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Tuesday,
September 2, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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Nalbandian, Agassi march on in Bhupathi-Suarez duo concedes tie President lauds Anju’s feat Rs 25 lakh cash award for Anju |
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Chandigarh eve Shruti beaten in ITF meet JCT outplay PSEB
in soccer league JCT basks in Vijayan’s glory Hockey tourney
at Amritsar Deepak, Sarika champions
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Nalbandian, Agassi march on in US Open
New York, September 1 The Swiss second seed downed American James Blake 6-3 7-6 (7/4) 6-3 here yesterday to book a fourth-round date tomorrow against 13th-seeded Nalbandian, who has a 4-0 ATP career record against Federer. “I’m really looking positive to this next match because it’s really time I beat him,” Federer said. “I have been very close a few times. I’ve got to change something about my game plan I guess. I’m ready to fight.” A pumped-up Andre Agassi polished off former world number one Yevgeny Kafelnikov 6-3 7-6 6-4 to reach the US Open fourth round. The top seed was yesterday followed into the winners’ circle by a restrained Andy Roddick, who this time let his tennis do all the talking in a brutal 6-1 6-3 6-3 demolition of Brazilian Flavio Saretta. But there was less for Americans to cheer about in the women’s draw as 17th seed Meghann Shaughnessy was walloped 6-2 6-4 by world number one Kim Clijsters. Belgian top seed Clijsters will next meet fifth seed Amelie Mauresmo of France, who overpowered Thai Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-2 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals. Earlier, third seed Lindsay Davenport became the first woman through to the quarters when she struggled past Russian Nadia Petrova 6-0 6-7 6-2. Davenport, the 1998 US Open champion, had a pain-killing injection in her toe before the season’s last grand slam, and she appeared to be moving gingerly towards the end of the one hour 52 minutes match. “It is what it is,” the American told reporters of the injury. “I still feel pretty good...was able to get through it.” Davenport will face Paola Suarez in the quarters. The 24th seed from Argentina beat Russian Elena Likhovtseva 6-2 3-6 7-5. Having been accused by Croatia’s Ivan Ljubicic of influencing linesmen with his animated behaviour in an emotionally-charged second-round clash, Roddick was subdued throughout his 87-minute match. His tennis certainly did not suffer, however, and he heads into the next match against Belgian Xavier Malisse a deserved favourite to win his first grand slam. “I didn’t need it,” he said, explaining why he had been subdued. “Just so happened that the other night I really needed it,” he added, referring to his on-court antics of pumping himself up. World number one Agassi barely put a foot wrong once his match, held over from Saturday night, resumed under cloudless skies with the American leading 6-3 0-1. Twice a winner at Flushing Meadows and three-times runner-up, including last year, the 33-year-old Agassi underlined his determination to win a ninth grand slam with a top-notch performance. His receiving radar will have to be fully functional in the next round, however, when he lines up opposite massive server Taylor Dent of the USA. Earlier, 22nd seed Younes El Aynaoui thrilled a Grandstand Court crowd with a pulsating 7-6 5-7 3-6 6-3 7-6 win over 10th-seeded Czech Jiri Novak. The delighted Moroccan ripped off his shirt and hurled his rackets into the crowd after clinching victory. El Aynaoui meets Spain’s Carlos Moya in the fourth round. “When I was watching tennis I would love to get a piece of a tennis player, a wristband or anything,” El Aynaoui said. “So I am always trying to give things away and make people happy...I’m trying to get some more rackets right now.” Spanish seventh seed Carlos Moya beat Chile’s Nicolas Massu 7-5 6-4 3-6 6-3. Dutch 12th seed Sjeng Schalken ousted Croatian qualifier Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (10/8) 7-6 (7/5) 7-6 (7/3) to book a fourth-round date with German eighth seed Rainer Schuettler. The Australian Open finalist beat Spain’s Alberto Martin 6-1 6-4 6-2. — AFP, Reuters
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Bhupathi-Suarez duo concedes tie
New York, September 1 There was mixed luck for India in the junior championships as Tara Iyer made it to the main draw while Karan Rastogi, Somdev Dev Varman and Sanaa Bhambri made their exit in the first round. Tara did well to come through two qualifying rounds, defeating Logan Hansen 6-3 6-1 in the first round and Lauren Albanese 6-1 1-6 6-3 in the second round, both the opponents being home favourites. She is up against another American, top seed Bethanie Mattek in the first round of the main draw. Dev Varman went down 7-6 (7/2) 6-7 (5/7) 5-7 to the 13th seed Frederico Gil of Portugal while Rastogi fell to Adam Fass of the USA 4-6 6-4 0-6. Sanaa Bhambri was forced to retired midway through the match due to a troubling left-elbow. She was trailing 2-6 0-3 against Volha Havartsova of Belarus, and would miss the doubles play too. Arun P. Rajagoplan, another qualifier in the boys’s singles, lost to Horacio Zeballos of Argentina 4-6 4-6. Divij Sharan and Sania Mirza are the Indian hopes remaining in the main draw. Sharan takes on 16th seed Hyun-Joon Sukn of Korea while Sania plays Lara Giltinan of Australia in the first round. Meanwhile, Sunil Kumar Sipaeya won the $10,000 Futures tournament in Tunisia when his opponent Patrickj Noblach of Germany retired hurt midway in the final yesterday. Sipaeya was leading 6-7 (2/7) 6-2 3-0 when his opponent retired hurt. Sipayea’s victory makes it a double for India in international circuit with Rohan Bopanna winning in Jakarta the same weekend. The last time an Indian won in international circuit was two years ago when Harsh Mankad won in Canada.
— PTI |
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President
lauds Anju’s feat
New Delhi, September 1 In his congratulatory message sent through the Indian Embassy in Paris, the President said: “Your achievement, I am sure is not only the fulfillment of a personal dream, but will also encourage many more of our athletes to dream of similar feats.’’ He hoped that it could be the first of many more laurels for the Kerala girl and for the country. “I am happy that your hard work and perseverance has borne fruits,” he observed. Earlier in the day, the Union Sports Minister Vikram Verma also sent his congratulatory message to Anju. Hailing Anju’s feat, the minister said she did India proud with her super showing. Mr Verma hoped that Anju’s performance would give a boost to Indian athletics. Twentysix-year-old long jumper Anju George claimed a bronze with a jump of 6.70m in the World Athletics Championship at Paris on Saturday. In a message to Anju, the minister said: “Warm congratulations on your brilliant performance in the World Athletic-Championship. The entire nation feels proud of your achievement. We are hopeful that this performance on your part will put Indian athletics to greater heights of excellence in the years to come.” Meanwhile, All-India Council of Sports (AICS) president Vijay Kumar Malhotra has also congratulated Anju George on her memorable feat. In a message to Anju, Mr Malhotra said that her tenacity, perseverance and dedication to sports has helped her reach the pinnacle of success and made us proud. “Her success will usher in a new era for Indian athletics. Her leap is India’s leap in world sports, it is another example in concerted efforts,’’ he added. He assured her of all the needed facilities and support by the government for her debut in the Athens Olympics.
— UNI |
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Rs 25 lakh cash award for Anju Chennai, September 1 The Chief Minister also announced a cash award of Rs 3.75 lakh to Anju’s husband and coach, Robert Bobby George. In a press release here, Jayalalithaa said she was extremely happy to read about Anju’s achievement, “the first-ever feat by an Indian in a world championship, which had done India and Tamil Nadu proud.” The Chief Minister recalled that the state government had earlier given a cash award of Rs 20 lakh to Anju when she won the gold medal at the Busan Asian Games in 2002 and another cash award of Rs 10 lakh when she won the bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, the same year. “This achievement at the world athletics championships has taken Indian athletics to a new high,” she said.
— PTI
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Johnson snatches gold for USA
Paris, September 1 Facing the grim prospect of finishing an Olympic Games or world championships for the first time without a gold in either sprint relay, the men’s team rose to the challenge. Weakened by the absence of Olympic champion Maurice Greene and world record holder Tim Montgomery, they trailed Britain on the second and third legs. On the anchor leg Johnson, a former college basketballer and American footballer who was on the victorious American team in Edmonton two years ago, showed his mental strength. He set off in chase of Chambers and overhauled the Briton just ahead of the line before leading the Americans on a victory lap. Johnson said he was always confident he could overtake Chambers. “I have caught Maurice Greene and he’s the fastest,” he said. “Things had to change and we are the new breed,” said lead-off runner John Capel. “We are here now and we are not going anywhere for a while.” American 100 champion Bernard Williams said the exchanges had been ragged. “But JJ has been known to walk down the likes of Maurice Greene and Tim Montgomery,” he said. A disconsolate Chambers said: “He did me on the line but at least I got a medal. It should have been gold.” The US women’s 4x400 relay team won a second gold and individual 400 champion Jerome Young anchored the men’s team to victory, holding off fast-finishing Frenchman Marc Raquil over the final metres. The USA finished top of the medals table with 10 golds ahead of Russia, who collected six. Ethiopia, the success story of the championships, were third with three gold and the Kenyan national anthem finally sounded in the Stade de France. The Ethiopians’ great African rivals had managed only a silver and a bronze before Sunday but picked up two golds on Sunday to finished equal seventh with South Africa. World junior cross country champion Eliud Kipchoge seized his moment to upstage Hicham El Guerrouj and Kenenisa Bekele and win the 5,000 metres in a championship record 12 minutes 53.12 seconds. El Guerrouj and Bekele had both been aiming for unprecedented world doubles. Moroccan El Guerrouj had already won the 1,500 and Bekele outsprinted his illustrious compatriot Haile Gebrselassie to win the 10,000 last weekend. Kipchoge, the second youngest Kenyan world champion, kicked from an already fierce pace in the straight to win a three-may battle. Former world marathon record holder Catherine Ndereba won Kenya’s first gold of the championships in the day’s opening event in a championships record two hours 23 minutes 55 seconds. Russian Tatyana Tomashova provided one of the upsets of the Paris festival when she overhauled European champion and gold medal favourite Sureyya Ayhan of Turkey to win the women’s world 1,500 metres title. — Reuters
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Chandigarh eve Shruti beaten in ITF meet
New Delhi, September 1 Suchanan overpowered Chandigarh-based Shruti Dhawan while conceding only seven games. The top seed won 6-3,6-4. Fourth seed Megha Vakharia outlasted Kamini Murugaboopat in one sided tie 6-2, 6-2. Isha Lakhani,seeded fifth, made short work of Arthi Venkataraman in a tie which was reduced to no contest. Isha blanked Arthi in the first set and lost one game in the second before emerging 6-0,6-1 winner. However, Arthi’s sister, Archana Venkatraman faced no problem as she thrashed Nghi Rana 6-1, 6-0. In other matches, Ankita Bhambri ousted spirited Preeti Rao 6-3, 7-6(3) Ragini Vimal accounted for Krushmi Chheda 6-3, 6-4. Sandhya Nagraj got past Parul Goswami 6-4, 6-4 and Sandri Gangotri overcame Vishika Chhetri in the only match of the day which lasted three sets. — UNI
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JCT outplay PSEB
in soccer league Chandigarh, September 1 PSEB retaliated with some good moves and their efforts bore fruit when Jatinder Singh scored the equaliser in the 30th minute. However, the superiority of JCT was hardly in doubt as the mill men once again forged ahead three minutes before half time. Five minutes into the second session, Nigarian striker Stephen Abarowei buttressed the lead by blasting home from close range making it 3-1 in favour of JCT. Maintaining constant pressure, JCT managed to consolidate the lead further when Charanjit Kumar bulged the net following an intelligent move in the 77th minute (4-1). The concluding match of the league will be played between JCT and Punjab Police at Phagwara on September 3 at 4.30 p.m., according to Arjuna, awardee Inder Singh, secretary of the Punjab Football Association.
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JCT basks in Vijayan’s glory Chandigarh, September 1 As soon as
Vijayan, accompanied by his wife, alighted from the Shatabdi Express at the Phagwara railway station around 9 pm, he was profusely garlanded by an enthusiastic crowd that included Arjuna awardee Inder Singh, former national coach Sukhwinder Singh, ex-internationals Jagir Singh and Deepak Kumar , and former national wrestling coach PR
Sondhi. Former Asian star and 'footballer of the decade' Parminder Singh along with JCT's Ghanian goalkeeper Mansuru Mohammed also accompanied Vijayan from New Delhi. " It's a great feeling. Since I am the first footballer from Kerala to receive the Arjuna Award, it is all the more satisfying," said Vijayan while talking to The Tribune from Phagwara tonight. It is Vijayan's second stint with JCT after the title win in the National Football League in 1996. Earlier he played for Kerala Police, Mohun
Bagan, FC Kochin, and East Bengal. In 1993, 1997 and 1999 Vijayan was adjudged the best player. He holds the unique record of scoring the fastest international goal against Bhutan at the SAF Games in 1999 when he bulged the net in 12 seconds. Also known as 'Black Pearl' , Vijayan also shot a Malayalam film in 2000. He made his international debut in 1989. |
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Hockey tourney
at Amritsar Amritsar, September 1 The tournament will be played on the Astro-Turf ground of Guru Nanak Dev University. Hockey star and captain of Indian hockey team, Dhanraj Pillay will be the guest of honour on the inaugural day, according to the chairman of Amritsar Hockey Club, Dr Shivinder Singh Sandhu. Some of the prominent teams scheduled to take part in the tournament are Tamil Nadu, Bengal, Punjab and Sind Bank, Punjab National Bank, Punjab Police, Jammu and Kashmir, Sports Authority of India Bangalore, SAI Ranchi and Surjit Academy Jalandhar. Dr Sandhu said for the smooth conduct of the tournament the Indian Hockey Federation had made Mr Charanjit Singh Raheja the tournament director and hockey olympian Balwinder Singh Shammi teachnical chairman. |
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Deepak, Sarika champions Chandigarh, Sept 1 Sarika of Bhiwani emerged at the top scoring 42 points in girls section. She pushed down the order former champions Yashoda (Jind) and Mandeep Kaur (Yamunanagar). Mr Bharat Bhushan Goyal, General Secretary, Vaish Education Society, distributed the prizes to the winners. The results: Senior boys-1/Deepak (54.5 pt), Yamunanagar, 2 Pawan (40 pt) Rohtak, 3 Nardev Singh (39.5 pt) Yamunanagar, 3 Yashoda (33.5 pt.) Jind. |
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Chennai, September 1
Video
