London, July 9
With his 31st birthday looming Roger Federer began a record-equalling 286th week at the top of the world rankings on Monday after claiming a seventh Wimbledon title.

The accepted theory is that male tennis players begin the slow decline into retirement once they hit the 30 barrier but, as he has done throughout his career, Federer is showing scant regard for conventional wisdom.

Against Britain's Andy Murray on Sunday, Federer finished like an express train, raising his level to extraordinary heights in the third and fourth sets to complete a crushing 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 victory and seal a 17th grand slam title.

Since losing to Tomas Berdych in the Wimbledon quarter-finals two years ago, Federer has watched Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic carve up the big prizes between them.

Many doubted whether he would win another major, let alone return to the top of the rankings to emulate the 286 weeks of his idol Pete Sampras.

Now they may be asking whether he can reach the 20 mark. "I'm so happy I'm at the age I am right now," Federer, the second oldest man to be ranked number one after Andre Agassi (who was 33) said after breaking British hearts on Sunday.

"Because I had such a great run and I know there's still more possible."

Whatever feats Federer goes on to add in the final chapter of his career, he can rest assured that he has elevated the men's game to previously unimaginable heights.

He raised the bar, Nadal and Djokovic took up the challenge, and, despite marriage and the responsibility of twin daughters, Federer is reacting again, striving to be even better.

"I want to leave the game better off than when I came into this great game, which was already unbelievable with the great rivalries we had," Federer said.

It is often said that the fearlessness of youth erodes with the passing years, a phenomenon seen in professional golfers who, as time goes by, start looking for the heart of the greens rather than firing at the pins.

Despite being one of the best 'defenders' in the game when in a corner, Federer remains the most fearless player of his generation, always aiming for the lines, always pushing the boundary between agression and recklessness.

"I tried to take it more to Andy, and I was able to do that," Federer said on Sunday. "I think I went to maybe fetch victory more than he did." Federer and his family will return to Wimbledon in two weeks, as he aims to fetch the Olympic singles gold that would complete his collection.

Should he do that, however, he won't stop there. "People forget sometimes I do have twin girls," he said. "That has had a massive impact on my life. I think it's helped my game more than anything because I think I'm playing some of the best tennis of my life right now." — Reuters 

London, July 9
Leander Paes and Elena Vesnina will have to wait more for their first Grand Slam title together as they lost the closely fought Wimbledon mixed doubles summit clash to Mike Bryan and Lisa Raymond on Sunday. The fourth seeded Indo-Russian pair suffered a 3-6, 7-5, 4-6 defeat at the hands of the second seeded Americans after battling for two hours and four minutes.

It is for the second time in this season that Paes and Vesnina have ended runners-up at a tennis major as they had lost the final of the Australian Open in January to Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Horia Tecau. Nevertheless, it was creditable performance by Paes after a stormy build up to the Wimbledon, caused by the selection drama for the London Olympics.

On Sunday night, Vesnina served brilliantly and Paes too played well but there was little margin of error against the strong pair of Mike Bryan and Lisa Raymond, who had a superb all round game. It was the pair of Paes and Vesnina that got the first chance to go ahead but they squandered a break opportunity in the fifth game of the opening set. The break chance came about following a brilliant rally by an agile Vesnina at the net.

As if that waste was not enough, Paes dropped his serve in the next game. The Indian saved the first break chance with an ace but could not stop Mike Bryan from converting the second. With that break Paes and Vesnina were trailing 2-5 and finally Mike Bryan served out the set in the ninth game. The Indo-Russian pair saved three set points before conceding the lead. — PTI 

Roger Federer was quite pleased with himself and his seventh Wimbledon win, though admittedly the victory had not quite sunk in, when he sat down for the interviews on Sunday night. Excerpts:

A seventh title. Got to feel unbelievable.

Yeah, I think any Grand Slam final, particularly here at Wimbledon, are unusual. You never quite get used to it. Today was unique because of playing Andy. Obviously, you know, being able to play or finish a match under the roof, I don't think that's ever been done before here for a final.

Seven titles here... Do you feel destiny in Wimbledon?

Yeah, I mean, I guess to some degree. You know, of course I feel better here for some reason. I don't know why. But it's very unique and special in many ways, this tournament. From the get go I really felt sort of I'm supposed to play well here, I guess. Obviously, last couple of years may be slightly disappointing but again, I thought Berdych and Jo both played unbelievable the last couple years against me. This year I guess I decided in the bigger matches to take it more to my opponent instead of waiting a bit more for the mistakes.

Can you rate this win among all your Grand Slams?

Honestly, this one hasn't quite sunk in yet for some reason. I guess I was trying to be so focused in the moment itself that when it all happened I was just so happy, you know, that it was all over and that the pressure was, you know, gone basically. I guess that came due to the tough loss I had here last year. So I really almost didn't try to picture myself with the trophy.

How hard was it to listen to the same questions done in different ways about will you win a Grand Slam again?

Well, it didn't happen the day after I won Australia. Right then things were great. Like they will be tomorrow. Then the day after they are going to go, When is he going to retire, again? It hasn't always been like this, the pressers. I think they've been somewhat easier for me since I was able to win here three years ago and since I was able to win in Paris. Things are much more easy now in the press room.

This title and No. 1 didn't happen in two weeks. It's a process. Is there a point you can pinpoint when the run up to this actually began?

Uhm, wonder when. Maybe French Open last year potentially. I played an amazing French Open last year. I was very close against Rafa in the finals. And I think did play actually very well here, as well, you know, against Jo. The confidence rose as I went to Paris and also to London. I think this is when I realised a lot is possible in 2012.

Did you change your tactics at all after the rain delay?

Yeah, I mean, I tried to play more aggressive. Obviously there was a lot of wind involved as well in the first couple of sets. There was sort of a downwind from the right hand side of the umpire's chair, which maybe makes you play more with the elements and less with tactics at times. And when the wind is gone you get more back into tactics you know, what you can do, what you can't do. Yeah, I tried to take it more to Andy, and I was able to do that.

I imagine when you were 22 that you felt like a better tennis player than you were at 18. I'm curious, how you feel about that now? Do you feel like you are a better tennis player now than you were than five years ago?

I hope so. God, I've practised so much that I you don't want to be worse five years later, you know. (Laughter.) I feel I have, you know, a great game today.

Clearly very emotional for him (Andy Murray). You must have felt for him.

Yes. I mean, are you kidding me? Yeah, I mean, I told him it's supposed to be easier, this part, than playing the match. It's hard. I mean, I've been there, as well. I think he's giving himself so many looks at big titles. I do wish him all the best. This is genuine. He works extremely hard. He's as professional as you can be.

Things just didn't quite turn out for him in the finals that he hoped for. But today I'm sure he got another step closer to a Grand Slam title for him. I really do believe and hope for him that he's going to win one soon. — Agencies

Patiala, July 9
With the Olympics-bound athletes all packed up and ready to leave India tomorrow, it was an emotional evening at at NIS, Patiala, today when a valedictory party was thrown for them. Hundreds of students and staff members of NIS organised this party to honour all those who have qualified for the Olympics for their performances, and to also wish them good luck for the Olympic Games.

We are used to watching them mostly in their sports kits, but today they were all dressed up for the occasion and enjoyed a few light moments before the high-tension competition begins in just overs two weeks. Addressing the gathering, LS Ranawat, Executive Director of NIS, recalled the days when these players were just national level medallists and began their training in Patiala some years ago. He expressed joy at their success, saying: “Though I want to give the credit for this to the players and their coaches, we cannot deny the fact that the congenial environment provided to them at NIS Patiala gives them an extra edge. I take pride in this and am sure that they are going to keep the Indian fag held high at London.”

He honoured the 2008 Beijing Olympics medal-winning boxer Vijender Singh and his London team-members Jai Bhagwan, L Devendro, Manoj Kumar, Shiva Thapa, Sumit Sangwan, and also their coaches Gurbax Singh Sandhu and BI Fernandis.

Weightlifters Ravi Kumar and Soniya Chanu and their coaches Hansa Sharma and BD Sharma were also felicitated. Boxer Vikas Krishnan could not attend the event because of a family exigency.

Talking to The Tribune, Vijender Singh said that the team is very positive and hopeful about performing well at the Olympics. “We’re leaving tomorrow with a very positive mindset and I assure you that we will not come back empty-handed,” he said.

“Our country has given us a lot and it is time to give something back. I am hopeful that we would bring back many than just one medal,” he added.

Weightlifter Ravi Kumar, in his usual quiet manner, said: “I am just focusing on my performance. The Indian male weightlifters have got this opportunity after 12 years and so I just don’t want to ruin it.”

He added: “The fact remains that I am just looking forward to better my performance. I am currently lifting 360 kg in all and if I can manage 365 in London, it will be a medal finish. I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that I would be able to improve.” 

New Delhi, July 9
He might lack the experience of competing at the highest level, but Amit Kumar, the youngest member of the Indian wrestling contingent, believes that his being an unknown quantity can work in his favour at the upcoming London Olympics. "It has not been long since I have started to contest in the senior category. I am totally new to many of my opponents. They don't have much of an advantage when it comes to strategising against me, as there are not enough videos of my bouts available. This one aspect can work in my favour in London," Amit said.

The 55kg free-style grappler, who surprised one and all with his gold medal performance in the Asian Qualifying Tournament in Astana, Kazakhstan, in March this year, is aware that one moment of glory at the London Games will take him miles ahead. "I never expected that I would be competing in the Olympics so early, I had set my eyes on the 2016 Games. But since I have made it to the Olympics, I don't want to let go this chance easily. An Olympic medal can change one's life and I know what it would mean to finish on the podium in London," said the 19-year-old lad from Haryana, who along with Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, Narsingh Pancham Yadav and Geeta Phogat, is going through the rigours at a training camp in Colorado Springs, USA.

Amit conceded that lack of experience at the senior level can be a factor against him, but insisted that it is in no way going to be a handicap for him. "Experience can be a factor, but I am trying to improve on every aspect of my game. The coaches have been very supportive and with still some time left for the Olympics I am working hard to iron out any lacuna in my game," Amit said. "I am also keeping an eye on what my opponents are doing and I am confident that I will put up a decent performance at London," he pointed out. — PTI

Besancon (France), July 9
Overall leader Bradley Wiggins took another important step towards his dream of becoming the first Briton crowned in the Tour de France with an emphatic victory in the race's first major time trial on Monday. The Team Sky leader clocked 51 minutes and 24 seconds on the winding 41.5-km course between Arc et Senans and Besancon, to leave all his major rivals gasping for air.

Defending Tour champion Cadel Evans now trails Wiggins by 1:53 overall before the first rest day in the race and with the Alps looming. Vincenzo Nibali, never a specialist against the clock, limited the damage by finishing eighth, 2:07 adrift, but the Italian is already 2:23 behind the Wiggins in the general classification.

Most Tour contenders made it clear a first survey of their chances would be made after the ninth stage but the main lesson learned was that Wiggins's leading rival in the two weeks to come could be in his own ranks. Fellow Briton Christopher Froome finished second, 35 seconds off the pace. He even beat Olympic and multiple world champion Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland, the prologue winner, by 22 seconds. Winner of the first mountain stage of this Tour at La Planche des Belles Filles, the Kenyan-born Froome shines on all terrains and could be a match for his team leader. — Reuters

New Delhi, July 9
In a tragic incident Mahesh Thapa, a 27-year-old footballer who played in the local league in Jalpaiguri, died moments after a collision with the goalkeeper during a match. Thapa was first taken to the Jalpaiguri Sadar Hospital but could not be admitted to the ICU due to a lack of beds, and no bed was available at the second private nursing home he was taken to.

It is learnt that Thapa stopped breathing on the way to another private facility. He was then brought back to the Sadar Hospital where he was declared dead. District Sports Association (DSA) joint secretary, Bhola Mondal said that the player was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance soon after the incident. “There were no beds in the (first two) hospitals and we were told to wait but the condition of the player was such that we could not afford to delay," he said.

A player with the Raikatpara Sports Association, Thapa was representing the Toralpara team against Bhanu Nagar. The unfortunate incident took place when the opposition goalkeeper's knee crashed into Thapa's chest, leading to the latter's collapse. — PTI

BRIEFLY

Kaneria suspended from playing in Pak
Karachi: Former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria has been suspended from playing in his home country after his life ban in England for corruption while playing for Essex in the county championship.

Arunachal wrestler Riba wins medal
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh wrestler Dada Riba won a bronze medal in the 46 kg category at the Asian Cadet Wrestling Championship held in Bishkek in Kazakistan from July 5 to 8. He was one of the 13 wrestlers to represent India in the international event, official sources informed here.