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Venus runs into
Serena
I won’t be intimidated: Sania
Paucity of talent hurting men’s tennis
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India may use bench strength today
6-day break will not affect my rhythm
Montoya takes pole position
Arjun cards the day’s best score
BSF triumphs
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New York, September 3 Tomorrow’s fourth-round encounter would be their second clash this year, with Venus winning in straight sets in Miami in March. Prior to that, Serena had won six matches in a row, including the 2003 final at Wimbledon, the last time they met in a Grand Slam tournament. They had twice met in the US Open final in 2001, when Venus won, and the following year, when Serena won, but only in the first of their 14 official WTA meetings, at the Australian Open in 1998, had they met earlier than the quarterfinals. In the men’s section, top seed Roger Federer safely negotiated the unique wizadry of Frenchman Fabrice Santoro, winning 7-5, 7-5, 7-6 (7-2). He would play against tiny Olivier Rochus of Belgium for a place in the last 16. On another day of the top players dominating their opponents in the women’s draw, top seed Maria Sharapova and tournament favourite Kim Clijsters scored comfortable straight-set victories. Sharapova cuffed unseeded German Julia Schruff 6-2, 6-4. She had lost just nine games in three rounds. She would next takes on Sania Mirza after the Indian starlet had balanced 45 winners against 49 unforced errors in defeating France’s Marion Bartoli 7-6 (7-4), 6-4. The Russian would start a huge favourite in the first meeting between the two 18-year-olds, but she said she would be taking her threat seriously. Clisters, who won three out of the four build-up tournaments ahead of New York, breezed past Jaapanese veteran Ai Sugiyama 6-1, 6-4 and into a fourth-round tie against unseeded Venezuelan Maria Vento-Kabchi. Also moving through to the last 16 were Russian ninth seed Nadia Petrova and up-and-coming Czech Nicole Vaidisova. In the men’s section, third seed Lleyton Hewitt set up a third-round meeting with big-hitting American Taylor Dent, but he needed to dig deep at times to see off an unexpectedly stern challenge from Jose Acasuso. The Argentine, trying to adapt his claycourt game to the demands of hardcourt tennis, took the third-seeded Australian to tie-breakers in the opening two sets, but lost both to fall 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-3), 6-2. Thailand’s Paradorn Srichaphan showed a welcome return to form by defeating French Open semifinalist and sixth seed Nikolay Davydenko of Russia 6-4, 7-5, 6-3. Paradorn would next take on the second-oldest man in the tournament, 33-year-old Davide Sanguinetti of Italy, who defeated out-of-form Spaniard Carlos Moya 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4. Spain’s Fernando Verdasco, who ousted Tim Henman in his first-round outing, joined Paradorn and Sanguinetti in the third round with a 6-4, 6-2, 7-5 win over Paul Capdeville of Chile. Comeback of the day was by Germany’s Nicolas Kiefer, who lost the first two sets to Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic before clawing his way back to win 4-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3. But there was no such end of the rainbow stuff for the new blue-eyed boy of British tennis, Andy Murray, whose batteries ran dry after levelling at two sets all against Arnaud Clement. He cramped up once again and lost the last six games to crash out. Clement won 6-2, 7-6, 2-6, 6-7, 6-0. It was more mental than physical, Mioray insisted.
— AFP |
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I won’t be intimidated: Sania
New York, September 3 Sania faces world number one Maria Sharapova in the last 16. “I do not know. It will be one of the biggest matches of my career. I think I played Wimbledon on Centre Court,” Sania said. Sania said she had not played Sharapova before, but had seen on her on the juniors circuit. “Then when I am out there, I do not think I will be intimidated. It is obviously a very big match for me.” Sania said she was not surprised by her fast rise in tennis. She moved 284 places in WTA rankings since this time last year to her current position of 42nd. Sania said she was aware of the context of her achievements, but did not really think much of it.
— PTI |
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Paucity of talent hurting men’s tennis
New Delhi, September 3 The AITA has been juggling with various players to find a dependable second rung, but has met with little success, barring Prakash Amritraj. Prakash has an even record of four wins (on grass) and as many losses (hard courts) in Davis Cup, after debuting against Netherlands at Zwolle on hard court in 2003. The vast improvement in his game was clearly evident when he posted confident victories in both his singles ties against China, in the Asia-Oceania Group I tie, at the R.K. Khanna stadium here early this year. But the second slot is still vacant as neither Rohan Bopanna nor Harsh Mankad has been able to consolidate the breaks. Leander has been quietly shouldering the burden of playing both singles and doubles in Davis Cup for the past 14 years. The last time Mahesh featured in both singles and doubles was against Korea at Sogwipo City on hard courts in February 1999, which India lost 2-3. Mahesh had come a cropper in the singles in this tie. Leander and Mahesh had an enduring partnership after they came together for the tie against Sweden at the South Club courts of Calcutta in April, 1996. For the next four years, India’s Davis Cup fortune swung on the shoulders of the duo, and the AITA developed a smug feeling. But when Mahesh ceased playing singles, the whole burden fell on Leander. And there seems no escape route for the ace. India do not fancy their chances against the formidable Swedish team. The return of Rohan Bopanna into the Davis Cup team is not because the player has suddenly found a magic touch to be in elite company, but because of the inability of Harsh Mankad to consolidate his position. Harsh, despite playing 16 Davis Cup matches, out which he has won only six — three on grass and three on hard court, two of them indoors — finds himself in the reserve list against Sweden. When India last played Sweden on clay at Bastad in 2000, Harsh, making his debut, was beaten badly by Andreas Vinciguerra 6-3,6-1,6-1 and Mikael Tillstrom 6-3, 6-0, but this time he finds himself in the reserve. AITA Secretary-General Anil Khanna admitted that though Sania Mirza’s remarkable wins in the Grand Slam events has whipped passion for tennis in the country, the men’s cupboard is rather bare, and the association is still on the lookout for a player who can step into Leander’s shoes. Though Leander and Mahesh come together to play for the country in Davis Cup, the Asian Games and the Olympic Games, their going separate ways in the pro circuit does have an adverse impact, particularly when confronted with the daunting task of challenging fancied teams like Sweden. |
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India may use bench strength today
Harare, September 3 Bowlers Rudra Pratap Singh and Murali Kartik and batsmen Suresh Raina and Venugopala Rao can all expect a game as coach Greg Chappell is a great believer in giving everyone a feel in the sun on a tour. It will only be fitting that these youngsters are given a game before they head back home since the reinforcements for the Test series will be arriving early next week. The four have done very little since arriving in Zimbabwe last month, though Rao has played one game and been a super sub in another. It will mean a few regulars can sit out tomorrow, including the hero of the last match against New Zealand on Friday, Mohammad Kaif. “Obviously that is an option for us to consider. Though Kaif, having got a hundred, will like to carry on,” Chappell said. If the new players have to be accommodated and a few regulars given a break, then high on the list can be Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif among batsmen and Irfan Pathan and Ashish Nehra among bowlers. Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh too can be asked to make way for left-arm spinner Kartik. It obviously is different with the likes of Virender Sehwag and Sourav Ganguly, who are still looking for some substantial scores under their belt. Both openers seemed to be in good touch against the Kiwis in the last match, but could not get a more substantial score, which would have given them immense confidence. The usually reliable Rahul Dravid too has not quite had a knock which would have pleased him and the stylish middle-order batsman will be eager to get a big score ahead of Tuesday’s summit showdown. The Indian batting came good after a long time to be able to successfully chase a target of 279 and coach Chappell would be hoping that the top order batsmen kept the good work going. Zimbabwe too will like to round up the tri-series on a positive note, which will act as a morale booster for the Tests against the Indians. It will also put them in a better frame of mind against the Bangladeshis, who visit them in October. After the criticism of the seniors by coach Kevin Curran, Andy Blignaut from the old brigade has put his hands up and Heath Streak has always been a presence in the squad. A few plucky performances from the batsmen in the top can still make it a close contest for the hosts. India will like to finish with as many wins as New Zealand have managed from the tri-series so far. They currently have a record of 2-1 from three games and a win against the hosts tomorrow can bring it on par with the New Zealanders’ three wins and just a solitary loss.
— PTI |
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6-day break will not affect my rhythm
I
knew in advance that I would not be playing the tri-series match against the Indians on Friday. It was not a surprise; I had been prepared for it even before we took on Zimbabwe on Wednesday.
I cannot really say I enjoy sitting on the sidelines. When the boys are in the park and in the thick of it, you want to be one of them. It is kind of bizarre to be in the dressing room for the full length of a game and do nothing but watch. But it was a luxury which our side can afford, we want different players to be ready at times. It is not fair to say that without Daniel Vettori or me, the attack is toothless. When you put out an eleven in the park, even in the days of super sub, it is only eleven in the field! You expect the boys to win. But we did not bowl as well as we could have and Indians were picture perfect with their plans. The openers came out with guns blazing and it did put us a bit down, shifted the pressure on us. Kaif was beautiful to watch, composed and elegant, his strokes making that sweet ring of sound around the park, ominous to the ears of the bowlers. We knew he could rotate the strike well, but this day, at least in the first half of his batting, he dealt only in boundaries. He has given his team a lift for the coming days. Before one runs away with the impression that the genie is out of the bottle, the cat out of the bag and the Indians would leverage this win in the finals, it is important to remember two mitigating factors: we did not bowl as well as we normally do and the wicket suited Indians to a hilt. It was a wicket which was right up their lane. The Indians had the skill and the patience to carry the day. We always like to test their skills with chest-high stuff, but this strip had little of it. Jacob Oram, with his height, allows the ball to gain lift, but he could not bowl his full overs. He should be alright for the finals and to keep him under wraps after just five overs was precautionary in nature. I also will like to think that I can be a different query for Virender Sehwag. We made the mistake of giving him width on Friday and it roused his destructive instincts to the full. I have a good inswinger and pace, which may not allow him to free his arms. He was the essential component in the heady cocktail which Indians served on Friday. We were not down in the dressing room after the defeat. We knew the factors which we were up against on the day. We were also not as emotional as we would be for the finals. So it is Tuesday when all will count. The Indians will be hoping the break of six days will do funny things to my rhythm and the pressure of leading the attack can tell on me. I remember before the 2003 World Cup there was a break of 15 days, but it did not hurt me. As for pressure of leading the attack, it does not even register. When I bowl, I concentrate on my job and try to be patient with myself. Things then take care of themselves. These are the basics I will like to stick to for the big game. In the park it is a contest and Indians will take some beating. I have liked the way their fast bowlers have shaped up, who can move it in or take it out to trouble the best in business. When I compare my craft, I do not have a pronounced outswinger, but at that pace very few can do it either way. I am trying to develop a slower delivery and you will see it before long. There is also enough about Indian batting which I admire. I value Rahul Dravid’s wicket perhaps more than most and it is because his defence is tight and technique brilliant. There is something about the great batsmen, men like Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara, who seem to have loads of time even when you are bowling at your fastest. It makes you worry if you are not bowling quick enough! |
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BCCI panel meeting New Delhi, September 3
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Manjit Kaur wins 400m gold
Incheon, September 3 India were now fourth in the overall medals tally with two gold, three silver and three bronze medals at the end of the third and penultimate day. Punjab’s Manjit — who had played a stellar role to see India qualify for the 4x400m finals at the Athens Olympics last year running a brilliant 49.86 seconds in the relay — put up a superb display while Geetha also impressed as the Indians captured the first two medals in the event. Manjit clocked season’s best timing of 51.50 seconds to claim the title — her personal best being 51.05 seconds — while 22-year-old Geetha of Railways clocked her personal best of 51.75 seconds to finish second. Japan’s Asami Tanno took the bronze in 52.91 seconds. In the field of eight runners, the Indian duo, after the first 150m, overtook six other runners and in the home stretch, it became a battle between the two for the gold as others struggled far behind. Starting in lane four and five, Manjit and Geetha ran a percentage race and surged past their rivals at the first bend and after that, there was no looking back. Men’s javelin final turned out to be the most intense battle of the championship, won by China’s Li Rongxiang with 78.28m, while host nation’s Jung Sang Jin bagged the silver with 76.85m. This was the first time in the Asian championships when all eight finalists had managed to throw over 74m. Jagdish was seen quite disappointed with his throw as he was expecting a good distance to retain his javelin throw title, which he had won in Jakarta in 2000. The 33-year-old Punjab Police official started confidently with a throw of 71.85 and then improved in his second effort by throwing 72.05. His third throw was 74.83, which turned out to be his best as he had uneven results in his next three attempts — 73.81, 74.60 and 73.18. Bishnoi’s personal best was 79.67, far better than the gold medal winning effort of Rongxiang. Another Indian, O.P. Jaisha, making her debut in the international competition, finished seventh in the women’s 5000m race despite clocking personal best of 16:34.32. The 22-year-old Kerala girl’s previous personal best was 17:05.33, which she had registered last month at Jamshedpur. In a very strong field of nine runners, the Indian did well to end seventh. Bai Xue of China timed 15:40.89 to win the gold, Korea’s Lee Eun Jung was second in 15:41.67 and Japan’s Yumi Sato took the bronze in 15:47.14. Pole vaulter Gajanan Upadhya finished 11th as after crossing 4.80m, he failed to clear five metres in his three attempts, though his personal best was 5.00m.
— UNI |
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Monza, September 3 The Finn picked up a 10-place penalty for an unscheduled engine change after the final practice. Narain Karthikeyan of Jardan qualified 19th. Colombian Montoya, winner at Monza with Williams in 2001, lapped 0.176 of a second slower than Raikkonen’s lap of one minute, 20.878 seconds. Briton Jenson Button, in a BAR, would share the second row with Japanese team-mate Takuma Sato. Ferrari’s seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher qualified sixth and would share the third row with Italian Jarno Trulli in a Toyota. Meanwhile, Germany’s Nick Heidfeld would not race tomorrow and would be replaced by Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia, his Williams team announced today. Heidfeld suffered a heavy crash in testing at Monza at the end of last week and complained of a lingering headache yesterday. “He has a headache and will rather not race,’’ said a spokeswoman. Pizzonia raced at Monza last year as a replacement for Germany’s injured Ralf Schumacher, finishing seventh.
— Reuters |
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Arjun cards the day’s best score
Beijing, September 3 Arjun, making a comeback from a lasik eye surgery, ended the third day as the best of the nine Indians left in the field. Arjun, who began with three birdies in the first four holes, had another three on back nine for a fine day’s work as he moved up from 44th to 14th. “In the first round, my game was not sharp at all. It was my first competitive round after a month’s break. I was missing pars from the middle of the fairway and shot 75. But it has got better now,” the golfer said. Jeev tied 46th
TOKYO: Three bogeys on the trot from fifth to seventh holes saw Jeev Milkha Singh crash to a four-over 75 in the third round and come down to 46th place in the Fujisankei Classic at the Fuji Sakura Country Club. The Indian opened with four pars and then three successive bogeys and two more on the back nine saw him struggle through the day. He had just one birdie on the ninth. Atwal tied 46th
NORTON (MASSCHUSSETS): Arjun Atwal carded a one-under 70 on the opening day of the Deutsche Bank Championships at the par-71 Tournament Players Club of Boston. Atwal had a great start as he was three-under after four holes and then parred the next eight holes. Then came the horrendous streak, that saw him run up three back-to-back bogeys from 13th to 15th holes. A birdie on the final 18th was a consolation, as he ended the day at one-under 70 in tied 46th place. Daniel Chopra started on the 10th and with three birdies and two bogeys and one double bogey, he ended with a card of one-over 72 in the tied 86th place.
— PTI |
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BSF triumphs Chandigarh, September 3 A flag kick earned by BSF in the 24th minute resulted in the fourth goal as Sarabjit’s curling shot was headed home by Kabal Singh. Sukhwinder added another goal in the 32nd minute to make it 5-0 in favour of BSF while Hooda found the net in the 68th minute to consolidate the lead further. Veteran striker Gurjit Atwal rounded off the tally by scoring the seventh goal four minutes before the long whistle to compound the visitors’ misery. The Mahilpur outfit did carry out a couple of forays. On one occasion, a good attempt by Mandeep was thwarted by BSF goalie Machinder Singh who, as on earlier occasions, displayed fine anticipation.
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