Melbourne, January 19
Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams made it look easy at the Australian Open today as Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova flirted with disaster.

Defending champion Djokovic thumped Colombia's Santiago Giraldo and Williams brought up her 500th career win, against Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, to reach the third round.

Former champion Maria Sharapova made it two wins for the loss of just two games, and 2008 French Open winner Ana Ivanovic also strolled through to the weekend fixtures.

Second seed Kvitova had a trickier assignment against battle-hardened Carla Suarez Navarro, but she survived a mid-match meltdown to progress in three sets -- and stay on course for the top world ranking.

Djokovic has been in commanding form at the year's first major as he bids to repeat last season's astonishing haul of three grand slams among 10 titles, with a 41-match winning streak along the way.

And the Serb expended little energy in his 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 hit-out against Giraldo as he speeds towards an expected semi-final with Andy Murray, his victim in last year's final, who plays later.

"I try to not underestimate any opponents in early rounds," Djokovic said.

"Santiago came out early hitting the ball quite flat. But I knew that, you know, sooner or later he's going to drop the rhythm and I just have to hang in there. I've done a good job," he added.

Williams's victory kept up her record of reaching the third round in all but one of her 47 grand slams — despite a heavy fall late in the match on her recently injured ankle. "It's fine, I just have really wobbly ankles," she said. "I wasn't meant to be a ballerina."

Resurgent Sharapova, the 2008 winner, made light of her total lack of competitive tennis this year as she thrashed US qualifier Jamie Hampton 6-0, 6-1, after dispatching Giselo Dulko by an identical score in the first round.

Afterwards, the Russian said being world number one — which she could achieve at the end of this tournament, along with Kvitova, Victoria Azarenka and the current incumbent, Caroline Wozniacki -- was not her priority.

"My goal is to be ready for the important ones, for the big ones (tournaments)," said Sharapova, 24. "That's what matters at this stage in my career to me. I try to prepare as best as I can for them." Former finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga went through in straight sets against Ricardo Mello but fifth-seeded baseliner David Ferrer, who reached the semis last year, needed five to beat American Ryan Sweeting.

Canada's Milos Raonic wielded his huge serve as he downed Germany's Philipp Petzschner 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5.

Among the other women's results, China's Zheng Jie upset Italian seed Roberta Vinci in straight sets and Sara Errani ousted Nadia Petrova.

And Cyprus's Marcos Baghdatis paid for totalling not one, not two, not three, but four racquets in a sensational tantrum during Wednesday's loss to Stanislas Wawrinka when he was fined $800. — AFP

New Delhi, January 19
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Thursday welcomed the release of Suresh Kalmadi on bail by the Delhi High Court, after spending nine months in the Tihar Jail, in connection with the alleged irregularities in the conduct of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

IOA senior vice-president Tarlochan Singh said the sports fraternity was happy and relieved that Kalmadi had been granted bail by the High Court. “The court has upheld the rule of law”, Tarlochan Singh said. He said Kalmadi continues to be the elected president of the IOA and will remain in the post till the next IOA elections, scheduled for October this year, after the London Olympics.

“There has been no allegation of corruption against the IOA. Neither the CBI (the Central Bureau of Investigation) nor the Shungloo Committee and Comptroller and Auditor General of India had found any wrong doing by the IOA”, Tarlochan told The Tribune.

He said if Kalmadi so desired, he could resume charge as the president of the IOA, as neither any federation nor any member had criticised him in the IOA meetings. “They all have respect and regard for him. The House has full confidence in him,” Tarlochan added.

He, however, noted that though the IOA doors were open to Kalmadi, the Pune MP was expected to allow the status quo to continue, with Prof Vijay Kumar Malhotra functioning as the acting President, with all the powers of the IOA president.

“Kalmadi may not be able to devote time to the IOA now as he will be busy looking after the affairs of his Pune Parliamentary constituency, and the coming Pune Municipal elections. So Malhotra will continue as the acting president”, Tarlochan Singh explained.

Meanwhile, the IOA reiterated its opposition to the Dow Chemicals sponsorship of the London Olympics, urging the organising committee and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to sort out the issue amicably, keeping in view the sentiments of the people of India. Malhotra told the British High Commissioner in India, James Bevan, that there was a feeling among a section of the people that the Games organisers had not taken this very sensitive issue seriously.

“The IOA stand continues to be that Dow should not be the sponsors of the Olympic Games till the matter is resolved. The matter is still pending before the court”, Malhotra informed Bevan. He said the IOA was fully committed to the IOC and the Olympic Charter “but we also want that the sentiments of the people be respected”.

“NGOs, former Olympians, members of the Civil Society and even the Government feels that there is a need for correction in the sponsorship process of the Games”, added Malhotra.

Bevan called on Malhotra at his residence here to discuss India’s participation in the London Olympics, and explained the British Government’s and the organising committee’s stand on this issue. “We are eagerly awaiting for Indian participation in the London Games. They will get a great reception”, Bevan assured Malhotra.

Chennai, January 19
Rajasthan openers Aakash Chopra and Vineet Saxena showed loads of patience on a placid strip as Rajasthan walked away with the honours on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy final against Tamil Nadu, here today. At stumps, Rajasthan opting to bat, were 221 for no loss with Saxena batting on 120 in company of Chopra who scored a dogged 86.

Interestingly, it was same opening pair that had frustrated Tamil Nadu during the semi-finals in Jaipur last year when they added 181 for the first wicket. They have already bettered their earlier effort.

With 22-yard at Chepauk offering nothing much for the bowlers, Rajasthan who boasts of domestic heavyweights like Hrishikesh Kanitkar, Rashmi Ranjan Parida and Robin Bist would certainly look to put up a total in excess of 550.

The gameplan for the past two seasons have been simple for both Saxena and Chopra. They have a risk-free approach towards batting. Both showed enormous patience as they waited for the loose deliveries and never really played any shots that involved risk.

If the lifeless track helped their cause but one can't take away any credit from the duo who had to toil hard in humid conditions. Chopra, who had left almost anything and everything outside the off-stump had faced 273 deliveries hitting nine fours while Saxena played 269 balls hitting 16 boundaries in the process.

Tamil Nadu skipper Laxmipathy Balaji tried every sort of bowling change that he could have made using as many as eight of them without much luck.

Chopra clipped Balaji to square leg fence for couple of boundaries. When Saxena's turn came, he too showed his intentions clear driving Balaji to onside fence.

The former India Test opener showed lot of grit when he refused to leave the pitch after being hit below his left eye when Kaushik dug one short. Instead he got a bit of first-aid and continued to defy the Tamil Nadu attack. — PTI

Patiala, January 19
Almost seven months after the dope controversy rocked the nation with top Indian athletes found taking banned drugs, in another startling revelation as many as 11 school students, who participated in the 57th National School Games held at New Delhi from December 28, 2011 to January 3, 2012 have failed the dope test. Confirming the development, National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) authorities said the "A" Sample of 11 school students from a total of 80 samples have been found positive for banned substances. The students, whose samples have failed the dope test, were from the disciplines of boxing, wrestling and weightlifting.

It is pertinent to mention that it was for the first time that NADA has started taking samples of the students participating in National School Games. Meanwhile, shocked over the development, senior sports personalities have expressed serious concern, stating that it was really worrying that school students in the age group of not more than 18 years are taking banned drugs, in order to enhance their performance during the competition.

Speaking to The Tribune, Director General of NADA Rahul Bhatnagar said, "NADA had collected randomly collected 81 samples for the events of Wrestling (30), Boxing (31) and Weightlifting (20), out of which, the result of 80 has been declared. The result of the dope test of one participant boxer is yet to come. The participants from Punjab have tested positive in all the three disciplines mentioned above. Other participants, who have failed the dope test are from Maharashtra, New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Manipur."

Refusing to divulge the particulars of the participants, who have been tested positive for banned drugs, Bhatnagar said that identity of the participants would be disclosed only after results of ‘B’ samples come. "I have also rushed a dope team to Ludhiana today, where currently the athletics events for the 57th National School Games are underway, so that NADA team can take the samples of the participants", he said.

Ludhiana, January 19
The ongoing 57th National School Athletic Meet at Guru Nanak Stadium here is witnessing several overage athletes representing the junior category. Manager of Kerala and representatives of other states today raised concern over the growing trend of senior athletes participating in junior category by fraudulently changing their date of birth certificates.

Chacko Joseph, manager of Kerala contingent, is a worried man. The contingent consisting 124 athletes has been reigning champion for the last 14 years and is aiming to capture the trophy for the 15th time.

"But I do not think it would be an easy ride for us this time around especially considering the participation of overage players in the junior categories. Such players are not only ruining their careers but are also setting a wrong precedent among junior athletes," said Chako.

He added that under the guidelines laid down by the School Games Federation Of India (SGFI) before the start of any athletic meet it is important to conduct medical tests of athletes. "But these were not conducted. Had the medical team conducted these tests many overage athletes would not have participated," said Chako.

The athletic meet is being organised under three categories, including sub-junior (u-14), junior (u-17) and seniors (u-19). Several coaches accompanying their respective state teams were seen accusing each other over the age issue, but none of them lodged a formal complaint. They alleged that athletes as old as 18 are participating in the sub-junior category. Rupinder Ravi, the organiser of the athletic meet claimed that the team officials could raise objection on any player they found overage.

Dhaka, January 19
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi was the hottest property in an auction held for the inaugural Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Twenty20 tournament on Thursday, but English spinner Monty Panesar and former South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs failed to attract bids.

Afridi was sold to the Dhaka franchise for $700,000 after some intense bidding involving five of the six franchises for the Feb. 10-28 tournament, which is based on the successful Indian Premier League model.

The all-rounder, however, will only be available for the final two days of the opening BPL campaign as he is on national team duty against England in the United Arab Emirates.

Tournament organisers said the money would be given to the players proportionately for the matches they are available. Quick-scoring West Indian batsman Chris Gayle, who is available from February 14, was another to attract attention with Barisal paying $551,000 for him. — Reuters