The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Australian Open
Djokovic tames Tsonga in final

Melbourne, January 27
Novak Djokovic stood toe-to-toe with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and soaked up everything the Muhammad Ali of tennis could throw at him before delivering a knock-out blow to clinch the Australian Open title today.

Tsonga, nicknamed Ali for his resemblance to the former heavyweight boxing champion, was the crowd favourite to win his first grand slam but Djokovic was too solid and too steely and it was the Serb who snatched his first major title 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6.

Monica Seles won three Australian Open titles while competing under the Yugoslav flag from 1991-1993.

Unseeded Tsonga came out swinging, needing 49 minutes to clinch the opener and fuel his country's hopes he could become the first Frenchman to win the Open in 80 years.

Djokovic had dealt with world number one Roger Federer in the semis but initially he could not out-muscle his burly opponent.

Tsonga crunched aces and slammed winners, taking the match to the world number three and keeping him on his heels.

But Djokovic is a determined character and kept gunning away. His reward came in the seventh game of the second set.

Djokovic earned a break point when he belted a backhand return past the Frenchman and dictated the next point before Tsonga sent a forehand wide.

The world number three pummelled his chest with his fist and marched to his seat.

There was a spring in his step which had been missing at the start and Tsonga's head dropped.

Djokovic squared the match with an ace and secured a break early in the third set as his experience began to tell. He steered the ball around court with purpose while Tsonga relied on flashy winners for the bulk of his points.

A second break with Tsonga serving at 5-3 down clinched the third for Djokovic but not before the Frenchman had fought off six set points.

Djokovic kept his mind on the job, however. He held serve in the fourth and repeatedly probed for weaknesses in the Tsonga delivery, pausing at one point to receive a light massage on his tired leg muscles.

He kept his nose ahead until serving at 5-5 he faced a break point at 30-40. He saved it with an audacious drop shot followed by an angled volley and held.

Tsonga seemed to struggle with nerves, firing one forehand about four metres long and hitting his first double fault of the match but he still held to force a tiebreak.

His nerve did snap finally. Broken on the second point he also dropped serve on the sixth with his second double fault.

Djokovic served it out 7-2 before dropping to the court and kissing the surface.

Ivanovic blinks, Sharapova champ

It was to be the Glam Slam, the squealer versus the squeaker. Instead, Saturday's Australian Open women's final was a battle of brinkmanship and jangling nerves. Ana Ivanovic blinked first and Maria Sharapova was the champion.

Russia's tennis Tsarina beat Ivanovic 7-5 6-3 to make amends for last year's final defeat by Serena Williams and win her third grand slam title.

For her fellow 20-year-old Ivanovic, it was a second grand slam final defeat and one which left her in tears.

After 91 minutes on a sweltering centre court, Sharapova sank to her knees as her opponent's forehand sailed wide on matchpoint, looking skywards as tears filled her green eyes.

Ivanovic's shoes still squeaked when she returned - though not so much as under the roof - and Sharapova certainly shrieked as play got underway.

The Russian's serve was something else, however. Powerful and well-directed, she dominated on her own delivery.

She got the breakthrough in the fifth game when she slammed a backhand winner to move 3-2 ahead. That winner was accompanied by the loudest shriek of the match - so loud a baby in the stands started crying.

It was not until the eighth game of the match that Sharapova lost even a point on her serve, but having achieved that mini breakthrough Ivanovic's confidence grew and she broke serve thanks to two double faults from the Russian.

Back on serve, the Serb celebrated with a strange clenched fist pump that started with her arm extended before she snatched it into her body. The Pavlovian yell of ''C'mon'' followed.

Three games later Sharapova nosed ahead again, though, which heralded more yelling and fist-pumping and she duly served out to love to clinch the set 7-5.

She grabbed a break in the seventh game of the second set and smelt blood. Not even a piece of advertiser's music accidentally blaring from an on-court speaker could put her off as she comfortably held serve for a 5-3 lead.

Ivanovic's head dropped and she quickly fell behind 0-40 to hand the Russian three championship points. Ivanovic saved the first two but victory was Sharapova's when the Serb's forehand flew wide. — Reuters

	Sania-Bhupathi falter Unforced errors and poor serve cost Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi dearly as the Indian duo squandered numerous chances before surrendering the Australian Open mixed doubles title to fifth seeds Tiantian Sun and Nenad Zimonjic here on Sunday. The unseeded Indian pair went down 6-7 (4) 4-6 to the Chinese-Serbian pair in the close to one and half hours contest. Sania and Bhupathi only had themselves to blame for the loss as they were a break up at 4-3 in the first set before they allowed the fifth seeds to claw their way back into the match. The unseeded pair broke Sun and Zimonjic once more in the engrossing opening set but their failure to hold their own serve stretched it to a tie breaker, where the fifth seeds came out trumps. The Indians were weak in their second serve and a couple of double faults only compounded their woes in the 42-minute opener. — PTI
	Ponting, Clarke thwart Indians Ashis Ray Adelaide, January 27 Pugnacious Australian batting, which gave them a 1st innings lead of 37 runs, reduced the prospect of a series levelling win for India in the 4th and final Test on another magnificently sunny day at the Adelaide Oval. Only exceptional batting by the Indians coupled with an Australian collapse can now deliver the goods for India, who were in surplus by eight runs at stumps on the penultimate evening, but for the loss of makeshift opener Irfan Pathan. Timely centuries by Ricky Ponting (140) and Michael Clarke (118) displayed champions’ resistance. The century, Ponting’s 34th in Tests, brings him on level terms with great Sunil Gavaskar. The duo compiled a crucial 210-run partnership for the 4th wicket, which eclipsed Australia’s previous record against India of 178 between Allan Border and Dean Jones in the tied Test at Chennai in 1986. Third innings failures were the triggers when teams lost here despite scoring over 500 runs in the 1st innings. The medium pace of Ajit Agarkar induced the first in 2003-04 and the spin of Shane Warne instigated the other against England last winter. The moral of the story: cracks and uneven bounce conspire with both seamers and slow bowlers. In India second venture, Mitchell Johnson trapped Pathan lbw, but it was really Brett Lee who bowled a fiery spell. Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid, though, weathered the storm. Indeed, if any pressure is to be applied on Australia on the final day, a quick-fire effort from Sehwag, who swung Andrew Symonds for six to wipe out the 1st innings arrears, might come in quite handy. Australia were still 204 runs adrift - indeed five runs short of denying India the option of enforcing a follow on - when play re-started on the fourth morning. But Ponting and Clarke continued with unwavering resolve. The skipper once top-edged a hook off Ishant Sharma, but the ball flew over wicket-keeper Mahendra Dhoni’s gloves. Otherwise, he drove handsomely in front of the wicket and off the back foot through the covers. Clarke, more front foot, also pierced the gaps with equal fluency. But the fact that the two consumed 266 and 244 balls respectively was evidence of their overall circumspection. In the morning session, India bowled a brisk 30 overs, but to no avail. Part-timer Sehwag operated as tidily as any other in the Indian attack - depleted by the absence of Rudra Pratap Singh, who tore a hamstring on the 2nd evening and is out of commission for two weeks - and had the misfortune of having Clarke dropped by Dravid at slip when the batsman was 85. He proceeded to record his first hundred of the series after lunch. Ponting had already registered his in the first hour after averaging only 21 in the three previous Tests. Suffering from back spasms, batted with a runner in the afternoon, before playing on to Sehwag. It was an old style captain’s effort. Clarke left thereafter, hanging his bat out to Sharma, the most threatening of the Indian bowlers, to be caught at 2nd slip. This gave the 6ft 5in Delhi lad his third wicket, but he was slightly erratic in sending down eight no balls and seven wides. Nearly 20,000 people emotionally rose to a person to welcome Adam Gilchrist to the crease. He had on Saturday announced his retirement from Tests after this match. His wife, children, parents, a brother and sister joined trhe applause. The entire Indian side sportingly clapped him all the way to the crease. But it was only to be a cameo from the greatest wicket-keeper batsman in history. An uppish straight drive - which could have decapitated umpire Billy Bowden had he not hurriedly dived for cover - fetched the left-handed master blaster four off Pathan and brought up the 500 of the Australian innings. But he soon mistimed a drive to be well caught by Sehwag at short extra cover. He departed with a winsome wave to the spectators. Scoreboard India (1st innings): 526 Australia (1st innings): Jaques b Kumble 60 Hayden b Sharma 103 Ponting b Sehwag 140 Hussey b Pathan 22 M Clarke c Laxman b Sharma 118 Symonds b Sharma 30 Gilchrist c Sehwag b Pathan 14 Hogg not out 16 Lee c Dhoni b Pathan 1 Johnson c Sharma b Harbhajan 13 S Clark b Sehwag 3 Extras (b 10, lb 12, w 10, nb 11): 43 Total (all out; 181 overs): 563 Fall of wickets: 1-159, 2-186, 3-241, 4-451, 5-490, 6-506, 7-527, 8-528, 9-557 Bowling: RP Singh 4-0-14-0, I Pathan 36-2-112-3, I Sharma 40-6-115-3, Harbhajan Singh 48-5-128-1, A Kumble 30-4-109-1, V Sehwag 19-2-51-2, S Tendulkar 1-0-6-0, S Ganguly 3-1-6-0. India (2nd innings): Sehwag batting 31 Pathan lbw b Johnson 0 Dravid batting 11 Extras (lb 1, w 1, nb 1): 3 Total (1 wkt; 17 overs): 45 Fall of wicket: 1-2 Bowling: B Lee 6-1-8-0, M Johnson 5-0-6-1, A Symonds 3-0-20-0, S Clark 3-1-10-0.
	Gilchrist bids farewell To quit after current Test and the forthcoming triangular series against India and Sri Lanka Adelaide, January 27 Vice-captain Adam Gilchrist stunned the cricketing world Saturday when he announced he was retiring from all forms of game. Gilchrist said he was quitting Test cricket after the current match against India ends at Adelaide Oval on Monday and one-day internationals at the end of the forthcoming triangular series against India and Sri Lanka. ''It is with great pride and happiness that I make the decision to retire from Test and one-day cricket.'' Gilchrist said. ''I have come to this decision after much thought.” Gilchrist's shock announcement came just one day after he broke the world record for the most test dismissals by a wicketkeeper and declared he had no plans of retiring. — Reuters
	We want win for Gilly: Clarke Adelaide, January 27 Australia would do everything tomorrow to win the final Test against India as a tribute to its retiring hero Adam Gilchrist, said centurion Michael Clarke. With just one day left, it would require an extraordinary effort to force a result in the match but Clarke said the side would do everything to win it for the outgoing wicketkeeper. "I think it's an ammunition for Gilly to go out with a win. He's been an amazing part of the Australian team and we would like to win this last Test for him," said Clarke who struck 118 and forged a record 210-run fourth wicket stand with his skipper Ricky Ponting, also a centurion. Clarke's comments on Gilchrist were indicative of the respect in which the retiring wicketkeeper-batsman is held within the Australian team. — PTI
	India’s tour of Australia Harbhajan was disappointing Allan Border writes With only 21 wickets to have fallen in the first four days, a draw looks to be the inevitable and most likely result of the last Test. It will take a monumental batting collapse of the Indians to get Australia back into the match. And I don't think India - with a lead of eight runs - have enough time to put a challenging total on board and then bowl Australia out within a span of 90 overs. The match could be heading towards a draw and the series, as a result, would be heading towards Australia. However, the big news in this part of the world in the sudden announcement of great Adam Gilchrist to hang up his boots from international cricket. Well, with the aura of Gilchrist I am sure it would have surprised many of his fans in the sub-continent. Even I was taken aback a bit by his impulsive decision. However, nobody can challenge an individual's wish to retire since he is the best judge of his physical fitness and his state of mind. Gilly could well be playing his last day of Test cricket on Monday. However, he will be remembered by generations to come. After all, he has revolutionised, and I mean it, the role of a wicketkeeper in international cricket. It was Gilchrist who proved to the world that a wicketkeeper could be an all-rounder too. He was such a great asset with the bat. And he set a precedent for all the other international teams to start looking out for a wicketkeeper who could well deserve a place in the side purely as a batsman. I don't think Mahendra Singh Dhoni would have emerged had there been no Gilchrist in the '90s. Most of the teams now have their wicketkeeper who can consistently contribute with the bat at No. 6 or 7. It would have been fitting for the Australian team to give a Test win as a farewell gift to one of the most popular cricketers across the globe. However, that looks unlikely as of now. But I must admit, it was good to see the Indian team giving an ovation to Gilchrist when the southpaw walked in to bat on Saturday and it certainly gave an impression that both the teams have moved forward from the Sydney Test controversy. Coming back to the match, I think Harbhajan Singh was disappointing with the ball. He did not make the batsmen play as much he should have. Having said that, let's not forget that the track has hardly anything to offer to the spin bowlers. Even great Anil Kumble hasn't been among wickets. It was in a way good to see Test match cricket being played in the old-fashioned, if I may use the word, way. It's very rare these days to see both the teams batting for two days each and that too at a modest rate of three runs per over. But this has been such a match where the willow has dominated right from the word go. But it certainly hasn't been boring. With a much-hyped series living up to its expectations, I must say that Ishant Sharma has been the find of the series. He is tall and consistently bowls at a speed of 140 kmph. His line and length reminds me of someone like Glenn McGrath and he has the advantage of being quicker than McGrath. I am sure he will go a long way in the days to come. — PMG
	Was it Symonds’ dislike or malice? Ashis Ray Adelaide, January 27 Justice John Hansen, the New Zealand judge appointed by the ICC as the Appeals Commissioner in cricketer Harbhajan Singh’s case, will reveal on Monday the procedure to be adopted by him at the appeal hearing scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. Harbhajan was found guilty by match referee Mike Procter on charges of calling Australian player, Andrew Symonds a “monkey” or a “big monkey” during the 2nd Test of the current series at Sydney. Following Procter’s ruling, the Indian team management and the Board of Control for Cricket in India appealed against this verdict. Harbhajan denies he used the term or terms attributed to him. Sachin Tendulkar, who was batting with him at the time, supported his stand. Mathew Hayden and Michael Clarke, however, endorsed Symonds’ claim and this was accepted by Procter, rather than Tendulkar’s word. Among the issues that could come up at the appeal hearing is whether there was any malicious intent on the part of the Australians to make the allegation against Harbhajan. This was rejected by Procter. But since then, Symonds has said on record to media that he doesn’t mind being called a “monkey” by a friend, but not otherwise. In other words, was it Symonds’ dislike for Harbhajan that prompted him to make the accusation? In effect, was it malice that made him target Harbhajan? Interestingly, according to a source in the Indian touring party, it was only at the hearing before Procter that the Indians learned that Symonds was of Caribbean descent. He is, reportedly, an adopted son of white English parents, who migrated from Birmingham, England to Queensland, Australia. Indeed, there was once even a possibility that Symonds would play county cricket and qualify to play for England.
	Punjab to appoint 170 coaches: Pargat Puneet Pal Singh Gill Tribune News Service Bathinda, January 27 Pargat Singh, director, sports (Punjab), has announced that the state sports department would soon appoint 170 coaches on a contract basis. “We would be hiring a company that would shortlist the probable candidates and then our panel of experts would select the 170 coaches. Tenders have already been floated and within a week, the company that would outsource the coaches for us would be finalised,” Pargat said while talking to The Tribune. Pargat was here to foresee the arrangements for the Punjab State Panchayati Tournament for Under-16 boys and girls, which would be held from January 27 to 29. “All coaches would be hired for one year. Most of them would be hired for 15 disciplines — athletics, basketball, hockey, kabaddi, volleyball, boxing, weightlifting, wrestling, shooting, swimming, tennis, gymnastics, judo, badminton and cycling. Coaches for some disciplines, like rowing, for whom we don’t even have anyone in the state, would also be appointed,” he added. Pargat said at present, in Punjab, there were 107 coaches of the sports department and about 125 from the Punjab Police. “So, with the appointment of these 170, the number would go up to around 400, which is adequate for the betterment of Punjab sports. About 25 coaches each would be appointed in the big cities, 15 to 18 in smaller cities and around 10 each in towns of the state.” The probable coaches would be selected on the basis of four parameters set by the sports department. “First preference would be given to an international player having an NIS degree. Second preference would be given to those who are either international players or NIS, and then those who are fresh passouts from the NIS plus a national level player. The fourth category would be of retired Army or police officials who are either international, national or inter-university level gold medallists,” he added. About the pay scales of those coaches, he said, “Coaches falling in the first category would get a monthly pay of Rs 15,000 to Rs 18,000, the second Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000, the third Rs 9,000 to Rs 12,000 and the fourth Rs 6,000 to 9,000.”
	Patiala lift Mittal trophy Tribune News Service Mohali, January 27 Patiala lifted the inaugural FC Mittal trophy, defeating Amritsar by four wickets in the finals of the Punjab State Inter District Cricket Tournament concluded at the PCA Stadium here yesterday. Put in to bat first, Amritsar were bundled for paltry total of 160 runs in 46.1 over. The efficient bowling attack by Patiala’s Sarabjit Ladda (3 wickets for 21 runs), Amitoj Singh (2 for 35) and Himanshu Chawla (2 for 19) ripped apart the batting line-up of Amritsar. The notable contribution with the bat for Amritsar came from Vipin Chauhan 39 (48 balls), Mayank Sharma 35 off 73 and Chandan Madan 25 in 35 balls. In reply, Patiala received an early jolt as the team lost in-form Perry Goyal, when the team total was 11. Patiala kept on losing wicket at regular intervals before Amitoj Singh (50 off 62) and Kunwar Raina (48 off 83) salvaged the situation, stitching a partnership of 77 runs for the fifth wicket. Patiala reached the target scoring 164 for 6 in 40.3 overs. Besides the trophy, Patiala district also got a cash prize of Rs 50,000 whereas Amritsar bagged Rs 30,000. Sarabjit Ladda of Patiala got Man of the Tournament award of Rs 21,000 along with a trophy. Brief scores: Amritsar: 160 all out in 46.1 over (Vipin Kumar 39, Chandan Madan 25, Sarabjit Ladda 3 for 21, Amitoj 2 for 35, Himanshu Chawla 2 for 19). Patiala: 164 for 6 in 40.3 overs (Jeevanjot Singh 26, Kunwar Raina 48, Amitoj Singh 50, Bharat Lumba 2 for 36, Sourabh Chauhan 2 for 40).
	Kaif, Rawat rescue Central Zone Rajkot, January 27 Skipper Mohammed Kaif was eyeing a hundred as he led the Central Zone fightback against West Zone on the second day of their Duleep Trophy match here today. Kaif played a magnificent unbeaten knock of 96 and shared an unseparated 103-run stand for the sixth wicket with Mahesh Rawat (40 not out) to lift his team from the pits as they were once reduced to 134 for five. Central Zone were 237 for five in their first innings at stumps, in reply to West Zone's 411 all out. Central were still trailing by 174 runs when the day ended. Brief scores: West Zone (1st innings): 411 (Yusuf Pathan 107, Sahil Kukreja 72, Ajinkya Rahane 50, Bangar 4-72, Sanyal 4-113) Central Zone (1st innings): 237 for 5 (Mohd Kaif batting 96, Jalaj Saxena 46, Munaf Patel 3-59) — PTI
	Harbhajan soccer Tribune News Service Chandigarh, January 27 The 46th Principal Harbhajan Singh Memorial All-India Football Tournament is being held at Mahilpur from January 28 to February 2. The oldest soccer tournament of Punjab, it has recently been upgraded to as an all-India level. Various tournaments are being held are for clubs to colleges and schools so as to encourage young talent. Besides this tournament, Principal Harbhajan Singh Sporting Club holds a Summer League for boys below 14 years. The funding for this tournament is from the general public on voluntary basis.
	India thrash Belgium 5-0 Chennai, January 27 Tushar Khandekar's hat-trick helped India beat Belgium 5-0 in the second hockey Test at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here Sunday. India, who lead the five-Test series 1-0 - scored through Birender Lakra (33rd), Tushar Khandekar (42nd, 46th, 64th) and Rajpal Singh (65th). India displayed a refreshingly positive approach unlike the lethargic performance in the first Test. There was decisiveness and sharpness in their ball rotation and moves while the midfield play gave away little for most part of the game. Only in patches did the Indian defence showed nervousness, but goalkeeper Bharat Chhetri kept the team afloat with an outstanding performance. The Belgians, who had fought so hard Friday to come back from a 3-0 deficit to draw the match 4-4, grew increasingly despondent and frustrated as they were found wanting in pace and skills. They did force five penalty corners but found Chhetri a difficult man to beat. The Indians adopted an attacking posture with some tight midfield play for the best part of the first-half. Saradara Singh in particular was in the thick of action, with a steady steam of passes to the forwards. The Belgian midfield play left a lot to be desired and left acres of space that the Indians exploited to the fullest. Despite easily penetrating the Belgian defence, the Indian forwards were guilty of poor positional play inside the circle where a stream of passes went unutilised. Adding to India's woes were the Belgian deep defenders, including goalkeeper David van Rysselberghe, who marked and covered well. — IANS
	2 Indian boxers in quarters Bangkok, January 27 Indians rounded off yet another brilliant day at the Asian Olympic Boxing Qualifying tourney with two pugilists in action advancing to the quarterfinals here today. In the 48 kg category, Amandeep Singh knocked out Korean Hong Woo Mon in the first round to advance to the last-eight stage of Asia's first qualifying event for Beijing Olympics. Amandeep landed a stunning upper cut on his opponent's body to knock him out. In the 60 kg category, Olympian Diwakar Prasad also made short work of his Pakistani rival Mohd Soffid, beating him 26-8 to set up a clash with Iranian Houman Karami. It was a commendable performance by Diwakar, considering he had to upgrade his weight category just a couple of months ago. — PTI
	Pak win 3rd ODI, series Multan, January 27 Shahid Afridi hit a confident half century to lead Pakistan to a 37-run victory over Zimbabwe in the third limited-overs international today. Hard-hitting Afridi smashed 85 off 52 balls, including a record-equalling 245th six, as Pakistan restricted Zimbabwe to 235 for seven after scoring a formidable total of 272-9 of its 50 overs. With the win, Pakistan takes an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. Sean Williams (71) and Brendon Taylor (55) shared 105-run fourth wicket stand to give Zimbabwe some hope, before both departed in the space of nine deliveries. Brief scores: Pakistan 272-9 (Shahid Afridi 85, Tawanda Mupariwa 4-46) Zimbabwe 235-7 (Sean Williams 71, Brendan Taylor 55). — Reuters
	Chandigarh Lions win opener Chennai, January 27 An unbeaten 68 by Chetan Sharma helped Chandigarh Lions score a thrilling one-wicket win over Chennai Superstars in the inaugural match of Indian Cricket League (ICL) 50-overs a side domestic tournament here today. Chasing 166, the Chandigarh outfit were struggling at 38 for 5, but man-of-the-match Sharma spearheaded a fine recovery, adding 78 vital runs with Bipul Sharma (35 off 44b) for the sixth wicket. Chennai captain R Satish struck three quick blows removing Bipul harma, A Uniya (8) and I Malhotra (8) in the space of five overs. However, Chetan stuck to the crease and guided his side to 167 for nine in 37.5 overs for full five points. For Chennai Superstars, the winners of the inaugural ICL Twenty20 international tournament, opening bowlers Jesuraj (2/26), Vignesh (3/26) and Satish (3/12) were the main wicket-takers. — PTI
	North Zone tighten noose Ahmedabad, January 27 South Zone were 95 for the loss of two wickets in their second innings against North Zone on the second day of the Duleep Trophy cricket match here today. D.B. Ravi Teja (15) and S.A. Asnodkar (37) were the wickets to fall as South Zone trailed by 47 runs. S. Badrinath (10) and M. Vijay (24) were at the crease when stumps were drawn. Earlier, North Zone, in reply to South’s first innings total of 157, were all out for 299 runs. Riding on a brilliant 97 by Yashpal Singh, North Zone firmed up their position. Yashpal, who started from his overnight score of 24, batted in a spectacular fashion, hitting two sixes and 10 fours. However, he missed a much-deserved ton. Brief scores: South Zone (1st innings): 157 all out North Zone (1st innings): 299 (Yashpal Singh 97, Amit Mishra 47, Vijay Kumar 4-87, Ayappa 3-87) South Zone (2nd innings): 95 for 2. — PTI