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Safin outplays Hewitt to win title
Draper-Stosur lift mixed doubles title
Youhana, Razzaq star in Pakistan victory
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Pakistan team concerned over damaged areas
England win rain-hit
one-dayer
Gloster likely to replace Andrew
Bruce Elliot on panel for
Harbhajan
Indian colts crush England
IHF is a united family: Gill
IHF scouting for foreign coach
Chandigarh Dynamos annex trophy
Warriors surrender to Sultans
Govt forms panels for Commonwealth Games
Sippy, Deepam best shooters
Bank sports meet begins
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Safin outplays Hewitt to win title
Melbourne, January 30 Runner-up here in 2002 and 2004, Safin hugged third seed Hewitt and raised his arms in triumph after crashing an unreturnable serve on the final point. Hewitt, winner at Wimbledon in 2002 and the US Open in 2001, has now lost the last two Grand Slam finals after he was beaten by world number one Roger Federer in the US Open last year. The disappointed Australian, however, will rise to number two in the world after reaching his first home final. Safin had got off to a slow and nervous start but changed the course of the match in a drama-charged third set, when he staged a stunning comeback after being down 3-0 to Hewitt, who was buoyed by his home crowd on Rod Laver Arena centre court. Safin had two chances to break Hewitt’s serve in the first game of the third set but Hewitt saved both break points and then held his own serve after the Russian made two sloppy errors in a game which typified the early stages of the match. Hewitt, in turn, broke Safin in a controversial second game of the third set. He set up his first chance when he outfought Safin in a long rally and then hit a forehand winner when Safin failed to put away a smash. The tenacious Australian exploded in anger when, at deuce, a Safin forehand on the line was called out by a baseline judge but the call was over-ruled by chair umpire Carlos Ramos, who ordered the point to be replayed. “Don’t be a hero here, mate,” Hewitt said to Ramos. Hewitt seemed to be spurred on by the incident and broke Safin, who put a forehand wide at deuce. Hewitt then got a lucky break when he blocked a half-volley past the stranded Safin. Safin in turn became enraged with his own game and slammed his racket into the court as Hewitt held serve for a 3-0 lead. Safin then called for a trainer at the change of ends to massage his thighs. He, in turn, got angry over a corrected line call in the next game, arguing with Ramos in Spanish. Hewitt desperately scrambled to save a break point in the sixth game but Ramos gave him a code violation for
unsportsman like conduct when the Australian aggressively pointed his finger at a baseline judge after hitting a forehand winner to get back to deuce. Safin eventually broke Hewitt when he crunched a backhand winner down the line. After the point, he argued again with Ramos, who warned both players they risked a point penalty if there were any further outbursts. In a remarkable turnaround, Safin then broke Hewitt again in the ninth game for a 5-4 lead when Hewitt served a double fault on Safin’s second break point. The Russian had his big serve back on track and wrapped up the set in just under an hour, with Hewitt calling for his thighs to be massaged at the end of the set. Safin served 17 of his 18 aces in the last three sets and by the fourth set he was winning most of the long rallies that Hewitt had dominated in the first set. Safin grabbed the decisive break of serve in the first game of the fourth set when, during a 30-shot rally, he drew Hewitt to the net and whipped a backhand past his 23-year-old opponent. Safin beat world number one Roger Federer on his 25th birthday to reach the final in a match being hailed as probably the greatest ever played at Melbourne Park.
That win had been sweet revenge for Safin after he was beaten by Federer in last year’s final.
— Reuters |
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Safin praises coach
Melbourne, January 30 The 25-year-old Russian fourth seed won 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in 2hrs 45min to add the Australian title to the 2000 US Open crown when he beat Pete Sampras in straight sets. Safin, whose earlier tennis had been blighted by erratic mood swings, lauded his Swedish mentor who teamed up with him in May last year after he parted company with world number one Roger Federer at the end of 2003. "He really has made me believe in myself," Safin said. "I never believed in myself before at all, until I started to work with him. "It took us a little bit longer time than usual to come up with results. But it went right, it went in the right way. — AFP
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Draper-Stosur lift mixed doubles title
Melbourne, January 30 It was the Australian combination’s first mixed doubles tournament together after receiving a wild card from organisers.
Stosur was scheduled to play with another player, who withdrew on the eve of the tournament. “I thought of Scott and I’m really glad he said yes,” said Stosur. Draper, also a professional golfer, had to juggle sports over the past four days, playing in his first pro golf event on Friday morning and winning his mixed doubles semifinal in the afternoon. He missed the cut in the Victoria Open after shooting an opening 79. The third round finished today — as the mixed doubles championship was being decided. Draper, who qualified for his Australasian PGA Tour card last December, is hoping for a start in next week’s Heineken Classic at nearby Royal Melbourne, but may have to qualify tomorrow. Ernie Els, Greg Norman, Colin Montgomerie and Adam Scott are
entered at Royal Melbourne. Draper said it was a great week. “It’s been interesting,” said Draper. “We’ve got a Grand Slam title now and no one can take that away from us.” Yesterday, Ullyett and Wayne Black won their second Grand Slam doubles title, defeating Americans Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan 6-4, 6-4. Meanwhile, American Donald Young became the youngest junior to win a Grand Slam title after defeating first seed Kim Sun-Yong of South Korea to win the Australian Open here today. The second seed despatched the Korean 6-2, 6-4 in only 1hr, 11min to claim his first Grand Slam victory. Aged only 15 years, 191 days he now becomes the youngest number one in the history of junior world rankings.
— AP, AFP |
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Youhana, Razzaq star in Pakistan victory
Perth, January 30 Michael Clarke smashed an unbeaten 75 off 75 balls and Adam Gilchrist belted 47 to help Australia to 265 from their 50 overs. Pakistan play the West Indies in Perth on Tuesday in the final group match of the tournament with the winner joining Australia in next week’s best-of-three finals. Scoreboard Australia Gilchrist b Razzaq 47 Hayden c Afridi b Rana 6 Ponting b Razzaq 29 Martyn c Malik b Afridi 24 Clarke not out 76 Symonds c Malik b Afridi 23 Katich c Younis b Kalil 0 Hogg c Younis b Kalil 10 Lee c Kalil b Razzaq 22 Gillespie c Younis b Razzaq 4 McGrath b Rana 0 Extras:
(b-1, lb-4, w-16, nb-3) 24 Total: (all out, 50 overs) 265 Fall of wickets:
1-30, 2-63, 3-111, 4-113, 5-164, 6-167, 7-192, 8-246, 9-251. Bowling:
Rana 10-0-50-2, Anjum 10-0-57-0, Razzaq 10-0-53-4, Kalil 10-0-55-2, Afridi 10-0-45-2. Pakistan Butt c Gillespie b McGrath 20 Hameed c Symonds b Lee 12 Younis c Martyn b McGrath 6 Youhana c Katich b Symonds 72 Haq lbw b Hogg 29 Malik run out 1 Razzaq not out 63 Afridi c Lee b Symonds 30 Rana not out 20 Extras
(lb-7, w-6, nb-2) 15 Total (7 wickets, 47.2 overs) 268 Fall of wickets:
1-27, 2-41, 3-49, 4-123, 5-125, 6-170, 7-223. Bowling: Lee 9.2-0-63-1, McGrath 9-2-27-2, Gillespie 10-1-35-0, Hogg 10-0-71-1, Symonds 9-0-65-2.
— Reuters |
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Pakistan team concerned over damaged areas
Kanpur, January 30 The PCB team, comprising the Board's General Manager-Operations, Zakir Khan, and Special Superintendent of Police Sohail Khan, inspected the stadium, including the galleries and the dressing rooms. After inspection, Zakir Khan said the team was concerned with the damaged conditions of student and public galleries and also the boundary walls. Zakir said the responsibility of the smooth conduct of the match was with the "local administration". "It is the responsibility of the local administration to ensure that no untoward incident happened. If any thing happens, people maybe injured or other incidents could take place," Zakir said. The PCB officials, on a week-long tour to assess the venues and the security measures for the three-Test and five-ODI series beginning on February 25, were accompanied by BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla and Treasurer Jyoti Bajpayee. Officials of the district administration and the stadium were also present. Shukla, also a Member of Parliament, urged the state government to speed up the repair work of the damaged sections of the stadium and complete the job in time. He said the BCCI and the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association would extend full support in the hosting of the match but the stadium was to be looked after by the state
government.— PTI |
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England win rain-hit one-dayer
Johannesburg, January 30 After South Africa had struggled to 175 for nine in their 50 overs, England had reached 103 for three when the Wanderers outfield was swamped by heavy showers. Captain Michael Vaughan, on 44 not out, and Kevin Pietersen, on 22, were busy guiding England to victory after they had slipped to 44 for three in the 12th over. The teams walked off the field at 4.05 p.m. local time and play was officially called off just under 90 minutes later. England had earlier won the toss and sent South Africa in to bat. Wickets fell regularly as South Africa slumped to 90 for seven before the experienced duo of Shaun Pollock (37) and Nicky Boje (33) boosted the innings with an eighth-wicket stand of 58. Slow left-armer Ashley Giles picked up three lower-order wickets. Pacemen Darren Gough, Matthew Hoggard and Kabir Ali took two wickets each to get rid of the top-order. The second one-day international in the seven-match series is in Bloemfontein on Wednesday. England won the Test series 2-1. Scoreboard South Africa: Smith c Strauss b Gough 1 Gibbs c Pietersen b Hoggard 2 Kallis c G.Jones b Ali 5 Bacher b Hoggard 4 Prince lbw b Ali 22 Kemp c Bell b Giles 24 Boucher b Giles 17 Pollock c Vaughan b Giles 37 Boje b Gough 33 Ntini not out 10 Nel not out 1 Extras (b-3 lb-11 nb-1 w-4) 19 Total (9 wickets, 50 overs) 175 Fall of wickets: 1-3 2-5 3-19 4-41 5-49 6-83 7-90 8-148 9-170 Bowling: Gough 10-2-27-2 (w-2), Hoggard 10-2-35-2, Ali 8-1-29-2, Collingwood 7-0-21-0 (w-2), Trescothick 8-0-31-0 (nb-1), Giles 7-0-18-3. England: Trescothick c Kallis b Ntini 11 Jones c Boucher b Pollock 8 Vaughan not out 44 Strauss c Kemp b Nel 15 Pietersen not out 22 Extras (lb-2 w-1) 3 Total (3 wickets, 25.1 overs) 103 Fall of wickets: 1-19 2-21 3-44. Bowling: Pollock 8-3-19-1, Ntini 7-0-29-1, Nel 5-2-13-1 (w-1), Kemp 3-0-25-0, Boje 1-0-8-0, Kallis 1.1-0-7-0. — Reuters
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Gloster likely to replace Andrew
Thiruvananthapuram, January 30 ''We have conveyed the BCCI's terms and conditions to him yesterday and are waiting for his response,'' Mr Nair told UNI here, adding that he was the first choice and the question of shortlisting others would arise only if he rejected the offer. Since it was outgoing physio Andrew Leipus who suggested the former Bangladesh's physio's name to succeed him, it is almost certain that Mr Gloster will take charge without any delay in view of the forthcoming home series against Pakistan. However, Mr Nair refused to say whether Mr Gloster had been given any time-frame to join the Indian team. ''If our conditions are acceptable to him, he would join immediately,'' he added. Thirty four-year-old Leipus, who began his stint with Indian cricket in 1999, ended it after last month's test and one-day series in Bangladesh. He wanted to go back to Adelaide to update himself on the latest advances in physiotherapy.
— UNI |
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Bruce Elliot on panel for
Harbhajan
Thiruvananthapuram, January 30 Former bowlers Ravi Shastri, L. Sivaramakrishnan and Javagal Srinath were also expected to be on the panel as the cricket Board was awaiting their acceptance of the assignment, BCCI Secretary S.K. Nair said here.
— PTI |
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Indian colts crush England
Kolkata, January 30 The Englishmen scored 147 in their first innings and 157 in their second in reply to India’s 410 for eight declared in their first innings. After being reduced to 140 for six on the third day yesterday, it was just a matter of time before India polished off the English tail. Leggie Piyush Chawla, who is having a fantastic series, took two of the remaining four English wickets. Commencing at 140 for six, England soon lost overnight batsman Moen Ali for 41 when Piyush picked him up and
followed it up with the wicket of D.A. Griffiths. Local boy Manoj Tiwari, who went wicketless yesterday, returned with figures of three overs, two maidens, one run out and one wickets as England collapsed to give India another convincing win. — UNI |
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IHF is a united family: Gill
Hyderabad, January 30 "Ours is a democratic set-up and there are bound to be some disagreement but we have discussed all major issues threadbare and have unanimity barring a couple of voices," Mr Gill told reporters here after the Annual General Body Meeting of the IHF. Admitting that there were a couple of dissenting voices, Mr Gill said that the IHF was like one big family where difference of opinion on key issues were natural. "In a family there may be differences and there is nothing wrong in some one raising valid issues," he said. Brushing aside reports that there was growing dissent in the IHF on conducting the nationals, submission of accounts and other issues, Mr Gill said, "these things were discussed in the AGM in detail and have the majority consent." Accusing media of "sensationalism", Mr Gill said, "it (dissent in the IHF) is a media creation." The AGM discussed the holding of senior Nationals, which was a contentious issue, adopted audited accounts and also discussed about the appointment of a new coach and there was general concord among the members, he said. Training his guns on the media, Gill said, "what I'm sorry about Indian hockey is the lack of understanding of the game by media which generally goes for hot news." Everything is fine within IHF, he added. On finances, Mr Gill said the IHF was in the red and there were unrealised debts. Sponsors should come forward to promote the game and the ongoing PHL tournament did not attract many sponsors. The discussion on National League was about the associate membership and a separate pool for them and not about the possible dates, he said. On the possibility of Sohail Abbas coaching Indian juniors, the IHF chief was non-committal. Asked to identify the weakness of Indian hockey, he said the point is not physical fitness but the reform process and catalytic action of the coach that counts. The Indian juniors will be preparing for the World Cup to be held in Holland this year, he said. Unnerved by the controversies surrounding the appointment of the first foreign coach Gerhard Rach, the IHF today decided to find a new foreigner "who understands Indian hockey" to take charge of the national team. "We have decided to appoint a foreign coach and are considering a few names who have certain qualities," Mr Gill said. The IHF had come under much flak following the appointment of Rach, days before the Athens Olympics, in August last year. With Rach failing to change the fortunes of the team, the IHF did not extend the tenure of the German which ended after the Champions Trophy in Lahore last month. As a debate raged in hockey circles whether the reins of the team should be given to an Indian, Mr Gill categorically stated that the IHF was in favour of a foreigner taking up the assignment. — PTI
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IHF scouting for foreign coach
Hyderabad, January 30 "We have decided to appoint a foreign coach and are considering a few names who have certain qualities," IHF President K P S Gill told reporters after the Federation's Annual General Body Meeting here. The IHF had come under much flak following the appointment of Rach, days before the Athens Olympics, in August last year. With Rach failing to change the fortunes of the team, the IHF did not extend the tenure of the German which ended after the Champions Trophy in Lahore last month. As a debate raged in hockey circles whether the reins of the team should be given to an Indian, Mr Gill categorically stated that the IHF was in favour of a foreigner taking up the assignment. Without giving names of those in the fray, Mr Gill said the new person must understand the game and concentrate on the players. "He should concentrate on hockey and not on other things." Mr Gill also announced the dates for the nationals. "The pool matches will be held at various centres from March 5 to 15 and the knock-out phase will be held in Delhi between 21 and 27. The Federation will pay the costs of the teams coming for knock out phase." Appreciating the staging of the ongoing Premier Hockey League (PHL), Mr Gill said the next edition of the tournament will be held in five venues. Continuing his tirade against aged players, he said, "old players playing Nationals do not look good. We need young blood and new talent. The IHF has been pursuing this cause and we are working in that direction," he said. On a query whether he intends to contest again for the post of the IHF President at the end of his third term, Gill said "I have announced before the Olympics that I will not stand for another term and there is no reason as to why I should change my mind." On the remarks by Rach who called IHF "a mad house," Mr Gill said, "we should not take note of such remarks."
— PTI |
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Chandigarh Dynamos annex trophy
Hyderabad, January 30 The match was stretched to tie-breaker after both sides failed to score in regulation time and extra time. Amit, Raju and Gurcharan Singh scored for Delhi in the tie-breaker while Chandigarh scored through Rajpal Singh, Harbajan Singh and Devinder Singh. In another Tier II match, Imphal Rangers pipped Bengal Tigers 10-9 in sudden death. A fast-paced game marked the first quarter of the match between Chandigarh and Delhi with both teams trying hard to take the lead. Dynamos came close when Baljeet Singh got a pass inside the circle from Rajpal Singh, but his scoop went wide. Soon after, Delhi had two hits at their rival post without any success. Chandigarh got as many as five penalty corners in the third quarter but failed to take the lead due to some smart work by Delhi custodian Raghuvanshi. In the last quarter, both sides intensified their attack but failed to break the deadlock as the match went into extra time. Imphal Rangers and Bengal Tigers were locked 2-2 in regulation time. Extra time yielded no results. In the tie-breaker, both teams scored four goals each. Laiba Singh and skipper Brojen Singh were the scorers for the Rangers in regulation time while Anil Ekka and Savaren Barla scored for the Bengal side. In the penalty shootout, Rangers scored through Benarjit Singh, Tomba Singh, Rinel Singh and Laiba Singh while Gopal Singh missed out. Edmon Kerketta, Dabeander Ekka, Anil Ekka and Manoj Kujar beat the Imphal custodian Herojit Singh while Arbind Kumar fumbled for the Bengal Tigers.
— PTI |
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Warriors
surrender to Sultans
Hyderabad, January 30 The genius from Pakistan sounded the board in the 17th, 34th and 40th minute and Indrajeet Singh scored the fourth goal in the 56th minute as Warriors surrendered scoring only two goals through Kashif Jawad (7th) and Shivendra Singh (46th). It was Marathas who took the lead though Jawad but Abbas restored parity within ten minutes before the end of the first quarter. He struck again just before the close of second quarter to give the hosts in 2-1 lead. Abbas then completed his hattrick in the third quarter to put Sultans on top at 3-1. — PTI
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Govt forms panels for Commonwealth Games
New Delhi, January 30 Mr Arjun Singh announced here today that Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Dutt would head the Apex Committee for conducting the games while IOA president Suresh Kalmadi would head the Organising Committee. The present announcement has been to the satisfaction of all concerned. “We are very happy that the government has finally seen reason and constituted various committees according to merit and requirements of the games”, said IOA Secretary-General Randhir Singh from Dehradun. He said this change of stance from the Government side would not have occurred but for the matter being highlighted in the print and electronic media. The infrastructure will be constructed by the government, and according to Randhir, the IOA was not concerned with this aspect. “For that, the Delhi Government, the MCD, the Lt-Governor and various other agencies are there to take care”, he noted. This time round the overriding powers vested on the Apex Committee may not ruffle the IOA feathers though it had all along contended that the government’s role was that of a ‘facilitator’ and not of an interventionist. The IOA had been caught in a difficult situation due to its differences with the government as the president of the Commonwealth games Mike Fennel is likely to visit Delhi on February 2 to take stock of Delhi’s preparedness to host the games. The Government announcement has come as a great relief. Mr Arjun Singh, who is also the chairman of the Group of Ministers constituted for overseeing the organisation of the games, made it clear that the Apex Commitee would have the power and responsibility for overseeing and coordinating the games while the Organising Committee would “conduct the games”. That means the IOA will have no role or say in the construction of the infrastructure. It has also been decided to form a committee of secretaries headed by the Cabinet Secretary and a couple of sub-committees. Mr Arjun Singh announced that a three-member sub-committee headed by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, would manage the finance committee while another committee under Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit would look after all other issues that came under the jurisdiction of the government of NCT of Delhi.
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Fauja Singh — an ageless wonder
London, January 30 Three other Sikhs from the UK, Fauja Singh’s 45-year-old trainer Harmander Singh, Ajit Singh and Amrik Singh were in Pakistan with Fauja for the Lahore Marathon. All of them have participated in the London Marathon and they run together every weekend. Ajit Singh is 73 years old while Amrik Singh is 69. Harmander Singh has participated in 21 out of the 25 London Marathon races, besides the New York and Toronto Marathon and Half-Marathons in Glasgow and New Castle. Harmander says he has never stopped running since he was at school and can run a full marathon (42.195 km) at a minute’s notice. The principal adviser to Sikhs in England, an Internet-based advocacy group, Harmander began training Fauja Singh in 1999 and then helped him participate in the London Marathon. Last month, Fauja Singh was among the distinguished persons invited by the Queen for a reception at Buckingham Palace. The reception was held for citizens who have made significant contribution in different spheres. In 2000, when he participated for the first time in the London Marathon at the age of 89, he clocked 6 hours 54 minutes. He clocked the same time the following year. In 2002, he clocked 6 hours and 45 minutes. At the Great North Run Half Marathon in October, 2002, he clocked two hours 39 minutes. Harmander says that Ajit Singh has run more than 40 marathons. Both Ajit and Amrik Singh have particiapted in marathons in various continents. Amrik has run 20 marathons, including 10 London Marathons. |
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Sippy, Deepam best shooters
Fatehgarh Sahib, January 30 More than 60 shooters from Punjab and Haryana participated in pistol (NR) and air rifle (NR) sub-junior, junior and seniors categories for both men and women. The results:
Air Pistol ISSF Senior Men: Harvinder Singh 1, Navneet Singh 2, Inderveer Singh 3. Pistol junior men: Inderveer Singh 1, Arun Singh 2. Pistol ISSF Jr (Women): Deepam Matta 1, Rajbir Kaur Sidhu 2. Air Rifle peep sight NR Sr (Men): Rahul Syal 1, Navneet Singh 2, Arun Singh 3. Air Rifle Sr. Women: Amita Rani 1, Ameet Sidhu 2. Mr S.K. Ahluwalia, Deputy Commissioner, gave away the prizes. |
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Bank sports meet begins Patiala, January 30 Results: Spoon race for boys: Kuldeep Sharma 1, Sahil Thakur 2 and Paramvir Singh 3. Pair race for boys (12 to 15) Sahil Thakur and Jeevan 1, Randeep Singh and Harvinder Singh 2 and Rajat and Kuldeep 3. Women 100m (below 35% Jasbir Kaur 1, Kamla Sharma-2 and Dimple 3. Women 100m (35-45%) Balwinder Kaur 1, Parveen 2 and Harsimran Kaur 3. 100m (above 45%) Usha Rani 1, Shimla Verma 2 and Amarjit Kaur 3. Sack race for boys (12-15%) Sahil Thakur 1, Arun Sharma 2 and Naresh Thakur 3. Sack race for boys (below 12) Saurav 1, Gaurav Batra 2 and Veera and Nitin-3. 100m boys (10-12): Neeraj Thakur 1, Pardeep 2 and Sumit-3. 100m, girls (10-12): Seema Sharma 1, Riya 2 and Poornima 3. 100m girls (14-16) Karamjit Kaur 1, Sonia-2 and Upinder 3. 100m boys (12-14): Harit Sharma 1, Tapanjot Singh 2 and Arun Sharma 3. 100m girls (12-14): Aditi Sharma 1, Parul 2 and Bhawana 3. Badminton (up to 450: Vikas Dhingra 1 and K. Mukesh 2. Badminton (above 35): Ashok Sharma 1 and Ashok Rana 2. Table Tennis (men): GPS Narang 1, Manmohan Gupta 2 and Sarabjit Bedi-3. 100 m boys (14-16): Karamjit Singh 1, Arijeet 2 and Harinder 3. Pair race for boys (upto 12): Abhitesh and Tarun Kaura 1, Yashpreet Singh and Harpreet Singh 2 and Ashim Goel and Ajay Kumar 3.
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