Novak Djokovic is in seventh heaven.

Wawrinka stepped out from the shadow cast by compatriot Roger Federer and into his first grand slam semi-final with a decisive victory over the Wimbledon champion, winning the battle from the baseline and the net.

Listless Murray

The surging Wawrinka, who raised his 2013 record to 41-15 with the upset win, raised both arms in triumph after third seed Murray dumped a second-serve return into the net on match point.

“It feels amazing for sure, especially here,” the excited Swiss said. “He's defending champion, he's a tough opponent. It was a crazy match for me. To beat him in three sets is just amazing.”

Wawrinka broke the Briton four times and never faced a break point against a player noted for his ability to return. He cracked 45 winners past the listless Murray and won 31 of 42 forays to the net in the one-sided match. Murray admitted to a Wimbledon hangover after ending a drought of 77 years without a British winner since Fred Perry's 1936 triumph at the All England Club.

Sania-Zheng bow out

Sania Mirza and Zheng Jie lost their women’s doubles semi-final match of the US Open to the eighth seeded Australian pair of Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua by 2-6, 2-6 here on Thursday. The Aussie duo didn’t waste much time and came hard on the 10th seeded Mirza-Zheng to win this contest in just 65 minutes. — Reuters

Chandigarh, September 6
Abhinav Bindra, India's first and only individual gold-medallist in the Olympics, is a role model for the youth and sportspersons. A man who is hardly a role model has attacked him verbally because Bindra has made an impassioned plea to rid Indian sport of corrupt officials.

The president of the suspended Indian Olympic Association, Abhay Singh Chautala, launched an extraordinary personal attack on Abhinav today.

Abhinav's father, AS Bindra, had been arrested in 2009 for alleged financial irregularities, Chautala told a TV channel. “If Bindra feels that chargesheeted people should be stripped of their positions, then he should throw his father out of his house or leave his house himself,” Chautala said.

This was in reaction to a column Abhinav wrote, in which he lamented that the gains of the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, in which India won a total of nine medals, were being lost due to the officials.

“Rather than use the gains made in Beijing 2008 and London 2012, our administrators are fighting over whether or not corrupt people should be allowed to contest elections,” Abhinav had written. “Shouldn't it be a no-brainer that if you have charges framed against you — which means courts have studied the police investigation, given the accused a chance to defend themselves and now believe there is enough evidence to proceed with a trial — you step aside?”

Chautala's attack on Abhinav and his father is extraordinary and irrelevant. It is completely immaterial to the debate on whether tainted officials should administer sport in India. Incidentally, it came on a day when his father, OP Chautala, was denied bail by Delhi High Court in a corruption case.

National Rifles Association of India president Raninder Singh seized on this point to criticise Chautala. “It's like the big pot calling the small kettle black. People who live in glass houses should not make such statements,” Raninder said. “Our Olympic medallist is being attacked with very shallow words. As NRAI president, I strongly condemn this.”

“This is completely false, frivolous and out of context charge,” AS Bindra told The Tribune. “We are a debt-free family and company and we don't owe anyone a single penny, anyone can check it in any bank in the country.”

“This is basically a trick to divert attention from the issue at hand. Everyone, including the IOC, is listening to Abhinav, and this has left them completely rattled,” he added. “Anyway, who is Abhinav fighting for? What's in it for him personally? He's fighting for his fellow sportspersons. If they can't respect an Olympic gold medallist of the country, one could very well assess the mess our sports is in.”

Sanjeev Sen, Bindra's lawyer, told The Tribune: “All that Chautala said is false and frivolous. We may press criminal defamation charges against him.”

Rahul Mehra, the lawyer who has been waging a campaign to clean up sport for over a decade, said Chautala's comments suggest that the sports officials of the country are rattled. “They are rattled that the IOC, the sportspersons, the Sports Ministry and the fans are united on this. They are sidelined, they don't know what to do,” Mehra said. “This is the last and worst recourse in any public recourse, that you attack the individual rather than address the issues. It's frivolous and irrelevant to the discussion.”

“According to information I have, this was a baseless allegation against Abhinav's father. The FIR now stands quashed,” Mehra added. “At worst, it was just a business transaction that may have gone wrong.”

AS Bindra, Mehra said, has nothing to do with Indian sport — he's not an official or an athlete. “All he has done is support his son in a private capacity. He supported and trained his son when the sports associations were not able to.” “He used his wealth to help create an icon, a legend, the first Olympics gold medallist for the country. And even if he's guilty, how is that relevant to Indian sport? He's not an official.”

“And what have these guys done? They represent deep rooted vested interests who just wish to cling to their positions,” Mehra added.

New Delhi, September 6
The IOC has set October 31 as the deadline for the IOA to fall in line to make appropriate changes in its constitution to keep out "charge-framed" officials from holding any position in the body, and then hold fresh elections by December 15, to get the IOC suspension rescinded. But the IOA was unfazed at the IOC directive as it was planning to work out a formula to get out of the mess and bring India back into the Olympic fold, though it would be done in pursuance with the rules and laws prevailing in the country.

The IOA was surprised that the IOC has now changed the “charge-sheeted” clause to “charge-framed” so as to keep out officials facing corruption charges.

The IOC felt that the Special IOA Executive Generalbody Meeting held in Delhi on August 25 had ignored the key provisions suggested by the IOC regarding barring individuals, against whom charges have been framed in a court, was ignored by the Indian body, which was not acceptable to it, though the IOC seemed to be aware of the Indian legal system. The IOC also made it clear that the age and tenure restrictions proposed by it were applicable not just on the president, secretary-general and the treasurer, but also the entire Executive Council. IOC said it had the mandate of the Association of the National Olympic Committees and the Olympic Council of Asia to act on the conditions imposed on the IOA regarding recasting its constitution. “The IOC is well aware of the difference in the Indian legal system between charge-sheeted persons and charge-framed persons, and has never requested that the clause initially proposed applies for charge-sheeted persons. Therefore, it is reiterated that the initial wording is aimed to apply for anyone charge-framed by a court in India,” the IOC Director General Christophe de Kepper said in a letter to the IOA.

Johannesburg, September 6
An under-fire Haroon Lorgat will be desperate to solve the impasse regarding India's year-end tour of South Africa when he meets BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel at the Chief Executives' Meet at the ICC Headquarters in Dubai on September 16 and 17.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) is worried about incurring huge losses if BCCI has its way about playing a curtailed series of two Tests and three ODIs instead of originally scheduled three Tests, seven ODIs and two T20 Internationals. In response to the recent reports, Lorgat said:”There has rightly been concern about reports of a shortened tour by India but I am looking forward to meeting Sanjay (Patel) so that we can work out the best possible schedule under the present circumstances.”

The Afrikaans daily 'Beeld' earlier this week quoted reliable sources as saying that CSA stands to lose about R300 million (Rand) in total if the India tour is shortened, particularly from TV broadcast rights.

“The meeting has been agreed after several conversations between the two over the past few days as they work towards resolving scheduling issues around the end-of-year tour to South Africa by India,” CSA said in a statement. As custodians, we have a responsibility to act in the best interests of the game and all our stakeholders. “It is clear to me that both our Boards are committed to working together to ensure the wonderful relationship we have had for the past 22 years is strengthened. “As South Africans, we will always be grateful to the Indian Government for the leading role they played in first enforcing the sports boycott during the dark years of apartheid and later, together with the BCCI, facilitating our return to the world family of cricket nations.

“While we would not want to disappoint our fans and stakeholders and keep them abreast of developments, we have to follow official communication protocols in dealing with this matter, so we ask for patience and support as we engage our counterparts at the BCCI,” added Lorgat to appease growing anger about a lack of information on the situation from CSA. — PTI

Chandigargh, September 6
Twenty-year-old Ludhiana-born Inderbir Singh Sodhi has become the first Indian origin player to make it to New Zealand Test squad.

Ish, as he is popularly known, was drafted into the Test side for Bangladesh tour, starting October 9, after his good showing in the New Zealand A tour of India.

He is not only a wily customer with the ball but also wields the willow with considerable authority. He showed that in the U-19 World Cup quarterfinal against West Indies, where he scored 26 runs off the last 15 balls while batting at number 8.

With 12 first-class matches against his name, he averages 48 and took 2-100 off a combined 48 overs for New Zealand A against India A in the last week.

Playing for Northern Districts in the domestic circuit, Ish has been touted as a player for the future for the last couple of years and he has lived up to the expectations with his consistent performance throughout.

Sodhi credits Dipak Patel, another Indian-origin Black Cap , for his growth as an all-round cricketer. He has also learnt the tricks of the trade from Paul Strang, Matt Horne (NZ U-19 coach) and former NZ spinner Paul Wiseman.

The Ludhiana-born leggie shifted to New Zealand in 1996 where his father manages mental health service. His mother is a teacher.

Harare, September 6
Pakistan’s most accomplished batsman Younis Khan completed an unbeaten double century on Friday to turn the course of the first test against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club.

At the close Zimbabwe, set 342 for victory when Pakistan declared their second innings closed at 419 for nine, were 13 for one after Tino Mawoyo was dismissed lbw for two by off-spinner Saeed Ajmal.

Younus brought up his 200 with a six during an unbeaten 88-run partnership for the final wicket with Rahat Ali.

Brief scores: Zimbabwe 327 and 13 for 1 (Sibanda 5*, Mawoyo 2); Pakistan 249 and 419 for 9 dec (Younis 200*, Akmal 64). — PTI

Chandigarh, September 6
Overnight leader Anirban Lahiri dropped to tied eighth position at the end of second days play at the Crans-sur -Sierre Golf Course in Switzerland but is still well in contention at the Omega European Masters.

He started the day with back-to-back birdies on the second and third holes but dropped a shot on the fourth, he picked up a birdie on the seventh but bogeyed the eighth to make the turn at just one-under. The back nine was not much different, he made a birdie on the 14th hole but double bogeyed the par-three 16th hole, followed by two pars on the closing holes which saw him card a level-par 71 today. He is tied a eight-under-par alongside Brooks Koepka, Paul Casey, Mark Tullo and Alessandro Canizares, just two strokes off the lead which is currently held by Stephen Gallagher and Thomas Bjorn at ten-under-par, 132.

“My game plan today was to just keep the ball in play and play for the middle of the greens, which I did,” said Lahiri. Gaganjeet Bhullar failed to capitalize on his start yesterday, the local professional just managed to shoot par but maintained his position and is currently tied for 31st place alongside another Indian, Shiv Kapur.

Delhi's Kapur also had a good round - he carded a two-under-par, 69 taking his 36-hole total to three-under-par for the tournament so far.

Meanwhile, Jeev Milkha Singh, who was well within the top forty playing the last hole, made a double bogey on the 18th hole today to miss the cut by one stroke with a total of one-over-par. “The double bogey on the last left me devastated as my ball hit a pole and went out of bounds. It was a bad break,” said Jeev.

SSP Chowrasia who carded a level-par round today missed the cut as a two-over-par in the first round put him out of contention this weekend.

Monza (Italy) September 6
Red Bull's Formula One championship leader Sebastian Vettel did his best to demoralise the ranks of Ferrari fans at their home circuit with a stunning show of speed in Italian Grand Prix practice on Friday.

The triple champion was a commanding 0.623 seconds quicker than his own team mate Mark Webber, next on the timesheets, in the afternoon sunshine at Monza with a fastest lap of one minute 24.453 seconds. — PTI

New Delhi, September 6
Midfielder Ritu Rani will lead the Indian team in the 8th Women’s Asia Cup Hockey Tournament, to be played in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), from September 21 to 27. The vice-captain will be Chanchan Devi Thokchom. The girls, currently training in Patiala, will leave for Malaysia on September 16.

India have been placed in Pool A, along with China, hosts Malaysia and Hong Kong China. Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan and Chinese Taipei comprise Pool B. India will open their campaign against Hong Kong China on September 21, followed by matches against China (Sept 22) and Malaysia (Sept 24).

The 8th Women’s Asia Cup is the continental qualification tournament for the FIH Women’s World Cup 2014, to be played in The Hague ( The Netherlands) from May 31 to June 14, 2014. — TNS

Mumbai, September 6
Even as the number of people criticising BCCI president N Srinivasan is increasing, Ravi Shastri has thrown his weight behind the beleaguered administrator.

He dismissed the “conflict of interest” charge against BCCI president Srinivasan who owns IPL team Chennai Super Kings. “There is conflict in all walks of life. And no player is complaining about the Board,” he retorted when asked about this much-debated issue.

Shastri, who considers being a part of the triumphant Indian squads of 1983 (World Cup) and 1985 (World Championship) as the high point of his career, hailed current captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni as among the best the country has produced. “He is quiet, hungry and a man of steel at all times. — PTI

New Delhi, September 6
Newly-elected Paralympic Committee of India president Rao Inderjit Singh and secretary-general Gursharan Singh said that the PCI was the sole body for encouraging sports among physically challenged and visually impaired persons in the country, and it had a letter from the Sports Secretary recognizing the new body.

They said the PCI's status in India was equivallent to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and it was an elected body as per the guidelines of the National Sports-2011 of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. They said the PCI was affiliated to the International Paralympic committee (Germany) and the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC), Malaysia, though the new body was yet to get the recognition of the international body.

BRIEFLY

Wrestling will come out stronger after IOC vote, says Sushil
New Delhi: Two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar exuded confidence over reinclusion of wrestling in the Olympic movement and said the sport would come out stronger after the IOC's Executive Board backs it in their meeting in Buenos Aires on September 8."The International wrestling body (FILA) has made all the necessary changes that the IOC wanted. I see no reason why wrestling would not make a comeback. I think wrestling would come out even more stronger after it gets the backing of the IOC members. The ancient sport has done a lot to garner support of fans for its bid to be in the 2020 Olympics," Sushil told reporters.

Chawla's 10-wicket match haul goes in vain as Somerset lose
Taunton: Leg-spinner Piyush Chawla's dream run in English county circuit continued as he served a timely reminder to the Indian selectors with a match haul of 10-wickets for Somerset against Derbyshire in a Division One game here on Friday. Chawla, who scored a century at Lord's against Middlesex in the last first-class match, had match haul of 10 for 208 (5/111 in 26 overs & 5/97 in 29 overs) but his effort went in vain as veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul guided Derbyshire to a two-wicket win with a patient 74 not out. Derbyshire needed 244 to win and achieved the target in 83.2 overs. Chawla was the best performer among the Somerset bowlers as he got his wickets with classical leg breaks as well as his stock ball -- the googly. This is his third match haul of 10-wickets and would certainly have the likes of Sandeep Patil get up and take notice of the 24-year-old UP lad's performances. Apart from his bowling, Chawla also made the highest score of 27 in his team's paltry first innings total of 103. Chawla now has 13 wickets from three first-class games and has scored 199 runs in five innings with a highest score of 112.

2 new balls in ODIs is a benefit for pacers: Ishant
New Delhi: Ishant Sharma feels the introduction of two new white balls from both ends in ODIs is a boon for pacers and the lanky bowler partly attributes his recent success in the 50-over format to the latest rule change. “Obviously, there has been a big change since the harder seam helps fast bowlers a lot. So now instead of one (white) ball getting old in 25 overs like it used to happen earlier, we have a lot more time to work on new balls. This is very beneficial for fast bowlers as you can hit the deck hard with a newer ball and also it swings a lot more,” Ishant, who has taken 18 wickets in his last 10 ODIs, said.

Saina Nehwal to play in Denmark Open
New Delhi: Saina Nehwal will play in the Denmark Open in October, Chief National Coach Pullela Gopichand on Friday. Gopichand hoped that K Srikanth would continue to do well. — Agencies