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Wednesday,
August 28, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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Serena struggles, Agassi cruises
Extra motivation for Agassi US Open loses glitz and glamour |
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Expert comments: Ian
Botham Nasser Hussain & Co rattled to the core Punjab honours Manchester heroes
Vijay is Hero Honda Golfer of the Month Padukone: scope for improvement Top athletes for circuit meet
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Serena struggles, Agassi cruises
New York, August 27 The Wimbledon and French Open champion ousted leukemia conqueror Corina Morariu 6-2, 6-3 here yesterday at Arthur Ashe Stadium following a ceremony to honour police, firefighters and rescue workers from the September 11 terrorist attacks. Williams had no complaints about a knee injury that bothered her earlier this month, saying, “it’s feeling Ok, nothing to complain about” but admitted she felt “very rusty” and was disappointed in her 32 unforced errors. “I was lucky to get through the way I played,” she said. “I was a little bit rusty. A win is a win. I have to forget about it and go on to the next round.” Men’s sixth seed Andre Agassi showed top form in a 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 romp over fellow American Robby Ginepri while fourth seed Yevgeny Kafelnikov of Russia and French Open champion Albert Costa of Spain, the eighth seed, also advanced. Patriotic songs and a standing ovation for a flag that US troops raised in Afghanistan highlighted the emotional salute to ground zero heroes from last year’s World Trade Center collapse of the Twin Towers.
“It was touching,” Agassi said. “How do you not be affected and how do you not be reminded of all the reasons we fight so hard for freedom? It’s always emotional when you have a ceremony for all we stand for. “Seeing what happened here a year ago, it makes it easy to go out there and lay your heart on the line.” Williams was caught up in the night’s emotions for Morariu, who battled back after being diagnosed with blood cancer 15 months ago. Russia’s Dinara Safina, the younger sister of 2001 US Open men’s winner Marat Safin, is next for Williams, who beat her sister Venus in the Wimbledon and French Open finals and could meet her in the final here for the second year in a row. “Even though they are one and two right now, I think there are a lot of players who can beat them,” said fifth seed Jelena Dokic. “I’m definitely not going to be the one to say they are impossible to beat.” Dokic, Lindsay Davenport and Justine Henin all advanced with ease and sent an early message that the path to another all-Williams final will be a difficult one. Yugoslavia’s Dokic routed Germany’s Greta Arn 6-2, 6-2. Some look upon Davenport as the best hope to prevent the fourth all-Williams women’s final in the past five Grand Slams. Thailand’s Tamarine Tanasugarn defeated Germany’s Barbara Rittner 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-2 and booked a second-round date with American wild card Bea Bielek. The winner could face Henin in the third round. Fourth seed Kafelnikov beat Italy’s Davide Sanguinetti 6-2, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 while Costa beat Sweden’s Magnus Norman 6-2, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Costa next faces South Africa’s Wayne Ferreira, who defeated Czech Jan Vacek 6-3, 6-4, 7-5. AFP
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Amazing comeback by Morariu
New York, August 27 It was in May 2001 that Morariu was diagnosed with acute promyelocitic leukaemia, and then suffered an adverse breathing reaction to the chemotherapy and almost died. After being ranked as the world’s best doubles player, after winning the 2000 Wimbledon doubles title with Lindsay Davenport and just a few months after the pair reached the Australian Open doubles final and she won the mixed doubles title with Ellis Ferreira, her life hung in the balance. “At this time last year I think I was getting ready to leave,’’ Morariu said yesterday, choking back tears after her brave 6-2 6-3 defeat to Serena Williams. “I didn’t think I’d ever be back here. There are days when you feel so bad and things get so difficult that you don’t think you’re going to be able to do the things you used to be able to do. “So for me to be back here and play tonight, it was obviously very emotional and a really special feeling. Obviously, I think I would have liked a better draw in my first Grand Slam back. I’m not going to lie to you about that.’’ Recuperation was slow, but Morariu was helped by the constant stream of goodwill messages and calls from many of her fellow players. Slowly, helped by her neurologist father Albin — who was the personal surgeon to Pete Sampras’s former coach Tim Gullikson — she recovered and prepared to return to the WTA Tour. Once she pulled through the worst of her ordeal, Morariu gave serious consideration to whether she could ever compete again. “I wrestled with it for a little while,” she admitted. “When you have a hard time walking up the stairs in your house it’s tough to imagine that you’re ever going to be able to play or compete with Serena Williams.” But it was fitting that she should face Williams in the first grand slam of her return. Serena was one of many players who offered Corina some much-needed support during her darkest moments. “She’s been amazing the whole time I’ve been sick,’’ said Morariu. “Phone calls... she sent things... We talked in LA when I saw her first a few weeks ago (when Corina played the first singles match of her return). She’s been very supportive and she said a couple of words after the match.’’ Although the worst is over and Morariu has regained the weight she lost and re-grown her hair, she is still undergoing treatment. “I’m on oral chemotherapy. I take that every day,’’ she said. “I have to get a blood test every month, then a bone marrow test every three months. “The bone marrow is probably the most unpleasant thing I have to go through. I had one last week, which was probably not the best timing but I didn’t have much of a choice. “I got the results back before I went on the court and the cancer is still in remission, so that was the best reason to celebrate today.’’ Reuters
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Extra motivation for Agassi New York, August 27 “It’s a big honour for me,” twice champion Agassi said yesterday after opening the men’s night session following a tribute to those killed in the September 11 attacks last year. One of the two American flags recovered from the remains of the Twin Towers was carried into the stadium in an emotional scene amid members of the New York police and fire departments. “When I got that call to go out there and open up the night session, it sent shivers up my spine. There’s no other place I’d rather be,” said Agassi after his 6-3 6-3 6-3 first-round victory over fellow American Robby Ginepri. “Being in New York, it’s pretty overwhelming for I think many people who come here now. I’ve always appreciated the heart and the spirit of New Yorkers. I think what they’ve lived through in the last year has been a clear reflection of that heart and of that spirit.
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US Open loses glitz and glamour
New York, August 27 Kournikova, wearing a midriff-baring white and blue outfit, drew the usual screams of approval from a sizeable crowd when she arrived on the Louis Armstrong court. But 44 minutes later the Russian was jeered through the exit doors following an embarrassing 6-3 6-0 defeat by 17-year-old Indonesian Angelique Widjaja. It was Kournikova’s first ever opening-round loss at the U.S. Open since making her Flushing Meadows debut in 1996. Earlier, Harkleroad, another paparazzi favourite billed as “America’s Kournikova”, was unceremoniously dispatched 6-3 6-2 by former French Open champion Iva Majoli. “It’s disappointing,” said Kournikova. “I just didn’t play well. I just wasn’t in the match for some reason. “I’m disappointed in myself that I didn’t give myself a good show. I don’t think it was a pretty match for anyone.” “Just 17 and easing her way into the WTA Tour, the blonde Harkleroad has had some good results. While Kournikova continues to bank millions of dollars in endorsements while searching for her first career title, Harkleroad, who regularly travels to New York for modelling assignments, is developing a winning attitude on the court to compliment her good looks. She recently showed her promise by following up a victory over world number 36 Rita Grande in San Diego by winning an ITF event in New York. Add a runner-up finish at another recent ITF tournament, mix in a final appearance at this year’s French Open junior event and a Wimbledon junior doubles title in 2001, and the signs are that Harkleroad should hit the headlines for her on-court achievements. “I do some shoots and enjoy that a lot,” said Harkleroad, who rejects the comparisons with Kournikova. ‘’It’s fun to do something different besides tennis and to have something else going on. “I don’t think about it too much when people talk about my looks, and just take it as a compliment and kind of live on.” Reuters
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Srichaphan’s plans New York, August 27 Srichaphan is set to begin play tomorrow here at the US Open against wild card American Prakash
Amritraj. AFP |
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Expert comments: Ian Botham A truly magnificent performance from India proved experts like me wrong at Headingley. As many as five Indian players were in contention for the Man of the Match award, and that is an indication that almost half the team played stellar roles in the win while the rest provided excellent support. Cricket will always be a team sport and nine times out of ten, a team rather than an individual wins the game. This was a team that was grappling with the ICC and the Indian board till the eve of the Test. But as I had said before the Test, these guys are pros, who would not let off field matters affect their game. Make no mistake, however, that the Indian cause was helped to a large extent by mystifying selection by the hosts. I’m afraid I don’t understand why Stephen Harmison was left out of the squad after an impressive performance on debut in Trent Bridge. Harmison and Matthew Hoggard had been the most impressive bowlers in the second Test, and to drop the former was a major blunder. Another mistake the selectors made was playing a half-fit Andrew Flintoff. They must stop treating Flintoff as a full-fledged all-rounder. At this stage in his career he is a bowler who can bat a bit. The odd chancy 50 does not make him a better bat than, say Tudor. Flintoff should have been left out of this Test to have his hernia operation and get as much rest as possible before the Ashes series. Thanks to these mistakes the England bowling attack looked stereotyped, lacked extra pace and was completely ineffective. This was particularly unfortunate because the conditions were favouring the bowlers on the first day. Almost all of them bowled disgracefully, and hitting the wrong line was the only thing they were consistent in. In effect England gave away 600 runs for three wickets. The wickets India lost on the third morning did not count for much since the batsmen were slogging. Even if England did bowl badly, no credit must be taken from Sanjay Bangar and Rahul Dravid for surviving the first two sessions of the Test in conditions that are pretty alien to any visiting side. Dravid was magnificent in his concentration, determination and shot selection. It was a superb, chanceless Test innings where he never played a false stroke or let his concentration lapse even when the ball beat the bat. The Channel Four commentators were unanimous that it was his knock that paved the way for the attacking innings from Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly. Tendulkar’s was also a masterful mix of aggression and caution, and it was incredible to see how both he and Ganguly upped the tempo effortlessly on the second evening. Ganguly was extremely brave to choose to carry on even after light was offered to him. Their positive approach saw 89 runs being added in eight overs thanks to some awesome batting. The Indians also got their selection bang on this time. Playing Sanjay Bangar was an excellent move since he provided a bowling option besides opening the innings. His knock of 68 will be underrated since it was followed by three centuries. But other than dropping Alec Stewart first ball off Zaheer Khan, Bangar did not make a single mistake in the whole Test. In fact, he took two crucial wickets in the second innings. India also benefited from playing their spinners, Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh together. Both took wickets even in conditions where seamers are traditionally known to have the upper hand. They were superbly supported by Zaheer Khan, who did not have much luck in this Test. India snatched the momentum from England on the last day of the Trent Bridge Test and since then, they have been a magical side. England have some selection worries, and will be hoping to get Trescothick back and might even be right in replacing an off-colour Ashely Giles with Richard Dawson. It is now the hosts who have all the thinking and the catching up to do. (Gameplan)
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Nasser Hussain & Co rattled to the core
Leeds (England), August 27 The skipper did not say it but his concern was there, hanging heavily between the lines. Keen not to sift through the Headingley wreckage for long, Hussain threw things forward to the deciding Test at The Oval. “India will be under pressure,” he suggested optimistically after his side had been annihilated by an innings and 46 runs. “They will be desperate to win. They have to make history in that last game. I’m sure they’ll have some butterflies.” As mind games go, this was pretty weak fare. Saurav Ganguly, looking to lead India to their first series win outside the sub-continent since 1986, seemed almost amused by the butterfly threat. “We’re under pressure to win away and we are under pressure to win at home,” he said with a smile. “Pressure is good.” Ganguly’s India are also good. Almost perfect at the moment, in fact, according to Hussain. The front-line batting, regarded by many as the most powerful in world cricket, had fired at last in saving the second Test at Trent Bridge, the scorecard emphatically reading; “Rahul Dravid 115, Sachin Tendulkar 92, Saurav Ganguly 99”. Headingley was even more impressive — “Rahul Dravid 148, Sachin Tendulkar 193, Saurav Ganguly 128” — as India amassed 628 for eight, their highest total ever in enemy territory, on their way to levelling the series. The bowlers, though, have been as instrumental in turning the team’s fortunes around. Anil Kumble led the way with seven wickets in the third test, his spinning sidekick Harbhajan Singh contributing four. The seamers also chipped in at key points, with fast bowler Zaheer Khan approaching 90 mph, while all-rounder Sanjay Bangar had a fine game with bat and ball. After Lord’s, Ganguly wore the frown. Now it is Hussain’s turn to grapple with mounting problems. There had been an upsurge in home confidence after the opening game, which England strolled by 170 runs. Matthew Hoggard, standing in for the injured Darren Gough as the main man, was exemplary in taking seven wickets. Andrew Flintoff offered useful support and debutant Simon Jones was frighteningly quick on a wicket perfect for batting. Hoggard, supported by the towering Steve Harmison, was almost as good in the first innings at Trent Bridge. Since then, though, the bowlers have sprayed off the radar, despite traditionally helpful English conditions so suited to swing. Even the Indian batsmen admitted they could not believe they had scored more than 600 at Headingley. Hussain will spend the next 10 days huddled with his bowlers as they seek a solution. “The ball was swinging around, we haven’t got our length right,” he lamented on Monday. “When they tried to go full they got floaty and bowled leg side.” Hoggard, with 11 wickets at just over 22 runs apiece in the first three innings of the series, has taken just two more at 105 each. Flintoff, meanwhile, has taken one for 95 and one for 68 before succumbing to a groin injury. Perhaps, suggested England’s captain, they had not managed to compensate after performing so well on flatter wickets on their most recent tours. Or perhaps Ganguly and Co have now got his measure. More worrying still for England, The Oval will be perfectly suited to India’s world-class spinners. If they managed 11 between them in swinging conditions, what will they make of Surrey’s high-bouncing home ground, where the wickets are tailored for their overseas player Saqlain Mushtaq? Hussain was right in suggesting that England, having beaten Sri Lanka earlier in their summer with a string of major scores, were due a fall. “Something like this was always going to happen,” he said. “India are a fine, fine side. They were going to click at some stage and they clicked here.” “Whatever we do first up at The Oval will be the key. We have got to dent their confidence.” He is right. But it will take more than butterflies to achieve it. Reuters
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Punjab honours Manchester heroes Chandigarh, August 27 Although rain tended to play spoilsport forcing the authorities to shift the venue from the sprawling residence of the Chief Minister to Punjab Bhavan, it hardly was an impediment to the brief but impressive ceremony. Present on the occasion were nine medallists of the state whose heroics at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games will inspire future generations. They were star shooter and Olympian Abhinav Bindra (gold medallist), who was recently selected for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award; Manjinder Kaur and Amandeep Kaur, members of the gold-medal winning women's hockey team; wrestlers Palwinder Cheema and Krishan Kumar(gold medallists);
weightlifter Vicky Batta(one silver,one bronze); star athlete Neelam J.Singh(silver); woman weightlifter Sunaina(three bronze); and judoka Bhupinder Singh(bronze medallist). The gold medallists received Rs 7 lakh, silver medallists Rs 5 lakh, and bronze medallists Rs 3 lakh, respectively. Flanked by his Cabinet colleagues, including Minister for Sports Jagmohan Singh Kang, Mr Lal Singh, Chaudhary Jagjit Singh, Mr Avtar Henry and Mr MS Kaypee, Capt Amarinder Singh handed over cheques to the winners. He recalled his family's association with sports and said sports ran in his blood. " My grandfather, father, and uncle remained closely associated with sports. Hence my love for sports was but natural," he said. The Chief Minister said in the past there were as many as nine Punjab players in the national hockey team but subsequently the number dwindled which was a cause for concern. Nevertheless, the women's hockey team revived memories of the golden era with the sterling performance at Manchester. Recalled Manjinder, a key member of the team: "The final was tension-ridden as the golden goal by Mamta Kharab was refered to the jury. It was after an anxious wait of nearly one hour that we came to now that we had won. Though it was a great feeling, the delayed result robbed it of charm, something we had experienced in the earlier victories." Amandeep Kaur, another member of the team, recalled the night-long celebrations. "We hardly slept that night. A Pakistani fan, Mian Moh, invited us to dinner and we danced well past midnight. A few hours later we were on our way to Heathrow Airport for our journey back home," she recalled. Wrestler Palwinder Cheema, an Inspector with Punjab Police, said after his earlier victories, his fans were expecting him to win the final in the 120 kg at Manchester. " August 3,2002, will remain etched in my memory. It was about 9 pm and I took only four-and-a-half minutes to floor my opponent, a Canadian," recalled the 6'5" tall wrestler whose father Sukhchain Cheema was himself a renowned grappler having participated in the Tehran Asian Games. The other medallists echoed similar feelings. The sight of the Tricolour and hearing the National Anthem on foreign soil is a totally different experience, they said. Among those honoured today were coaches RS Kundu,Col JS Dhillon, Mr Sukhchain
Cheema, Mr Mohan Singh,Mr HS Sandhu, Mr Narinder Singh,Mr GS Bhangu, Mr
Inderjeet Singh, and Nr Jaswant Singh besides Mr Kartar Singh. However, Rupa Saini, manager of the women's hockey team was not present and inquiries revealed that she was not informed. |
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Vijay is Hero Honda Golfer of the Month
New Delhi, August 28 The Golfer of the Month award has been instituted by Hero Honda Motors Ltd, and is aimed at acknowledging excellence by an Indian golfer. After a none-too-impressive 2001-02 season, in which he just won one title on the domestic circuit apart from winning the Indian Open, an Asian PGA Tour event, Vijay is currently second in the Order of Merit with two victories — Hero Honda South and TNGF Open- with earnings of Rs 3.46 lakh. Vijay started the season tied for the 16th place in the Royal Springs Open. He won the Hero Honda South in Bangalore by one stroke and the TNGF Open in Chennai by three strokes. The 33-year-old pulled out of last weeks Color Plus Open. This is Vijay’s second Hero Honda Golfer of the Month award. Earlier, he won the award in March for his triumph in the Indian Open. Digvijay Singh, who won the other two events this season — the Royal Springs Open and the Color Plus Open — won the award for the month of July. UNI
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Padukone: scope for improvement Bangalore, August 27 In a statement here, Padukone said they have made every effort to be fair in nominations for the award while working within the guidelines. As per the guidelines, only those sportspersons, who have forwarded their applications through national federations/IOA/state/governments within the prescribed date, have been considered for the award.
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Top athletes for circuit meet Ludhiana, August 27 This meet will act as final trials for the athletes seeking a berth in the national squad for the forthcoming Asian Games slated to be held at Busan (Korea) in the last week of September. Former national coach Mr Joginder Singh Saini, competition director for this meet, informed during a press conference today that events would be held in 100 m,200 m,400 m and 1500 m, shot put, discus throw, javelin throw and hammer throw in the men’s group while women athletes would compete in 100 m, 200 m, 400 m, 1500 m, javelin, discus and hammer throw events. And 4x100m relay races would be held in men’s as well as women’s is sections. Mr Nahar Singh Gill, Mayor, Ludhiana, will inaugurate the meet at 4.15 pm and Mr Rajdeep Singh Gill, ADGP, Punjab and President, Punjab Basketball Association will preside over the inaugural function. |
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New York, August 27
New York, August 27
