New York, September 9
The oldest male tennis player to win a Grand Slam with the US Open men’s doubles trophy, Indian veteran Leander Paes said age is just a number for him, something that he just “looks at and smiles”.

The 40-year-old partnered Czech Radek Stepanek to win the US Open doubles title, his eighth men’s doubles Grand Slam title and 14th overall, last night after beating Alexander Peya and Bruno Soares 6-1 6-3.

“Today Radek helped me to get to be the oldest man or the oldest tennis player to ever win a Grand Slam in the Open era. I thank him for that, and we are definitely not done. I’m going after 41 now, 42, and then 43,” said Paes after winning the title.

“We both come from humble backgrounds and come from countries where tennis wasn’t necessarily the number one sport. We both fought against adversity to get to where we are. So age is just a number for us. Age is something that we look at and we smile.

“We chat with you guys and smile about it, because, you know, you guys tease us about it, which is nice. For us, we really take it very seriously to go out and get better every day and to push each other,” he added.

Paes insisted that this was one of his most “special” victories. “This one is actually really, really special. For me, this one is probably even more special than the Australian Open win. In Australia I was going for a career slam, and that was something that Radek worked so hard to do.”

“We achieved it; he did it for me. That was really special. This one really means a lot to me, because through this year we both had to handle a lot of adversity,” he said.

“I have always said that tennis is such a blessed profession for us that you build friendships, you build camaraderie, you build a brotherhood. For me to win this trophy after the year Radek had is just something I will never forget,” Paes added.

The veteran said the victory counts among some of the best moments of his long career. “It’s way up there with some of the best Grand Slams that I have ever won. Today is my 31st final, and this young man is probably the best partner I have had. I really enjoy travelling with him, working with him, playing with him, working hard to be better,” said Paes.

It was the third US Open title for Paes and the previous two had also come with Czech partners. In 2006, the Indian won with Martin Damm and in 2009 with Lukas Dlouhy.

Paes paid tribute to Stepanek, acknowledging his resilience as he came back well from a back surgery early this year.

“Find someone from Czech republic that’s my advise to anyone who is looking for a doubles partner. They are hard working guys. I have to thank him,” quipped the Indian.

“He had lot of adversities this season, coming out of injury and surgery; it’s amazing to stand here. I have to thank him,” he said.

Paes attributed his success to the “respect” that he always showed to the sport, to his partners and his opponents.

“When I get on the court, my respect for my opponents are so much that I will put my best every single point, every single shot. That comes out of respect for the game. That comes out of respect for your opponents, and a lot of respect for your partner.” — PTI

This one really means a lot to me, because through this year we both had to handle a lot of adversity... Today Radek helped me to get to be the oldest man to ever win a Grand Slam in the Open era. I thank him for that, and we are definitely not done. I’m going after 41 now, 42, and then 43. 

When I get on the court, my respect for my opponents are so much that I will put my best every single point, every single shot. That comes out of respect for the game. That comes out of respect for your opponents, and a lot of respect for your partner. 

New York, September 9
Serena Williams repeated as US Open women’s champion by holding off a battling Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 7-5 6-7(6) 6-1 in a windblown final at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday.

Williams bounded in a series of joyous jumping jack leaps after Azarenka’s backhand sailed long on the second match point of a thrilling, two-hour 45-minute final that earned her a fifth US Open singles title that took her total to 17 grand slams.

The big-hitting American, who turns 32 later this month, became the oldest US Open women’s winner since tennis turned professional 45 years ago, eclipsing Australian Margaret Court, who was 31 years and 55 days when she won the title in 1973.

The triumph moved Williams to within one grand slam singles crown of Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova for a tie for fourth place on the all-time list behind Court (24), Steffi Graf (22) and Helen Wills Moody (19).

It had looked like it was going to be plain sailing for Williams after she won a difficult first set, boosted by a late break in the 11th game for a 6-5 lead and then served out a love game before racing to a 4-1 second-set lead.

Williams, who earlier looked confounded by the gusty wind that affected service tosses and the direction of bounces off groundstrokes and was muttering to herself between points, finally settled into a rhythm in the second set.

“The wind was unbelievable,” said the champion. “And it just got worse and worse and it never let up. But at this point you have to play under any circumstance.”

She claimed the 4-1 lead after Azarenka double-faulted three times in the fifth and her US Open repeat looked a certainty as she begun to find her range on her imposing service game that saw her serve broken only twice in six previous matches.

But Azarenka was not ready to capitulate.

“I think it was raising from the first point, the tension, the battle, the determination,” the second seed said about the quality of the match. “It was really kind of like boiling the water. It felt from every point, it was raising the level.”

‘GREAT MATCH’

The Belarusian showed her fight and took advantage of a string of Williams errors to break right back for 4-2 and rode that momentum.

Twice Williams served for the match, at 5-4 and again at 6-5, but Azarenka rose up to break the American’s serve and force a tiebreaker.

Williams took a 3-1 lead but Azarenka won five of the next six points to seize a 6-4 advantage and sent the match to a third set when Williams belted a backhand long to lose it 8-6.

“I think I got a little uptight,” Williams said about squandering her chances. “I wasn’t playing smart tennis. (But) you have to keep fighting for everything.”

The third set stayed on serve until the fourth game when another double fault, her seventh of the match, sank Azarenka and handed Williams a 3-1 lead.

With the stadium crowd roaring their support for the home favourite, the American broke Azarenka two games later for good measure to make it 5-1 before she claimed victory when the Belarusian sent a backhand long on the second match point.

Williams blasted 36 winners in the match against 17 for Azarenka, and blasted nine aces against just two for the Belarusian, who won an impressive 10 of 15 points at the net when she stepped up the pressure on Williams.

“Victoria, you played unbelievable,” said Williams at the trophy ceremony. “What a great match and what a great person. Vika is such a great opponent, she’s such a great fighter. It was never over until match point,” added Williams.

Azarenka said she had been beaten by the better player.

“It is a tough loss. But the best player deserves the win today. I gave it all again this year,” said Azarenka, who lost 7-5 in the third set to Williams in last year’s final.

“We gave it everything we got.” — Reuters

What a great match and what a great person. Vika is such a great opponent, she’s such a great fighter. It was never over until match point.
— Serena Williams 

It is a tough loss. But the best player deserves the win today. I gave it all again this year. We gave it everything we got... I think it was raising from the first point, the tension, the battle, the determination. It was really kind of like boiling the water. It felt from every point, it was raising the level
— Victoria Azarenka

Buenos Aires, September 9
Disgraced retired cyclist Lance Armstrong has yet to hand back his Sydney 2000 Olympic medal to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) nine months after he was stripped of it, officials said on Monday.

The American lost his seven Tour de France titles last year and in January admitted to years of performance-enhancing substance use in the most spectacular drugs case in recent years.

Following his public confession, the IOC ordered the return of the bronze medal he won in the time-trial at the Sydney 2000 Games and declared the race results void.

IOC Vice President Thomas Bach, who also heads the IOC’s juridical commission, said the former rider had not challenged the decision to strip him of his medal.

“We still do not have the medal back,” Bach told an IOC session in the Argentine capital. “We will continue to work with the United States Olympic Committee to get this medal back as requested in our decision.

“This (the IOC’s January) decision has been communicated to Mr Armstrong and the USOC. This decision has not been appealed neither by Mr Armstrong, nor by the USOC and what we are lacking, sadly, is getting back the medal. Legally the case for the IOC is closed.”

The once-revered athlete is battling to hang on to what remains of his reputation and his earnings and is fighting several lawsuits, including one from the U.S. Justice Department.

In February, the Justice Department said it was joining a fraud suit filed in 2010 by Floyd Landis, a former Armstrong team mate. Landis filed the suit under a federal law that allows whistle-blowers to report fraud in exchange for a reward.

The U.S. Postal Service paid $40 million from 1998 to 2004 to have Armstrong and his team mates from Tailwind Sports wear its logo during record-breaking wins. At least $17.9 million of these fees went to Armstrong, according to the government. — Reuters

Kathmandu, September 9
Young stopper Arnab Mondal scored his maiden international goal as defending champions India beat Maldives 1-0 to enter the final of the SAFF Football Championship for the ninth time here on Monday.

The win, which Wim Koevermans' boys achieved without their skipper Sunil Chhetri, meant that India made it to their fifth successive final in the tournament and will meet Afghanistan in the final on Wednesday.

Mondal, the lad from Kolkata's Behala region, was a bundle of nerves throughout the match but turned out to be an unlikely hero in the end with a delightful strike. The winner came in the 85th minute when Mehtab Hossain's corner from the right flank was neatly headed down by Syed Rahim Nabi and Mondal, who had joined the attack, struck a powerful angular right-footer that crashed into the net.

The final whistle saw some ugly scenes as Maldives substitute Ali Umar attacked referee Idham Mohammed and was red-carded after the match. It did not stop there as Maldives players attacked organisers. — Agencies

New Delhi, September 9
The Supreme Court today issued notice to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Centre seeking their response to a petition alleging misuse of the national flag at two recent cricket matches India played against Pakistan and England.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice P Sathasivam and Justice Ranjana Desai also asked the Cricket Association of Bengal, the state government and Kolkata Police Commissioner to send in their replies within four weeks.

The petitioner, Kamal Dey, editor of a publication, had come to the SC, challenging the Calcutta High Court’s April 2, 2013 order rejecting his PIL on the issue. He said he had submitted to the High Court the photographs he had taken during the December 5-9, 2012, Test match against England and the one-day international match with Pakistan on January 3, 2013 – both at the Eden Garden, Kolkata.

Some of the spectators were seen with the Tricolour draped over their shoulders or their head in blatant violation of the provisions of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act 1971 and the Flag Code of India 2002, besides Article 51A(a) of the Constitution, he said.

The HC had ruled that going by the facts and circumstances of the case, such acts could not be treated as deliberate disrespect to the tricolour.

The SC Bench said it would, if necessary, issue directions for enforcement of the laws and the judgment of a three-judge Bench of the apex court on the issue.

New Delhi, September 9
Controversy struck in the ongoing National Open Athletics Championships in Ranchi as Merlin K. Joseph’s new national record timing in women’s 100m dash was today questioned by Rachita Mistry in whose name the record had stood since 2000.

Merlin ran 11.35s yesterday in the semifinal heats to shatter Mistry’s 13-year-old national record of 11.38s created in Trivandrum in 2000. She has a personal best of 11.75s before yesterday’s national record.

Her record though is yet to be ratified by Athletics Federation of India.

What has raised suspicion in Merlin’s national record timing was that she clocked 12.07secs in the first round heats before the semifinals and then finished third in the final with a timing of 11.95s. Mistry, an Olympian and a top sprinter of 1990s, said she suspected either a faulty timing system or some people were playing mischief as such a gap in timings was hard to believe in 100m race.

“It’s unbelievable if you see the big gap in the three timings. She (Merlin) clocked 12.07s in first round heats and then out of blue ran 11.35s in semifinal heats. Then, again, she clocked 11.95s in the final to finish third,” Mistry said.

“A gap of 0.72 secs between first round and semifinal is a huge one and it’s 100m dash and not marathon and everybody knows how far you can run in a second in 100m. Then she ran 11.95 secs in final. I agree she ran the final one hour after semifinal and she must be a bit tired. But still, a difference of 0.6 secs is a huge one and I don’t believe this,” she said.

“Either the timing system is faulty or otherwise somebody was doing that intentionally. I have written to AFI to find out the correct position.”

A senior AFI official, who has been associated in organising national events for many years, also said that it was certain something must have gone wrong during the competition.

“Somebody who can run 11.35 secs cannot run 11.95 secs later in the final. Any difference of more than half a second would raise questions in 100m race. Mistry has reasons to ask questions. There must be something wrong in the starting gun sensor or the photo finish equipment,” he said.

AFI Secretary CK Valson, said, “We have got the letter from Mistry and we are looking into it. We will look into the details like the photo finish timing of the semifinals and other things,” he said. — PTI

New Delhi, September 9
Rajasthan Royals cricketers S Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila, accused of spot-fixing in IPL-6, have tarnished the image of cricket. Nevertheless, the sports lovers should thank them for they have made the Indian government study and explore sports fraud laws of 17 countries to draft an effective sports law of its own.

The Prevention of Sporting Fraud Bill, 2013, has been drafted to ensure sports remain free from fixing in India. The Ministry of Law and Justice had sought final inputs from the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports on the draft. The Sports Ministry has recommended a minimum five year imprisonment for persons, including private employees of private companies (read IPL team officials), who directly or indirectly indulge or assist or attempt to indulge in any sporting fraud. The Law Ministry seems satisfied with these recommendations.

“We read sports fraud laws of 17 countries and adopted some aspects according to our needs,” sports secretary PK Deb told this correspondent. “We wanted our own strong and effective sports law.”

IPL and other private sports leagues were very much on the mind of the expert panel while drafting the proposed bill, a copy of which is with this newpaper. The Bill has defined ‘Inside Information,’ and 'Sporting Fraud'. “Manipulation or attempt to manipulate a sports result (s), irrespective of whether the outcome is actually altered or not, will be a jail crime. Besides, wilfully failing to perform to his or her true potential for economic or any other advantage or benefit for oneself or for any other person will also be punishable,” the draft bill notes.

“We have received a re-draft of the bill from the Sports Ministry last month. So far, we haven't found anything objectionable. The Sports Ministry has done a good job,” a top official from the Ministry of Law and Justice said.

The bill, yet to be introduced in the cabinet and then in the Parliament, also has a provision of monetary fines of Rs 10 lakh or five time the economic benefit derived by a guilty person from sporting fraud, depending upon whichever is greater. However, disclosing inside information that could be used for betting or manipulation of a sporting event shall be punishable with an imprisonment for a term of not more than three year or a fine of Rs 5 lakh or three times the economic benefits derived by a person from sporting fraud, whichever is great.

“Our ministry wanted an imprisonment of up to seven years but the expert panel didn't agree with our view," said Deb. The Sports Ministry took various points from different countries for the draft, especially from Australia. “Betting is legal in many countries. So we have to keep our existing laws too in mind," said Deb. The proposed bill also covers participation of foreign players and involvement of companies. 

Chandigarh, September 9
Anirban Lahiri created a stir at the Omega European Masters in Switzerland last week after he carded an eight-under-par, 63 in the opening round to lead the tournament. Though the next three days were quite uneventful as he eventually finished level-par for the week, Indian golfers are beginning to make their presence felt wherever they play.

Shiv Kapur carded the highest finish amongst the Indians last week, tied for 26th place at six-under-par for 72 holes, while Gaganjeet Bhullar was tied 62nd at two-over-par.

However, Bhullar heads to the Asian Tour this week where he is the man of the moment — he will defend his title at the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship and is looking to repeat his performance of 2012.

“This win gave me a lot of confidence. Before that, I was giving it a hundred but not achieving results,” said Bhullar who is on a high after receiving the Arjun Award last month. Other local professionals who will particle n the event include Ajeetesh Sandhu and Abhijit Singh Chadha.

“I am sure we are all looking forward to competing this week. Everyone has had some time to practice and just waiting for the second half of the Asian Tour to begin,” said Ajeetesh.

Others are quite keen to cash in on the action back home and will play the third event of the 2013 PGTI Feeder Tour.

Asian Tour winner Harmeet Kahlon will lead the challenge and others in the field will include Ranjit Singh as well as the 2011 Feeder Tour Order of Merit champion Arjun Singh Chaudhri, who currently leads the 2013 Feeder Tour Order of Merit as well after a win in the first Feeder Tour event which was held in Faridabad.

Ashbeer Saini and Angad Cheema will also participate in the event which will be played at Forest Hills Golf Resort this week.

Johannesburg, September 9
Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o has told Cameroon team-mates he is quitting the national team ahead of World Cup qualifying play-offs. Eto'o, record four-time winner of the African Footballer of the Year award, broke the news after a 1-0 win over Libya at the weekend.

A Cameroon football official told AFP in Yaounde that Eto'o, 32, announced his retirement to team-mates in the dressing-room after the match. “He did not give reasons why he is retiring from the national team,” said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity. — Agencies

BRIEFLY

Runner dies during Budapest half marathon
Budapest: A 27-year-old runner died during Budapest half-marathon. The Budapest Sports Bureau in a statement on Sunday said that the man collapsed at the 20 km mark and died despite medical assistance that was rushed to him and resuscitation efforts. The identity of the runner was not released. All that was said was that he was a young man and not a Hungarian, reports Xinhua. Budapest Sports Bureau manager Arpad Kocsis was quoted as saying the identity of the dead man will not be released until his family has been notified. Arpad Kocsis did say this was the 28th Nike half-marathon and that in the past 25 years of running meets in Hungary, including full marathons, this was the first fatality.

Delhi, Chhattisgarh win jr basketball c’ships
Cuttack: Delhi won the boys’ title and Chhattisgarh girls retained their crown in the 64th Junior National Basketball Championships at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, here today. Delhi defeated Punjab 89-82 in a close encounter while Poonam Chaturvedi, with 43 points, led the Chhattishgarh girls to another title as they beat Kerala 79-68 (21-15, 18-15, 19-21, 21-17).

All India Baba Farid Gold cup from September 19
Faridkot: The 22nd All India Baba Farid Gold Hockey tournament will be held from September 19 to 23 at the Government Barjindera College Hockey Stadium, Faridkot. Organising Secretary Khushwant Singh said 13 national level teams have confirmed their participation in the tournament, including the last time winner Border Security Force, Jalandhar. The Border Security Force have won the Baba Farid Gold Cup Hockey tournament seven times whereas Punjab police have emerged champions thrice.

Injured Starc may miss Ashes series
Melbourne: Mitchell Starc has become the latest young Australian fast bowler to be sidelined with a stress fracture of the lower back, an injury that puts him in doubt for the start of the Ashes series against England. In a statement issued on Monday, Cricket Australia said Starc would be unavailable for a prolonged period but couldn’t elaborate on the time frame for his return. The 23-year-old left-arm paceman was sent home from England due to back soreness after Australia’s 3—0 Ashes series defeat, missing the ongoing limited-over’s series. Starc joins 23-year-old James Pattinson and 20-year-old Pat Cummins on the injury list. — Agencies