Thursday, May 20, 1999
today's calendar
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S P O R T | Thursday, May 20, 1999 |
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Pak look for easy points Aussies
have edge over Kiwis Cricket
‘test’ for Indian fans Hick,
Hussain prove point to selectors
Greenidge gives no chance to
Windies |
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Spain, Germany score wins DUESSELDORF, (Germany), May 19 — Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski fought brave battles before falling to Spain’s clay-court aces at the World Team Cup here. Rios,
Kafelnikov enter 2nd round Srinath,
Sridhar enter last-8 |
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Agonising three-run defeat for India LEICESTER, May 19 (PTI) — India once again succumbed to pressures of their own making and suffered an agonising three-run defeat to Zimbabwe to throw their World Cup hopes in turmoil here today. India conceded a world record 51 extras to enable Zimbabwe pile up a fighting 252 for nine in 50 overs on being put in and were docked four overs for poor over-rate to add to the pressure of chasing. The 1983 champions, without star bat Sachin Tendulkar, then suffered early jolts and kept losing wickets at crucial junctures to be dismissed for 249 in 45 overs at the Grace Road ground. Tendulkar’s replacement S. Ramesh top-scored with an assured 55, but the rest of the top-order, including skipper Mohammed Azharuddin, failed miserably giving Zimbabwe the edge. Ramesh and Jadeja (43) revived the innings with a 99-run fourth wicket stand and then Robin Singh (35) and Nayan Mongia (28) provided a late charge. Javagal Srinath smote two sixes to pull India to 244 for seven in 44 overs, and within sniffing distance of victory, but paceman Henry Olonga captured a stunning three wickets in the space of five deliveries to dash Indian hopes as they were bowled out for 249 with one over to spare. While Indian aspirations in the tournament have been seriously damaged, Zimbabwe have emerged serious contender for a berth in the super six stage with their second straight victory. India, often prone to nerves, gifted away 21 wides and 16 no balls to concede a needless world record of 51 extras and then failed to carry out a methodical chase against their dangerous opponents. Mongia, who earlier equalled a World Cup record of five dismissals, hit up an enterprising 28 with Robin Singh to give the late charge after the well-settled Ramesh and Jadeja fell in successive overs for the addition of just one run. Mongia was bowled by seamer Guy Whittal going for a big hit to leave India at 219 for seven wickets in the 41st over, but Srinath used the long handle to bring India once again within striking distance of victory. However, with the pressure mounting on Zimbabwe as India needed only seven runs from 10 balls, Robin Singh fell to a brilliant catch by skipper Alistair Campbell at extra-cover off Olonga. Olonga struck again two balls later when he bowled Srinath going for a big heave before trapping Venkatesh Prasad leg before off the last ball of the over to give his team victory from the verge of sure defeat. Earlier, left-hander Andy Flower hit an enterprising unbeaten 68 and shared a vital 56-run fourth wicket stand with brother and opener Grant — who made a cautious 45 — as Zimbabwe reached a fighting total. Pacemen Srinath (2/34), Prasad (2/37) and Kumble (2/42) claimed two wickets each, but young seamer Ajit Agarkar once again proved wayward and expensive giving away 70 runs off his nine overs claiming a wicket. ZIMBABWE: INDIA: |
England cruise to 9-wicket win NORTHAMPTON (England), May 19 (AP) — Lance Klusener smashed an unbeaten 52 and then snared three wickets as World Cup favourites South Africa beat defending titlists Sri Lanka by 89 runs today. But it was a brilliant spell of seam and swing bowling by Jacques Kallis that inspired South Africa’s brilliant bowling display. After Klusener led a gallant middle-order recovery to steer South Africa to 199 for nine, Sri Lanka needing four runs an over, crashed to 110 all out in 35.2 overs. Kallis, who had fashioned South Africa’s four-wicket win over India with 96 runs, took 3-2 in nine balls to destroy Sri Lanka’s run chase. On a difficult wicket not ideal for one-day cricket, batsmen of both teams failed to come to terms with the alarming seam and swing it produced all day as 19 wicket fell for 309 runs. Klusener bolstered the South African total with 52 runs off 45 balls, finishing the innings with successive sixes off left-arm medium-pace bowler Chaminda Vaas. The last over cost 22 runs as Klusener plundered the attack. The allrounder shared a face-saving 44 for the ninth wicket with Steve Elworthy (23) after the innings had nose-dived to 122 for eight after being sent in. Sri Lanka, faced with a must win situation to have any hopes of qualifying for the super six, were once again let down by poor top-order batting. In the tournament opener against England at Lord’s, Sri Lanka collapsed to 65 for five and were eventually bowled out for 204 in an eight-wicket loss. Kallis had Romesh Kaluwitharana caught at first slip by Daryll Cullinan and three balls later forced left-hander Sanath Jayasuriya to play on. In his next over he had Marvan Atapattu playing a rash shot and had him caught behind as Sri Lanka slumped to 14 for three. Champion batsman Aravinda De Silva, dropped before he had scored, managed one run before falling victim to the second of the two umpiring blunders of the day. De Silva was adjudged leg before wicket by umpire Steve Dunne as Sri Lanka crashed to 14 for four and then 31 for five in the 14th over when skipper Arjuna Ranatangu was out to Allan Donald. Roshan Mahanama batted gallantly for 36 but the rest of the batting lineup failed around him and the final five wickets fell for 79 runs Klusener picking up three wickets. Earlier in the South African innings, television umpire Ken Palmer controversially gave Pollock out. Pollock drove at Muttiah Muralitharan and the ball deflected to the spinner off the ankle of Ranatunga, fielding at silly point. Steve Dunne referred to Palmer as the Sri Lankans claimed the catch. After at least seven minutes and a dozen replays showing the ball hitting the turf before bouncing off Ranatunga, Palmer gave Pollock out. While its batting lineup failed, the Sri Lankan bowlers performed brilliantly to restrict South Africa’s highly-rated batting line-up. Left-arm swing bowler Chaminda Vaas and Pramodya Wickremasinghe each claimed two wickets as South Africa slumped from 22-0 after three overs to 53-4 after 15. Off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan chimed in with three wickets for 25 off 10 overs. Vaas also grabbed a third wicket with a vital breakthrough in the 45th over to dismiss Steve Elworthy to end a 44-run ninth-wicket stand and restrict South Africa to 166-9. Sri Lanka: |
Sachin leaves for Mumbai LEICESTER, May 19 (PTI) — In a huge blow to India’s World Cup campaign, Sachin Tendulkar left this morning for Mumbai following the death of his father, Prof Ramesh Tendulkar, with no clear indication when the star batsman would rejoin the team. “It is a big loss to the team and a bigger loss to him,” said coach Anshuman Gaekwad immediately after Tendulkar left for India to attend his father’s funeral tomorrow. Tendulkar, India’s lynchpin and main force in the World Cup, was stunned on receiving the news around midnight (local time), according to the coach. The team left it for Tendulkar to decide whether to leave for home or stay back, and the maestro decided to leave for home immediately. The star batsman flew early this morning from Leicester to London from where he took a British Airways flight for Mumbai at 7.15 a.m. The team’s liaison officer accompanied Tendulkar to Heathrow Airport in London. It was not immediately clear whether Tendulkar would be away for a few days or return in time for India’s tie against Kenya on May 23 at Bristol. A very devoted son, Tendulkar had taken a break from cricket a few weeks ago to attend to his father who was ailing from a heart condition and had been hospitalised in Mumbai. Tendulkar’s presence would be key to India’s success in the final two league matches against Sri Lanka on May 26 and against England on May 29. In Tendulkar’s absence, India is likely to play left-handed opener S. Ramesh. The team could manage without the services of Tendulkar for these ties. However, Tendulkar’s presence would be key to India’s success in the subsequent two matches against Sri Lanka on May 26 and against England on May 29. Cricket board Joint Secretary Jyoti Bajpai described the demise of Ramesh Tendulkar as “a sad happening”. “It is a great loss for Sachin personally and for the nation as a whole,” Bajpai told PTI in Kanpur. “The whole nation is with him in this hour of sorrow.” Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association President Jagendra Swarup expressed shock over the sudden demise of Sachin’s father saying “it is a great loss for Sachin.” Former Ranji player Ram Gopal Sharma expressing shock over the demise, said: “It is unfortunate news for millions of cricket fans around the world. This is a huge setback
for India (Sachin Tendulkar’s return to India to
attend his father’s funeral), but hoped that the
star batsman would soon join back the team in London. |
Pak look for easy points CHESTER-LE-STREET, England May 19 (AP) — Title contender Pakistan are looking for easy points in their second Group “B” outing of the cricket World Cup tomorrow against qualifier Scotland. After fighting back in their opening fixture against the West Indies, when they recovered from a precarious position to tame former champions, Pakistan could be tempted to take it easy. Pakistan coach Mushtaq Mohammed said he was confident of victory but no opponent in this tournament could be taken lightly. The history of the World Cup is replete with instances of the underdogs pulling off stunning upsets,’’ said Mohammed, a former Pakistan captain who was inducted as the coach at the eleventh hour. Mohammed, who lives in England, stepped into the vacancy caused by the resignation of coach Javed Miandad, who quit in the wake of a clash with the players just before the team left for London. Scotland showed it can be a gritty customer but we can handle it,’’ he said. We will continue to play attractive cricket.’’ The boys are playing at their best and the mood is upbeat after the thrilling win over the West Indies.’’ Pakistan beat the West Indies by 27 runs in their World Cup opener while debutant Scotland lost by six wickets to Australia, another strong title contender. Against the West Indies, Pakistan showed the mettle which has made it one of the favourites for their second crack at the title. The 1992 World Cup winners claim to possess the most lethal bowling attack in the world and the depth in batting has enabled them to handle any early shocks, as they did with aplomb against the West Indies. Medium pacers Azhar Mahmood and Abdul Razzaq have provided a good back up to the opening attack comprising skipper Wasim Akram and tearaway paceman Shoaib Akhtar, while off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq continues to be an ever-looming threat. Scotland qualified for the World Cup by taking the third place in the ICC Trophy Tournament, the qualifying competition for non-Test playing nations, and gave a good account in their maiden appearance in the elite group. The Scottish cricketers were not disgraced in defeat even though Australia always had things under control. Despite most of their
players being amateurs, Scotland refused to be swept away
and looks good for carving out a niche for itself if the
team manages to stay adrift. |
Aussies have edge over Kiwis CARDIFF, May 19 (PTI) Former champions Australia take on New Zealand in a World Cup Group ‘B’ tie that not only promises to be lively but also might go all the way down to the wire. Traditional rivalry apart, both cup contenders Australia and their opponents who are held a side capable of upsetting the form book, will look to shake off the lethargy seen in their eventually comfortable opening victories over debutants Scotland and Bangladesh, respectively. Australia, whose fielding and overall approach against Scotland left much to be desired, will look to shrug off any loose play that might have crept in due to their non-stop playing. The Kangaroos will also have to put aside the loss of focus in the side after leg-spin wizard Shane Warne got into yet another controversy with an obscene gesture at taunting Scottish fans in their opening tie. Warne, however, grabbed three wickets against the rookies which should augur well for his side. Australia hold the edge over the Kiwis thanks to their batting depth and extra-sharpness in pace attack, but New Zealand under former Aussie wicketkeeper Steve Rixon’s tutelege have come together as a unit. New Zealand will have some revenge in their minds after the Aussies successfully chased a huge score of 286 to win at Chennai in the 1996 World Cup quarterfinal. The Kiwis will look for the kind of upset they pulled off in 1992 under the innovative leadership of Martin Crowe. AFP adds: New Zealand, so long regarded as cricketing push-overs, plan to get tough against their bitter rivals tomorrow. Skipper Stephen Fleming said coach Steve Rixon, a former Australian wicket-keeper, had “really helped with the mentality of the side, and with self-belief. “In the past, we doubted ourselves a bit (...) when it came down to the crunch we probably didn’t believe enough.” Confrontations with Australia, however, has often brought the best out of the Kiwis. “It’s a big game,” Fleming said. “There’s a big trans-Tasman rivalry and yes, you could say there’s no love lost between us!” Some of that intensity stems from an infamous incident in 1981. With New Zealand needing a six off the last ball of a one-dayer, Australian skipper Greg Chappell ordered his brother Trevor to bowl it underarm, along the ground. The rivalry is probably also a spill-over from New Zealand’s domination of Australia and the rest of the world in Rugby Union. Nixon’s black caps, as they call themselves, are no all blacks, but they will have a puncher’s chance here. In Nathan Astle and the muscular Craig McMillan they have fine attacking batsmen, in Chris Cairns and Harris two all-rounders capable of turning a game single-handedly. Fleming, an elegant left-hand batsman, is rapidly being accepted as a world-class performer. The Kiwis’ 1992 World Cup win over Australia — their only victory in four tournament meetings — illustrates that it only takes one outstanding personal performance to turn a game. In Auckland, Martin Crowe hit an undefeated century. The odds favour Australia. However, they have won 12 out of 15 one-day meetings since the last World Cup and are at 5-1 to win the tournament, compared to New Zealand’s 20-1. Steve Waugh’s side will be determined to win with style. Their opening success against Scotland was so sloppy that coach Geoff Marsh ordered his side out for emergency fielding practice. Their mix of proven Test stars — like Warne, the Waugh brothers and pace bowler Glenn McGrath - and one-day specialists — like Michael Bevan, Adam Gilchrist and Shane Lee — have jelled in recent months. But Warne’s controversial attack on Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga and his gesture at barracking Scottish fans have suggested the Australians may not be as focussed as they should be for just a campaign. Australia (likely): Adam Gilchrist, Mark Waugh, Ricky ponting, Darren Lehmann, Steve Waugh (capt), Michael Bevan, Shane Lee, Shane Warne, Damien Fleming, Adam Dale, Glenn McGrath. New Zealand (likely):
Nathan Astle, Matthew Horne, Craig McMillan, Stephen
Fleming (capt), Roger Twose, Adam Parore, Chris Cairns,
Chris Harris, Dion Nash, Gavin Larsen, Geoff Allott. |
Sachin to be back to assist team MUMBAI, May 19 (PTI) — Sachin Tendulkar, who is rushing home from Leicester to attend his father Ramesh’s funeral, has told the Indian team management he would be back for the country’s World Cup campaign in England. Tendulkar, who is expected to land here around 11.20 pm from London along with his wife Anjali and daughter, will decide on the matter of rejoining the team in England after consulting his family members here, according to cricket board secretary Jaywant Lele. “The team management and board president Raj Singh Dungarpur, who too is in England, have left it to Sachin to decide,” Mr Lele told PTI. “He will have to consult his family members before taking a decision on rejoining the team after seeing the situation here,” Mr Lele said. “He may leave immediately after the funeral. It’s all upto him,” Mr Lele added. The family members are awaiting the return of Tendulkar and his two brothers, Nitin and Ajit, from abroad before deciding when to hold the funeral of their father and Marathi poet Ramesh who died early this morning following a massive heart attack. Hundreds of fans gathered today outside the residence of Tendulkar as word about his father’s death spread causing dismay that India’s World Cup prospects may be affected. A pall of gloom descended on “Sahiya Sahavas”, the building society where the Tendulkar family residence is located at Bandra in north-west Mumbai. A board put up by the secretary of the society outside the building informed members of the public that all three Tendulkar brothers were abroad and nobody including mediapersons were allowed to enter the premises. Residents of the building told lensmen and reporters not to disturb Tendulkar’s mother and other bereaved family members.
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Cricket ‘test’ for Indian fans LONDON, May 19 (PTI) — Asian organisations here have dubbed as "humiliating" the "cricket Test" by the immigration officers in British High Commissions for cricket fans from the Indian sub-continent flocking to England in hordes to watch their favourite stars in action at the World Cup. Cricket fans from India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh are expected to demonstrate their knowledge of the game and players before being given visas to travel to Britain, The Telegraph reported quoting officials. "With any visa application for the World Cup, people have to be able to answer pertinent questions," the paper quoted a Foreign Office spokesman as saying. But the fans, who are spending hefty sums just to watch their heroes in action, said going through the whole exercise was "very hurting and embarrassing." Rajesh Shah, who claims to have watched at least three previous World Cup tournaments, said: "no other country imposed such ridiculous methods. The travellers are spending huge amounts to watch the game and the staff at the British High Commission are treating us shabbily". "One wonders if the British cricket or soccer fans are treated to such tactics", Shah said. The paper, however
quoted John Trincey of the Immigration Service Union as
claiming that sports events had previously been used to
bring in migrants in to the United Kingdom. |
Hick, Hussain prove point to selectors CANTERBURY, May 19 (AFP) Graeme Hick and Nasser Hussain have had their differences with the England selectors in recent years. The Zimbabwe-born Hick has spent as much time out of the team as in it, as doubts have persisted about his technique. Hussain, meanwhile, was told he was surplus to requirements for the World Cup. He only got into the squad by the back door, after Michael Atherton had to withdraw with back problems. Their match-winning performances in the nine-wicket Cup victory over an outclassed Kenyan side in group 'A' here yesterday may not be enough to prove a point in the long term, but both players will at least have consolidated their positions for the next few weeks. Hick, a powerful right-hander but who has often been accused of being leaden-footed, made 61 not out, to go with his undefeated 73 in England’s first game against defending champions Sri Lanka. Hussain, playing the anchor role, made 88 not out as England reached their victory target of 204 for the loss of one wicket and with 11 overs to spare. Their unbroken stand was worth 159. Hussain now seems set to retain the opener’s slot alongside skipper Alec Stewart after the out-of-touch Nick Knight groomed for the position for the past two years, was dropped on the eve of the World Cup. The irrepressible, steadily maturing Darren Gough also had a good day yesterday. Gough recently admitted he does not really know where the ball will land each time he let fly. But the strike bowler showed he has control as well as pace, taking four for 34 and at the same time claiming his 100th one-day victim. Kenya, however, were not disgraced in a rain-affected encounter after scoring 203. Steve Tikolo made a high-class 71 and put on 100 with Ravindu Shah for the second wicket after the early dismissal of Kennedy Otieno. The Kenyans, 500-1 outsiders, came out of the game with their batting reputation enhanced. Their bowling, however, does not look to hold enough threat for a repeat of their shock 1996 World Cup win over the West Indies to be feasible. England next take on South Africa at the Oval on Saturday. Kenya, with two defeats
behind them, take on India at Bristol on Sunday. |
Australian Cricket Board introduces censorship LEICESTER, May 19 (UNI) — The infamous Shane Warne outburst against Ranatunga has led to the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) introducing censorship. All articles by their players — Warne and the Waugh brothers have been contracted to write columns — are to submit a hard copy of their articles to the team manager who has been given the power to reject any of them outright. Warne’s second article at the World Cup was a sober piece on how much he misses his family as cricket takes him away from home for nearly 12 months in a year. His wife is expecting their second child and Warne has expressed how much anguish he is facing in his long absences from his family. "But being away now reminds me cricket is a sport — to be enjoyed and played hard — but it’s not everything," he wrote. If only he had thought about cricket that way when he penned his diatribe against Ranatunga, he would not be facing a suspended ban, which can get him into hot water because he just cannot afford to breach the code of conduct again. Asian cricket fans seeking visas to come to the UK are being asked questions to test their cricketing knowledge. The British High Commissions are not running a master cricket quiz in their premises but merely asking banal questions just to test whether intending visitors are genuine cricket fans or not. The British High Commissions in Asia are being flooded with applications for visit visas and an official spokesman said that despite the rush the rejection rate is actually less than 5 per cent. There is some apprehension here over whether those intending to migrate are using the cricket World Cup as an excuse to get into the country. A Tory MP once made famous his name when he declared that people of Asian and West Indian origin had to undergo a loyalty test if they were to be granted UK citizenship. His comments became famous as the "Tebbir test." There are many in this country who will willingly fail the Tebbir test when India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are playing World Cup matches. They would all have passed the ‘visa test’ long ago since many people of Asian origin are already residents or UK citizens. Arjuna Ranatunga has himself incurred the wrath of Sri Lankan Tamils. His witty retort about his hailing from a 2500-year-old culture and his remark "I think we all know where the Australians come from" has brought forth a nasty reaction from the Australasian Federation of Tamil Associations. In the opinion of the federation’s secretary Ranatunga’s comments "were racist and insulting to all Australians. It is ironic that Ranatunga, who lays claim to 2500 years of culture, comes from a country which has killed over 60,000 Tamils and driven another 5,00,000 Tamils out of the island." You just can’t please everyone. Ranatunga knows fully well that he has got away lightly. Although there was tremendous support for his retort to Warne’s attack on his character, he himself may have landed in hot water if the ICC chose to join issue with him on public comments. Like Warne now, Ranatunga is also under a suspended ban for his walkout in the course of the Adelaide Test in which his ace off-spinner Muthiah Muralitharan was called for ‘throwing.’ The Lankan board sent a lawyer with Rantaunga to the disciplinary hearing in Australia and considering the grave implications, the ICC was forced to back away. The last may not have been heard yet in the Warne-Arjuna war which might erupt on the day the teams meet. But such a meeting at which sparks may fly will not materialise if Sri Lanka do not make it to the super six. "If you see a streaker, jump on her," was how a former Secretary of the MCC commanded his stewards at Lord’s to do when streaking first became a popular hobby at televised cricket matches in the 1980s. The World Cup is a prime target now for such deeds are obviously done on ‘dares’ or to win crazy bets among friends. The Australian skipper Steve Waugh was just a little peeved that the streakers were allowed to hang around for a while before the Stewards at Worcester realised what was happening. Security has since been beefed up with anti-streaking squads being formed to stop the obnoxious habit of people seeking cheap publicity. The greater problems has, of course, to do with the consumption of alcohol at World Cup venues and its effect on the cricket fans. Rules are being reframed so that bars may be shut earlier than the scheduled close and also to give the fans a cooling off period in the afternoon. As people enter grounds, the police search bags in order to stop alcohol being brought in. Like Steve Waugh, Azharuddin and Dravid were miffed at being jostled after the game by drunks who can make themselves very unpleasant, especially if the team they are supporting has just lost. Waugh has called for stricter measures at close of play so that players may be funnelled out off the grounds and into the safety of the dressing rooms. Master blaster’ Viv Richards, a former West Indian captain, was voted the best player of the past 20 years in a poll run by the Wisden cricket monthly. Anyone who was featured on the cover of the magazine was eligible to vote and the players’ overwhelming choice was Viv Richards. Richards, who is here to
commentate for the BBC, received his award before the cup
began. Ian Botham, his Somerset team-mate who once
declared that he would not go to South Africa because he
could not then see Richards in the eye, came in second
while Shane Warne was third. |
Greenidge gives no chance to Windies LONDON, May 19 (AFP) — Former West Indies batsman Gordon Greenidge all but wrote off his country’s cricket World Cup chances here, arguing they relied too heavily on their star players. “They are struggling,” said Greenidge, who now coaches Bangladesh. “Once Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose go out of the attack, they will struggle. “They are also going to struggle with the bat. If they are going to rely on Brian Lara and Shivnarine Chanderpaul so much, it is going to be uphill for them,” he said yesterday. Greenidge was a member of the West Indian squads which won the first two World Cups in 1975 and 1979 and were finalists in 1983. Greenidge’s Bangladesh take on the West Indies in a group ‘B’ match at Dublin on Friday.
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Spain, Germany score wins DUESSELDORF, (Germany), May 19 (Reuters) — Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski fought brave battles before falling to Spain’s clay-court aces at the World Team Cup here. Britain, who had beaten holders, Germany in their opening tie on Sunday, lost 2-1 yesterday but still stand a chance of reaching Saturday’s final of the tournament featuring eight top tennis nations. The Germans delighted their home fans in the day’s other tie by winning the decisive doubles to beat Sweden 2-1 and keep their title hopes alive. French Open champion Carlos Moya won a tight three-set battle against Henman to hand Spain a winning 2-0 lead. World No. 4 Moya, tuning up for the defence of his title from next week in Paris, took over two hours to seal a hard-fought 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 win. Alex Corretja, who lost to Moya in last year’s French Open final, had earlier shrugged off a brave challenge from Rusedski, beating him 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 to put Spain 1-0 up. Henman and Rusedski are not regarded as clay-court experts but they proved they could adapt their attacking game to the slow surface by giving two of the world’s top baseliners a hard time. They then teamed up for some consolation, crushing Albert Costa and Jairo Velasco 6-0, 6-3 in the doubles. Moya moved 5-2 ahead of Henman in the final set of their singles and served for the match at 5-3. But Henman refused to yield and broke him on the way to forcing a tie-break in which Moya built a 6-1 lead. Henman saved a match point with a superb backhand along the line but Moya fired a service winner on his second match point to take the tie-break 7-2 and wrap it up. "It was a match that could have gone either way," world No 7 Henman said. Henman has never shone on the Paris clay but he warned it could be different this time. Rusedski also lost honourably after showing that his heavy artillery could be efficient on clay. World No 13 Rusedski had survived three break points in the eighth game of the decisive set when he netted a backhand. Corretja, the world No 6, then served for the match and sealed victory with a smash on his first match point. "I’m feeling more and more comfortable on clay," Rusedski said. "I don’t want the guys to think: ‘I’m playing Rusedski on clay, what a great draw’. I want them to go out there knowing that I’ll be difficult to beat." Kiefer gave Germany a 1-0 lead over Sweden by outclassing Thomas Johansson 6-3, 6-2. Sweden then levelled the tie, with Australian Open finalist Thomas Enqvist beating Tommy Haas 6-4, 6-4. Haas had little time to rest as he had to replace Boris Becker, who had pulled out of the decisive doubles with a shoulder injury. Haas and David Prinosil edged out Jonas Bjorkman and Nicklas Kulti 7-6, 3-6, 7-5 in the day’s last match. The USA, who beat France on Sunday, will be back in action tomorrow against Slovakia. France will meet Australia in the other tie. PARIS (AP): American Todd Martin, ranked 11th, has pulled out of the French Open due to a lingering shoulder injury, the tournament organisers said on Wednesday. Martin made the announcement late on Tuesday, said a Roland Garros spokeswoman, Caroline Glatz. His withdrawal from the competition, set to begin on Monday, allows Sweden’s Thomas Enqvist to become the 16th seed. Filip Dewulf of belgium,
ranked 90th, also pulled out of the tournament on Tuesday
with a shin injury, the organisers said. |
Rios, Kafelnikov enter 2nd round ST. POELTEN (Austria), May 19 (AP) — Second-seeded Marcelo Rios struggled with the wind and with his game and needed more than two hours to beat Davide Sanguinetti 7-6 (7-4), 5-7, 6-3 and reach the second round of the Raiffeisen Grand Prix ATP Tournament. Top-ranked Yevgeny Kafelnikov had a smoother passage into the second round beating Jimy Szymanski, a qualifier from Venezuela, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 yesterday. Rios, the defending champion who also won the title here in 1996, blew two match points before losing the second set. "It was very difficult because of the wind," said Rios, who won the German Open earlier this month. "But I am happy. I played very aggressively and took a lot of risks," he said. While Rios is No. 9 in the world, Sanguinetti is a distant No. 75 and it showed at the start, when Rios raced to a 3-0 lead. But the Chilean then lost five games in a row, before clinching the tie-breaker. After falling behind 2-0 in the third, Rios broke serve for 4-3 lead and broke again to win the match in two hours, eight minutes. "I feel in good shape and I’ve played a lot of matches on clay already," Rios said, looking ahead at the French Open, the second Grand Slam event of the year that starts on Monday in Paris. The Austrian event is a warm-up for the French Open. Mariano Zabaleta, the
fifth-seeded Argentine who lost to Rios in the final of
the German Open, ousted Justin Gimelstob of the USA 6-4,
7-5. |
Srinath, Sridhar enter last-8 BANGALORE, May 19 (PTI) — Unseeded Saurav Panja of Calcutta upset sixth seed Dimitri Mazur 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, while Prahlad Srinath and Vinod Sridhar sailed smoothly into the quarterfinals of the ITF Satellite Tennis Tournament here today. The 22-year-old Panja played excellent tennis to pack off Mazur in three sets in an hour and 37 minutes. Panja did not give room to the Uzbek to play his ground shots. He served well and got ready to move up to the net and converted the volleys to his advantage. Though Mazur took off well and the score was level at 2-2 in the first set, Panja got a break in fifth game and went on to claim the set at 6-3. However, the Calcuttan lost concentration and lost the second 2-6. In the decider both players exhibited good tennis until the eighth game. With the score reading 4-4, Panja broke the serve to lead 5-4 and neatly held to finish 6-4. Shiva Shankar Kambargimath continued his winning strides defeating Shailesh Dhoble in straight sets 6-3, 6-3. Dhoble lost concentration midway through the match and had an argument with the umpire. Mankad, who won against third seed Syed Fazaluddin on the first day, moved on to next round winning against Uzbekistan’s Anton Kokurin 6-7 (3-7), 6-2, 6-2. The match lasted for more than two hours. Top seed P. Srinath and second seed Derepasko also scored easy wins. Srinath thrashed Minh Le of the USA 6-2, 6-2, while Derepasko gave away only one game in the entire match in the second set to defeat Radhakrishan 6-0, 6-1. Results: A.
Derepasko (Rus) b Radhakrishnan (Ind) 6-0, 6-1; S.
Bourke(Aus) b V. Reddy (Ind) 6-1, 7-5 ; H. Mankad (Ind) b
A. Kokurin (Uzb) 6-7 (3-7), 6-2, 6-2; P. Srinath (Ind) b
M. Le (USA) 6-2, 6-2; V. Sridhar (Ind) b V. Uppal (Ind)
6-4, 6-3; S. Panja (Ind) b D. Mazur (Uzb) 6-3, 2-6, 6-4;
S.S. Kambargimath (Ind) b Dhoble (Ind) 6-3, 6-3. |
H
Hockey trials PATIALA, May 19 (FOSR) — Trials to select the Patiala Union team for the Junior National Hockey Championships to be held at Pune from June 11 to 25, will be held at the NIS astro-turf on May 29, according to Prof Gursewak Singh, Secretary General of the Patiala Union Hockey Association. Veteran TT title for Kishore CHANDIGARH, May 19 (TNS) — Former Punjab player, Jitendra Kishore of the State Bank of Patiala, justified top billing in winning the veteran singles title in the SBP Inter-Bank Table Tennis Tournament being played at the RBI, recreation sports club, here yesterday. Showing superb ball control and different spin services he outclassed V.K. Kumaria of the SBI by winning in two straight games 21-19, 21-18. Earlier, in the semi-finals, Kishore (SBP) had defeated S.K. Mittal, SBI, 18-21, 21-15, 21-16. In the second semi-finals, V.K. Kumaria (SBI) had beaten S.K. Bist (RBI) 21-18, 19-21, 21-19. Results (quarterfinals): J.Kishore (SBP) b T.K. Datta (OBC) 21-19, 21-19; S.K. Mittal (SBI) b S.S. Bedi (RBI) 21-19, 18-21, 22-20;V.K. Kumaria (SBI) b R.K. Chibber (HFC) 21-19, 15-21, 21-16; S.K. Bist (RBI) b S.K. Gupta (SBI) 21-18, 21-19. Bikram, Kulwinder to lead LUDHIANA, May 19 (FOSR) — Bikram Sandhu and Kulwinder Kaur have been selected to lead the Punjab junior basketball boys and girls teams, respectively in the 50th National Junior Basketball Championship to be held at Pondicherry from May 21 to 27, according to the general secretary of the Punjab Basketball Association. TEAMS: Boys — Bikram Sandhu, Jasjit Singh, Lakhwinder Singh, Gurinder Singh, Harpreet Singh, Sarabjit Singh, Amit Prashar, Ravi Kumar, Pawandeep Singh, Manpreet Singh, Harpreet Singh and Amrinder Singh. Girls — Balwinder
Kaur, Rajni, Varsha Gupta, Vijayta, Kulwinder Kaur,
Ramandeep Kaur, Jatinder Kaur, Amanjot Kaur, Geetubala,
Monica, Aruna Rani and Gunveen Saggu. |
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