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Jelena Jankovic waves after winning her match against Petra Cetkovska at Roland Garros on Tuesday.
Sharapova older and wiser after comeback
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England win ODI series
India well placed to defend T20 title: Akram
Rome awaits Man U, Barca and history
Additional Indian team for World Badminton C'ship
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Paris, May 26 Twenty four hours after the scorching conditions in Paris had left many players hot and bothered, temperatures had dipped by more than 15 degrees Celsius after overnight thunderstorms. Instead of using her official red and white towel to wipe the sweat off her face, Jankovic used it as a blanket around her shoulders during the changeovers and seemed relieved when she could get back into the warmth of the locker room with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Czech Petra Cetkovska. Serena Williams fought off swirling winds and a bold challenge by Czech Klara Zakopalova to reach the second round with a 6-3 6-7 6-4 win. Zakopalova proved to be a stubborn opponent as she saved five match points in the ninth game of the second set and frustrated the American further by taking the tiebreak 7-5 to level the contest. Like Jankovic, Russian Kuznetsova also had to endure a two-hour rain break during the first set but she made sure she did not slip up on resumption and bamboozled French wildcard Claire Feuerstein 6-1, 6-4. Men's fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro also appeared to be in a hurry to finish his match before the rain returned and stamped all over French hopes in a 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 win over Michael Llodra. Former Australian Open finalist Rainer Schuettler, however, wished the rain had never stopped. Four days after being walloped 6-0, 6-0 in the World Team Cup by Sweden's Robin Soderling, the German had to digest some more bagels. He was heading for becoming the first man since 1993 to suffer the ignominy of losing a grand slam match without winning a game before suddenly waking up to register his name on the scoreboard. He lost 6-0, 6-0, 6-4 to France's Marc Gicquel. Djokovic could, however, sympathise with the plight of Ecuador's Lapentti's since the Serb's last grand slam appearance had ended with his own retirement. Four months after Djokovic threw in the towel in the Australian Open quarter-finals, the Serb looked concerned when Lapentti went over on his left ankle while trailing 5-2 in the opening set. Grimacing in pain, Lapentti called on the tournament trainer to strap up the ankle but after limping around court for another six games, the 32-year-old called it quits. — Reuters
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Sharapova older and wiser after comeback
Paris, May 26 The Russian former world number one was playing in her first Grand Slam match since a second-round loss to compatriot Alla Kudryatseva at last year’s Wimbledon before spending almost 10 months on the sidelines with a shoulder injury. “I started pretty lousy and even though I was up a break, I wasn’t doing the right things and I was letting her play well,” Sharapova said after fighting back from a set down to win 3-6, 6-1, 6-2. “I was playing sloppy but I turned it around. I started playing better and more aggressively. Asked what she had learnt during her lengthy lay-off from the sport, she replied that she had become more reflective. “For the first time in my life I couldn’t practise for such a long period of time, three months or something. Everything about it was bizarre, like something had been taken away from your life. After going through this long process I think I’ll treat losses less emotionally. I’ll have more perspective on those things,” she said.
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Birmingham, May 26 Earlier, Matt Prior’s one-day best of 87 was the highlight of England’s record total against the West Indies of 328 for seven. Together with Owais Shah, who made an entertaining 75, wicket-keeper Prior put on 149 in 126 balls for the third wicket as England surpassed their previous ODI best against the West Indies of 306 for five at The Oval in 1995. It was further proof, after their six-wicket win at Bristol on Sunday, that England could function effectively without injured stars Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen. England captain Andrew Strauss (52) and Ravi Bopara (49) gave the hosts a solid start after West Indies captain Chris Gayle won the toss and chose to field in a match the tourists had to win. — AFP Scoreboard West Indies: Player of the match:
Prior
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India well placed to defend T20 title: Akram
New Delhi, May 26 He said the T20 World Cup, starting in England on June 5, would be a great draw world-wide as it was a nation-to-nation contest, and the quality of the matches would be good. He said the attraction of the format was that each match would last only three and a half hours. “You have to play your game to succeed in T20 due to limited time factor”, Akram said. Akram, along with former Indian international Sanjay Manjrekar interacted with the media during the launch of the ICC T20 World Cup trophy here today. Akram observed that on flat wickets like at the Oval and Trent Bridge (Nottingham), totals ranging from 170-180 would be a possibility, with spinners playing a pivotal role in the middle innings. Akram hoped that Pakistan would do well in the World Cup as they have been “well rested”. He said though the Pakistan team lost to Australia in the 50-over contests in Dubai, they won the T20 event, which was encouraging news for them as they gear up for the T20 World Cup. “Pakistan have a chance in T20 for the first time”, Akram noted. But Pakistan’s problems would be Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar. “Afridi and Akhtar can never listen to instructions. I could not change Afridi during the ten years I was the captain. I don’t think they can change him in 100 years”, remarked Akram tounge-in-cheek. Manjrekar and Akram echoed the feeling that India would be well-placed to defend their title won in South Africa two years ago. Manjrekar said India were a strong team, with a lot of backup players, and young guns like Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma adding to the depth. “India are also used to taking pressure”, he added. He said the strength of India was that they are good as a team, with some brilliant individual performers. He said Gautam Gambhir’s dip in form in the IPL was cause for some concern, but Virender Sehwag was “exceptional” as he had the ability to bounce back any time. Akram said though T20 originated in England, the hosts would be under pressure, now that Flintoff will not be there in the team. He said among the IPL bowlers he was impressed with Sri Lankan “sling” bowler Lasith Malinga. “Malinga is nippy, sharp and bowls perfect yorkers. Very difficult to face. He’s my favourite bowler”, Akram added. He felt South Africa and New Zealand would not be big forces in T20, though both the teams have some very good players. “Daniel Vettori and Jacob Oram did well in the IPL but South Africa are more determined”, he explained.
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Rome awaits Man U, Barca and history
Chandigarh, May 26 Manchester United: The Red Devils are on a roll. They have already defended the Premiership successfully. A Community Shield win at the beginning of the season, the FIFA Club World Cup and the Carling Cup win over Spurs means that the club is looking at a possible fourth trophy this season. There is a strong chance that United will feel favourites at Rome. They are the defending champions as well. But the fact that no team has defended the title, may give some food for thought to Sir Alex. Ronaldo will be the biggest threat for Barca. And with their first choice left back Eric Abidal missing out with a red card, the problem turns into a grave one. No one can handle Ronaldo’s pace and movement, definitely not a make-shift defender. United will certainly use their attacking options and Fergie might go in for a 4-3-3, with Rooney on the left, Ronaldo through the right and Berbatov through the center, considering that he will be tempted to play Ronaldo on the right. But then he can play Park Ji Sung on the right and Ronaldo through the centre, with Rooney dropping back in a 4-5-1 formation, as the Portuguese winger has taking a liking for the central role. The formation maybe any, the wings will stretch Barca for sure. They will try to create as much space as possible in the centre as that is where Barca create and play most of their game. Barcelona: The Spanish giants have gone through a transformation after the Rijkaard era. With Pep Guardiola taking over, the team found a way to express themselves on the field. The Henry, Messi and Eto’o trio has scored over 100 goals this season and that is where the cause of concern for United begins. Lionel Messi is arguably the most talented player in world football right now. There are faster players with more flair, but Leo’s close control is unmatched, something that makes him a threat in the last third of the field. Thierry Henry, the Arsenal legend struggled to adapt at Nou Camp initially but under Guardiola is back to his best despite playing on the left wing. Eto’o is still the most sought after striker in La Liga. Add to this a midfield with Xavi and Iniesta and the team starts shaping up as the most creative in the world. But in defence, Barcelona are caught in a fix. Marques is out, Alves and Abidal too, and Puyol has gone through the most horrible month of his Barca career. Toure may fill some of these gaps, but with him moving out the midfield looks light, considering they play United, a little too light. 4-3-3, maybe, if Henry is declared fit but Barca will have to be on high vigil against an attack from the wings as that might open the flood gates. In those 90 minuts there is too much that can happen, too much that should happen, and in the end may the team, which plays the beautiful game with flair when it matters the most, win!
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Additional Indian team for World Badminton C'ship
New Delhi, May 26 The team will also consist of Arun Vishnu, Aparna Balan, K Tarun and Shruti Kurian, who will get an opportunity to represent India for the singles and the doubles team respectively. According to the format 64 highest ranked players qualify to participate in the World Championship
— PTI |
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Paris, May 26
Paris, May 26
New Delhi, May 26
Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza crashed out of French Open women's singles event after losing in straight sets to Kazakhstan's Galina Voskoboeva here today. Sania went down 4-6, 6-7 (3) in a contest lasting a little over an hour and a half.
