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Nadal triumphs in clash of the titans
Rafa rules out calendar grand slam
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NZ a tour
India bids for FIH marquee events
Sushil promises more medals
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Nadal triumphs in clash of the titans
In the short term, it now looks just a matter of time before the Mallorcan powerhouse returns to the top of the world rankings; more significantly, Roger Federer’s record of 17 grand slam titles is no longer a speck on the horizon.
Nadal’s 6-2 3-6 6-4 6-1 victory over Djokovic at Flushing Meadow took the 27-year-old’s major haul to 13 and the nature of it suggested he is again set to take a stranglehold at the top of the men’s game.
Djokovic threw everything at Nadal during the latest enthralling chapter in their rivalry and for a while during the third set he looked to have gained the upper hand only for Nadal to steam past him and claim a second U.S. crown.
Who would have thought it at the start of the year?
Yet since re-emerging at a low-key claycourt tournament in Chile in February, the Spaniard has been virtually unstoppable, winning 10 titles, including an eighth French Open, and proving that his knees can withstand the pounding of hardcourt tennis.
When he returned from his injury lay-off it seemed reasonable to assume his main focus would be the French Open.
Yet Nadal, who once used to look slightly less menacing on faster hardcourts, has added spice to his serve and extra speed to his forehand to turn himself into the
concrete king with Masters titles in Indian Wells, Montreal and Cincinnati before his rampage in New York.
DEADLY ACCURATE
Worryingly for his rivals, Nadal’s fabled defensive skills have been embellished with more firepower.
His forehand has lost a little of the loopy topspin that used to wear down opponents and a slightly flatter, more net-hugging adaptation has been in evidence which enables him to attack much earlier in rallies.
The left-handed serve has been a revelation too.
Djokovic did break it three times but an irresistible Nadal always had an answer as he roared to victory. As ever, Nadal refused to get drawn into the numbers game after his latest career milestone, saying simply that 13 was already “more than I ever dreamed of”, but those who have watched his latest comeback are more emphatic.
“If he stays healthy, he can easily win four or five more slams, no question about it. To me, he’s better than ever,” seven-times grand-slam champion John McEnroe told the BBC. “It’s amazing how badly he wants it. I’ve never seen anything like it. Let’s hope he stays healthy because it will be great for our sport.”
McEnroe’s sentiments were echoed by another former U.S. Open champion, Boris Becker. “Nadal has performed at an unbelievably consistent level throughout the year, every match he has played he’s been close to perfection,” the German told Sky Sports.
“I thought Roger’s record would never be broken but the man from Spain is getting awfully close. The more he plays and puts on shows like tonight, the closer he’s going to get. If Nadal stays healthy until he’s 30 he’s going to get to 17.”
Peerless on clay, Nadal, fitness providing, could feasibly take his French Open haul to 10 or more and after his showing on hardcourts this year he could have several more title runs in Australia and New York. Wimbledon is problematic, coming so soon after the claycourt season, as it proved this year when he lost in the opening round to Belgian Steve
Darcis.
Few who witnessed his display against Djokovic will be surprised if this time next year, Nadal has already surpassed Pete Sampras’s 14 majors and is closing in on Federer.
— Reuters |
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Rafa rules out calendar grand slam
New York, September 10 The 27-year-old Spaniard clinched his second US Open, and his 13th career major. Nadal completed a career Grand Slam in New York in 2010, but winning all four majors in the same year has only been achieved by Don Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1962 and 1969). “To win all four Grand Slams in one year I think today is impossible for anyone. That's my feeling,” said Nadal, who now has eight French Opens, two Wimbledon, two US Open and an Australian title amongst his 60 career crowns. “Today the best players are there all the time, so to win a tournament like this you have to win against Roger (Federer), against David (Ferrer), against Andy (Murray), against Novak. These players are not losing in the early rounds, so that makes it impossible to be 100 percent in every tournament. So when your level is a little bit lower, you will lose against these players.” Sunday's win capped a memorable year for Nadal. “I never thought something like this could happen; so excited to be back on tour trying to be competitive. But I never thought about competing for all what I competed for this year,” he said.
— PTI |
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India discards get a lifeline
Visakhapatnam, September 10 Yuvraj Singh, another player who find himself on the sidelines, was also given an opportunity to force his way back into the ODI team after being named captain for the three-match unofficial series and lone T20 match against West Indies 'A' beginning September 15. The squads were named by the BCCI senior selection panel which met here today. All the four players have been out of the Indian team since early this year. They will play under Cheteshwar Pujara in the second and third four-day games at Shimoga (October 2-5) and Hubli (October 9-12), the Cricket Board said in a media release. The trio of Zaheer, Sehwag and Gambhir were not named for the first four-day game that will be held at Mysore from September 25-28. Jammu and Kashmir all-rounder Pervez Rasool has been picked for all the three matches for the unofficial Test series. Yuvraj, who played his last international match in January in an ODI against England, will lead a 14-member One-Day and T20 team which has the likes of Unmukt Chand, Robin Uthappa, Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Jaydev Unadkat and Praveen Kumar. All the three matches of the unofficial ODI series will be played in Bangalore on September 15, 17 and 19. The lone T20 match will also be played there on September 21. The selectors also picked the India Red and Blue teams for the NKP Salve Challenger one-day series, scheduled at Indore from September 26-29. Yuvraj will also captain the India Blue side in the NKP Salve Challenger Trophy while Irfan Pathan will be the skipper of the India Red team.
— PTI |
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High on confidence, Shikhar sets sights on higher peaks
New Delhi, September 10 “Competition has always been there. It depends on how you take it. If I do well, I will be there in the team”, said Shikhar, who returned from Australia today. While the century on debut against Australia remains his most cherished feat, he rates his 248-run knock, which propelled India 'A' into the Tri-Series final against South Africa A in Pretoria recently, equally high. “When you make Test debut, there is pressure. But I was confident, though nervous, as I had made lots of runs in domestic cricket.” The 27-year-old Delhi south paw, with twirling moustache and open chest, said the 150-ball 248 knock was a high point in his career, particularly as it was the second highest in this category (former Surrey batsman Alistair Brown holds the record with 268), and it took him past the 200-plus knocks of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. Sadly, he got no congratulatory message from either of them. “Perhaps, they will hail my feat when I meet them,” he said with a big grin. Dhawan said playing in South Africa was a great experience as the wickets were different. “The bounce, pace, weather, breeze…these were the things we had to adjust with. All this will play a big role when India tour South Africa,” Dhawan added. He said the senior team would be able to do well in their forthcoming tour of SA, as the players were well prepared. “Our batting is good, and bowling is good too. We are winning matches…we should do well in South Africa. The boys are confident of doing well,” he noted. Dhawan said he was enjoying the attention he was getting now, particularly the endorsement deals and the adulation. “I feel when you perform well, the brand people get attracted to you, and make the most of such opportunities (RK Global signed him as their brand ambassador today).” Not too long back, there was a phase when he was not doing too well. “It hurt me when I was not doing well. Then I started working hard, enjoyed playing for Delhi …and now I am enjoying the success, because I knew people will appreciate your hard work one day…”, he said. The dashing batsman said he had matured, and was very strong in his attitude. “It helped me perform consistently, and I can play all kinds of shots now. My shot selection has improved, and I am confident of scoring 300 if I play more consistently.” |
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NZ a tour
Visakhapatnam, September 10 Menaria weaved his magic at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy stadium to return with figures of 10-0-38-5 to help India A dismiss New Zealand A for 216 in 47.2 overs after skipper Chand had won the toss and elected to field. The hosts then returned to overhaul the target with 11.1 overs to spare, riding on individual fifties by Chand (59) and Mandeep (59) and their 89-run third wicket partnership off 103 balls in the middle. Kedar Jadhav (30) and Ashok Maneria (37) then finished the job for India A, stitching an unbeaten 53-run stand in 45 balls as the hosts took an unassailable 2-0 in the three match series. Earlier, Carl Cachopa top-scored for New Zealand A with a 103-ball 80, which was studded with nine boundaries. Brief Scores: New Zealand: 216 in 47.2 overs (Cachopa 80; Menaria 5/38) India: 217/4 in 38.5 overs (Chand 59, Mandeep 59; Gillespie 2/62).
— PTI |
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India bids for FIH marquee events
New Delhi, September 10 It said four official proposals to host the men’s World Cup have been made, with a further three submissions being made for the women’s equivalent. Australia, England, India, Malaysia and New Zealand have all put “extremely strong cases forward” in an attempt to lure the sport’s top properties to their territory. The FIH had requested all countries that official bid questionnaires be submitted before the August 31. The FIH received official submissions from five of the original six nations that initially expressed interest . The next phase of the process will feature the detailed evaluation of each bid which will be followed by further discussions and clarifications with National Associations as well as site visits to each country. The final decision will rest with the FIH Executive Board in Lausanne (Switzerland), with the winning bids slated to be announced on November 7. “The FIH is thrilled to receive excellent response to host World Cup events in 2018", said Kelly Fairweather, FIH Chief Executive Officer. |
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Sushil promises more medals
New Delhi, September 10 “I spoke to the wrestlers yesterday and they are ecstatic. The mood in Budapest is celebratory as all top wrestlers have reached the venue,” said Sushil. “I am sure the recent decision will boost the confidence of our wrestlers and motivate them to give their best and win medals at the world event.” The senior Indian team is currently training at a camp in Hungary ahead of the championships starting September 16. The 66kg wrestler will be flying off to Budapest this week for the event but remains unsure of his participation. “My participation in the event will be ascertained after I reach there (Budapest),” he said. Contrary to the perception that wrestling was not a spectator-friendly sport, Sushil said wrestling never lacked viewer's attention and credited FILA for bouncing back after they were caught napping by the IOC.
— PTI |
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New York, September 10
When Lukas Rosol sent Nadal’s tennis world spinning off its axis at Wimbledon in June last year, it seemed the wear and tear on the Spaniard’s knees had finally caught up with him and he did not hit a ball in anger for seven months.
Nadal held 88 consecutive service games at the U.S. Open before the semi-final in which Frenchman Richard Gasquet managed one break of a delivery that, while not as fast as some, is deadly accurate and heavy with spin.
