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Novak stretched? Not quite
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India crash to a humiliating 7-2 loss against Oz
Ministry to release funds for WGFI
Kiwis boost up their pace arsenal
New Zealand have picked young pacer Adam Milne for the five-match ODI series against India starting at Napier on Sunday.
— AFP
Saina, Sindhu win in Malaysia Open
‘Srini trying to keep me from meeting panel’
Lahiri, Jyoti tee off at Kings Cup
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Novak stretched? Not quite
Cloud cover and a gusty wind helped keep temperatures just below the peak of 42.2 degrees Celsius they reached on Tuesday, when Canadian Frank Dancevic passed out and accused organisers of forcing players to play in "inhumane" conditions. Ivan Dodig became the 10th player to retire in the first three days of the tournament, though, when he was unable to complete his match against Bosnian Damir Dzumhur on one of the exposed outer courts at Melbourne Park. "Today, 30 minutes after the match I could not walk," Dodig said. Djokovic needed 107 minutes to take the second step on the path he hopes will take him to a fourth successive title by thrashing Argentine Leonardo Mayer 6-0 6-4 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena. Williams also hot-footed it into the third round with a one-sided 6-1 6-2 demolition of Vesna Dolonc before revealing her own particular visualisation technique for keeping cool. "I just pretend I'm in Hawaii riding a wave, that's all I can do," she said after setting up an encounter with Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova who survived a gruelling battle against Karolina Pliskova, winning 12-10 in the deciding set. World number one Williams was her usual mix of elegance in her dress and brutality in her play as she dismissed Dolonc in just over an hour on the same court. Though no one could ever doubt the mental strength of a player who has won 17 grand slam titles, Williams admitted to a sleepless night worrying about the impact the heat might have on her bid for a sixth Melbourne title. "I kept waking up in the middle of the night last night, just paranoid," Williams said. Yuki, Hesh win
Yuki Bhambri and his New Zealand partner Michael Venus recorded a 6-2 7-5 win over Roberto Bautista Agut and Daniel Gimeno-Traver in their opening round contest. Also advancing to the second round was Mahesh Bhupathi and his American partner Rajeev Ram, beating Santiago Giraldo and Joao Sousa 4-6 6-3 6-4.
— Agencies Teasing Lendl a 'pest', says Rafter after loss
Results Men (2nd round) 8-Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) beat Alejandro Falla (Colombia) 6-3 6-3 6-7(4) 6-4; 3-David Ferrer (Spain) beat Adrian Mannarino (France) 7-6(2) 5-7 6-0 6-3, 2-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) beat Leonardo Mayer (Argentina) 6-0 6-4 6-4 , Florian Mayer (Germany) beat 14-Mikhail Youzhny (Russia) 6-4 3-6 6-3 3-6 6-3, 9-Richard Gasquet (France) beat Nikolay Davydenko (Russia) 7-6(3) 6-4 6-4, 7-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) beat Kenny De Schepper (France) 6-4 6-1 6-3 Women (2nd round) 14-Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) beat Annika Beck (Germany) 6-1 6-2, 17-Samantha Stosur (Australia) beat Tsvetana Pironkova (Bulgaria) 6-2 6-0, 9-Angelique Kerber (Germany) beat Alla Kudryavtseva (Russia) 6-4 6-2, 1-Serena Williams (U.S.) beat Vesna Dolonc (Serbia) 6-1 6-2, Monica Niculescu (Romania) beat 15-Sabine Lisicki (Germany) 2-6 6-2 6-2, 4-Li Na (China) beat Belinda Bencic (Switzerland) 6-0 7-6(5) |
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India crash to a humiliating 7-2 loss against Oz
New Delhi, January 15 Even as everyone had started hoping for a fantastic Indian victory following the incredible start, it didn't take long for those hopes to go up in smoke. The stunned Australian got their act together after the initial reversals and pumped in three goals in the remaining time of the first half to lead 3-2 at the half time. The goals came through Nicholas Budgeon (24th), Jason Wilson (29th) and Glenn Turner (35th). After the changeover, Australia went on a rampage, and pumped in four more goals through Russell Ford (41st, 47th), Simon Orchard (45th) and Jacob Whetton (65th) to teach the hosts a lesson in hockey at the floodlit Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. Coach blames it on poor fitness of the Indians
Chief Coach Terry Walsh said physical fitness was the major difference between the two sides. Walsh said after the early domination, India “ran into a wall” as far physiology was concerned. “It was a very positive start. Australia were disintegrated in the first 20 minutes but physiologically we ran into a wall. Australia were physically far superior to us,” said Walsh. “It will take time, probably 9-10 months, to get to that position. You can't expect to match Australia physically overnight,” the coach said. “Our skill level deteriorated as the match progressed. We did run out of steam and our defensive organisation lost its shape,” he said. “The positive things to come out of this game are that we were able to take on the world number 2 side, challenge them and score a few goals.” Insisting that the 2-7 scoreline was not a reflection of the gap between the two sides, Walsh praised Australia for their fighting spirit to register the come-from-behind win.
— PTI World league final |
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Ministry to release funds for WGFI
Chandigarh, January 15 The Ministry has directed SAI to release funds to the WGFI immediately for the required components under the Scheme of Assistance to NSFs for the three sportspersons and three coaches who would be accompanying them, said the Sports Ministry release. The Ministry, however, has delayed the sanction of funds for buying equipment for Himanshu and Iqbal, requested by the Winter Games Federation of India, saying the request had to be made at least 90 days before the commencement of a sports event. Nevertheless, it is learnt, the request has been accepted as a special case. WGFI secretary Roshan Lal said the reason for the delay was the suspended IOA. “The IOA work out these issues with the sports ministry and SAI. Anyway, it appears sorted out now. SAI has asked me to send a fresh proposal and I am hopeful we will soon get the required funds,” he said. |
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Kiwis boost up their pace arsenal
Auckland, January 15 The 13-man-squad is identical to the one which drew the recent ODI series against the West Indies, with the exception of Auckland batsman Colin Munro, who will return to play for his province. Fit-again Tim Southee will return to spearhead New Zealand pace attack. National selection committee's general manager Bruce Edgar said the players had been rewarded for a number of strong performances against the West Indies. "It was pleasing to see every player stand up at some stage of that series and there were some simply outstanding efforts headlined by Corey Anderson's world record one-day ton," he said. Edgar says New Zealand now face one of their toughest challenges at home against a side ranked at the top in the 50-over game and No.2 in Tests. Head coach Mike Hesson says the team is fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead. "Matching yourself against the best in the world is what you play international cricket for and I know the guys are buzzing about this opportunity. It's also an important part of our build-up for next year's World Cup where India are the defending champions," he said.
— PTI |
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Saina, Sindhu win in Malaysia Open
KUALA LUMPUR, January 15 While eighth seed Saina took just 36 minutes to get the better of Indonesia’s Hera Desi 21-10, 21-16 in their first ever meeting, Sindhu fought hard before prevailing 21-17, 21-18 over her old foe Lindaweni Fanetri of Indonesia in a 43-minute contest. Saina next faces Yao Xue of China, while world number 11 Sindhu takes on sixth seed Yeon Ju Bae of Korea in the second round at the Putra Stadium here. In the men’s singles Anand Pawar and RMV Gurusaidutt crashed out of the event after suffering contrasting defeats in their first round matches. World number eight Saina hardly broke a sweat today against her Indonesian opponent. The girl from Hyderabad simply dominated the proceedings, winning 42 points as compared to just 26 by Hera. Sindhu, on the other hand, fought a neck-and-neck battle till 15-15 in the opening game before she could bag three points on the trot to move ahead. Thereafter, however, there was no looking back for her.
— PTI |
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‘Srini trying to keep me from meeting panel’
Chandigarh, January 15 Verma has alleged that on Srinivasan’s instructions, the BCCI has not been informing him about the schedule of his deposition before the committee. “On his instruction the BCCI did not send me any letter regarding my appearance before the commission at Kolkata on 16th & 17th Jan,” Verma said today. Verma said that he’d been informed by a ‘friend’ in the media that he is likely to be called by the committee as he had filed the Special Leave Petition (SLP) on the basis of which the Supreme Court has formed the inquiry committee. “Mr Srinivasan is trying to stop me from facing the inquiry commission because he knows that if I do not attend the commission, the inquiry will be stretched for a long time.” |
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Lahiri, Jyoti tee off at Kings Cup
Chandigarh, January 15 Lahiri, who had his career best season in 2013, credits his form to his 'mental fortitude' and is now looking for his first win outside India on the Asian Tour. “My game has become much sharper than it was, though my ball striking has been on and off but mentally I am not tired anymore. I think I am a much stronger person and not just in terms of strength but endurance,” said Lahiri. Meanwhile, Jyoti is looking to return to winning form. "I finished off the year well but have been working towards stringing four good rounds together which is what I need to do to get back into contention," said Jyoti. Meanwhile, Jeev Milkha Singh, who has also been preparing in Dubai, heads to Abu Dhabi for the HSBC Golf Championship – the richest event on the European Tour’s ‘Desert Swing’ series. He will be joined by Indian professionals Gaganjeet Bhullar and Shiv Kapur, as Bhullar tees off for his first full season on the European Tour. |
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Tournament favourites Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams raced into the third round of the Australian Open and out of the heat on Wednesday as controversy over play continuing in scorching temperatures rumbled on for a second day.
New Zealand picked a settled line-up, the only change being the inclusion of fast bowler Adam
Milne, for the five-match ODI series against India starting at Napier on Sunday.
The 13-man-squad is identical to the one which drew the recent ODI series against the West Indies, with the exception of Auckland batsman Colin Munro, who will return to play for his province. Fit-again Tim Southee will return to spearhead New Zealand pace attack.
National selection committee's general manager Bruce Edgar said the players had been rewarded for a number of strong performances against the West Indies.
MELBOURNE, January 15
Two-times grand slam champion Pat Rafter's return to the big-time after retiring 13 years ago lasted just 73 minutes when he and his former Davis Cup team mate Lleyton Hewitt lost in straight sets in the Australian Open doubles on Wednesday. An imposing presence during his halcyon days, the Queenslander appeared to have lost little of his touch in the 6-4 7-5 loss to Eric Butorac and Raven Klaasen despite lamenting his shaky return of serve at the age of 41. “I was pretty nervous, I was copping it in the locker room, we were having a lot of fun — at my expense. A lot of my mates were saying 'Don't cramp.' (Ivan) Lendl's a menace, he's an absolute pest, he was giving it to me,” Rafter said.
