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Big cheer for hockey: Girls win bronze in junior World Cup
Good draw bolsters Saina’s chances in the Worlds
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South Africa take series with clinical win Weather holds key on intriguing final day
Satisfied to have graduated from bronze to gold: Aditya Mehta
world championships
Del Potro sets up Washington ATP final with John Isner
Villas-Boas blasts Ancelotti over Bale pursuit
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Big cheer for hockey: Girls win bronze in junior World Cup
Monchengladbach, August 4 Eighteen-year-old Rani scored India’s only goal in the regulation time and then found the net twice in the penalty shoot-out to script India’s memorable victory. India had surprised top teams in the competition and they finished their campaign in superb manner. England girls could consider themselves unlucky as they were pipped in the bronze medal match by South Korea in the last edition of the championship in Boston. The two teams had ended 1-1 after regulation time. Navneet Kaur’s strike handed India a 3-2 lead in the shoot out and when Anna Toman missed the following shot, it secured India’s win. Rani took the first stroke in the shoot-out and scored straight away. None of the England player could score except Emily Defroand, who cancelled India’s lead on both occasions. Navneet had missed her earlier stroke but beat the rival goalkeeper in her second attempt as India gained upper hand again. Anna, who had found the equaliser in the regulation for England, could not rescue her side this time in the pressure situation. Earlier, Rani had put India ahead in the 13th minute through her brilliant field goal. The Indian girls defended their citadel well and maintained the lead till the half-time break. England tried hard to get an equaliser and in the second half and Anna Toman brought her side back with her 55th minute strike. The deadlock remained till the full time and the game was stretched to penalty shootout. — PTI
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Good draw bolsters Saina’s chances in the Worlds
Guangzhou, August 4 A medal at the World Championships has eluded Saina so far as she could only reach the quarterfinals in the last two editions in 2009 and 2011. The 23-year-old from Hyderabad will look to better her record this time around. The world number three has been going through a lean patch for the last nine months as she has failed to win a single tournament but a six-week break after the Southeast Asian circuit in June has given the Indian ample time to regain fitness. Luck also seems to be at her side as she has got a bye in the first round and will open her campaign against the winner of Russian Olga Golovanova (ranked 66) and Bulgarian Alesia Zaitsava (ranked 104). Saina is likely to meet her first challenger in Thai Porntip Buranaprasertsuk, who is ranked No.18 in the world but she has never beaten Saina in five career meetings. The London Olympics bronze medallist may face either Japanese Minatsu Mitani (ranked 10th) or Korean Bae Yeon Ju (ranked 16th) in the quarterfinals. Though Saina has a 3-1 record against Mitani and a 5-2 advantage against Bae, the Indian would need to be careful against them if she has to win at least a bronze at the Worlds. According to the tournament rules, any player reaching the semi-finals is assured of a bronze medal. "There were doubts in my mind in June as I was not 100 per cent fit but I have been working very hard for the last few weeks," said Saina, whose first real challenge in the event would come only in the semifinals where Olympic gold medallist Li Xuerui of China is likely to be waiting for her. "I don't want to think too far ahead and will like to take it one match at a time. I hope to be at my best in China. I know if I'm at my best I can win again," she added. Besides Saina, India will have P V Sindhu starring in the women's singles line-up and the world number 12 will look to sprang a few surprises in her maiden appearance at the world championship. Sindhu, who also starts with a bye, will face the winner of Aprilla Yuswandari (ranked 22) of Indonesia and Japan's Kaori Imabeppu (ranked 32) in the second round. If she can cross the hurdle, Sindhu will have a bigger challenge in world number two Chinese Yihan Wang. — PTI
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Rasool didn’t fit into our plans, says Kohli
Bulawayo, August 4 “I’m not really bothered about what’s being said about people getting chances, because a lot of people who have played these five games have been sitting on the bench for two months or so,” Kohli said when queried about not including Rasool, who could have become the first J&K cricketer to play for the Indian team. India swept the series 5-0 and in the final ODI, it was expected that Rasool would be given a chance as the side had an invincible lead in hand but Kohli said the 24-year-old would get his break later. “Parveez realises we had a set bowling combination and we didn’t want to make any changes to that. It was unfortunate he didn’t get a game, but it just didn’t go according to our plans. Maybe in future when he plays more series he’ll get a few games to test his skills out,” he said. Asked if Rasool could have been given a chance in place of another all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja, Kohli said, “It’s very hard to leave someone like Jadeja out because he’s the kind of bowler who can get you wickets at any point in time.” “We didn’t want to take any game lightly and I didn’t want to change too much in the bowling department. Mishra has been sitting out for a while so we wanted to give him four or five games. “Parveez is going to South Africa now for the India A tour and he’s going to play a lot of games there and pick up more experience. He could have been given a chance but I just didn’t want to take a chance with the bowling line-up, leaving someone like Jadeja out,” he added. Reflecting on the triumph, Kohli said it was heartening to see debutants coming up with solid performances. “The guys who got a chance for the first time showed a lot of character, especially someone like Mohit Sharma and (Jaydev) Unadkat,” Kohli said. “Ajinkya Rahane coming back into the team, scoring some runs. So it was pretty good to see all the guys performing and playing their roles,” he said. “Amit Mishra sat out for two months on the road regularly and then came out with 18 wickets in this series, so there were a lot of great performances by individuals,” Kohli added. — PTI
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Jadeja bowls his way to the top
New Delhi, August 4 Jadeja, who took five wickets in five matches during India’s recently-concluded ODI tour of Zimbabwe, has leapt four places to join West Indies’ off-spinner Sunil Narine on top of the list. This is the first time Jadeja is heading the bowlers’ chart. Kumble had topped the table for 11 matches in November-December 1996. Overall, Jadeja is the fourth India bowler after Kapil Dev (March 1989), Maninder Singh (December 1987-November 1988) and Kumble to claim the number-one spot in ODIs. The series against Zimbabwe also turned out to be a big one for India’s leg-spinner Amit Mishra, who has rocketed 47 places to 32nd spot after bagging a record 18 wickets. The India team, meanwhile, consolidated its position as number one team in ICC ODI rankings. A 5-0 series win over Zimbabwe has helped it strengthen its position at the top. Though the series sweep earned the Indian side just one ratings point to help it finish at 123, it now has a lead of nine ratings points over second ranked team, Australia. In the batting table, however, both Virat Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni have lost a position each to be placed at 4th and 7th spots, respectively. Suresh Raina in 17th (up by one) and Shikhar Dhawan in 23rd (up by 16) have made progress in the list, which is still headed by South Africa’s Hashim Amla. Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara has achieved a career-best rating of 829 points and has equalled his best-ever ranking of third after finishing as the highest run-getter in the ODI series against South Africa. — PTI
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South Africa take series with clinical win Hambantota, August 4 Fast bowlers Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Morne Morkel then claimed two wickets each as Sri Lanka, the world's top-ranked Twenty20 side, were restricted to 123-7 by an impressive South African fielding display. Kumar Sangakkara played a lone hand for the hosts with an attractive 39 off 35 balls, but he was only one of three batsmen who crossed 30 in difficult conditions for both teams due to the stiff breeze. — PTI Brief scores: South Africa 145 for 6 (Miller 36, Senanayake 2/18); Sri Lanka 123 for 7 (Sangakkara 39).
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Weather holds key on intriguing final day Manchester, August 4 The teams left the field after tea with Australia 172 for seven after the umpires decided the light was too bad to allow play to continue even though the floodlights were on. Australia captain Michael Clarke, whose side trail 2-0 in the five-match series, argued in vain with umpire Marais Erasmus and there was scattered booing from the spectators. However, steady rain soon followed, forcing the umpires to suspend play for the day with further bad weather forecast for Monday's final day. Australia wrapped up England's first innings for 368 in the morning session to take a 159-run lead. The Australians then reshuffled their batting order in order to put quick runs on the board, restoring David Warner to his usual spot at opener, and the left-hander responded with 41 from 57 balls including five boundaries. Warner was playing his first Test of the series after he was suspended for punching England opener Joe Root in a Birmingham bar during the Champions Trophy earlier this year. Clarke, who scored 187 in Australia's first innings, was again in fine touch, reaching 30 not out as Australia sought to counter England's slow over rate and defensive fields before the umpires and then the weather intervened. After England resumed their first innings in the morning session on 294 for seven, Stuart Broad ensured his team avoided the follow-on by taking three boundaries off a Ryan Harris over. He fell shortly afterwards, caught behind for 32 off an outside edge to give off-spinner Nathan Lyon his only wicket. Matt Prior was dropped at mid-wicket by Steven Smith on 18 off Lyon and Graeme Swann (11) struck a straight six off the same bowler before he gave wicketkeeper Brad Haddin his fifth catch of the innings with an inside edge from the bowling of Peter Siddle. Scoreboard Aus 1st innings 527/7 Decl Australia 2nd innings — Reuters
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Woods in lead after Rd 3
Akron, USA, August 4
“I was just trying to build on my lead somehow, just trying to build on it, and for most of the day I was doing that. Ended up being a dead push for the day, but that's not too bad, either.” Woods, a 14-time major champion chasing the all-time record of 18 majors won by Jack Nicklaus, is in a commanding position to claim his fifth victory of the season and has sent a message that he is in top form entering next week's PGA Championship, the final major event of the year. “Any time you can go into a major tournament or any tournament with a win under your belt, it's nice,” Woods said. “It validates what you're working on and you have some nice momentum going in there. And hopefully I can seal the deal tomorrow and get ready for the PGA at Oak Hill.” Sweden's Henrik Stenson fired a 67 to stand second on 202, one stroke in front of American Jason Dufner, who also shot 67. Luke Donald and Chris Wood and American Bill Haas shared fourth on 204 with American Keegan Bradley and Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez on 205. Woods opened with back-to-back birdies, then closed the front nine with a bogey only to answer with a birdie at the 10th. Woods birdied the 13th but took a bogey at the next hole and continued the up and down run with a bogey at the par-5 16th followed by a birdie at the par-4 17th. “All in all, to-under par is not too bad,” Woods said. “I birdied the first two right out of the gate and I figured if I could somehow just keep the card clean and not make any bogeys and maybe throw a couple more in there, it would be a pretty good day.” Woods is 52-4 when leading or sharing the 54-hole lead in a tournament. He has won nine times in PGA events by eight or more shots and his current lead in the largest in a PGA event since Rory McIlroy led by eight after three rounds of the 2011 US Open. — Agencies
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Satisfied to have graduated from bronze to gold: Aditya Mehta
Bangalore, August 4 “I am just over the moon. This trip to Colombia was probably the best moment in my life. The format was tricky being a best of five and knockout. Even the table conditions were very different from what we are used to. I was surprised at how well I adapted to them. I just focused on the basics and tried to keep it simple,” Mehta told PTI in an e-mail interview. Mehta, the undisputed king of the Indian snooker, has often found himself finishing second-best in major tournaments but the 27-year-old Mumbaikar has finally been able to break the shackles and silence his critics with a gold medal-winning performance at the World Games. “It’s just been such a long journey. My entire career has been about slow and steady improvement. I have learnt many lessons along the way. And to progress from the bronzes and silvers to gold medal was a matter of self-belief. I am really happy with this achievement,” Mehta said. By Mehta’s own admission, he is living the best moment of his life after putting India on the global snooker map with his stupendous show. “The quarterfinal victory gave me a lot of confidence coming from 2-1 down and 50 points behind in the fourth frame. After that I think I played some of my best snooker till the end. It’s easily the biggest moment of my career. It’s a massive stage and I am proud that I could put India on the global snooker map,” he added. Mehta became the first Indian to win the World Games title after comfortably defeating his higher-ranked Chinese opponent and pre-tournament favourite, Liang Wenbo, in the summit clash of the quadrennial event on Tuesday. This was India’s first medal since badminton star Prakash Padukone’s bronze in the inaugural edition of the World Games in 1981 and only the second for the country in the history of the Games. Mehta said the title triumph will hold him in good stead in the second season of the tough Professional Circuit. “It will be a good confidence booster for me. I had a tough end to last season but I worked hard and started the new season well. Even though, I don’t have the wins to show for it yet, I can feel the difference in my game. “I just need to stay focused and keep working the way I have. It’s a very competitive circuit and it’s not going to be any easier. But I have my goals and targets and let’s see how it works out,” he said. The Mumbai cueist, who won silver and bronze medals at the 2010 Asian Games, was in top form throughout the five-day tournament and easily defeated his opponent in the final. “The final was probably the three best frames I have played in a long time. The start was crucial because in a best of five you can’t afford to go too far behind. It was the perfect start with an 84 break to take the opener. In the second, Liang had a lead of 20 with 2 reds left.” “I had a tough choice of whether to play safe or go for an aggressive pot. I decided to go for it and cleared up with 40 to go 2-0. That was a very crucial moment in the match.” — PTI
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Franklin, Ledecky shine among dazzling women
Barcelona, August 4 On the penultimate day of racing at the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona, the women outshone the men as Franklin and Ledecky wrote their names in the history books and Lithuanian teenager Ruta Meilutyte claimed her second world best of the week in qualifying for the 50 metres breaststroke. Chad le Clos of South Africa won gold in the men's 100 butterfly to add to his 200 triumph earlier in the week, Brazil's Cesar Cielo blasted to a third straight 50 freestyle title before breaking down in tears on the podium and Dane Jeanette Ottesen Gray cruised to gold in the 50 butterfly. But the day belonged to Franklin and Ledecky and their performances in the Catalan capital suggest they have every chance of remaining the dominant pair in women's swimming for many years to come. Franklin's second world 200 backstroke title in a row was her fifth gold of the week and matched a feat previously achieved only by compatriot Tracy Caulkins in 1978 and Australian Libby Trickett in 2007. She can claim the record for herself if favourites the United States win Sunday's 4x100 medley relay. Franklin clocked a championship record time of two minutes 04.76 seconds in the 200 backstroke to add to her golds in the 100 backstroke, 200 freestyle and 4x100 and 4x200 freestyle relays. She came fourth in Friday's 100 freestyle. “Wow @franklinmissy you never stop amazing me,” coach Todd Schmitz said on his Twitter feed. "Five golds and we are not done yet.” Franklin set the world record to win 200 backstroke gold at the Olympics last year, one of four titles in London, and also claimed the world title in Shanghai two years ago. She already has 10 career world championship medals and with eight golds has joined Natalie Coughlin, who first competed at the 2001 edition in Fukuoka, with the most by an American woman. “This is awesome, I'm exhausted," she told reporters. "Tomorrow I have the morning off and get prepared for the relay tomorrow night. It's going to be so much fun.” Expectations exceeded
Ledecky smashed the 1,500 metres world best to win gold on Tuesday and also won Sunday's 400 metres when she became only the second woman after Italian world record holder Federica Pellegrini to break four minutes. Ledecky left Dane Lotte Friis trailing with about 150 metres to go in the 800 and touched well inside the previous record of 8:14.10 set by Britain's Rebecca Adlington to win gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It was Ledecky's fourth title of the week - she also swam in the victorious U.S. 4x200 freestyle relay team - and she is only the second woman to win all three distance freestyle titles at a single world championships. German Hannah Stockbauer won the treble at the 2003 edition. Halsall ends drought
Fran Halsall claimed Britain’s first medal of the World Championships when she won a bronze in the 50 metres freestyle. Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands took gold in the event, with Australia’s Cate Campbell finished in a time of 24.05. —
Agencies |
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Del Potro sets up Washington ATP final with John Isner
Washington, August 4 Seventh-ranked Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion from Argentina, defeated German third seed Tommy Haas 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 while Isner blasted 29 aces in a 6-7 (7/9), 6-3, 6-4 victory over Russia's Dmitry Tursunov. Del Potro, the 2008 and 2009 Washington winner, was down 1-4 when rain halted the first set for more than three hours, but won the next four games once play resumed. “The rain delay helped me play much better in the second part of the match,” Del Potro said. “I came back with too much power on my forehand. It was too much for Tommy.” Del Potro saved a set point with a second-serve ace in the 12th game and took the tie-breaker when Haas hit a backhand long. “He went for it. There's nothing you can do,” Haas said of the second-serve ace. "The rain delay was annoying. Bothered me a lot. Momentum was on my side. (The first set) would have been mine.” Haas netted a backhand to surrender a break in the eighth game of the second set and Del Potro held for the victory, stretching his win streak to 13 matches at the $1.76 million hardcourt event, having not played in the US capital since his title run four years ago. “It's amazing after four years to return to the final," Del Potro said. Haas fell to 0-5 against Del Potro and has never taken a set from the South American star. Isner, who won last week in Atlanta, took the only break of his second set on the first point after a rain delay of more than an hour in the fourth game, hitting a forehand winner. “It was just about getting warmed up and winning that point,” Isner said. “I did come out fresher from that rain delay. Winning that first point gave me all sorts of momentum.” In the final set, Isner broke at love in the fifth game, fired four aces in a row to sweep the final game and 10 aces overall. “In the third set, I would like to see somebody do better than I did,” Tursunov said. — Agencies
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Villas-Boas blasts Ancelotti over Bale pursuit
Monaco, August 4 Villas-Boas insisted that Bale was not for sale and even pictured the 24-year-old still in a Spurs shirt this season. Bale is widely expected to complete a world record move, valued at around 100 million euros, to the Spanish giants next week. But Villas-Boas said that the suggestion the player is on the brink of leaving White Hart Lane is just speculation. "In my opinion Carlo was wrong to make it public," said Villas-Boas, after seeing his side lose 5-2 to Monaco in a pre-season friendly on Saturday. "We had conversations with Real and these were then confirmed publically which, in my opinion, was wrong.” Villas-Boas added: "These rumours of an imminent transfer are not true." Bale, who has a foot injury, remained in London where he reportedly had already said his farewells to his Tottenham teammates. “Normally this kind of situation is monitored by the Football Association. The only thing we can say officially is that the player is not for sale," added Villas-Boas. "Gareth is a guy I really like. We are talking with Real Madrid because there is respect between the two clubs following the transfer last season of Luka Modric. "We are building a great team for next season. We envisage the future with Gareth. But we know that in football anything is possible." As Bale works on his fitness, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy was due to sit down for his first face-to-face talks with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez in Miami next week, possibly on Wednesday, The Times reported on Saturday. Real are keen to see Bale at the Bernabeu ahead of their opening league game against Real Betis on August 18. Bale is set to become the most expensive player of all time, an honour currently held by Cristiano Ronaldo, who moved from Manchester United to Real for 94 million euros ($125 million, £82 million) in 2009. Levy is reportedly holding out for a transfer fee in excess of £105 million while Real are looking to strike a deal at around £85 million with a makeweight, possibly Fabio Coentrao, thrown in. On Saturday, Tottenham were also without new 30 million euro recruit Roberto Soldado and also saw Jermaine Defoe limp off with a hamstring strain. Monaco, now coached by former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri, were promoted back to the French top flight last season. They were worthy winners with Radamel Falcao, their 60 million euro signing from Atletico Madrid, grabbing two goals. Monaco were a goal ahead after 15 minutes when Italian defender Andrea Raggi volleyed beneath Hugo Lloris in the Tottenham goal. Mourinho reveals England snub
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has claimed he was close to taking charge of England in 2007 before realising he would be bored by the low-key nature of international management. The Football Association maintained Fabio Capello was always their first choice to succeed Steve McClaren following England's failure to qualify for Euro 2008. But Mourinho insists he was in talks with the FA 6 years ago and briefly considered accepting the job.
— Agencies Wenger in Anger
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Indian girls created history by winning country’s first ever bronze medal in the junior women hockey World Cup as they pipped England 3-2
penalties.
Manchester, August 4
Rain frustrated Australia's bid to win the third Test against England at Old Trafford on Sunday and keep alive their slender hopes of regaining the Ashes.
At the premature close of the fourth day, Australia led England by 331 with three second innings wickets remaining.
American Missy Franklin matched the record for golds at a single world championships of five and 16-year-old compatriot Katie Ledecky set a world best to capture a treble of freestyle distance titles on Saturday.
On the penultimate day of racing at the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona, the women outshone the men as Franklin and Ledecky wrote their names in the history books and Lithuanian teenager Ruta Meilutyte claimed her second world best of the week in qualifying for the 50 metres breaststroke.
Indian girls created history by winning country’s first ever bronze medal in the junior women hockey World Cup as they pipped England 3-2 penalties, riding on striker Rani’s dazzling show, here on Sunday.
One day after matching the low round of his career and the Firestone Country Club course record with a 61, Woods maintained the same gap he had opened on the field on Friday, with a three-round total of 15-under par 195. “I feel pretty good,” Woods said. “Today was a day that I didn't quite have it, but I scored. And the name of the game is posting a number and I did, grinded my way around that golf course.”
It was always a case of so near yet so far for ace Indian cueist Aditya Mehta in his nearly a decade-long career and the seasoned journeyman said he surprised himself as he graduated from bronze to gold at the World Games in Cali, recently.
Arsene Wenger hit back on Saturday at Brendan Rodgers after the Liverpool manager insisted Arsenal's bid for Luis Suarez fell well short of the player's valuation. Rodgers claimed Suarez's qualities meant he should be valued in similar terms to Gareth Bale, the Tottenham forward who has attracted a near £100 million approach from Real Madrid. Wenger confirmed the club had made a formal bid for Suarez - believed to be in the region of £40 million. But he also insisted negotiations would remain in-house and admitted he was perplexed by Rodgers's decision to speak out. “I do not understand this kind of thinking and would not like to talk openly about negotiations, because that is not my target,” he said. —
Agencies