 |
|
|
Federer, Vaidisova show no mercy
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Madan Lal game to coach India
Sachin in top 20
PCB shortlists five foreign coaches
Michael Vaughan pleased with ‘ruthless’ England Cricket: SDA defeat YPS
Commonwealth table tennis begins today
East Bengal to play in Singapore
‘Foreign players not harming Indian football’
|
|
Federer, Vaidisova show no mercy
Nicole Vaidisova and Serbian fourth seed Jelena Jankovic lifted dampened spirits with their photogenic smiles as they strutted into the second round. Playing opponents who had not won a single tour match all year, Czech sixth seed Vaidisova picked apart Emmanuelle Gagliardi’s fragile hopes 6-4, 6-3 and Jankovic was merciless in a 6-2, 6-2 defeat of France’s Stephanie Foretz. But Russian 11th seed Nadia Petrova was ousted following a 7-5, 5-7, 6-0 defeat by 182nd ranked qualifier Kveta Peschke. Roddick ousted
Third seed Andy Roddick was beaten in the first round, ousted 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 by Russian Igor Andreev, the world number 125. The American, who has never been beyond round three in Paris, led by a set and 4-2 but Andreev hit back to clinch victory in two hours, 43 minutes. Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt crushed Max Mirnyi of Belarus 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 in the first round. World number 54 Mirnyi had no answer to Hewitt’s fierce returns. The Australian former Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion broke twice in each of the first two sets. Main results (1st round): Men: 21-Dmitry Tursunov (Rus) b Alessio Di Mauro (Ita) 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3; 15-David Nalbandian (Arg) beat Lee Hyung-Taik (Kor) 6-2, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3; 16-Marcos Baghdatis (Cyp) b Sebastien Grosjean (Fra) 6-3, 6-2, 6-4; 17-Juan Carlos Ferrero (Spa) b Amer Delic (US) 6-7, 6-3 6-3, 6-4; 18-Juan Ignacio Chela (Arg) b Fabrice Santoro (France) 6-7, 6-0, 6-3, 6-3; 11-Richard Gasquet (Fra) beat Nicolas Mahut (Fra) 6-3, 6-2, 6-2; 29-Filippo Volandri (Ita) b Paul Capdeville (Chl) 6-3, 7-5, 6-3, 7-Ivan Ljubicic (Cro) b Arnaud Clement (Fra) 6-1, 7-5, 7-6; 19-Guillermo Canas (Arg) b Victor Hanescu (Rom) 6-3, 6-1, 6-4. Women: 18-Marion Bartoli (Fra) b Aravane Rezai (France) 6-2, 6-4; 20-Sybille Bammer (Aust) b Roberta Vinci (Ita) 6-4, 6-4; 23-Francesca Schiavone (Ita) beat Yvonne Meusburger (Aust) 6-2, 6-4; 13-Elena Dementieva (Rus) beat Angelique Kerber (Ger) 6-3 6-2; 28-Mara Santangelo (Ita) b Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) 6-1, 6-4 —
Reuters
|
|
Game, set, match to Roland Garros lovebirds
Paris, May 29 It was in Paris that Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf clicked in 1999, the year they were singles champions here, and what’s good for them is obviously good for the current crop. Gisela Dulko, dubbed Argentina’s Anna Kournikova, played in the mixed doubles with Chilean Olympic gold medallist Fernando Gonzalez here last year, reaching the quarterfinals. They lost but Cupid struck and they became an item. “I feel safe and certain with Fernando,” cooed Dulko of her partner who was runner-up to Roger Federer at the Australian Open in January. Star-crossed they may be, but on today’s relentless 10-month long professional tennis tour, love-struck players are happy enough if their paths just cross. That wasn’t a problem for Agassi as Graf retired the same year they became a couple. The American showman, who called it quits himself at the US Open last year, recalled the early days of a relationship which was to result in his second marriage and yield two children. “The looks were something I responded to most when I didn’t know her - I’m such a caveman!” he told Hello magazine. “And then I basically stalked her, then got to know her and it has been a joy ever since.” Former world number one Martina Hingis will soon be heading down the aisle with Czech player Radek Stepanek. The 26-year-old soon to be ex ‘Swiss Miss’, sidelined from this year’s French Open with a hip injury, has dated players such as Magnus Norman and Julian Alonso in the past. But both picked up serious injuries in the aftermath of their relationship with her. American Tennis magazine dubbed her ‘Black Widow’ as a result. “For me, this relationship so far is great,” said Stepanek as he leapt to the defence of his fiancee. “I’m playing my best tennis. So these comments don’t relate to our relationship.” At the Australian Open, Hingis said she was happy with her private life. “You live your life at the courts, and it can feel as though something is missing. Now we both know that we go do our jobs and then the next day we can enjoy ourselves.” If there was a romance that the media would love to see played out in the full glare of publicity it is that of poster girl Maria Sharapova and all-American boy Andy Roddick. They were linked as a couple last year but the duo insist they are not stepping out. “I don’t really want to talk about my personal life,” said the Russian pin-up. “When two tennis players are friends and are known around the world, people are going to talk. That’s exactly what’s happening.” Roddick said: “I keep saying it. We’re not dating.” Sharapova recently issued her top 10 dream mixed doubles partners and sadly for picture editors everywhere, Roddick did not figure among them. China basketball star Yao Ming was in there as was Manchester United footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and Australian golfer Adam Scott. Poor old Roddick even lost out to Russian president Vladimir Putin (“nobody will mess with us”, explained Sharapova) who was number three in the list behind James Bond with John McEnroe topping the wish list. “I want to yell at the umpires with him,” said Sharapova. One of the longest-standing relationships on the tour his Czech duo Lucie Safarova and Tomas Berdych who have been together for four years. The two grew up together in the Czech town of Prostejov. “We understand what’s it like for the other person because we are both players,” Safarova said. “If I was with someone else, he might not understand how much I have to practice, or about matches, or about what the tour is really like. Tomas does.” However, love is not all around for everyone in Paris. Women’s champion Justine Henin is playing her first Grand Slam event at Roland Garros since the break-up of her four-year marriage. — AFP
|
|
Madan Lal game to coach India
New Delhi, May 29 “I would definitely love to coach India if I am offered the job. I have done it in the past and would love to have another go at it,” Madan Lal told PTI here today. Since Greg Chappell opted against an extension of his contract that ended with India’s disastrous World Cup campaign, the BCCI made a makeshift arrangement by roping in Ravi Shastri as the cricket manager for the just-concluded Bangladesh tour. The board also formed a seven-member committee, headed by its president Sharad Pawar, which will meet in Bangalore on June 4 to pick the new coach and the panel includes three former captains in Sunil Gavaskar, S. Venkataraghavan and Shastri. BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah recently met Whatmore during the Bangladesh series and Shastri too had an informal chat with the Sri Lanka-born Australian, whose contract with the Bangladesh team expired with the series against India. Madan, who coached India from 1996-97, admitted Whatmore had emerged the front-runner in the race for the job. “It seems the board has already decided on the issue,” he observed. Madan, however, insisted that he would not approach the board with his candidature. “I am not going to approach the board. In fact, I don’t have any idea how to go about it. So if they come with the offer, I would definitely extend my service,” said Madan, part of the ‘Kapil’s Devils’ that won the 1983 World Cup. Although Whatmore is the overwhelming favourite for the job, some believe that an Indian might do the better job. Madan, however, refused to be dragged into the Indian versus foreigner debate and said the job should go to the right person. He also felt that even if Whatmore gets the nod, it’s not going to be a bed of roses for him. “He has worked with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and had some success with both the sides. But coaching India would be a different ball altogether. You have to deal with a different system here. Handling star players and living up to the expectation of India’s highly emotional fans would be a daunting task,” he explained. “Agreed that he has earned his stripes as a coach in the sub-continent. But whether the experience would prove an advantage-you have to wait and see,” he added. The Bangladesh Cricket Board wanted to retain Whatmore but he is keen to shift his base to India, something that prompted him to turn down a similar offer from Pakistan. Whatmore has repeatedly expressed his interest in the job, calling it a “logical extension to a bigger challenge.” — PTI
|
|
Dubai, May 29 The 34-year-old veteran player scored a hundred in each match, at Chittagong and Mirpur, compiling a total of 254 runs at an average of 127 to move up six places to 15th position in the rankings issued today. With a total of 672 ratings points, Tendulkar has Stephen Fleming of New Zealand and England’s Paul Collingwood in his sights, although he is a long way off his own career-best rating of 898 set in 2002. It was a good series for India’s bowlers too with Anil Kumble moving up to third among Test bowlers. Kumble is now level with South Africa’s Shaun Pollock and is just ahead of Shane Bond of New Zealand and Australia’s Stuart Clark. Left-arm opening bowler Zaheer Khan, who took a total of eight wickets at an average of 21.88, moved up five places to 24th in the rankings, led by Sri Lankan wizard Muttiah Muralidharan. Makhaya Ntini of South Africa occupies second spot while Kumble and Pollock are joint third. India is fourth of the ICC Test Championship and is now just one ratings point behind Pakistan in third position. Australia still tops the list, well clear of England in second position. — PTI
|
|
PCB shortlists five foreign coaches
Karachi, May 29 Dr Naseem Ashraf, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, confirmed that five candidates were under consideration but did not give their names. The PCB had advertised the position of national team coach last month setting May 15 as the deadline for interested candidates to apply. However, sources say no prominent names applied for the position because some of them ruled themselves out due to the condition set by the board that only candidates who have played first class cricket can apply. Sources said that former West Indian captain, Jimmy Adams and off spinner Roger Harper and Leicestershire coach, Tim Munton were among the candidates who had applied and were being considered for the job.—
PTI
|
|
Michael Vaughan pleased with ‘ruthless’ England Leeds, May 29 Victory saw Vaughan draw level with Peter May’s record of 20 wins as England captain in a match where West Indies suffered their biggest Test innings loss yesterday. The win put England 1-0 up in the four-match series and was a personal triumph for Vaughan, playing his first Test after 18 months out with injury. “I thought we played to a very good standard,” Vaughan told reporters. “We got on top of the West Indies on that very first day. We were ruthless and got the job done. Vaughan, 32, scored 103 on his home ground in England’s huge total of 570 for seven declared which also featured Kevin Pietersen’s Test-best 226. West Indies then collapsed to 146 all out, and following on, were bowled out for 141 on the fourth day. Left-arm quick Ryan Sidebottom, playing his first Test in six years since making his debut was the pick of England’s attack with figures of eight for 86 on his old home ground where he played for Yorkshire before joining Nottinghamshire. “When you win by an innings and plenty, it’s quite a big defeat for the opposition, but we’re only 1-0 up with two to play. We’ve got to do exactly the same in a week’s time at Old Trafford (where the third Test starts on June 7).” Turning to his old county colleague, Vaughan added, “Ryan was exceptional from his first ball, offered great angles with his left-arm variety. Certainly didn’t swing it like that when he was at Yorkshire a few years ago.” Sidebottom was only playing because of Matthew Hoggard’s thigh injury but Vaughan said this performance could be the springboard for a successful international career. “Ryan showed this week he could handle the pressure. He got conditions that suited his style of bowling, but you’ve still got to produce the goods. He did it to a very high standard. He will be a real threat to all batsmen if he can reproduce that kind of performance on a regular basis.” — AFP
|
|
|
Cricket: SDA defeat YPS Patiala, May 29 In reply, YPS were all out for 154 runs in 39.4 overs. Brief scores: SDA Delhi - 207 for 6 in 40 overs; YPS Patiala - 154 all out in 39.4 overs.
|
|
|
Commonwealth table tennis begins today
Jaipur, May 29 Seventeen nations will slug it out for six days for the eight medals on offer at the Sawai Mansingh stadium here. In the last edition of the event in Kuala Lumpur, India had created history by winning the men’s team and individual title for the first time. The trio of Achanta Sharath Kamal, Soumyadeep Roy and Shubhajit Saha were the architect of the glorious win in team event in Kuala Lumpur 2004. Sharath Kamal and Soumyadeep Roy then fought it out for the men’s individual title to make it a memorable outing for the Indian team. Sharath Kamal went on to crown himself the champion and now will be defending the honour at his home turf. But India will face stiff challenge from Singapore, Nigeria and Australia. Singapore’s Gao Ning and Yang Zi, world no 18 and 32 respectively, are certainly the favourites but Sharath Kamal has the firepower to beat his famed rivals. Sharath Kamal was thrashed by Gao Ning in the Indian Open pro tour in Delhi few months back, but against Yang Zi, the Chennai paddler had his moments of glory on few occasions. The trio of Sharath Kamal, Saha and Soumyadeep will also take inspiration from their historic Commonwealth Games win last year where they created a major upset by beating favourites Sinagpore in the final to win the gold. But the form of all three has not been that encouraging off late, specially in the recently held World Championship where they faded away without making much of an impact. “The Singapore team is very strong with some top ranked players. We would like to go step by step,” India coach Kamalesh Mehta told PTI. “Our first target will be to top the group. But obviously, Singapore is strong in both sections. Australia, Nigeria and Wales too can be tough but still I feel our boys are good enough for a podium finish,” the former national champion said. In the women’s section, Singapore’s Yue Gu Wang and Sun Bei Bei, ranked 8th and 9th respectively, are the top contenders for the crown. The Indian women’s team had finished fourth in the last edition and would have to play out of their skin to better the performance. India had hosted the tournament thrice before: Bombay 1982, Hyderabad 1994 and Delhi 2001. The tournament is one the three major Commonwealth events to be hosted in India with Youth Games in 2008 and Commonwealth Games in 2010 coming up, General Secretary of the TTFI Moolchand Chowhan told reporters here. The tournament will be inaugurated by Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhare Raje. —
PTI
|
|
East Bengal to play in Singapore
New Delhi, May 29 East Bengal defeated Mahindra United at the India finals of the tournament held at the Cooperage ground in Mumbai in January this year. At the SEA regional finals, East Bengal will compete with four teams from Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia. The 16-member team will be accompanied by the chief coach of the club, assistant coach, manager and a physiotherapist. The SEA regional winners will join 19 teams from around the world to play for the world finals, which would witness some of the emerging soccer stars of the world. The competition, which is open to players under the age of 15, has gathered global momentum over the past few years, having attracted a cumulative participation of 642,000 players and 8,000 teams from over 40 countries. — OSR
|
|
‘Foreign players not harming Indian football’
New Delhi, May 29 As in previous domestic seasons, foreigners ruled the roost, bagging the top four spots in the goalscorers’ list. Bhutia said the Indian players needed to work harder to catch up with them. “There is no lack of opportunities for Indian players. The foreigners are not snatching anything away from them. Indian need to create opportunities through hard work,” Bhutia told PTI-Bhasha. Among the players in the domestic league, Bhutia was impressed by JCT’s Sunil Chhetri, who was the highest goalscorer among Indians in the 11th NFL with 12 strikes. “Chetri is playing well. He has a lot of potential,” the veteran footballer said. Injuries prevented the veteran forward from showing his best in the 11th National Football League but at the Super Cup match against NFL champions Dempo Sports Club, he sparkled with a hat-trick to bring the trophy to Mohun Bagan for the first time. However, the team was a big let-down in the league, finishing as low as eighth with Bhutia contributing only five goals. “Several players at the club were injured. I was also struggling with injuries but am totally fit now.” The Sikkimese player attributed the injuries to the hectic NFL schedule. “The NFL programmed is very busy. As of now, players have to play 14 league matches in 14 days along with travelling. Players are prone to injuries as they don’t get adequate rest between matches,” he said. “All India Football Federation is trying to change the hectic schedule. In future, the load will be less which will greatly benefit the players.” Bhutia has signed to play for Bagan in the next season also. “There was no offer from any foreign club,” he said. Recently, the government demoted football and hockey from its priority list and AIFF said it will talk to the Sports Ministry for a reversal of the order. But Bhutia said the government decision would have little effect on football. “Dropping football from the priority list will have no effect on the sport. If the decision is revoked, it will be good but will hardly make any difference,” he added. — PTI
|
|
Mumbai, May 29 The Aberdeen-born Scot, world open champion in 1999, has joined the Mumbai-based World Squash Academy as its head coach and founder member, it was announced by its director Amar Haksar at a media conference today. “I have joined hands with Peter to form the WSA in an effort to promote the game nationally and internationally by creating development programmes for those interested in playing competitive and/or recreational squash,” Haksar said. “We teach the beginners the fundamentals, while the advanced group are trained how to cope at the competitive level, sparring with one another and match play. We also emphasise on fitness,” he added. Nicol will visit India on two or more occasions each year to conduct specialised and intense clinics for the WSA’s competitive players. The academy’s programme is supported by top Indian players like Mahesh Mangaonkar, Raghav Mehrotra and Vikas Jhangra, according to Haksar. Nicol, who defeated squash legend Jansher Khan of Pakistan to win the Mahindra Open here in 1997 and was the world number one for five years, said that Indian players were talented but it will take some time for them to reach the top. — PTI
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Paris, May 29
Michael Vaughan praised his side’s “ruthless” performance after they beat West Indies by an innings and 283 runs at Headingley, a result that saw him become the joint most successful England captain of all-time.
Adelaide: