S P O R T S

Aussies take on confident Pak
MELBOURNE, Jan 15 — World Cup champions Australia’s all-round depth is expected to be thoroughly tested when they take on Pakistan in a battle of two confident sides in a league tie of the one-day triangular cricket series tournament here tomorrow.

8 pugilists to strive for qualifying berths
NEW DELHI, Jan 15 — Indian boxers have a job on hand when they embark for Taejeon, near South Korean capital Seoul, for the second Olympic Qualifying Boxing Championship to be held from January 17 to 25.

BEIRUT : The logo for the Asian Football Championship unveiled in Beirut. The Championship finals are going to be held in Lebanon on Oct. 12-19, 2000.— AP/PTI

Donald to take a break
CENTURION, Jan 15 — South African fast bowler Allan Donald will take a break from international cricket, but wants to play for South Africa again next season. Donald (33) told a packed press conference at Centurion Park today that he was not yet ready to retire.

Second defeat for Ganguli
UDAIPUR, Jan 15 — Vietnamese players dominated in both sections in the sixth round of Asian Chess Championship played here today. Chinese contenders were also on the lead. In the women section Chinese GM Qin Kenying defeated India’s Swati Ghate.

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Khalsa club win

Aussies take on confident Pak

MELBOURNE, Jan 15 (PTI) — World Cup champions Australia’s all-round depth is expected to be thoroughly tested when they take on Pakistan in a battle of two confident sides in a league tie of the one-day triangular cricket series tournament here tomorrow.

Batting is expected to be the key as Australia, having smartly recovered from their 45-run reverse in the opening contest against Pakistan, will seek to re-establish their status as the world’s best team in a day match.

With two wins each against their name, the frontrunners in the high-profile tournament will both be keen to move closer to sealing a spot for the best-of-three finals as India suffered their third defeat in a row at Sydney last night to be left in real danger of being eliminated early.

Pakistan won the first round when they overcame poor batting to stun the hosts in the lung-opener at Brisbane and their thrilling comeback last ball win over India the next day has really lifted the side mired in controversies.

Wasim Akram’s men, fresh after six days of rest, will hope to maintain the winning momentum to keep critics at bay and also to take the spotlight away from controversial speedster Shoaib Akhtar.

The 24-year-old “Rawalpindi Express”, banned for chucking but cleared by the ICC to play in the tri-series in a decision slammed by Australian officials in particular, will have a point to prove after underlining his value with three wickets apiece in the first two matches.

Both Australia, who swept aside Pakistan and India by identical 3-0 margins in successive Test series at home, as well as their rivals will be keen to get their batting going once again.

Pakistan’s top order fell in a heap both against the hosts and India in Brisbane and pulled through only thanks to gritty performances by their bowlers and tail-enders.

Australian top order fell to Pakistan’s pace attack and failed to chase a modest target of 185 and again proved second best as India’s pace spearhead Javagal Srinath proved simply unplayable on a lively Sydney Cricket Ground pitch yesterday.

Pakistan’s twin wins at the outset will give them a slender edge, but Australian spearhead Glenn McGrath, who has proved a terror among opposing batsmen will be ready to rattle the seasoned Saeed Anwar, Ijaz Ahmed and Inzamam-ul-Haq once again.

Australia, who reached here after their five-wicket win over India, will hope stylish opener Mark Waugh regains his run-scoring form to give an ideal start alongside the attacking Adam Gilchrist before in-form Ricky Ponting and one-day specialist Michael Bevan take over.

Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram felt the two wins thus far have given the right impetus for his team. “We needed that win to tell ourselves we can win against them,” he said after avenging the World Cup final defeat to Australia in England last year at Brisbane.

Akhtar, who was in Perth during the break to undertake corrective steps for his suspect bowling action, felt there was nothing really wrong with his action and was keen to prove himself again.

Wasim Akram, who suffered a groin twinge attempting a run against India, declared himself fully fit for tomorrow’s clash.

The visitors will have the option of playing the more defensive, but technically competent opener Wajahatullah Wasti for the explosive, but unsuccessful Shahid Afridi.

AFP adds: Captain Steve Waugh said Australia was likely to retain the same side that defeated India by five wickets.

Waugh rated McGrath’s 4-8 off 10 overs against India as among the best bowling performances he had seen in one-day cricket.

He, however, defended his batsmen despite Australia slumping to 59-5 in pursuit of a modest target of 101.

“I think Don Bradman would have struggled on that wicket,” Waugh said.

Waugh spent time with Melbourne police officers today to ensure there was no repeat of crowd violence which disrupted in last Wednesday’s game against India at the MCG.

Play was stopped for 17 minutes when sections of the 73,000 strong crowd hurled plastic bottles onto the ground after Indian batsman Saurav Ganguly was adjudged run out.

Teams: Australia Steve Waugh (capt), Mark Waugh, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Michael Bevan, Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds, Shane Lee, Brett Lee, Damien Fleming, Glenn McGrath, Stuart MacGill, Adam Dale.

Pakistan: Wasim Akram (capt), Saeed Anwar, Wajahatullah Wasti, Shahid Afridi, Ijaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Abdur Razzaq, Moin Khan, Saqlain Mushtaq, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Azhar Mehmood.

8 pugilists to strive for qualifying berths

NEW DELHI, Jan 15 (PTI) — Indian boxers have a job on hand when they embark for Taejeon, near South Korean capital Seoul, for the second Olympic Qualifying Boxing Championship to be held from January 17 to 25.

Eight pugilists, led by Bangkok Asian Games bantamweight gold medallist Ng Dingko Singh, will take on stiff opposition as India strive to claim qualifying berths for the Sydney Games to be held later this year.

India failed to clinch any of the 22 berths that were up for grabs at the Asian championships held in Tashkent in October last year, with lightweight Narendra Rana losing an agonisingly close semifinal bout on individual scores after a tie and Commonwealth silver medallist Jitender Kumar going down after a controversial decision in the middleweight quarterfinal.

“The competition is very tough. Boxers from breakaway Soviet republics will be there and hosts Korea themselves and Thailand will be in full strength,” chief coach Gurbux Singh Sandhu told PTI as the team went through its final build-up phase at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium ahead of departure.

The 22-year-old Dingko Singh, the Naval boxer who claimed India’s first Asian Games gold after 16 years at Bangkok in 1998, will be among the frontrunners for qualification after missing the Tashkent meet due to a right wrist injury.

Coaches Sandhu and Cuban trainer B.I. Fernandez said the Naval chief petty officer was fully fit and fighting trim. “I am fine. My hand is also fully okay,” said Dingko Singh sporting a tape on his wrist.

Asked about the fitness of Dingko Singh, who won the gold medal at the September-October SAF Games in Kathmandu and boxed his way to the national title in Shimla in mid-October, Sandhu said “as on date his hand is perfectly okay”.

Asian Games bronze medallist Gurcharan Singh (lightheavy), Suresh Singh (lightfly), H. Srinivasa Rao (fly), Ramanand (feather), Narendra Rana (light) and K. Sanjit Singh (lt welter) will be the other boxers aiming for qualification.

Only four of those who went for the first qualifier — Suresh Singh, Ramanand, Narender and Jitender — will be seen in action here.

“The boxers are fit and in form, but it is difficult to predict. The Filipinos and the Japanese also have very good boxers in the lower weights,” Sandhu said.

The coach said he was confident of India gaining at least one berth at Tashkent, but said Rana and Jitender were unlucky not to make it.

“I don’t promise anything. But if not better, we’re equal to others now. In any bout we have a fair chance of giving a good account of ourselves,” he added.

Fernandez said problems seen in Tashkent have been analysed, but felt fitness still was a problem area. “After SAF Games it was nationals and then the Asian meet. In between the boys go off to their home towns or units which affects continuous training. But we have been working hard from November 15 at the NIS, Patiala,” he said.

Lightwelter Sanjit Singh, relatively unknown, is considered a courageous fighter. He lost to Bhushan Saini in the nationals, but replaced his seasoned compatriot after Tashkent.

India had fielded five boxers at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, when the qualifying championships were introduced, and had three pugilists in the 1996 Atlanta edition.

Asia have a total of 68 berths and the third qualifiers to be held at Bangkok from April 1 to 7 will provide a last chance to make it to the Olympics.

Rana (28) who lost to Larry Semillano of the Philippines 22-23 on judges individual scoring after being tied 3-all at the end of his quarterfinal bout at Tashkent, will be the senior-most in the squad.

Jitender Kumar said he was keyed up for competition after the disappointment in the Asian meet, where he looked a clear winner throughout before he was controversially declared loser against China’s Abudur Rehman, whose citizenship itself raised much dust as he was from Kyrgystan.

Donald to take a break

CENTURION, Jan 15 (AFP) — South African fast bowler Allan Donald will take a break from international cricket, but wants to play for South Africa again next season.

Donald (33) told a packed press conference at Centurion Park today that he was not yet ready to retire.

Donald, who is not playing in the fifth Test against England due to gout in his right toe, is 10 wickets short of becoming the 14th player in history to take 300 Test wickets.

Donald said he wanted to take a complete break from international cricket after the forthcoming triangular one-day series with England and Zimbabwe in South Africa and will accept a one-year contract from English county Warwickshire.

That would mean missing the tour of India, a one-day series with World Cup champions Australia in April and August, and a tour of Sri Lanka in July and August.

But Ali Bacher, Managing Director of the United Cricket Board of South Africa, wants Donald to be part of a South African team which he believes has a chance to “make history.”

“Very few teams have been able to beat India in their own country but I believe the current side has that opportunity, especially if Allan Donald is part of the team,” Bacher said. Donald said he had agreed to delay making a final decision and will inform the selectors whether he will be available before the side is picked in about two weeks.

Bacher said the UCB was prepared to try to accommodate Donald because of the exceptional service he had given to the South African team.

“He is nearing the end of a distinguished career and we are prepared to be flexible. We wouldn’t make such concessions if he was 26.”

Donald said playing county cricket would enable him to spend quality time with his family. “Although I will be playing regularly, mentally it will take away the pressure of playing international cricket,” he said.

He said he hoped to come back strongly next season when South Africa have three home Tests each against New Zealand and Sri Lanka but had not thought ahead to a five-Test tour of the West Indies in April 2001. Bacher said Donald would have to take his chances on being selected when he returns adding that there was no guarantee he would be picked for the one-day series which will be staged between January 21 and February 12.

Donald said at the start of the season he aimed to take 35 wickets in seven Tests to reach the target of 300. He only took three in two matches against Zimbabwe but took 22 in four Tests against England before withdrawing from the fifth Test.

He has taken 290 wickets in 60 Tests at an average of 21.6.

India rout Belgium 4-0, win series

NEW DELHI, Jan 15 (PTI) — Samir Dad struck a brace as India scored an emphatic 4-0 win over Belgium to claim the three match men’s hockey test series 2-0 at Barcelona.

The young forward opened the account and struck the third goal after veteran Dhanraj Pillay had made it 2-0 going into half-time in the third and final Test played on Thursday.

Baljit Singh Chandi rounded off the margin scoring the fourth with all goals coming through field conversions.

India, who beat their European rivals 2-0 in the first match but were held to a 1-1 draw in the next before the fine win to round off their engagements in the Spanish capital.

India rode on a splendid hat-trick by talented striker Gagan Ajit Singh to beat Canada 3-2 in a one-off test after they came third in a four-nation tournament. Spain won the event with Germany finishing second and Pan American champions Canada last.

“The boys have shown a lot of improvement. The tournament and Tests have helped us rectify many mistakes. Technically, I would say the performance was good to above average,” chief coach Vasudevan Baskaran told PTI.

The trip to Barcelona was part of India’s build-up for the September Sydney 2000 Olympics. “Some of the boys have not played in Europe and it was a very useful experience for them,” Baskaran added.

India next take part in the prestigious Sultan Azlan Shah tournament to be held in Malaysia from February 16 to 26, the team for which will be selected at Bangalore’s SAI south centre on February 5.

Second defeat for Ganguli

UDAIPUR, Jan 15 (UNI) — Vietnamese players dominated in both sections in the sixth round of Asian Chess Championship played here today.

Chinese contenders were also on the lead. In the women section Chinese GM Qin Kenying defeated India’s Swati Ghate.

Chinese GM Zhang Zhong and Xu-Jun and Dao Thien Hai of Viatnam are placed with 4.5 points and fighting for the first place. In the women section Vietnam’s Thong Trang lost half point to S. Vijay Laxmi and positioned at the first place by getting 5 points.

Chinese GM Zhong lost to fellow Chinese Xu-Jun in 30 moves. Zhong was world best no. 2 in 1996 and 1998.

Indian national a champion K. Shashi Kiran drew in 24 moves with forth rating Chinese GM Wong Zili.

Vietnamese GM Dao Thein (4.5) defeated Vahidov Tai (3) of Uzbekistan in 32 moves.

Indian IM S.S. Ganguly (3) lost to Peng Xidamin (4) in 32 moves. It was second defeat for Ganguli.

In an interesting game under-10 world champion P. Hari Krishna (India) drew with Indian GM Divendu Barua in 32 moves.

Uzbekistan GM Yuldashev Saydaeli defeated Indian GM Praveen Thipsay in 34 moves.

In the women’s section B. Vijay Laxmi of India drew with Vietnamese Hong Theng Trang in Dutch defence in 30 moves.

Chinese GM Oin Kenying defeated Swati Ghate of India .

Uzbekistani Momedena Rena depeated Sargeeva Maria of Tazakistan. In 32 moves in Kings Indian defence.

WFM of Ching Xu Yuanyuan defeated Tanima Parveen of Bangladesh in 27 moves in French defence and Saheu Dhar Barua of India won over Safira Bhahnaz in 32 moves in sicilian defence. Vinitha Vijaborya of Sri Lanka defeated Siti Zulaibha of malasia in birds opening in 60 moves.

Punjab spikers move into final

SALEM, Jan 15 (PTI) — Andhra Pradesh women rallied twice to shock last year’s runner-up Kerala 3-2 while defending champions Punjab outplayed a lacklustre Kerala men’s team in straight sets to storm into the finals of the Senior National Volleyball Championship here today.

Spiker Radhika excelled for Andhra Pradesh, who finished third at the Chinsura nationals last year, as the winners put up a superb all-round performance to oust Kerala 19-25, 25-23, 25-20, 22-25, 15-10 in a marathon 110-minute encounter.

Earlier, the Punjab men faced problems in shutting out Kerala 25-11, 25-18 24-22 in the men’s semi-final with the holders coming up with a fine team effort led by captain Amir Singh.

In the women’s semi-final, which turned out to be a thriller much to the joy of a good crowd, Kerala took the first game comfortably with Gisha Thomas spearheading the attack and Sujatha leading the net defence.

Andhra Pradesh fought back through Radhika, who was unstoppable, and the other main spiker, Latha.

But the Andhra girls staged a good comeback in the next set as Radhika kept raiding the rival defence. Dhanalakshmi and Jaimol Joseph boosted their side with neat blocks as Andhra Pradesh, despite trailing 3-6, closed the gap before again tying at 12-12.

Points were contested closely from then on with Radhika holding an edge in the attack while Kerala won their points mostly through blocks. Andhra took the set as Dhanalakshmi and Jaimol came up with a couple of good blocks after Kerala saved a set point.

In the third set, Andhra Pradesh stepped up their attack while Kerala tried to recover through Gisha, who came up with a few winners. But once their rivals took a 21-18 lead they were unstoppable.

Andhra Pradesh committed a few unforced errors to trail 3-6 in the fourth set, but yet again Radhika came up with neatly placed shots to close the gap to 10-10. From then on points were won alternately by both the teams before Kerala took a 23-20 lead with Sujatha and Sheeja blocking well when Radhika was rested for a while. Kerala took the set blocking out the Andhra spikers.

The decider saw Andhra Pradesh racing to a 8-3 lead at change of ends. Then a series of errors by the Andhra defence allowed Kerala to take four points in a row after trailing 5-12. Anu Jacob’s shot went out to give Andhra the match point at 10-14 and Radhika finished in style to cause the first upset of the tournament.

ITI outplay FC Kochin 2-1

BANGALORE, Jan 15 (PTI) — Indian Telephone Industries (ITI) beat local favourites FC Kochin 2-1 in their National Football League match here today.

ITI scored both goals within seven minutes and outplayed their opponents in all departments.

R.C. Prakash struck the first goal for ITI from the centre off a neat pass from Gabriel Emechete in the very second minute.

The second goal came in the seventh minute through a header from George Ekeh off a lofted pass from left winger Khogen Singh.

In the 34th minute, Joe Paul Anchery reduced the margin for FC Kochin. Star striker I.M. Vijayan headed straight to ITI goalkeeper Balaji, who failed to collect the ball. After Nowshad fell attempting to shoot, Anchery, who was positioned neatly on the left flank, hit home.

FCK’s defence proved the weak link and upfront Vijayan, who lacked assistance from the other wing and the midfield, saw his shots go in vain.

Though the Kerala side dominated the first half and displayed good football with accurate passing and perfect coordination, they were under tremendous pressure after the early strikes by the telephone-men.

They also messed up the few chances they had in the first half. Vijayan had a golden chance when he got past the defence only to shoot over the crosspiece.

BSF lose

MUMBAI: Defender Bernard Operanzoia’s 58th-minute header gave local outfit Mahindra and Mahindra their fourth successive win in the National Football League — a hard-fought 1-0 verdict against Border Security Force here today.

Mahindras now have 15 points from eight matches, while BSF remained on four points after suffering their sixth defeat.

In a fast-paced match, BSF did well to contain the Mahindras’ forward line of Bassam Khatib, Nitin Pradhan and Syed Hussain.

In the 15th minute, Mahindra striker Pradhan’s try from a move initiated by medio Aqueel Ansari was well stopped by BSF custodian Bibhas Saha. Saha was quick enough to snatch the rebound before winger Khatib could get to the ball.

Five minutes later, BSF striker D.S. Negi failed to boot home winger Gurjit Atwal’s cross from the left. Soon afterwards, Pradhan’s header off defender Ramesh Rajak’s lob missed the mark.

In the 25th minute, Mahindras’ medio Satish Minz’s try off a Ansari free kick was well saved by Saha. Then Khatib’s lob off a Pradhan pass just missed the mark.

Tough draw for Agassi, Sampras

MELBOURNE, Jan 15 (Reuters) — US rivals Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras were yesterday drawn for a possible semifinal meeting in the Australian Open, although both players will have to work hard in their early matches to earn a showdown.

Top seed Agassi and Sampras, the third seed, were both placed in a powerful top half of the men’s singles draw for the season-opening Grand Slam tournament which starts on Monday.

In the women’s singles, top seed and defending champion Martina Hingis also has few easy matches and will play Wimbledon semifinalist Mirjana Lucic of Croatia in the first round.

Hingis, who is bidding for a record fourth consecutive Australian Open title, has US Open champion and third seed Serena Williams as a likely semifinal opponent.

Agassi finished 1999 ranked No 1 after a wonderful year in which he captured the French Open and US Open titles.

He faces Argentine Mariano Puerta in the first round in Melbourne and has big-serving Australian Mark Philippoussis looming in the fourth round. Philippoussis told reporters he was not thinking that far ahead.

“All I know is I play a qualifier first-up. Please don’t tell me anymore,” said Philippoussis, who beat Sampras in the Colonial Classic warm-up tournament yesterday.

Even if he overcomes Philippoussis, a bookmakers’ favourite in Melbourne, Agassi will likely then have to beat eighth seed Todd Martin in the quarterfinals in a rematch of last year’s US Open final.

Sampras, who is tied with Roy Emerson’s record of 12 grand Slam titles, meets Australian Wayne Arthurs in the first round.

The dominant force of men’s tennis for much of the 1990s, Sampras missed last year’s Australian Open after a hectic end to 1998 left him mentally and physically exhausted.

Sampras fell from the top spot to No 3 by the end of 1999, even though he beat Agassi in the season-ending atp Tour World Championships final in Hanover in November.

Sampras’s toughest tests before the semifinals will likely be a fourth round match against 14th seed Karol Kucera of Slovakia and then a quarterfinal against 1999 finalist and sixth seed Thomas Enqvist of Sweden.

“That’s the way it goes,” Sampras said. “You can’t look that far ahead in today’s game. It’s tough for everybody.”

Defending champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov of Russia has a far easier time ahead in the bottom half of the men’s draw, although he is yet to win a match this year.

The tournament’s second seed will most likely face fifth seed Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil or Germany’s Nicolas Kiefer, the fourth seed, in the semifinals.

The women’s draw is peppered with intriguing match-ups, with second seed Lindsay Davenport of the USA likely to meet 1999 Australian Open finalist Amelie Mauresmo in the semifinals.

Mauresmo is seeded seventh this year and is in the opposite half of the draw to Hingis, whose “half a man” description of the muscular Frenchwoman at last year’s tournament set off a feud which is still simmering.

Davenport is in the same quarter of the draw as Russian starlet Anna Kournikova but appears to have little standing in her way before the second week of the tournament.

In the top half of the women’s draw, Hingis has 12th seed Sandrine Testud as a potential rival in the fourth round, followed by a probable meeting with sixth seed Barbara Schett of Austria in the quarterfinals.

Williams, whose sister Venus withdrew from the tournament this week with tendinitis in her wrist, will most likely meet South Africa’s Amanda Coetzer, the eighth seed, in the quarterfinals.

Churchill Brothers favourites

MARGAO, Jan 15 (UNI) — Title aspirants Churchill Brothers of Goa and Calcutta giants East Bengal will have their priorities clear when they lock horns tomorrow in the fourth edition of the Coca Cola National Football League match to be played at Nehru Stadium Fatorda here.

Churchill Brothers definitely hold an edge over East Bengal, both in their performance and home advantage.

Churchill Brothers are tied at 15 points along with another Goan team, defending champions Salgaocar Sports Club. But Churchill are leading the table on better goal-difference in the 12 team group and are confident to win the tie and pocket three more points to maintain their top spot.

Churchill have lost two matches so far, falling 0-1 to Salgaocar and 1-3 to State Bank of Travancore (SBT) and have beaten Dempo, FC Kochi, BSF, ITI and Mahindra and Mahindra, Mumbai and are going into the match with their confidence quite high.

Churchill have a trustful forward Francise Silveira, who can trouble East Bengal defence with his youthful predominantly front liner partner Ukranian striker Andriy, besides, Kaustav Ghose and Marcus Carvalho.

Railways, Mumbai enter semis

JABALPUR, Jan 15 (PTI) — Holders Railways and Mumbai entered the semi-finals of the 15th Senior National Women’s Hockey Tournament defeating Orissa and Bihar, respectively, in the quarter-finals here today.

While railways outclassed Orissa 5-0 in the first quarter-final, Mumbai managed to scrape past Bihar by a solitary goal in the second match of the day.

Railways opened their account in the 9th minute through a brilliant field goal by Kamla Dalal, who beat all the Orissa defenders.

Railways skipper Pritam Rani then converted a penalty corner in the 31st minute and then scored a brilliant field goal minutes later to make the half-time score 3-0 in favour of the winners.

In the second half, Kamla Dalal scored again in the 51st minute and Suraj Kala got a goal one minute later to round off the proceedings.

In the Mumbai-Bihar match, Mamta Kharab scored an excellent field goal in the 33rd minute in a match that saw no other goal.

Poor penalty corner conversion was again on display today with Railways converting only one of the six penalty corners they got.

Orissa got three penalty corners, Bihar four and Mumbai three but none of them has converted.

Mauresmo upsets Davenport for title

SYDNEY, Jan 15 (AFP) — Powerhouse Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo capped a remarkable week here today, beating world No 2 Lindsay Davenport to take the Sydney International title in a display laced with power and purpose.

The 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 victory over the defending champion follows her win over world No 1 Martina Hingis in the semifinals.

Seeded eight here, Mauresmo is clearly a tougher, more complete and confident player than the one who lost the Australian Open final to Hingis last year and has made it patently clear she is in the hunt for a Grand Slam.

She beat Davenport en route to that Australian Open final last year, and the American second seed, as with Hingis, had trouble coping with her laser-like backhand and topspin.

In the first set, it went to serve until Davenport made the breakthrough in the fifth game, taking a 3-2 lead on a Mauresmo double-fault. But the Frenchwoman fought on, breaking back in the eighth, then held her serve.

It went to a nailbiting tie-break with Mauresmo’s powerful serve, rocketing down at 160 kph plus, proving Davenport’s undoing. She reeled off six winners in a row, wrapping up the set 7-6 (7/2) with an ace.

The second set went to serve until Mauresmo pounced in the seventh, sending a scorching forehand past the No 2 seed, to lead 4-3. She saved a break-point in the 10th to win on her second championship point, falling to her knees and holding her head in her hands.

Earlier, Australian teenager Lleyton Hewitt won his 10th straight match of the year to secure the men’s title, hammering fellow Australian Jason Stoltenberg 6-4, 6-0.

In doing so, the unseeded Hewitt became the first Australian to win in Sydney since John Fitzgerald defeated Andrei Chesnokov in 1988.

Hewitt put his success down to coach Darren “Killer” Cahill.

“He is the one reason I’ve risen so high at such a young age,” he said.

Stoltenberg, a wildcard, put up a brave fight in the first set in front of his hometown crowd, playing some solid baseline tennis but went to pieces in the second, having no answers to Hewitt’s scorching form and ever-quick serve.

“Just to be here was a great thrill,” said Stoltenberg. “You (Hewitt) deserve the championship.”

The pair traded breaks in the second and third games, before Hewitt’s second break in the 10th game sealed the first set 6-4 in 36 minutes.

The pumped-up whiz-kid, in securing his second tournament in a row following the Australian hardcourt crown last Sunday, chased everything, making the gaps, putting away winners and drawing errors from his veteran Davis Cup colleague.

Stoltenberg couldn’t cope with his consistency and pace around the court.

The second set, in particular, demonstrated why Hewitt will be a threat to the more established players at the Australian Open beginning in Melbourne on Monday.

He reeled it off in just 17 minutes.

Although unseeded at the Grand Slam, the win here ensures Hewitt will start as the leader in the 2000 Champions’ Race under the ATP’s new world ranking system. He hasn’t dropped a set in his 10 wins over the past two weeks.

HOBART: Belgium’s Kim Clijsters underlined her enormous potential with victory over the defending champion Chanda Rubin in the final of the Tasmanian International women’s tournament here today.

Clijsters’ precocious talents have already taken her to a world ranking of 43.

She went through the qualifiers to the fourth round of last year’s Wimbledon before losing to Steffi Graf.

11-0 victory for GND varsity
From Our Sports Reporter

LUDHIANA, Jan 15 — The current champions Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, scored an overwhelming 11-0 victory over Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, to top pool ‘A’ while hosts Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, drubbed South Zone winners Annamalai University, Chennai, 6-0 to emerge on top of pool ‘B’ after the conclusion of league fixtures and made it to the semi-finals of the All India Inter-University (inter-zonal) Hockey Tournament for men at the PAU grounds here today.

In the last four stage, GND varsity and PAU have joined pool ‘C’ leaders Panjab University, Chandigarh, and Kurukshetra University who shared the top spot in pool ‘D’ with the last year’s runners-up Bangalore University.

After both Kurukshetra University and Bangalore University having won two matches each, the former were through to the round four on the basis of better goal average.

In their last league fixture of pool ‘A’ holders GND varsity went on a rampage from the word go firing first salvo in the 4th minute through Lakhwinder Singh and had established a 5-0 lead till the breather.

They scored six more goals in the second session to round off the tally 11-0. Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, boys were under pressure and they failed to force even a single penalty corner against their strong rivals.

Hosts PAU boys too finished their league engagements in an impressive fashion with a facile 6-0 victory over Annamalai University, Chennai. PAU scored three goals in each half.

Harpal Singh opened the account for his team in the 10th minute and he again struck in the 30th minute to consolidate the lead. Sukhdeepak Kumar made it 3-0 the next minute. In the second half, Sukhjeet Singh 53rd minute Yadwinder Singh 63rd and Sukhjeet Singh 69th found the target to help PAU clinch the issue 6-0.

Chennai boys got an opportunity in the 41st minute to reduce the margin but penalty corner hit taken by Srathinapelpan went off the mark.

In an absorbing pool ‘D’ match, last years’ runners-up, Bangalore University scrapped past Jiwaji University, Gwalior 4-2 after the two teams were locked goalless at half time.

Poovanna MP put Bangalore University ahead in the 39 minute and three minutes later, Anup Anthony made it 2-0. In the 50th minute Appan sounded the board to read it 3-0.

Gwalior’s Nageesh scored a fine field goal in the 60th minute to reduce the margin 3-1. Anup Anothy struck in the 64th minute to enhance the lead 4-1. Next minute Shailender scored to make it 2-4.

In other matches, University of Mumbai beat Ranchi University 5-1 in pool ‘A’ while in pool ‘B’ Pt Ravi Shanker University, Raipur, pipped Barkatullaha University, Bhopal 2-1. In the semifinals to be played tomorrow GND Varsity, Amritsar, will take on Panjab University, Chandigarh, (1 p.m.) while PAU will clash with Kurukshetra University (2.30 p.m.)

Jalandhar hockey team
From Our Sports Reporter

JALANDHAR, Jan 15 — The selection committee of District Hockey Association selected 22 players for the district (under-19) team for the Punjab State Hockey Championship for (boys U-19) to be held at the Surjit Hockey Stadium, Jalandhar, from January 18 to 22.

Team: Ajay Pal Singh, Satinder Pal Singh, Ranjeet Singh, Rupinder Singh, Jugraj Singh, Amolok Singh, Tajinder Pal Singh, Prabhjot Singh, Pavitter Jeet Singh, Manvinder Singh, Satnam Singh, Amarjeet Singh, Hardeep Singh, Rajbir Singh, Major Singh, Tarun, Inderbir Singh, Harjinder Singh, Surjeet Singh, Parmeet Singh, Amritpal Singh and Mandeep Singh.

The coach and manager of the team are Jhilman Singh Mann and Malkiat Singh, respectively.

Chowrasia leads the field

NOIDA, Jan 15 (UNI) — Despite playing well below his potential, Calcutta professional S.S.P. Chowrasia led the field by one stroke with a total score of level par 216 at the end of the third and penultimate round of the ONGC-NGC Open Golf Championship here today.

At second spot atone over par 217 was amateur Ashok Kumar with Mukesh Kumar and Jyoti Randhawa occupying the joint third spot at two over 218.

Former Indian Open champion Ali Sher was at the fifth spot with three over 219.

Chowrasia was a dejected man. On the 18th, his final hole of the day after a good tee shot placed him in the centre of the fairway, his approach shot landed on the right of the green side bunker.

Chipping into the bunker in stead of over it, the Calcutta pro carded a double bogey on the hole. Earlier, bogeys on the 4th and 5th holes followed by a birdie on the 7th saw him placed at a score of one over at the lemon break. A birdie on the 11th gave him a five stroke lead over his nearest rival Ashok Kumar.

However, a dropped shot on the 16th topped by a the double bogey on the 18th saw his card display three over 75 for the day.

Ashok Kumar, with the aid of a driver and sand wedge, birdied the 2nd hole but a bogey on the 4th, undid the good work. Another bogey on the 5th after a visit to the right trees resulted in two duffed shots, which saw him finish his front-nine at one over. A double bogey on the 14th caused by an out-of-bounds shot from the fairway bunker did little for his confidence as the teenager proceeded to bogey the 16th and 18th to finish at four over 76 for the day.

Two time Hero Honda masters winner, Jyoti Randhawa carded four over par 76, with just one birdie adorning his third round card on the 17th. With not too auspicious a start with a bogey on the first hole, the Gurgaon based golfer pared the next three holes, before finding the left fairway bunker on the 5th. Dropping a shot on the hole, he finished at two over after nine holes.

An unfortunate hat-trick of bogeys on the 11th,12th and 13th with visits to the bunker proving to be his nemesis on each of the three occasions followed by the birdie on the 17th were the highlights of his back nine play.

Mukesh Kumar started in a whirlwind fashion with birdies on the ist and 2nd holes. A back-to-back bogey on the 11th and 12th saw him finish the day at one over 73.

Ashok Kumar took an unassailable lead of 12 scpores over second placed Sheeraz Kalra, who was positioned at 13 over 229 in the amateur section.

Scores:

216, S.S.P. Chowrasia, 218 Jyoti Randhawa, Mukesh Kumar; 219 Ali Sher, 220 Vijay Kumar, 221 Indrajit Bhalotia, Shiv Prakash, 222 Feroz Ali, Dinesh Kumar.

Rajan, Joy post wins
From Our Sports Reporter

JALANDHAR, Jan 15 — Rajan Sehgal of Jalandhar yesterday upset fourth seed Nitin Gupta of Ludhiana in the junior section semifinal league of the C.R. Arora Memorial Punjab State Snooker Championship at Lilly Resorts here.

Rajan began his campaign by winning the first frame 62-39. After that he lost his rhythm and Nitin won the second frame 51-34. But Rajan came back strongly to win the next two frames 52-44 and 64-29.

Earlier on Thursday Rajan had defeated third seed Gaurav Mahindru of Ludhiana 3-0 to enter the semifinal.

In the senior category third seed Joy Mehra of Amritsar defeated Harpal of Jalandhar 3-0 in the second round in a one-sided game. Joy won 79-36, 56-42, 78-13.

Results (5th day): jrs: Rajan Sehgal b Nitin Gupta 3-1; Nitin Gupta b Dhruv Verma 3-0.

Senior (1st round): Karan Kahlon b Saurabh Khullar 3-0; Harpal b Vineet Mehra 3-1. 2nd round: Joy Mehra b Harpal 3-0.

REGIONAL SPORT BRIEFS

Khalsa club win

JALANDHAR, Jan 15 — Khalsa Sporting Club, Adampur, Nivia Sports Club, Sports College and Khalsa College, Jalandhar, entered into the semifinal of the District Football Championship at Lyallpur Khalsa College here.

On the third day of the championship two matches were played. In the first match Khalsa Sporting Club, Adampur, beat DAV College, Jalandhar, 1-0. The lone goal of the match was scored by Kuldeep Singh five minutes before the final whistle.

In the second match Khalsa College, Jalandhar, defeated Rurkan Kala Sports Club 1-0. Harjinder Singh scored the winning goal.