New York, September 4
World number ones Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic ruled supreme on Tuesday, sending ominous warnings to their rivals with dazzling, runaway victories over Spanish opponents at the US Open.

Djokovic said he played some of his best tennis on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court in trouncing Marcel Granollers 6-3 6-0 6-0, and Williams could not have done better, handing Carla Suarez Navarro a 6-0 6-0 beating at the National Tennis Center.

Dominant performances are not out of the ordinary for those rankings leaders but fifth-seeded Li Na provided something special by breaking another barrier for Chinese tennis. The 31-year-old Li became China's first semi-finalist ever at the US Open by beating Russian Ekaterina Makarova 6-4 6-7(5) 6-2.

A jubliant Leander Paes picks up his partner Radek Stepanek after defeating Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi & Jean-Julien Rojer in the doubles quarterfinals. — PTI

But they were stretched in the remaining two sets which took almost an hour each to conclude. After losing the second set in the tie-breaker, Paes-Stepanek converted an all-important break point to win a closely-contested third set and the match.

Sania in doubles semis

Sania Mirza and J.Zheng also made it to the semis after beating S.Hsieh and S. Peng (CHN) 6-4, 7-6. — PTI

Chandigarh, September 4
Hockey India and Roelant Oltmans, India’s interim coach, are apparently not on the same page. While the coach has repeatedly downplayed individual exploits and highlighted team effort right through the Asia Cup, the game’s governing body took a completely contradictory stand when it announced a cash award of Rs 1 lakh each to three players from the silver-medal winning team.

“For me there is only one hero and that's my team. We don't have individuals, we are a team and we work as a team. We compete as a team and try to give our best performance as a team,” Oltmans had said this after India blanked Korea 2-0 in their league match.

But taking an altogether different approach, Hockey India has announced rewards for three individuals — V R Raghunath for being the most outstanding player of the tournament, vice-captain and custodian P R Sreejesh for being the goalkeeper of the tournament Award and Ramandeep Singh for “scoring a goal on debut against Oman”.

While one could understand the logic behind giving the award to the first two, awarding Ramandeep Singh, a young forward, for “scoring a goal on debut against Oman” is simply bizarre.

No wonder players are dumbstruck with the development.

“I just can’t believe this could happen, this must be perhaps the first time when individuals have been given cash awards. Isn’t hockey a team game?” asked Deepak Thakur, a former India player.

The former forward felt it defied logic and had the potential to create a rift in the team. “Even if some individuals performed exceptionally well, the efforts put in by others can’t be demeaned. I don’t think the team could have made the finals on the back of a few individual showings,” he said.

A senior player, currently out-of-favour, who did not wish to be identified, echoed Thakur’s sentiments. “It makes Oltmans’ statement lauding team spirit count for nothing. Could he ever say again it’s not about individuals but the entire team? I feel Hockey India has set a very wrong precedent here,” he said.

This will stick out even more considering individual awards in the domestic circuit are often shared by the team. “Whenever an individual award comes our way while playing for Indian Oil, we make it a point that it’s shared,” said Thakur.

So Hockey India, perhaps with the best intentions, seems to have scored a self goal here.

New Delhi, September 4
As the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) executive board meeting — in which a few decisions of interest to Indians are to be taken — began in Buenos Aires, shooter Abhinav Bindra has spoken in very strong terms about the need to clean up the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

India have been out of the Olympic fold since last December, when the IOC executive board suspended it. This happened after Lalit Bhanot, who is facing corruption charges linked to the Commonwealth Games in 2010, was elected the IOA secretary-general. IOA's return would depend on a crucial meeting on Sunday.

India was offered a lifeline during crucial meetings in Lausanne in May, when the IOC asked the IOA to amend its constitution and, among other things, bar any person charged for corruption from holding office. However, the IOA rejected this demand on August 25, and instead declared that only officials who have been given at least a two-year jail term would be barred from the elections.

Another key decision of interest to Indians would be on whether wrestling would be reinstated for the 2020 Olympics. Wrestling has been put on a shortlist along with squash and baseball/softball, and the IOC will vote on September 8 for one of the three to be included in the 2020 Games.

India wants wrestling, in which the country has won three medals in the last two Olympics, to be kept in the Olympics. In a letter written to all the IOC members, Sports Secretary PK Deb has said: “ The exclusion of the discipline from the core sports of Olympics is against tradition, which is so much a part of Olympics. In modern times, wrestling has immense popularity and fan following world-wide. Its popularity can be gauged from the fact that 71 countries participated in wrestling events in the London Olympic 2012, to full houses.”

From an international perspective, the most important vote would be on the venue of the 2020 Olympic Games. The three cities in the fray are Tokyo, Istanbul, and Madrid. The host-city decision will be challenging given Turkey's unsettled political atmosphere, Spain's economic slump, and Japan's continuing worries about the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant that is only 150 miles from the capital.

Tokyo, which staged the 1964 Summer Games, long has been the favourite if only because its bid had the fewest flaws. But yet another leak of radioactive water from the complex that was disrupted by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami has revived concerns that athletes and spectators could be exposed to health risks.

Abhinav Bindra, meanwhile, has yet again spoken about the need to cleanse the IOA. “To a certain extent, yes (the IOA has failed the country),” Bindra said. “A lot needs to be done for Indian sport and with our potential we are nowhere near where we can be.”

“We are still stuck with fighting on clauses that are absolutely non-negotiable... something which is about ethics,” said Bindra.

“The ethical standards are laid down under the Olympic Charter and to defy that is not good. It does not go well for the Olympic movement.” “We are at a stage where we can either get reforms in place or go back to the status-quo.” — TNS/Agencies

Kolkata, September 4
BCCI interim chief Jagmohan Dalmiya has said it would be nice if Cricket South Africa's new CEO Haroon Lorgat apologises to the Indian Board to iron out differences between the two boards.

The BCCI, which had clashed with Lorgat on a number of issues during the latter's tenure as ICC Chief Executive, was apparently not keen on a full South Africa tour by its team after Lorgat took over the reins in CSA. “Lorgat is a nice gentleman but it would be nice of him if he apologises,” Dalmiya said, reacting to reports that Lorgat would not mind apologising if need be to sort out issues with the BCCI.

Dalmiya, however, said that there was no speculation of Indian team's tour of South Africa later in the year, as was reiterated by the Board's president-in-exile N Srinivasan, after the working committee meeting here on September 1.

“The tour is on,” Dalmiya said, even as the board had announced a West Indies series ahead of the proposed South Africa tour and the West Indies too agreed.

The BCCI, at its SGM on September 25, is likely to impose a life ban on Modi on the basis of an exhaustive 133-page report filed by its disciplinary committee.

Dalmiya, however, refused to divulge any details about the SGM but said, “As of now, I know there would be a meeting (SGM) on September 25 and a decision will be taken. But please don't ask me what.” — PTI

Visakhapatnam, September 4
Young Gujarat batsman Manprit Juneja showed perfect temperament for longer format, scoring a patient unbeaten 178 in India A's first innings score of 408 for seven against New Zealand A at stumps on third day of the second unofficial 'Test' here today.

A week short of his 23rd birthday, Juneja batted throughout the entire third day adding 135 runs to his overnight tally of 43. He also put on a huge 197-run third wicket stand with Vasudevan Jagadeesh (91), who missed out on a ton by just nine runs.

Juneja then let his skipper Abhishek Nayar (58) dominate in a quickfire 88-run partnership. Brief scores: NZ (1st Inngs): 437; India(1st inngs): 408 for 7 (Juneja 178 batting, Jagadeesh 91, Nayar 58, Bracewell 3/75) — PTI

Harare, September 4
Malcolm Waller and debutant Sikandar Raza shared a 127-run fourth-wicket partnership as Zimbabwe took a 32-run lead to end the second day at 281/7 in the first Test.

Saeed Ajmal did his bit to keep Pakistan from falling too far back in the game as he snared four wickets to keep.

Earlier, opener Vusi Sibanda and captain Hamilton Masakadza added 42 runs in an unbroken second-wicket stand as the home team reached 67-1 at lunch in reply to Pakistan’s first innings score of 249. The home team steadied the innings after the early dismissal of Tino Mawoyo.

The pair played both pace and spin with ease. Masakadza, known for his big shots, played cautiously but was quick to heave an over-pitched delivery from off-spinner Saeed Ajmal for the first six of the Zimbabwe innings.

Mawoyo was dismissed for 13 by left-arm pace bowler Junaid Khan but some resolute batting denied the visiting side another wicket.

Mawoyo played tentatively and edged an outgoing delivery for wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal to take a simple catch.

Earlier, Pakistan failed to add to its overnight score of 249-9 as Ajmal was bowled by pace bowler Tendai Chatara for 49, one short of his career-best score of 50. Pakistan won a preceding three-game one-day series 2-1 and a two-game Twenty20 series 2-0.

Brief scores

Pakistan 249 (Azhar 78, Misbah 53, Ajmal 49, Panyangara 3-71); Zimbabwe 281/7 (Waller 70, Raza 60, Chigumbura 40; Ajmal 4/77). — PTI

Kathmandu, September 4
Listless so far in the tournament, defending champions India take on hosts Nepal in their last group match with a semifinal berth at stake in the SAFF Football Championships here on Thursday.

India need a draw from tomorrow`s Group A match at the Dasarath Stadium to qualify for semifinals. But with the lacklustre performance they have dished out so far, it would not be easy for Wim Koevermans men to achieve that against a team which will have overwhelming crowd support.

Having opened their campaign by scrapping past Pakistan who gifted a goal and then almost being beaten by Bangladesh before managing a last-gasp equaliser yesterday, India never looked like a team which would defend its title.

The group is wide open and all the four teams have a chance to make it to the semifinals after playing two matches each. Nepal and India are on four points with a goal difference of plus two and plus one respectively while Pakistan and Bangladesh are on one point with minus one and minus two goal difference respectively.

Even if India lose tomorrow, they will still qualify for the semifinals if Pakistan beat Bangladesh in the other group match which will be played simultaneously.

This is so because India had beaten Pakistan and head-to-head result will be considered first in case their is a tie between two teams. If India lose to Nepal tomorrow without scoring a goal and Bangladesh beat Pakistan by a margin of two goals, then Koevermans` men will be out of the tournament.

India would, however, begin as overwhelming favourites tomorrow if past history is to go by as they have won nine out of 11 matches the two sides have played till now with Nepal yet to post a victory. Two matches were drawn.

India had also emerged victorious in the last two meetings between the two teams in the SAFF Championships. They had beaten Nepal 2-1 in Karachi in 2005 and 4-0 in the 2008 edition in Male. But the last meeting between the two sides resulted in a 0-0 stalemate in the 2012 Nehru Cup in New Delhi. — PTI

Kolkata, September 4
In a first of its kind in India, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) will be organising the four-day final of the pre-season S. K. Acharya Memorial Trophy (Ranji Pre-season tournament) where pink balls will be used and the match will be played under floodlights. The final match of four-team tournament will be played at the Eden Gardens from October 1-4. Bengal A, Bengal B, Odisha and Jharkhand are the four participating teams in the tournament that begins on September 15.

Pink balls have been used in Australian domestic circuit strictly on experimental basis while one of the opening games in an English County few years back was also played with pink balls.

CAB treasurer and member of the BCCI’s NCA sub-committee member Biswarup Dey revealed the elaborate plans.

“Day/Night first-class matches are way forward and we wanted to be the first in India to try it out on an experimental basis. The players will be wearing white clothing and pink balls will be used. The sightscreen will be black,” Dey told PTI over phone from Kolkata. Dey informed that he has already placed an order for pink balls with noted Australian ball manufacturing company Kookaburra. — PTI

“We have ordered for four dozens of pink balls. Each ball will cost us approximately Rs. 6,500. It means we will be spending close to Rs. 3.12 lakh for importing these balls,” Dey said. — Agencies

BRIEFLY

It will be good time to retire after Rio: Bolt
Brussels: Bolt said Wednesday he wants to win more gold in Rio, set another world record in the 200 meters next year, and perhaps win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. "So far, (it) is after the Olympics in Rio," Bolt said of his retirement plans. "I think if I am in great shape, I'll go there and do what I have to do. I think it will be a good time to retire, on top.” "If I want to be among the greats of (Muhammad) Ali and Pele and all these guys I have to continue dominating until I retire," Bolt said ahead of his final race this season.

CA chief lashes out at racist abuse of Ahmed
Melbourne: Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland has lashed out at “racist comments” directed at Muslim Fawad Ahmed after the leg-spinner asked not to wear a kit displaying the logo of beer brand VB. Pakistan-born Ahmed, who became an Australian citizen in July after his application was fast-tracked, did not have the logo on his shirt during his international debut in last week's T20 matches against England. It emerged Tuesday that he had "expressed discomfort with the conflict this created for him, due to his religious beliefs". CA agreed with his request to wear an unbranded shirt, but this sparked critical comments on the CA website and other social media. — Agencies

Gulati, Chawla qualify for India Open snooker event
Bangalore: Sundeep Gulati and Kamal Chawla alongwith four others made it to the Indian Open 2013 World Professional Ranking Snooker tournament after notching up comprehensive victories over their respective rivals in the final qualifiers which concluded here today. Manan Chandra, Dharminder Lily, Faizal Khan and Shivam Arora also qualified for the 3,00,000 pound major professional event to be held in Delhi from October 14 to October 18. Pankaj Advani and Aditya Mehta have already qualified for the event.

Priyanka shocked in U-11 chess nationals
New Delhi: In a major upset, top seed and world Under-10 champion Priyanka Nuttakki of Andhra Pradesh suffered a shock defeat at the hands of seventh seed Samriddhaa Ghosh of West Begal in the fourth round of the National Under-11 Girl's Chess Championship here today. Samriddhaa along with second seed Vantika Agrawal of Delhi, C Lakshmi of Tamil Nadu, Odisha duo Anwesha Mishra and Salonika Saina now shared the lead with four points in the girl's category.

NBA Jam to begin in Hyderabad today
Hyderabad: Offering an entertaining mix of basketball, music and fun to college students, the National Basketball Association (NBA) will kick off the Hyderabad leg of its 'NBA Jam 2013' tomorrow. More than 100 teams and 450 players would compete in Hyderabad from various leading colleges. — Agencies