New York, September 2
Defending men's champion Andy Murray and world number one Novak Djokovic won in straight sets, while 2001 winner Lleyton Hewitt turned back the clock to reach the fourth round for the first time since 2006 at the U.S. Open on Sunday .

Murray, playing in the middle of a hot and steamy day, needed less than two hours to see off Germany's Florian Mayer 7-6 (2) 6-2 6-2 and advance to the fourth round.

Djokovic was even more ruthless in his center court night match against Portugal's Joao Sousa, cruising to a 6-0 6-2 6-2 win, while 32-year-old Hewitt wore down Russia's Evgeny Donskoy 6-3 7-6 (5) 3-6 6-1.

“Obviously when you've been to the top you want to keep playing," said Hewitt, who beat Juan Martin del Potro in the previous round.

“The reason you're playing is for the majors, and for me, Davis Cup as well. That's the reason I'm still playing.”

Serena Williams easily won her eagerly-awaited clash with Sloane Stephens as normal service resumed at the last grand slam of year.

Williams was one of four U.S. Open champions that won on Sunday, sending a clear message to the next generation of rising stars that they will have to wait their turn. The 31-year-old avenged her loss to Stephens at the Australian Open with an emphatic 6-4 6-1 victory to keep her title defence on course. “It's definitely difficult, especially playing people that you like, that you always want to see do well,” Williams said. “But you have to go out there and kind of put that to the side and realize, I want to do well myself and take every point as it comes.”

The biggest surprise on a day when most results went as expected was the defeat of women's third seed Agnieszka Radwanska.

Tennis players rarely talk about international conflicts, preferring to play it safe by limiting their comments to serves and volleys.But the possibility of air strikes against Syria has recalled some painful memories for Serbia's Novak Djokovic (at right) and Ana Ivanovic, who broke from their usual routine at the US Open to talk about their personal experiences with war. Less than two weeks ago, Djokovic addressed the United Nations General Assembly as part of the declaration for an International Day of Sport for Development and Peace next year.Then on Sunday, after winning his third round match at the U.S. Open, the world number one spoke about military strikes, recounting his experiences as a child."I'm totally against any kind of weapon, any kind of air strike, missile attack," he told reporters. “I'm totally against anything that is destructive. "Because I had this personal experience, I know it cannot bring any good to anybody." — Agencies

New York, September 2
Rohan Bopanna’s US Open campaign ended after the Indian and his French partner Edourad Roger-Vasselin suffered a straight-set defeat at the hands of Britain’s Colin Fleming and Jonathan Marray in the men’s doubles third round.

The sixth seeded Indo-French combo was stunned by Fleming and Marray, seeded 12th, 6-4 6-4 in a contest that lasted 81 minutes last night. Bopanna and Roger-Vasselin could convert just one out of six breakpoints they got to go down tamely against the lower-ranked opponents. They could also win just 58 points in total as compared to 73 won by the British duo.

In the opening set, Fleming and Marray did well to convert two of the three break chances, while the Indo-French combination wasted three out of four breakpoints to lose it in just 34 minutes.In the second set, they showed some fight as they saved as many as four breakpoints out of five before the Britishers made full use of one opportunity to run away.

Bopanna had earlier suffered a shock first round exit in the mixed doubles along with third seeded German partner Julia Goerges. However, India had something to cheer about as Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek fought their way into the men’s doubles quarterfinals, while Sania Mirza and Jie Zheng hardly broke a sweat to reach the doubles last-eight pair stage. — Agencies

New Delhi, September 2
The approximate cost incurred in the construction of the 5.14km Buddh International Circuit (BIC) was Rs 1700 crore. The Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) had estimated that each year the Indian F-1 Grand Prix could generate Rs 10,000 crore as revenues.

Last year, the Indian GP organisers, Jaypee Sports International (JPSI), paid around Rs 241 crore as the license fee to F-1 owner Bernie Ecclestone. These figures are mind-boggling, testifying to the financial might of the Jaypee Group. Yet, a relatively tiny amount of Rs 10 crore is hurting this entire economy, according to the Indian GP organisers.

In 2011, the Indian government and JPSI had signed an agreement. According to one of clauses in the agreement, JPSI has to contribute Rs 10 crore every year toward the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF).

But last month, JPSI approached the Sports Ministry and made a request to waive off this contribution. JPSI claimed that it has been incurring heavy losses, so it was not in a position to contribute this sum to the NSDF.

But the government has rejected this request.

"How much money they are paying as the license fee!" Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Jitendra Singh, told this correspondent. "That runs into crores of rupees. And they had agreed on a little fee for the development of Indian sport. It is very sad that they are asking us to waive off this small amount, which is meant for development of Indian sports."

However, JPSI, clarifying its position, claimed that the government is not doing anything for motorsports and that is hampering the Indian GP economy badly.

"Nowhere in the world does any government take money from their F-1 race organisers," Askari Zaidi, JPSI spokesperson, said. "We have been paying this but we want the Indian government to promote the auto industry around the circuit also, as it has been done in Malaysia. The government is doing nothing in this regard." Recently, JPSI Chief Executive Officer Sameer Gaur had said that if F-1 had to be in India on a long-term basis, the government of India should treat it like "its own event".

Gaur's opinion didn't go down well in the government as it feels that this race has nothing to do with national interest. Even after the Indian government refused its request to waive off the Rs 10 crore contribution, the JPSI again knocked on the Sports Ministry's doors.

This time the JPSI wanted the ministry to reconsider the entire tax structure for the event. Again, the ministry showed them the door.

"They want our ministry to help in the reconstruction of the entire tax structure for F-1," PK Deb, Sports Secretary, said. "They want so many relaxations. The Sports Ministry told them clearly that they can go to the Revenue Ministry for this. But the Sports Ministry will not help them at any level at all."

Hyderabad, September 2
Middle-order batsmen Corey Anderson and Anton Devcich staged a spirited fightback after early jitters as New Zealand A ended their first day's play at 300 for eight against India A in the second and final four-day unofficial Test.

Left proved to be right for the Kiwis as the two left-handers Anderson (100) and Devcich (115) added 165 runs for the fifth wicket after India A bowlers had reduced New Zealand A to 43 for four by the 18th over.

While Anderson smashed 16 fours and two sixes off left-arm spinner Rakesh Dhurv during his 126-ball knock, Devicich was stodgy facing 185 deliveries hitting 15 boundaries in the process. Mumbai seamer Dhawal Kulkarni (2/26 in 13 overs) and off-spinner Jalaj Saxena (2/69 in 26 overs) were the most successful bowlers while left-arm seamer Shrikant Wagh, UP medium pacer Imtiaz Ahmed and Dhurv also got a wicket apiece.

India A began well as Kulkarni quickly sent back senior team opener Neil Broom (0), who edged an outswinger from the Mumbaikar straight into the gloves of CM Gautham.

Carl Cachopa (3) was Kulkarni's second victim caught by Imtiaz Ahmed. Last match's hero Luke Ronchi (0) was snared by Unmukt Chand off Imitiaz's bowling as New Zealand were reduced to 17 for three.

Tom Latham (21) along with Anderson stuck around for six overs before Wagh coming back for his second spell angled one into the left-handed opener who was struck plumb in-front. That was the last success that the Indians enjoyed for nearly 40 overs as Anderson and Devcich took the attack back to the opposition.

They were not bogged down against the spin duo of Saxena and Dhurv.

Brief Scores: New Zealand A 1st Innings 300/8 in 89 overs (Anton Devcich 115, Corey Anderson 100, Dhawal Kulkarni 2/26, Jalaj Saxena 2/69). — PTI

Patiala, September 2
Miffed with three pugilists — Olympian Dinesh Kumar, Dilbagh Singh and Praveen Kumar — for levelling allegations of foul play against national coaches and selection committee during the trials for World Boxing Championship, the Indian Boxing Federation (IBF) has formed a three-member disciplinary committee that will meet in New Delhi on Tuesday to discuss the matter.

IBF president Abhishek Matoria said the committee comprising IBF vice president ID Nanavati, Mukharjee Nirwan, Naraottam Singh Rawat, Ring Officials Commission chairman, and secretary general Rajesh Bhandari will meet in New Delhi tomorrow and issue show-cause notice against the three boxers.

Matoria said the boxers would be given a chance to prove the allegations, but suitable action would be taken against them if they failed to do so. “If they had any grievances, they should have submitted a representation to me and I would have reviewed everything. But they went on to level serious allegations against everyone, which is so damaging for the image of any sport,” he added.

“The boxers would be asked to apologise in writing and reveal who instigated them if the allegations are found baseless,” he said. 

New Delhi, September 2
India will play five Tests in England for the first time since 1959 during next year's tour, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Monday.

The tour schedule also sees 50-over world champions India, who beat England by five runs in the Champions Trophy final at Edgbaston in June, involved in five One-day Internationals and a one Twenty20 international.

Three of the five Tests will be played at southern venues, Lord's and The Oval in London plus Southampton's Rose Bowl although the Test there is still subject to confirmation following an ECB inspection visit. — Agencies

Madrid, September 2
Thousands of Real Madrid fans flocked to the Bernabeu to welcome Gareth Bale on Monday after the nine-times European champions sealed the purchase of the Wales winger from Tottenham Hotspur for what the London club said was a world record fee. The summer's longest transfer saga finally ended on Sunday when Spurs announced they had sold Bale to Real for 100 million euros ($132 million approximately) and the La Liga club said he had agreed a six-year contract.

The 24-year-old, the latest “galactico” signing engineered by the world's richest club under president Florentino Perez, passed a medical at a clinic in Madrid on Monday morning before signing his contract and being presented to excited fans inside the giant arena.

Wearing a sharp black suit, white shirt and black tie, Bale listened to a translation as Perez introduced him on the VIP tribune and described him as an “exceptional footballer”.

Real had unearthed a picture of Bale wearing a club shirt as a child and Perez said the Welshman, who will hold a news conference later on Monday, had always dreamed of playing for the club.

“Bale's determination made it possible for him to be here today,” said Perez, his speech regularly interrupted by cheers. “The moment he dreamed of as a child has arrived. This is your stadium, this is your shield and these are your fans. This is your home.”

Bale then sprung a surprise by making a brief statement in Spanish. He told fans signing for the club was “a dream come true” and he hoped to help them win the “decima”, or 10th European title.

He thanked them for their welcome and concluded by punching the air and shouting “Hala Madrid!”, the club's traditional rallying cry, drawing another immense cheer.

A construction magnate in his second stint at the helm of the club, Perez is hoping the addition of Bale will help Real secure the 10th European crown that has eluded them since their last continental triumph in 2002.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti can deploy his new player in a formidable attacking trio with Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo and France striker Karim Benzema as Real also attempt to wrest the Spanish title back from arch rivals Barcelona. Bale could make his debut after the international break in Real's La Liga match at Villarreal on Saturday September 14.

The price Real paid for him has drawn criticism in Spain at a time when the nation is in the grip of a punishing recession and unemployment is hovering just below 30 percent. — Reuters

Chandigarh, September 2
Chandigarh’s Jeev Milkha Singh missed the cut at the Wales Open last week but it was a good week for SSP Chowrasia who got his game back on track.

SSP finished the tournament tied for 31st place after he carded rounds of 72, 70, 75 and 70 on the par 71 Celtic Manor Resort course.

“I am content with my performance this week,” said Chowrasia, who has moved to 132nd on the 2013 Race to Dubai rankings. “It is important to keep playing consistently as it can get quite frustrating being out here on your own for weeks if the game is not up to the mark,” he added.

Jeev had another dismal week as did Shiv Kapur as both professionals missed the cut. They will now head to Switzerland for the Omega European Masters, a big event on the European Tour calendar. They will be joined by Gagnjeet Bhullar, who will play his first event after receiving the Arjuna Award. “Receiving the award from the President was the proudest moment of my life and it has motivated me even further. I would like to card a victory on the European Tour and am looking forward to playing next week as I have had some time off to work on my game” said Bhullar.

Meanwhile local professionals like Ajeteesh Sandhu, Abhijit Chadha and Sujjan Singh are busy practicing for tournaments on the Asian Tour as well as the PGTI calendar, which will get underway with the PGTI Players Championship in Chandigarh later this month.

“We will play the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship in Chinese Taipei next week after which everyone is looking forward to playing some tournaments at home,” said Sujjan.

BRIEFLY

CL qualifiers in Ranchi, Mohali, Ahmedabad
New Delhi: The Champions League T20 matches, which were originally scheduled in Hyderabad, have been shifted to Mohali, Ranchi and Ahmedabad after the local police refused to provide security cover for the event due to Ganesh immersion and the ongoing Telengana agitation in parts of the state. Four teams — Sunrisers Hyderabad, Otago Volts (New Zealand), Kandurata Maroons (Sri Lanka) and Faisalabad Wolves (Pakistan) — were to play each other once in the CLT20 qualifiers on Sept. 17, 18 and 20 but the six games will now be played at Mohali. The top two teams will join the eight others that have already qualified for the group phase.The three double-headers of the group stages, too, have been shifted out of the state, organisers said on Monday. While Mohali will host two matches on Sept. 24, Ranchi has bagged the double-header on Sept. 28. The two games scheduled for Sept. 30 will be played at Motera.

Gambhir cuts short county stint
London: Gautam Gambhir has been forced to cut short his stint with Essex due to family reasons but the English county club is hopeful of his return before the end of the season. "Gautam Gambhir returned to his native India on Sunday for family reasons. At this stage Essex Cricket and Gautam are unable to make any further comment," Essex said in a statement.

Sangakkara meets SLC to thrash out CL issues
Colombo: Senior batsman Kumar Sangakkara and officials of Sri Lanka Cricket met to sort out their differences arousing after the board questioned his loyalty towards the country while playing in the upcoming CL T20. "We had a very fruitful meeting and decided to move ahead having sort out the problems of last week," Sangakkara said. — Agencies