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Djoker not kidding with Chardy
IOC ‘happy’ with IOA election process
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German Kittel wins chaotic first stage
Enough is enough, say Tour de France riders on doping issue
India to host World Twenty20 in 2016
Upbeat India take on cautious WI
Gayle blasts ton as WI start campaign with easy win
Deaflympics squad in quandary as SAI has ‘no budget’ for them
Rossi ends win drought in Dutch Moto Grand Prix
Spieth, Castro share lead at Congressional
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Djoker not kidding with Chardy
London, June 29 The 2011 champion polished off the Frenchman in a tidy one hour and 26 minute win. Djokovic played a near-flawless match, hardly breaking a sweat on Center Court. In the first two rounds, Djokovic was credited with 32 unforced errors, but Saturday, the Serbian dropped just three unforced errors, both in the final set. “Everything went my way. I haven't lost many points on my service game,” he said. “It's very enjoyable when everything works well. Not many times it happens on the grass against a big server you get to return this well on what is the fastest surface.” The win marked Djokovic's 50th career grass court victory. Djokovic moves on the round of 16 where he'll face 35-year-old German Tommy Haas. The two recently met at the French Open where Djokovic, who owns a 5-3 advantage in career matchups, won in straight sets. Unheralded Pole Lukasz Kubot and fellow twilight zone journeyman, Kenny de Schepper of France, capitalised on the culling of Wimbledon seeds to secure surprise fourth round spots on Saturday. Kubot, the 31-year-old world number 30, defeated French 25th seed Benoit Paire 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the Wimbledon last-16 for the second time and celebrated his achievement with an impromptu can-can on Court 18. De Schepper, the 26-year-old world number 80, beat Argentine 22nd seed Juan Monaco, 6-4, 7-6 (10/8), 6-4 to book a last-16 spot at a major for the first time in his career. Kubot, who also made the fourth round in 2011, is the second Pole to reach the last-16 after 24th seed Jerzy Janowicz also booked his place on Friday. It is the first time that two Polish men have got this far at any Grand Slam in the Open era. Left-hander De Schepper will face experienced Fernando Verdasco in Monday's fourth round after the Spanish former top 10 player, now at 54 in the world, cruised past temperamental Latvian Ernests Gulbis, 6-2, 6-4, 6-4. Russian 20th seed Mikhail Youzhny, a quarter-finalist in 2012, defeated Serbia's Viktor Troicki 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 and goes on to face British second seed Andy Murray. The lop-sided bottom half of the draw has been caused by the shock early exits of defending champion Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, sixth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Marin Cilic, the 10th seed. Nishikori goes down
Andreas Seppi extended his remarkable run of five set victories as the Italian 23rd seed defeated Japan's Kei Nishikori 3-6, 6-2 6-7 (4/7), 6-1, 6-4 in the third round. Seppi has now won all seven of the five-set matches in 2013 dating back to the Australian Open in January. The 29-year-old will play former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro for a place in the quarter-finals.
Kvitova pulls it off Women's 2011 champion Petra Kvitova, the eighth seed and highest ranked player in her half after the exits of Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka, reached the fourth round with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 defeat of Russian 25th seed Ekaterina Makarova. Czech star Kvitova had trailed 1-2 in the final set when the tie was halted overnight but in sunny, fast conditions on Court One, she stormed past Makarova whose defeat means that for the first time in 13 years at any Grand Slam there are no Russian women in the last-16. — Agencies results Day 6 Women’s singles third
Round
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IOC ‘happy’ with IOA election process
New Delhi, June 29 In a letter addressed to Sports Minister Jitendra Singh, IOA acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra and IOC member in India Randhir Singh (with copies to IOA president Jacques Rogge and Olympic Council of Asia president Sheikh Ahmad Al FAhad Al Sabah), IOC director-general Christophe De Kepper has informed that following the fruitful meeting among the IOC, Sports Ministry and IOA representatives at Lausanne on May 15 to workout a formula to end IOC’s suspension of the IOA, the IOC has received the proposed amendments to the current IOA constitution, and was in the process of reviewing the IOA constitution as a whole (including but not limited to the amendment proposals received). Following the Lausanne meeting, the IOA executive met in Delhi two weeks ago to finalize the amendments, which were sent to the IOC for its comments. The IOC has informed the Ministry and the IOA that “given the complexity of the issues which have to be addressed (including good governance and ethics), the IOC needs more time to coordinate all comments internally”. “The IOC will, therefore, not be able to meet the deadline initially established (15 July) for the first Extraordinary General Assembly of the suspended IOA to take place”, Kepper noted. This means that the IOA elections, which were scheduled to be held afresh by September 1, may be delayed as the IOA had expected to complete the election process by August-end before holding the elections. “Consequently, this initial deadline of 15 July will have to be slightly extended until the IOC can compile and send all the necessary comments for the new IOA constitution”, Kepper said. He said in the next few days, he would confirm a “reasonable date/period” that could be envisaged for this first Extraordinary General Assembly to take place”. Kepper said the delay was on account of the time needed to properly whet the proposals to amend the IOA constitution.
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German Kittel wins chaotic first stage
The Orica GreenEdge team bus got stuck under the finish-line banner as a speeding peloton was approaching and was moved away just minutes before Kittel outsprinted a depleted bunch to claim the yellow jersey. "It feels like I have gold on my shoulders. It is unbelievable, I'm so proud that we made it today," Kittel told a news conference after a 213-km ride from Porto Vecchio along the turquoise waters of the east coast of Corsica. Spaniard Contador, one of the pre-race favourites, was among the riders caught up in a crash with four kilometres left and he crossed the line with the left side of his jersey torn up and his face a mask of pain. "He is all right but it is after the night that we will see how he has recuperated from the crash. There is no fracture," Contador's sports director at Team Saxo-Tinkoff, Philippe Mauduit, told reporters. Contador told reporters: "It hurts. We put ice on it. The Tour is the Tour, you never know what can happen." Slovakian prodigy Peter Sagan, who won the green jersey for the points classification last year, also crashed as the peloton got jittery when they heard the finish line had been moved to the three-kilometre line. Double time-trial world champion Tony Martin of Germany crashed heavily, too, and suffered a suspected collarbone fracture. He was carried on a stretcher into an ambulance from his team bus. Pre-stage favourite Mark Cavendish of Britain was held up behind the crash that took down dozen of riders and could not contest the final sprint. "I count myself lucky," the British champion said. The Orica GreenEdge team bus was eventually moved away before the peloton's arrival. Organisers said that all riders would be credited with the same time because of the incidents. — Reuters
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Enough is enough, say Tour de France riders on doping issue
PARIS, June 29 "It is degrading to be dragged through the mud and be run down by some who look to make money on our backs," the riders said in a statement on Friday after Le Monde newspaper printed a headline quoting Lance Armstrong saying it was impossible to win the Tour de France without doping. American Armstrong, who was stripped of his seven Tour titles for doping and later admitted taking performance-enhancing drugs, had been speaking about the 1999-2005 era during which he crushed the opposition. Earlier in the week, sports daily L'Equipe said a urine sample from Frenchman Laurent Jalabert in 1998 showed traces of the banned blood-booster EPO when it was re-tested in 2004. "Enough is enough!!!!!!,'" the riders' statement further read. "Today the limits of the bearable have been reached!!!! We have for many years shown our will to work for a flawless fight against doping. "If there was a culture of doping in the 1990s, in the past 15 years our sport has been fighting alone against the plague of doping. "We are professional bike riders and we are proud of that. But do not treat us like sub-citizens as you have been doing for too long," the riders' statement continued. In 2011, blood tests accounted for 35 % of tests in cycling while 17.6 % in athletics and less than 6 % in tennis. — Reuters
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India to host World Twenty20 in 2016 New Delhi, June 29 The BCCI was awarded the two events during the ICC Annual Conference that ended on Saturday. India was represented by interim chief Jagmohan Dalmiya. The ICC finalised its global events from 2015 to 2023 and decided that full members have to play a minimum of 16 Tests over a four-year period to retain their Test status. The ICC also confirmed that the inaugural ICC World Test Championship will be staged in 2017 and will be hosted by England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) June-July. The second edition, slated for 2021, will be held in in India in February-March. The ECB will also host the 2019 World Cup and Cricket Australia (CA) got the hosting rights of the 2020 World Twenty20. The BCCI again had its way as there was no specific discussions on uniform implementation of DRS but recent ball change controversy during Champions Trophy prompted the parent body to take some strong measures. “The formal introduction of a two-step process when the umpire believes the condition of the ball has been changed, but there is no eyewitness to identify which player changed the condition of the ball: i) Replace the ball and give the captain a first and final warning; ii) award a five-run penalty to the batting team, replace the ball (with the batsman to choose) and report the captain." No probe in spot-fixing
The ICC Board was updated on the ongoing investigations by the ICC’s ACSU in respect of the BPL 2013. It was advised that further investigative work needed to be completed before any further action can be taken. — PTI |
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Upbeat India take on cautious WI
Kingston, June 29 The Indians got barely a few days to rejoice after their Champions Trophy win before boarding the flight to the Caribbeans and fatigue could be the only worry for a side which looks in unbeatable form. The West Indians, on the other hand, would be eager to extract revenge for the loss to India in a Champions Trophy group match. The hosts have in fact started the series with a mauling victory over Sri Lanka in opener. The biggest positive from the game was the return to form of Chris Gayle, who was slightly off-colour in the Champions Trophy. Gayle's marauding hundred, which included seven sixes and nine fours, helped the West Indies overhaul a 209-run target in a mere 37.5 overs. He would without doubt be the backbone of the West Indian batting against India as well. Both the sides are well aware of each others strengths and weaknesses as their key players have played in the IPL either with or against each other. Interestingly, rival captains MS Dhoni and Dwayne Bravo are CSK teammates while Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle turned out for Royal Challengers
Bangalore.
His partner Shikhar Dhawan is also in sublime form and was the star of India's title-winning campaign. And it is unlikely that India will disturb the winning combination that saw Dinesh Karthik promoted to No. 4 and Dhoni up at No. 5 ahead of Suresh Raina. On the other hand, in spite of their enormous potential, the West Indies remain a fickle lot. But there is no denying that West Indies have the experience and the talent to give the Indians a run for their money. Gayle, Johnson Charles, Darren Bravo and Marlon Samuels can see off India's new ball bowlers -- the troika of Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ishant Sharma — but will have to apply themselves. West Indies will surely test the Indian batsmen with both speed and spin. Pacers Kemar Roach and Ravi Rampaul can be a handful while spinner Sunil Narine will always have a few tricks up his sleeve.
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Gayle blasts ton as WI start campaign with easy win
KINGSTON, June 29 The big-hitting Gayle blasted nine fours and seven sixes in front of his home crowd to make an easy work of the 209-run target at the Sabina Park. This was Gayle's 21st ODI ton and third on this ground, the previous one coming against New Zealand last year. Even as Gayle got out after bringing his side to the doorstep of victory - the West Indies needed just 28 runs for win in 19 overs - they lost two more wickets after the Jamaican's dismissal. But skipper Dwayne Bravo and Marlon Samuels kept their cool to see the hosts through for a bonus-point win with 73 balls to spare. After helping himself to two fours, Gayle hit Jeevan Mendis straight over his head for a six. — PTI Scoreboard West Indies
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Brazil, Spain look to serve up a final feast
Rio DE Janeiro, June 29
Yet he and 200 million Brazilians, 47 million Spaniards and countless fans across the globe hope the best is yet to come as holders Brazil and world champions Spain prepare to take the final curtain Sunday in Rio. Brazil starlet Neymar says he can already taste the atmosphere of an historic occasion as the Selecao aim for a third straight crown and a fourth overall. A Spanish victory, by contrast, would make them the first side to win four straight international tournaments after sandwiching their 2010 World Cup success with European glory in 2008 and 2012. With Spain the dominant power of recent years and Brazil the most successful nation in the game`s history, it is small wonder their stars cannot wait to joust at the renovated Maracana stadium, scene of Brazil`s legendary 1970 World Cup win. “These teams have great tradition and history. Spain have their stars - and so do Brazil,” Neymar said. Neymar and company faced initial criticism from Pele, who claimed the current Brazil team is “not good enough” to land the game`s top prizes. But by beating Japan, Mexico and Italy in the group phase and then showing they can scrap by edging Uruguay in a tough semi, Brazil are rising again after falling to a modest 19th in the FIFA rankings ahead of the event. Just as Vicente del Bosque has taken Spain to even greater heights after succeeding Euro 2008 winner Luis Aragones, so Brazil`s ongoing renaissance is down to a fellow moustachioed sexagenarian in Luiz Felipe Scolari, architect of a World Cup success in 2002. Scolari insists the tournament is merely an opportunity to see how well he can blend the aces in his pack over the coming year. Yet after seeing his side respond to his cracking of the whip, Brazil`s `eminence rise` has slightly revised that opinion with another Confederations trophy almost in reach, knowing that beating the world champions would put a large feather in his cap. — AFP
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Deaflympics squad in quandary as SAI has ‘no budget’ for them
Chandigarh, June 29 According to the entries in preliminary registration form SAI was meant to send a contingent of over 50 members in 8 different disciplines but during the final selection, the contingent was pruned to 21 members, incusing seven of the coaching staff, reducing the players’ number to just 14. Sources in the SAI Delhi office revealed that the Project Officer suggested 21 members, using for reference, last year’s Paralympics contingent. Such is the extent of the apathy that the official can not even differentiate between Paralympics and Deaflympics. When the parents of the athletes objected to the last-minute pruning, the Chairman of the selection committee mentioned that it was done because of ‘no budget approval’ for the players. According to the entries, SAI was meant to send four men, four women, one men’s and one women’s doubles team and two mixed-doubles teams in the tennis competition. But now, only four players (two men and two women) have been selected. Parul Gupta, a tennis player with hearing disability, is one of the many players who are on the verge of missing out the championship due to the ‘paucity’ of funds. Avinash Gupta, Parul’s father said, “SAI officials are not even aware of the rules. They have pruned the contingent due to a mistake committed by their own official but now they say they don’t have the money to send the players. Instead of finding a way out they are indulging in the blame game. We are willing to pay from our own pockets but we want every player to have a fair chance.” “My daughter practiced a whole year for this competition but at the eleventh hour she was dropped.” Shafay, another tennis player, is in the same boat. His Father, Dr. Quadri from Aurangabad (Maharashtra) said, “My son was selected as the third member of the tennis team. Why should our children face the consequences for the mistake committed by SAI officials. On top of it, the officials were trying to keep us in the dark till the last moment. Earlier, petty politics between the two associations had jeopardized India’s participation, which was resolved after the international Deaflympics’ chairman intervened, and now this problem has risen.” When contacted, Rajinder Singh, chairman of the selection committee, said, “I am not allowed to speak with the media directly. Contact my Personal Assistant (PA).” His subordinate was not available for comments.
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Hamilton rewards British fans with pole at Silverstone
Silverstone, June 29 The 2008 world champion, chasing his first win for Mercedes after leaving McLaren last year, started the session with a wave for the crowd from the pit wall and ended it with the fans saluting him. The pole was the 28th of Hamilton’s career and Mercedes’ fifth in eight races. Red Bull’s triple world champion Sebastian Vettel qualified third and will share the second row with team mate Mark Webber, in what will be the Australian’s last British race before quitting Formula One at the end of the year. Britain’s Paul Di Resta for Force India will line up on the third row. — Reuters
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Rossi ends win drought in Dutch Moto Grand Prix
ASSEN (Netherlands), June 29 The 34-year-old - who had not won since the Malaysian MotoGP in October 2010 - came home clear on his Yamaha ahead of Honda’s Marco Marquez while Briton Cal Crutchlow, who had been on pole, was third on a Yamaha works bike. Rossi’s teammate defending world champion Jorge Lorenzo was also a winner on Saturday as his decision to ride despite undergoing early Friday an operation on a broken collarbone paid off as he finished fifth. The 26-year-old lost only minimal ground in the world title race as series leader Dani Pedrosa, who had never won this race, finished just a place ahead of him. Pedrosa extended his lead by just two points to nine over Lorenzo, while Rossi is fifth 51 points adrift of the leader after posting his 80th win in the category and 106th in all disciplines leaving him 16 short of all-time overall win leader compatriot Giacomo Agostini. Pedrosa swooped to take the lead on the first corner in front of Marquez and Stefan Bradl, while Crutchlow had a terrible start and dropped to fifth. — AFP
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Spieth, Castro share lead at Congressional
Bethesda (USA), June 29 The 19-year-old Spieth fired a five-under-par 66 to finish at seven-under. — Reuters
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Bastia, France, June 29
