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Erratic Saina loses in Indonesia Open final
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India eves finish 7th in FIH Champions Challenge 1
Sri Lanka can leapfrog India into 2nd spot in ODI ranking
JCT colts win U-19
I-League
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‘Smashing’ Djoker
London, June 26 Serbia’s Djokovic demolished his racket frame after one point that bordered on the preposterous at the end of the second set but despite feeling heavy-legged he resisted a furious barrage from the grinning Cypriot showman to reach the last 16. The 24-year-old won 41 consecutive matches this year, including the Australian Open, but few of those wins provided the sheer sporting theatre that captivated 15,000 fans in Centre Court and millions around the world on television. “I mean, playing here the last five years, there were not many moments when I saw practically all the Centre Court stadium on their feet," Djokovic, who faces French serve and volleyer Michael Llodra on Monday, told reporters. "It was incredible really. It was exciting to see the Centre Court of Wimbledon being so enthusiastic about the match. “Me as a player, I have to appreciate that and be happy I was a part of the exciting match. I was moving really bad. I didn't feel great on the court. I think I won because I was hanging in there and fighting." Djokovic, poised to take over as world number one if Rafa Nadal fails to retain his title here, was in control of the first set and pounced at his first opportunity when former top-tenner Baghdatis served at 4-5. Something about the Wimbledon air inspires 26-year-old Baghdatis though and he began striking the ball with real panache as Djokovic retreated into his shell. A forehand return winner that Djokovic barely even saw signalled a Baghdatis counter-attack in the third game of the second set and he secured his first break of the match thanks to a double-fault from an increasingly agitated opponent. Gesticulating towards his box and chuntering to himself, Djokovic finally exploded in the eighth game when he floated a backhand long after a staggering exchange which had the crowd rubbing their eyes in disbelief. Once, twice, three times Djokovic buried his racket frame into the dust patch behind the baseline until his shiny frame was in pieces - the warning issued by the umpire almost drowned out by the din. “I like to make sure," Djokovic, who beat Baghdatis in a five-hour epic Wimbledon quarter-final in 2007, joked later. "Look, I'm not going to change who I am. I can work on some things, but, you know, my temper is my temper. My character is my character. On the bright side, I hung in there and in the important moments I stayed emotionally stable, believing that I can win, and that's what matters the most." After the free-hitting Baghdatis, who once broke British hearts by beating Andy Murray on Centre Court, levelled the match it looked grim for Djokovic. He was reduced to ball retriever for a while as Baghdatis pounded the corners, his racket a swishing blade. At one point Baghdatis ended up on Djokovic's baseline after chasing down a drop shot, sharing a joke with a lineswoman while he was there. It was cracking stuff but Djokovic, whose nickname is Joker, is not the heir to the No.1 throne for nothing and when he needed to dig deep, he kept digging. He broke Baghdatis's serve in a mesmerising fourth game of the third set despite trailing 40-0 and suddenly a match that appeared to be slipping away was back in his grasp. He broke again to lead 3-2 in the fourth when Baghdatis hoicked a forehand into the net but there was a final twist when Djokovic served for the match and was seized with nerves, fluffing a forehand into the net. A fist-pumping Djokovic saved two break points, one with a Hawkeye challenge, and finally claimed victory when Baghdatis fired a forehand wide. The warm embrace at the net between two of the game's stand-out personalities spoke volumes and Djokovic was clearly relieved to still be in the hunt for the Wimbledon title. He may even seek out former champion John McEnroe to prepare for facing left-hander Llodra. “If he's willing to change his clothing. Most of the time I see him he's in a suit and tie. Maybe he's going to change for tomorrow. We'll see," he said. Del Potro ready for Nadal challenge
With his clubbing flat forehand and big serve, former U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro has all the tools to provide Rafa Nadal with his first stern test in the defence of his Wimbledon crown on Monday. The giant Argentine, who stands an imposing 1.98 metres tall, climbed to fourth in the world rankings after his U.S. Open triumph in 2009 before a wrist injury that required surgery forced him to miss almost all of last year. But the 22-year-old has worked his way back to form and fitness and has an all-round game with the potential to derail Nadal's bid for an 11th grand slam title. "I think he has a good serve and very good shots from the baseline, I think he's a complete player," Nadal, who is chasing a third Wimbledon crown, told reporters after easing past Luxembourg's Gilles Muller on Saturday. "It is always is a big challenge to play against him. He's a very tough opponent and one of the best players of the world. ranking is much better than what the ranking says today. His level is much better than what the ranking says today.”
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Erratic Saina loses in Indonesia Open final
Jakarta, June 26 Fourth seed Saina, who won the title in 2009 and 2010, frittered away a match point en route to a 21-12 21-23 14-21 loss to her equally error-prone rival. In a contest which lasted a little over an hour, Saina gained from Wang's numerous errors of judgments, misplaced shots and her own trademark smashes to clinch the opening game rather easily. Wang committed 12 unforced errors in the opening game. But the Chinese recovered in the second game and although the number of unforced errors did not improve, Saina helped her rival's cause by trying too hard to hurry up the proceedings. The result was 10 unforced errors for the Indian, who also struggled to connect the smashes that more often than not had bailed her out in crunch situations. Wang was quick to pounce on the chance and took 11-8 lead at the change of ends. The Chinese was cruising along 17-14 before Saina smashed her way back again to make it 20-19. The Indian had a match point in hand but Wang fought back to make the scoreline 21-21 before clinching the game 23-21. The shift in momentum was evident in the third game and though the two players went neck-and-neck till 9-9, it was clear that Wang had gained in confidence while Saina's game began to fall apart. Saina's stock smashes were not getting the desired result as Wang showed better judgment on the baseline. In fact, Wang managed nine smash winners compared to Saina's two in the deciding game. — PTI
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India eves finish 7th in FIH Champions Challenge 1
New Delhi, June 26 Both teams were lethargic in the first half of the match, with scoring chances being few and far between. The only goal of the first half came on a penalty stroke in the 28th minute when Azerbaijan's Zhang Suleymanova scored on India's Yogita Bali. However, India, who had trounced Azerbaijan 6-1 in their earlier round robin Pool match, came out stronger in the second half and immediately started pressuring the opposition. Their efforts were rewarded in the 44th minute when captain Saba Anjum put in the only field goal of the game to even things up. Five minutes later winger Chanchan Devi Thokchom gave the Indians their first advantage with the 2-1 penalty corner goal. The one-goal lead stood for another 20 minutes, but India were never really in a danger of surrendering the game-tying goal. But for good measure Anuradha Devi put in an insurance marker with two minutes left in regulation to bring the final to 3-1. — PTI
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Vettel shrugs off doubts, coasts to win in Valencia
Valencia (Spain), June 26 His 16th career victory made him the first man to finish first or second in the opening eight races of a season in the history of the Formula One world championship. The 23-year-old German dispelled any thoughts that his last lap error in Canada a fortnight ago which cost him victory would have an adverse effect on him as he coasted home in his Red Bull to beat Spain's Fernando Alonso in a Ferrari. Vettel's Australian team-mate Mark Webber was third. Vettel's victory saw him open up a huge 77-points gap in this year's title race. He now has 186 points after eight of the season's 19 events, ahead of nearest rival Briton Jenson Button on 109. It was just the fourth time in Formula One history that all the drivers finished the race and first time since the Italian Grand Prix in 2005. Great Britain's 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton for McLaren honoured his pledge to restrain his daredevil style and finish the race, taking fourth place. Brazilian Felipe Massa in the second Ferrari and Briton Jenson Button, in the second McLaren, finished fifth and sixth. Sutil finishes 9th, Resta 14th
Adrian Sutil matched his second best performance of the season by finishing ninth in the European Grand Prix, earning two points for Force India, while Paul di Resta ended up outside the points bracket with 14th position, here today. Sutil, who started 10th on the grid, had managed the same position in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix as well. — Agencies |
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Creating a big splash
Sangrur, June 26 However, even as many are coming forward, they have to grapple with problems including lack of facilities. Jaspreet Singh, who was the best swimmer in the sub-junior and junior category in Punjab from 1994 to 1999 and has also won gold medals in the all-India university level before being selected for World University Swimming Championship in 2000, says “Sangrur has great swimming talent and has produced lot of quality swimmers over the years,” he says. “When I started swimming in 1989-1990, there were few youngsters learning this sport. But over the years, large numbers are coming forward to learn it.” Jaspreet, who is a contractual swimming coach at the Sunam Swimming Pool, adds “though there is a lot of excitement among the youngsters to make it big in swimming, they have to fight against so many odds including inadequate facilities. The lack of an all-weather pool is a big disadvantage since during winters maximum youngsters stop practicing as the temperature is quite low. “Besides there are many minuses like lack of proper gym facilities for warming up,” Jaspreet adds. Asked why so many are attracted towards swimming, Jaspreet says, “Swimming is a great exercise and keeps one fit. It also earns players huge name if they manage to win medals at the national and international levels.” Mankiran Kaur, who made a name on international level after she was selected for the Indian swimming team for the Commonwealth Games last year, says: “It is heartening to see a large number of youngsters coming forward to learn this sport. In Sangrur, the main problem is the lack of an all-weather pool which hampers practice during winters. Besides water is not as sharp as it can be made with use of chemicals for more buoyancy. The main swimming pool at Banasar Bagh should have a proper gym. Workout at the gym increases flexibility and muscle power which is very necessary for a swimmer.” Another youngster, Kajal Saini, who has won many medals in school games at State level, says, “We lag behind on the national and international level only because we cannot practice during winter.” She adds that for better results in competitions, the government should increase the spending on players in the form of more facilities and refreshment (which at present is a paltry Rs.60). Balbir Singh, swimming coach at the War Heroes Stadium swimming pool, says: “I have trained so many swimmers in Sangrur who have succeeded at national and international levels. So far as the trend is concerned I have witnessed that the youngsters have a craze for swimming nowadays. There has been an increase of at least 20-25 per cent in the number of students over the last 7-8 years. The number of girls too has increased by 25% over the period.
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Mahilpur Soccer: Kalewal beat Kharad
Jalandhar, June 26 In its fifth edition, the final between Kalewal and Kharad last night was won by Kalewal by 5-4. The match saw superb footwork by both sides before a record crowd. The match was decided via a tie-breaker after both teams had scored four goals each. The occasion is special with entire families of Mahilpur and surrounding villages turning up for the matches held late in the evening. Yesterday too, there was standing room only for the crowd that cheered lustily each time the teams scored. Gurkamal Bains, general secretary of the club, Navdeep Singh and Mohammad Akbar, who run the show, said the response had been tremendous and award money amounting to Rs 3 lakh was distributed this year. They followed the knockout format and this year only 12 teams out of 25 that applied were selected for the six-day tourney. MP Avinash Rai Khanna was the chief guest on the concluding day. Former Indian hockey captain Pargat Singh was the chief guest for the semifinals. The tournament was inaugurated by DIG Ajay Pandey.
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Sri Lanka can leapfrog India into 2nd spot in ODI ranking
Dubai, June 26 England, however, will remain in fifth position, irrespective of the outcome of the One-day series, which starts at The Oval on Tuesday. Sri Lanka trail second-placed India by just one rating point and would be able to take sole position of second place if it wins the series 4-1 or better. A 3-2 series result will put it at par with India on 119 ratings points but Tillakaratne Dilshan's side will be placed behind Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team when the ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point. Meanwhile, a 5-0 series win for English team will put it along side Sri Lanka on 112 ratings points. — PTI
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JCT colts win U-19
I-League
Kolkata, June 26 Playing in damp condition, the boys from Phagwara adapted quickly and managed to secure a draw, thanks to lack of discretion on East Bengal's part, who needed a victory to topple JCT from the perch. While JCT adapted a defensive approach, East Bengal, playing at home, could not make use of the easy chances. At least five sitters went begging and Pankan Moula and Nabin Hela's misses did not help the cause either. The draw ensured that JCT finished atop the table in the final phase on basis of a better goal difference. Both teams had seven points with two wins each, but JCT's goal difference was five against East Bengal's three. — PTI |
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A profligate defending champion Saina Nehwal faltered at the final hurdle, failing to complete the hat-trick of titles at the Indonesia Open Super Series after losing to Chinese world number three Yihan Wang in the final here today.
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