwhile, with Dubai going through a period of mourning following a death in the royal family there, the Pakistan Cricket Board is afraid that the detained pacer's release might get further delayed. "As far as we know there has been no fresh development in this case. And because there is a period of mourning in Dubai because of the death of a royal family member, his possible release could be delayed," PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi said. "Until the reports come, nothing is moving forward. The situation at the moment remains he is not charged but is under investigation by the Dubai authorities," Naghmi said. "It might take some more time for this matter to be resolved," he added. Asif has been in the Dubai airport detention centre since Sunday morning when he reached there for a 15-hour transit stay while returning from Mumbai on his way home. Authorities at the Dubai airport detained him after finding the pacer in a drunken state and also found some recreational drugs in his possession. Immediate blood tests confirmed Asif was intoxicated and the pacer was detained. A journalist who visited the detention centre said Asif was now starting to feel the strain of the detention and also the ramifications of his actions. Another senior board official rubbished media reports claiming PCB had sought the help of the government and political figures to seek assistance from the royal family in Dubai. "It is a high profile case and will be investigated as per their law. If the substance is contraband or banned Asif is in trouble," he said. Meanwhile, Ahsan Ullah Khan dismissed media reports quoting the Pakistan's ambassador to the UAE as saying that charges against Asif had been dropped and the pacer was set to fly home. The Pakistani diplomat insisted since no charges were framed against the cricketer, there was no question of dropping them either. According to Dubai customs officials, Asif was caught with 0.24gm of an illegal substance in his wallet on Sunday and the substance was also sent for laboratory tests. Pakistan Cricket Board subsequently rushed senior official Nadeem Akram to Dubai and hired a leading legal firm, Afridi and Angel, to bail out the beleaguered pacer. — PTI
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First-ever NBA camp in India
New Delhi, June 4 The four-day event - Basketball without Borders Asia - will take place at the American Embassy School here from July 3 to 6, the National Basketball Association (NBA), the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the Basketball Federation of India (BFI), announced here today. Selected by the NBA, FIBA and participating federations, 53 basketball players (ages 19 and under) from 15 countries and territories will take part in basketball instruction and competition during the camp. Four Indian players - Pratham Singh, Hirendra Singh Rathore, Shadab Khan and Arjun Singh have been selected for the event. —
UNI |
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Italy, France set to renew hostilities
Paris, June 4 Italy, who open on Monday against the Dutch in Berne, are without World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro, who was ruled out of the championship by an ankle injury sustained in their first training session after arriving in Austria. Despite the loss of defender Cannavaro, Italy have outstanding players across the pitch, from the intimidating Gianluigi Buffon in goal to the towering Luca Toni up front. ''It will not be easy to repeat what we did (in the World Cup) in Germany but definitely we all have a great will to try again,'' Buffon told reporters. ''The group is difficult. We are calm and respect everyone. If Holland and France have tradition, Romania have strong players. Even that won't be an easy match.'' That view was shared by France coach Raymond Domenech. ''When I saw the draw I told myself it couldn't have been worse; which doesn't mean we can't live with it,'' Domenech said. France will want revenge for the 2006 World Cup final defeat by Italy on penalties which featured Zinedine Zidane's infamous head-butt on Marco Materazzi. Zidane retired after the tournament but France have no shortage of quality without him. Forward Thierry Henry, winger Franck Ribery and young striker Karim Benzema all have the profile of a defender's worst nightmare. France fans will also have happier memories of beating Italy in the final of Euro 2000. More recently Italy and France were drawn in the same Euro 2008 qualifying group, with Les Bleus winning 3-1 in Paris before holding Italy to a 0-0 draw in Milan, a game for which Domenech was suspended for inappropriate remarks. —
Reuters |
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Governor presents Bhim Awards
Chandigarh, June 4 This was announced during the function held at Raj Bhawan here, today when Bhim Awards were conferred upon six sportspersons. Besides, 10 other sportspersons were also honoured for their contribution in the sports field. The six sportspersons who have been appointed as Inspectors are: Ramesh Kumar and Sunder Singh (kabaddi), Vijender, Jitender Kumar and Akhil Kumar (boxers) and Sujeet Mann (wrestler). It was for the first time that the Bhim Award was given to a physically challenged sportsman Girraj Singh of Faridabad. Others who got the Bhim Award were: Vijender (Bhiwani -boxing), Manoj Kumar (Rohtak-shooting), Bhupinder Singh (Faridabad-athletics), Jyodeep Kaur (Shahbad-hockey), Meena Devi (Bhiwani-wrestling). Each recipient of Bhim Award was given Rs. 1 lakh in cash, an idol of Bhim, a scroll, a blazer and a tie or a scarf. The other 10 outstanding players, who were honoured for their outstanding performance included boxers Sunil Kumar (Bhiwani) and Chhotu Lora (Hisar) and wrestler Narender (Sonepat). Each of them was awarded Rs. 1 lakh in cash. The two volleyball players who were given Rs 61,000 each in cash included Gurpreet Singh and Sube Singh of Panchkula. Another volleyball player of Panchkula Sanjay Kumar was given Rs 51,000 in cash. A kabaddi player Ramesh Kumar (Hisar), judo player Parwinder (Faridabad) were given Rs. 51,000 each. Similarly, two wrestlers, Anmol (Hisar) and Surender (Sonepat) were honoured with Rs. 50,000 each. Col.Satyapal Malik, VSM of district Sonipat, was also honoured with Rs. 1 lakh in cash for scaling Nanda Devi East, Annapurna, Kabru, Mana and Kamet peaks. In all, Rs 24.75 lakh were awarded in cash to the sportsperson, a Deputy Director of Haryana, Sports and Youth Affairs department and a mountaineer. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister also announced to give two-year extension in service to Deputy Director, Hockey, Baldev Singh for imparting excellent training to women hockey players which resulted in winning gold medal at 18th Commonwealth Games at Melbourne in 2006. Baldev was also honoured with Rs 10 lakh in cash in recognition of his services to the game of hockey. |
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Sarwan salvages draw for WI
North Sound, Antigua, June 4 Australia, 1-0 up in the three-match series, retained the Frank Worrell Trophy yesterday. After Ricky Ponting declared before the start of play, setting West Indies an unlikely victory target of 372, the hosts were struggling at 95 for three at lunch but recovered thanks to a gritty partnership from Sarwan and fellow Guyanese batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul. The pair put on 143 for the fourth wicket before Sarwan was caught off Mitchell Johnson with the first delivery of the new ball. West Indies (1st innings): 352 Australia (IInd innings): dec for 6: 244 West Indies (IInd innings): D. Smith c Hussey b Lee 0 X. Marshall c Haddin b Clark 5 R. Sarwan c Hussey b Clark 128 R. Morton lbw Lee 14 S. Chanderpaul not out 77 D.Bravo c sub b Lee 1 D.Ramdin not out 21 Extras (lb-8, nb-12): 20 Total (for five wickets, 93 overs): 266 Fall of wickets 1-4 2-19 3-84 4-227 5-236 Bowling: B Lee 21-5-51-3 (5nb), S.Clark 18-8-22-1 (1nb), M.Clarke 6-3-16-0, M.Johnson 20-3-70-1, S.MacGill 19-2-75-0 (6nb),M.Hussey 6-2-14-0, A.Symonds 3-0-10-0. — Reuters |
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Paes, Bhupathi focus on preparations
New Delhi, June 4 "The main issue was that we did not have preparation going in for the Olympics, but that has been sorted now. We are going to play two tournaments - one before Wimbledon and the other after it," a relieved Bhupathi, who had been demanding that Paes spend more time with him on court before Olympics, said. Paes and Bhupathi agreed to bury the hatchet after a round of peace talks brokered by All-India Tennis Association Secretary General Anil Khanna in Paris on June 2. Besides playing two tournaments together, the duo has also agreed to train together for a week. Paes said he was satisfied with the patch up reached and was now focussed on getting a medal for the country. "Playing for the country is of utmost importance for me. That's why I spoke to my (current) partner (Lukas Dlouhy) to take some time off the circuit and play with Mahesh. I am happy that I found two weeks to do that ... it's about training as well, camaraderie and don't forget we have eight years of experience," Paes told CNN-IBN. "Now that we are playing together we need to go there and really work hard," he added. Bhupathi, meanwhile, said he and Paes had a decent chance of grabbing a medal in Beijing in what would perhaps be their last Olympics. "We have a decent shot at bringing a medal home. Both of us have realised that preparation is the key," he said. — PTI |
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Paris, June 4
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