 |
| Sunday,
July 29, 2001, Chandigarh, India  
|
|
|
||||||
|
Bowlers won us the game: Dravid WI take
216-run lead
Thorpe collects 6th gold |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Greene, Jones go back into championship mode Afro-Asian Games: SAI told to draft
contingency plans Capriati’s ranking improves Shaughnessy rallies to upset Venus
Samuel badminton meet Indian cagers finish 8th Ramesh held, shares lead
|
|
Indian finally manage a victory Colombo, July 28 India, who had lost all their previous three matches in the series, performed as a team and overhauled the Sri Lankan total of 183 all out in 45.4 overs. The bowlers did a fine job in restricting Sri Lanka to a low total after Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana had given them a flying start on winning the toss. The Indian batting came good when it mattered the most and scored 184 for three to record the team’s first win in the series and keep alive their chances of making it to the final. Playing without their captain Saurav Ganguly, who had been handed a one-match suspension for showing dissent to the umpire in the previous game against New Zealand, Indian batsmen kept things simple and avoided any risks. A low target meant all India needed was to bat through their quota of overs without attempting anything flashy. Stand-in captain Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman understood this amply and did not indulge in any heroics. They kept the scoreboard moving at a steady rate through ones and twos and the
occasional boundaries also came India’s way to make their task easier. Laxman remained unbeaten on 87 while Dravid was out after making 43. India still need to win their remaining two matches and hope that Sri Lanka defeat New Zealand in their last game in order to enter the final. India had yet another bad start to their run-chase when Ganguly’s replacement Amay Khurasia was bowled off the second ball of the innings by Chaminda Vaas. Khurasia is having difficulty in finding his feet in international cricket and today he left a wide gap between his bat and pad that saw an inside edge crashing into his stumps. He failed to score. Laxman and Virender Sehwag, who opened the innings with Khurasia, then played sensibly enough, adding 66-runs for the second wicket. Laxman took 13 balls for his first run but showed his class thereafter. He hit Vaas for three boundaries in the fifth over of the innings and all those shots were a visual delight. Laxman displayed exquisite timing and found the gaps with ease after getting his eyes set. Sehwag too middled the ball quite well and played very confidently. He was lucky to have been dropped by Mahela Jayawardena at first slip when on eight but that was the only blemish on his fluent knock. However, Sehwag, who relishes spin bowling, let the temptations get the better of him and fell into a trap laid by the Sri Lankans. He tried to go over the top to Kumar Dharmasena but couldn’t get the elevation and Kumara Sangakkara took a good catch at mid-on. Sehwag’s 41-ball 27 contained five sweetly-timed boundaries. At 67 for two in the 14th over, Sri Lanka were eyeing their chances in the match. But the third wicket stand of 84 runs between Dravid and Laxman took the game away from Sri Lanka. The duo showed great maturity in not hurrying through their task and patiently built up the foundations for a fine win. Laxman was slightly troubled by Muthiah Muralitharan but the low target meant the Indians could take things easily. Laxman gave due respect to Muralitharan and did not attempt anything silly. Having seen the fate of Sehwag, both Dravid and he played only grounded shots even when they came down the pitch to the spinners. Laxman unleashed some beautiful cover-drives which accounted for five of his 10 boundaries. Vaas conceded as many as six of those ten. A copybook cover drive for four off Jayasuriya in the 24th over brought up India’s hundred. A few balls later Laxman reached his fourth half-century in limited overs cricket with a single down the ground. Dravid was more sedate of the two. He could not remain to guide his team to victory, though. After making a solid 43, which contained three fours, Dravid, while trying to guide a Chaminda Vaas delivery to third man, edged to Kaluwitharana. Hemang Badani joined Laxman and the two then ensured Indian victory. Badani remained unbeaten on 11. Laxman, who won the Man-of-the-Match award for his unbeaten effort, took 127 balls for his 87 runs. Earlier, the bowlers made a spirited fightback and bowled out Sri Lanka for a modest total after receiving a thrashing from Jayasuriya. The Sri Lankan captain, who won the toss for the third time in the series and had no
hesitation in opting to bat first, was in ominous touch and, in company of Kaluwitharana, built a solid foundation for a huge total. That foundation was, however, wasted by the latter batsmen as India’s spinners led by the indomitable Harbhajan. The hosts, who lost their first wicket at 103 in the 25th over, saw the remaining nine batsmen fall with the addition of just 80 runs. Marvan Atapattu was the only Sri Lankan batsman besides Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana to make any substantial contribution to the total. Once these three were out, the rest of the batsmen fell like a pack of cards. Jayasuriya was quite aggressive and took advantage of the field restrictions to go over the top for a few boundaries. SCOREBOARD Sri Lanka: Jayasuriya c Khurasiya Kalu c Sodhi b Yuvraj 46 Atapattu c Sodhi b Sehwag 34 Jayawardene c Dighe b Badani 5 Vaas c Laxman b Harbhajan 5 Arnold c Yuvraj b Nehra 11 Perera b Zaheer 4 Sangakkara run out 2 Dharmasena c Dighe b Zaheer 1 Murlitharan b Nehra 2 Fernando not out 1 Extras (lb-10, nb-5) 15 Total (all out in 46.5 overs) 183 Fall of wickets: 1-103, 2-128, 3-143, 4-160, 5-166, 6-177, 7-177, 8-178, 9-181. Bowling: Zaheer Khan 8-0-30-2, Ashish Nehra 7.5-0-31-2, Harbhajan Singh 10-1-32-2, R.S.Sodhi 3-0-13-0, V.Sehwag 10-0-40-1, Yuvraj Singh 6-1-20-1, H.Badani 2-0-7-1. India: Khurasiya b Vaas 0 Sehwag c Sangakkara Laxman not out 87 Dravid c Kalu b Vaas 43 Badani not out 11 Extras (lb-5, nb-2, w-9) 16 Total (3 wkts, 45.4 ovrs) 184 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-67, 3-151. Bowling: Vaas 10-0-47-2, Perera 2-0-12-0, Fernando 6-1-25-0, Muralitharan 10-3-28-0, Dharmasena 10-0-36-1, Jayasuriya 5-0-22-0, Arnold 2.4-0-9-0.
PTI |
|
Bowlers won us the game: Dravid Colombo, July 28 “The bowlers won us the game today,” a visibly relieved Dravid said adding they did a great job in dismissing the Lankans for 183 after they had got off to a good start. The good work of the bowlers was complemented by the batting of VVS Laxman who “really batted beautifully in the middle”, Dravid, who made valuable 43 runs, said. “It was a good all-round performance from the guys...they showed a lot of character,” Dravid said praising the team effort which came out to the fore today. Dravid, who has captained India in two matches and won both of them, said he would be very willing to hand over the captaincy to Saurav Ganguly so that the latter may continue the winning run for India. India defeated Zimbabwe in a one-day match at Rajkot last year when Dravid was deputising for Ganguly. Dravid admitted it would be difficult to make it to the final but said India did have a mathematical chance. “It would be difficult but we have a mathematical chance. If any of the teams there slips up we’ll be right there,” he said optimistically. Man-of-the-match VVS Laxman said he was not under pressure as he had been batting well but just not being able to get the big scores. “Today I just wanted to hang in there and get the winning run which I thankfully managed to do,” Laxman, who got $500 for his match-winning unbeaten 87 run knock, said. While praising the bowlers for doing a great job in restricting the Lankans, Laxman said batting was not difficult on the “flat wicket where the ball was coming easily on to the bat”. Sri Lankan skipper Sanath Jayasuriya rued the fact that his batsmen could not get more runs on the board.
PTI Double standards: Shastri
Former Indian skipper and all-rounder Ravi Shastri on Saturday criticised match referee Cammie Smith for “adopting double standards’’ by imposing a suspension on captain Sourav Ganguly for showing dissent on an umpiring decision while “leaving scot-free’’ Australian middle-order batsman Michael Slater, whose protest in a recent Test match was even more aggressive. Shastri, commentating for the India-Sri Lanka league match in the triangular series being played at Colombo, described the one-match ban on Ganguly as “unfair’’ and compared it with the Slater incident in the February Test between India and Australia. To prove his point, Shastri showed the TV footage of the Slater incident in which the Australian player was seen arguing with umpire S. Venkatraghavan for turning down an appeal for a catch. Slater was also seen having a heated exchange of words with Rahul
Dravid, who was India’s vice-captain then. “Match referees should be consistent while imposing punishment on players,’’ Shastri noted. His fellow commentator and former England player Tony Greig, who is currently settled in Australia, agreed with Shastri’s views.
UNI |
|
Zaheer rushing to Chennai today Colombo, July 28 “If the scan is positive on the stress fracture, Khan will not be played as any further strain on his shin would be detrimental to the player,” a source in the team said . Cricket board secretary Jaywant Lele has been informed about the urgency of the scan, the source said. “Ajit Agarkar would play in his place, if Zaheer is ruled out for the remainder of the triangular series,” he said. Zaheer’s bone scan is likely to be done at the Ramachandra Medical College in Chennai, either tomorrow or on Monday and will reportedly return to Colombo before Tuesday morning. He performed well in today’s match against Sri Lanka claiming two wickets for 30 runs. The source said medium pacer Ashish Nehra and batsman V.V.S. Laxman would also return to India after the one-day series to have a check-up of their respective injuries. Nehra is nursing a groin injury while Laxman is suffering pain in his knees for which he will have to undergo a surgery. Laxman’s surgery will take at least four weeks to heal and he could be out of the three-Test series against the Lanka from August 14. Nehra, who was probably carrying the injury before Lankan tour, may be out of action for 2 months and may return home after the triangular series. PTI |
|
WI take 216-run lead Harare, July 28 The West Indies were dismissed for 347 late on day two to take a lead of 216, and Zimbabwe were 27 for one in their second innings at the close, still trailing by 189 runs. Zimbabwe were dealt a hammer blow in the last over of the day when Dion Ebrahim was adjudged caught behind off Colin Stuart for 12, television replays indicating that the ball struck his arm rather than the glove. Sarwan was a joy to watch, scoring freely through the off side with a series of flowing drives. He was eventually the victim of an error of judgement and a fine piece of fielding from 17 year-old debutant Hamilton Masakadza. SCOREBOARD Zimbabwe (Ist innings): 131 West Indies (Ist innings): Ganga c Taibu b Blignaut 43 Gayle lbw b B. Strang 6 Chanderpaul c Taibu b Streak 74 Sarwan run out 86 Hooper c Streak b B. Strang 39 Samuels c Campbell b Price 39 Browne c Taibu b Blignaut 13 McGarrell c sub b B. Strang 33 Stuart lbw b B. Strang 1 Black b Price 6 King not out 2 Extras (lb-2 nb-1 w-2) 5 Total: 347 FOW: 1/14, 2/114, 3/126, 4/180, 5/259, 6/283, 7/333, 8/338, 9/345. Bowling: Streak 22-6-75-1, B. Strang 32-13-83-4, Blignaut 16-2-92-2 (w-2), Price 35.2-13-81-2 (nb-1), G. Flower 6-3-14-0. Zimbabwe (IInd innings): Ebrahim c Browne b Stuart 12 Campbell not out 9 Extras: (lb-4 nb-2) 6 Total (for one wicket) 27 Bowling: King 3-1-3-0, Black 3-0-12-0 (nb-2), McGarrell 1-0-8-0, Stuart 0.3-0-0-1.
Reuters |
|
India qualify for World Cup Edinburgh, July 28 India, who failed to qualify for the semi-finals, defeated Canada 2-1 in the minor placings play-off. The top seven teams from this tournament would qualify for the World Cup. The win ensured India will finish in the top six. India will now fight for the fifth place with Japan who caused a major upset defeating New Zealand 1-0 by a golden goal. India pressured Canada right from the first minute and the efforts paid off in the fifth minute when Arjun Halappa broke into the Canadian circle and beat the goalkeeper with a beautiful reverse flick. Canada were dangerous on the break, especially their captain Rob Short who with Ronnie Jagday was cutting fast into the circle. Jude Menezes, the Indian goalkeeper had a hesitant start but later came off with some superb saves in the penalty corners and also in the last five minutes when Canadian deflections were flying all over the Indian goal. Canada had a heart-break in the 20th minute when after a build-up in the midfield Debreo crossed the ball which bounced off Jude. Ferguson picked up the rebound and unleashed a shot that struck the post to save India. Both the teams
concentrated on the midfield, probing slowly to attack. Time and again India threatened the Canadian defence and were also quick to fall back and defend. In the 43rd minute, Saini moved into the Canadian half, passed to Daljit Dhillon who found an overlapping Bipin Fernandez who converted with a superb shot as India led 2-0. Desperate for a goal, Canada attacked with five men upfront. Till the 44th minute, Canada had earned three penalty corners out of which two were saved by Jude. Between the 53rd and 57th minute, Canada forced four more penalty corners and finally struck through their seventh corner. The ball ricocheted off Jude’s pads and Rob Short banged it in from close range to reduce the margin for Canada at 1-2. With 10 minutes to go, India earned their first penalty corner of the match and soon afterwards had Baljit Singh Dhillon sent off for arguing with the umpire. In the last five minutes, Canada threw in
everything, with six players in the Indian circle but India held off and celebrated at the hooter as they qualified for the World Cup. In the tournament final, Spain take on Argentina while Poland will play Belgium for the bronze medal. The teams through to the World Cup are: Spain, Argentina, Poland, Belgium, India, Japan.
PTI |
|
Thorpe collects 6th gold Fukuoka (Japan), July 28 Yes and no. In one of the most dramatic races of the meet, the “Thorpedo” barely out-touched American Anthony Ervin at the end of the 400-metre medley relay. But then the Americans were disqualified anyway for an early takeoff by Ervin. It was their third disqualification in five relays so far. National team director Dennis Pursley acknowledged that Ervin jumped too soon. So instead of a .07-second victory over the Americans, the Aussies ended up with a nearly one-second edge over the silver medallist Germans. It capped a three-gold night for Australia, which led the pool standings with 11 golds in all to nine for the Americans with one day left. Thorpe became the first man in nine world championships to win six
golds. He ended up with three relay golds plus victories — and world records -in the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle races The USA salvaged some pride when Natalie Coughlin, recovered from shoulder problems that troubled her for two years, ended the backstroke winning streak of Romania’s Diana
Mocanu, beating her by 0.31 seconds over 100 metres. Mocanu had won both the 100 and 200 at the Olympics and the 200 here. The Aussie relay won in 3 minutes 35.35 seconds, beating the meet record of 3:37.56 set by an American quartet in morning heats, where neither Thorpe nor Ervin swam. In the latest sign of problems with the timing equipment, the results were not announced for several minutes after the race. Thorpe started 0.22 seconds ahead of Ervin, fell behind by 0.7 halfway through the leg, and then edged him at the end. Ervin had eclipsed a duel between Thorpe and Dutch swimmer Pieter van den Hoogenband by beating both for the gold medal at 100 metres freestyle final yesterday. But after today’s relay, he was lamenting, “I missed my turn completely. I made a mistake, so it’s all my fault.” Another American disqualification had been for listing the wrong swimmer in the
lineup. One still being debated was for what the timing equipment showed was an early start by one swimmer Wednesday in the women’s 800-meter freestyle relay. The Americans insisted that videotape showed a proper start. Today, they joined coaches from 13 other nations in denouncing
FINA, swimming’s world governing body, for the way it has handled timing problems. “Thousands and thousands of touches I’ve done in the training have paid off,” Thorpe said.
AP |
|
Greene, Jones go back into championship mode Edmonton (Canada), July 28 Edmonton might not be the most glamorous setting for a world championships — though it is a step up from the north London suburb of the same name — but it is not the sole reason why so many of the stars are missing. A mixture of injury, politics, retirements and post-Olympics blowout has accounted for Michael Johnson, Cathy Freeman, Noah Ngeny, Maksim Tarasov, Wilson Kipketer, Yury Borzakovsky, Irina Privalova, Darren Campbell and Katherine Merry while a failed drugs test has blown the chances of Russia’s world indoor 3000m champion Olga Yegorova. Needless to say France’s Greta Garbo of the track Marie-Jose Perec will also not be there. However, several athletes seeking redemption from previous disappointments, primarily Moroccan master Hicham El Guerrouj in the 1500m, perennial runner-up Ato Boldon in the sprints and British 400m runner Mark Richardson aiming for gold months after returning from a drugs ban. Revenge will be in the air too for America’s 1996 Olympic champion Allen Johnson as he tries to set aside the disappointment in finishing fourth in last year’s Sydney final behind Anier Garcia of Cuba and Austrian Stephanie Graf will try and lay to rest the championship hex ageless Mozambiquean Maria Mutola has over her in the 800m. While Michael Johnson may have decided to put his astonishing major championship record to rest after the Sydney Olympics his shadow will still hang over Edmonton as Greene and Richardson in particular seek to benefit from the goldenshoed legend’s absence. Greene, the self styled ‘Kansas Comet’, missed out on what would have been a mouthwatering 200m clash with Johnson in the Olympics after both crashed out of the US trials and the field this year has no one with a similar cachet. The 27-year-old 100m world recordholder, who is the reigning world 200m champion, will obviously have to watch out for the surprising Olympic champion Konstadinos Kederis but he should have enough gas in the tank despite having already competed through several rounds of the 100 to see him off while Boldon, the 1997 world champion over the distance, looks to be unable to break out of his training partner’s shadow. “I have had a long and tiring season but this has been my goal and if I am to really be remembered as the greatest sprinter of all time I have to land these titles,” Greene said. “Records are there to be broken but medals too are what also counts because they remain in your cabinet all your life .. They cannot be taken away,” he added. Jones has shown remarkable toughness to remain unbeaten this season after splitting with her disgraced shot-putting husband CJ Hunter, whose career all but ended when he tested positive several times last year. While the 25-year-old triple Olympic champion has been pushed hard this season in several of her 100m races particularly by Bahamian training partner Chandra Sturrup, the fading form of 200m world champion Inger Miller has made her path to the double she missed out on two years ago, when she collapsed on the track with back spasms in the 200 semifinals, that much easier. “I feel pretty good and while it is difficult to gee yourself up after an Olympics year I am a professional athlete and I am here to perform to my usual standards and that means winning the 100 and 200m titles,” she said.
AFP |
|
Afro-Asian Games: SAI told to draft New Delhi, July 28 The Indian Olympic Association (IOA), organiser of the games, has told the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to draft contingency plans as the September 30 deadline for completing the renovation work of the stadiums will not be extended, a top official said. “We have told the Sports Authority of India to draft contingency plans if rains slow down the renovation work of the stadiums or there is any other shortfall,” A.S.V. Prasad, convener of the Games Technical Conduct Committee (GTCC) and a director of the IOA, told IANS. “There will be no extension of the deadline under normal circumstances,” he said. About 2,600 athletes from 95 countries will vie for honors in eight disciplines — athletics, boxing, football, hockey, shooting, swimming, tennis and weightlifting. Some top SAI officials have been speaking in terms of an extension of the deadline in case rains disrupt renovation work, especially the complicated laying of the two athletic tracks at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and two hockey astroturfs at the National and the Shivaji stadiums. But Prasad said although the progress has been “good” so far, SAI, which is responsible for getting the infrastructure ready, has been told to draw plans to tackle the monsoon rains. “Since the laying of the synthetic track for athletics is a complex job, we have told them to make arrangements to cover the dug up area in case it starts raining during the process,” he explained. This is the second time since 1982 that the worn out 400-meter track is being completely replaced after the stadium was built in a record time for the ninth Asian Games. The old surface has been peeled off and the new track will land from Germany by the end of August. Scores of workers can be seen giving a new look to the showpiece stadium, which can accommodate 75,000 people. The plastic seats of the lower tier of the stadium are being replaced and even the grass on the football field is being shaved. The stadium will hold the football semi-finals and final, besides the track and field events. Prasad also expressed satisfaction on the progress of work at the other stadiums. But the roof of the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, where weightlifting events will take place, could pose problems in case it rains during the competition. During the World Cup badminton in 1983, the stadium roof leaked incessantly, throwing the schedule in a mess. The Karni Singh Ranges also need drastic improvement to meet the international standards for the shooting event. Electronic targets in the indoor arena and the air-conditioner have affected players in the past. For tennis, six new synthetic courts are coming up at the R.K. Khanna Stadium. “The stadium is okay,” remarked Prasad. “We visited all the stadiums on July 14 and will visit again on Monday and on August 4 to take stock of the work done.” There is an independent stadia committee, headed by former cricketer Kirti Azad, now a member of Parliament. Other members of the committee include representatives of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) as two of the three vice-presidents, former India hockey player Aslam Sher Khan, well-known woman mountaineer Bachendri Pal and chief engineers and joint secretaries of several government agencies. Most of the stadiums that will host the eight disciplines during the Games fall under various government bodies like the MCD, the NDMC and SAI. While the main task of the stadia committee is to supervise the day-to-day renovation work, the GTCC gives technical inputs. Prasad also said that all the athletes and officials accompanying them would be put up in five-star hotels. “This is 100 per cent sure,” he said. Taking into view the recent drugs controversy, the organizing committee wants no bad blood during the Games. The urine samples of athletes taken during the Games will be sent to an International Olympic Committee (IOC)-recognized laboratory outside the country. “A decision on this will be taken by August 18, when the meeting of the continental federations of Asia and Africa here,” said Prasad.
IANS |
|
Sonepat not ideal for SAI centre Chandigarh, July 28 Earlier the centre was housed in the female literacy building in Sector 42, then the UT Sports Department provided a little space to the SAI to have its office. Over the years it was seen that regional directors showed little or no concern in initiating the process for SAI to have its own office. Brigadier Jagat Jamwal was the first Regional Director, who was more inclined for the centre to be in Himachal Pradesh. Then came
G.S. Anand from NIS, Patiala, and T.C. Sharma, who made efforts to have the Sports Promotion Development Assistance
(SPDA), centre at Chandigarh. C. Mascarnesas, from Delhi, was the next director. He remained occupied otherwise, often visiting his family in Delhi. Suresh Harmilapi followed him. With his family also in Delhi, too showed little interest in the SAI having its own building. He once took the decision to shift the SAI office to PUDA Sports Complex opposite the PCA Stadium, SAS Nagar, but it did not materialise. P.C. Kashyap was the next in line and he shifted his family to Chandigarh. Despite his dynamism his relations with UT Administration turned sour. Like Mr
Harmilapi, Mr Kashyap made efforts to get land allotted at SAS Nagar, for which Mr S.S.
Dhindsa, the then Union Sports Minister, also showed a keen interest. After Mr
Dhindsa’ departure from the Sports Ministry interest in the proposal waned. Mr Kashyap too was transferred to Delhi. Jasbir Singh joined again in his place. He had a permanent base at Patiala as due to illness he expressed his inability to work from Chandigarh. Finally, Kunwar Rajender Singh, from Delhi, was appointed. Now with the new move to transfer the centre from Chandigarh to Sonepat, the SAI officials will have to travel from Dharamshala to Sonepat, a 13-hour journey. So more time and energy will be wasted in travelling instead of development of sports. Chandigarh is a central place and accessible to all the northern states. Sonepat is only half an hour distance by road from the corporate office at Delhi, so why go for a regional office at such a place. Sources view it as a political game plan to allot 80 acres of land at Sonepat, a move which has also been welcomed by Union Sports Minister, Ms Uma
Bharti. |
|
Capriati’s ranking improves Stanford (California), July 28 The American’s elevation in the standings comes following Wimbledon champion Venus Williams’ quarterfinal loss to Meghann Shaughnessy at the Bank of the West Classic. After failing to defend her Bank of the West title, Williams drops to No 3 in the rankings. Capriaiti, the reigning Australian and French Open champion, remains 1301 points behind world No 1 Martina Hingis but only has few points to defend in the coming months. The 25-year-old Capriati has a good chance of catching the slumping Swiss player by the US Open but she will be hoping to earn some ranking points before then at next week’s Acura Classic in San Diego. Lindsay Davenport, who plays a Bank of the West semifinal against Monica Seles on Saturday, will also pass Williams on Monday if she manages to win the title.
Reuters |
|
Shaughnessy rallies to upset Venus Stanford (California), July 28 “It never crossed my mind that I couldn’t win this match,’’ Shaughnessy told Reuters yesterday. “I was nervous, but I didn’t panic. I’ve learned in my career to keep fighting and good things will happen. I know that I can play on this level.’’ In other quarterfinal matches, second seed Lindsay Davenport easily despatched of unseeded German Jan Kandarr 6-3, 6-1, while third seed Kim Clijsters of Belgium overwhelmed American Chanda Rubin 6-3, 6-1. Shaughnessy will now play Kim Clijsters for a place in the final, while Davenport will face either Monica Seles or Lilian Osterloh. In what was the biggest win of her career, the No 5 seed used an all-court attack to dispose of the tournament’s top seed, who struggled with her serve and forehand for much of the contest. Shaughnessy’s strategy of mixing up speeds to Williams’ devastating backhand and jumping on her relatively weaker forehand paid off, as Williams was unable to seize control of the centre of the court and often looked confused as to which way her opponent was going with her flat groundstrokes. “I wanted to play aggressively because when she uncoils the ball there’s no way you are going to get it back,’’ she said. “I needed to control of the match, make sure I was attacking her second serves and make sure I served very well.’’
Reuters |
|
Gopichand upset in semis Jakarta, July 28 Yet to come into terms with the new scoring system which favours fast play, Gopichand lost in straight games 2-7 6-8 0-7. Mainaki will meet eighth seed Lee Tsuen Sang of Malaysia, who dumped top seed South Korean Lee Hyun II 7-5 7-5 7-4 in just 34 minutes in the final. In the women’s singles, Hong Kong’s top-seed Chen Wang beat Indonesian Cindana Hartono 5-7 7-3 7-1 7-2 in a game which lasted 56 minutes to book a final date with Ellen Angelina of Indonesia who won 7-4 7-3 8-6 over Lidya Djaelawijaya. The men’s doubles final will be an all-Indonesian affair as the top seeds Tony Gunawan/Halim Haryanto brushed aside fellow Indonesians Davis Efraim/Karel Mainaky 7-4 7-4 7-3 and take on fourth seeded Candra Wijaya/Sijit Budiarto. Wijaya and Budiarto beat Indonesian Reony Mainaky and Masafumi Hanada from Japan 7-3 7-4 8-6.
PTI |
|
Samuel badminton meet Chandigarh, July 28 According to Ms Geeta Aggarwal president of the CBPWA, the tournament carries a total prize money of Rs 1 lakh and will be held in under 13, under 16 and under 19 (both boys and girls) categorics besides for men and women. In the under 13 and men and women sections, only singles event will be played. The qualifying rounds will be played on August 15 at 9 am. State will be allowed to send, three entries per event in singles and one entry in doubles. The imported Chenmax brand shuttlecocks to be used. The invited players will be provided free board and lodging facilities. Entries close with Secretary, Chandigarh Badminton Players Welfare Association, at the Panjab University Sports Department (or fax-0172-544081) on August 7. |
|
Indian cagers finish 8th Shanghai, July 28 With skipper Parminder Singh once again coming up with a fine performance, scoring highest 26 points, India led 66-55 when the game entered the final 10 minutes. However a sally of 3-pointers by Yang Yu-Ming saw Taiwan bridging the gap to take the game. The score was tied at 79-79 at the buzzer. Eventually, Taiwan edged past India after a see-saw battle to win 92-90 and take the seventh spot in the championship. India’s S. Robinson scored 21 points with 15 rebounds. From Taiwan side Yang was the highest scorer with 25 points and Chen Chi-Chung scored 20.
PTI |
|
Ramesh held, shares lead Biel (Switzerland), July 28 IM Devaki Venkatramanan Prasad remained in hunt for his final GM norm with a quick draw against team-mate GM Abhijit Kunte. Both Prasad and Kunte have 3.5 points from their five outings. The only Indian player to lose today was double women GM norm holder Aarthie Ramaswamy who went down to Lichman Petr while IM Ponnuswamy Konguvel scored over Frauenfelder Rudolf. Ramesh came up with an opening surprise in the form of a Sveshnikov Sicilian that is in vogue these days. Playing black, Ramesh did not look in any difficulties at any stage even as Pavlovic ventured into less trodden paths in the middlegame.
PTI |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | In Spotlight | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 121 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
