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Skipper Dhoni’s support for Fletcher invites BCCI ire
Second seed Halep survives early scare
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From wonderful to woeful
Serena, Federer primed for glory
Ajmal tested for suspect action
Boxer Solanki misses bronze, athletes disappoint
Hamilton wonders if Rosberg can be trusted
Bolt ends season after four races
Atletico coach gets 8-match ban for Super Cup fracas
Indian men’s kabaddi team grouped with Pak in Asiad
Pranaav-Akshay win, Kashyap loses in Rd 1
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Skipper Dhoni’s support for Fletcher invites BCCI ire
Mumbai, August 25 The BCCI top brass is fuming at Dhoni’s comments at the pre-match press conference in Bristol, saying that the captain has “overstepped his brief” and has no business to decide the tenure of coaches. “Definitely he (Fletcher) will lead us into the World Cup. Also he is still the boss. We have Ravi (Shastri) who will look into everything, but Duncan Fletcher is the boss. It's not as if his powers or his position have been curtailed. I don't know what you feel from outside, but still operations remain the same. We have a few other support staff who come into the dressing room, but overall the operation remains the same,” Dhoni had said. Dhoni’s comments have also raised speculation on whether he was on the same page with the BCCI bigwigs who had appointed Ravi Shastri as the Director of cricket in the wake of the team’s shambolic performance in the Test series against England. A very senior office bearer made it clear that the matter will come up for discussion at the Board’s next Working Committee meeting. “What happened is very disappointing and unbecoming of an Indian captain. The matter will come up for discussion at the next Working Committee meeting of the board. Let’s get it straight. Dhoni is no one to comment as to who is the boss of the team. It’s not his domain,” the office bearer said. “Obviously, Dhoni has overstepped his brief as an Indian captain. The media can ask him any question but being a matured cricketer, he should know what his lines are. Just like BCCI officials are not going to decide who is in the playing XI, Dhoni does not decide who is going to stay.” — PTI First ODI washed out
The opening One-day International in a five-match series between England and India was abandoned without a ball being bowled in Bristol on Monday due to heavy rain. Umpires made the decision to cancel the game after downpours throughout the night and morning left standing water on the outfield. India, world champions in the 50-over format of the game, are looking to take revenge on their hosts after England won the Test series 3-1 earlier in the summer. |
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Second seed Halep survives early scare
New York, August 25 The French Open finalist moves on to face Slovakian Jana Cepelova, a 2-6 7-5 6-1 winner over Spain's Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor, in the second round of the season's last grand slam. But the 22-year-old Romanian had a tricky time getting by Collins, a U.S. college champion from the University of Virginia. Down a break at 3-4, the 20-year-old American brought the set back on serve at 4-all and with her confidence growing the collegian ran away with the decider by taking advantage of a slew of errors from Halep. That shock seemed to snap the Romanian back to attention, and bring her groundstrokes under control as she roared to victory over Collins, who was playing her first tour-level main draw match. "She played a tough match, I want to congratulate her," world number two Halep said in an on-court interview. First round: (men's singles): Andreas Seppi bt Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-3 6-1 6-4;Leonardo Mayer (Argentina) bt Albert Montanes (Spain) 6-2 3-0; (women's singles): Peng Shuai beat Zheng Jie 6-3 6-3,Andrea Petkovic beat Ons Jabeur 7-6(7) 1-6 6-3, Lucie Safarova bt Timea Babos6-4 7-5, Angelique Kerber beat Ksenia Pervak (Russia) 6-2 3-6 7-5, Simona Halep beat Danielle Collins 6-7(2) 6-1 6-2, Agnieszka Radwanska bt Sharon Fichman 6-1 6-0, Jana Cepelova beat Maria Teresa Torro 2-6 7-5 6-1, Zheng Saisai beat Stefanie Voegele 1-6 6-2 6-2, Belinda Bencic beat Yanina Wickmayer 6-3 6-2 . — Agencies
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From wonderful to woeful
New York, August 25 He is still the bookmakers’ favourite to win the title here at Flushing Meadows, but that could be down to a shortage of alternatives. With Rafael Nadal absent through injury and the likes of Andy Murray and Stanislas Wawrinka seemingly short of their best form, Roger Federer is the only major contender near the top of his game. Djokovic was having the summer of his life until he set foot on court in Toronto. Having won his second Wimbledon title – his first Grand Slam trophy since his appointment of Boris Becker as coach – and reclaimed the world No 1 ranking, he went on to marry Jelena Ristic, who is expecting their first baby later this year. What has gone wrong subsequently? “Many, many, many things are not clicking,” a bemused Djokovic said when asked about his recent results. “It’s unfortunate, but it’s more than obvious I’m not playing even close to what I’m supposed to play. I have to keep on working and trying to get better for the US Open. “Just in general, I’m not feeling very comfortable on the court. I hope that comes with practice and with time.” Asked whether he had had enough hours on the practice court, given the time he had taken off for his wedding, Djokovic said he had trained for a fortnight before returning to competition, which was longer than his customary post-Wimbledon break. “I practised a lot,” he said. “I had more than enough practice.” Djokovic said that whatever the off-court distractions, his commitment to his sport remained unchanged. “I love competing and travelling,” he said. “I understand that many people are not as fortunate as I am to do what they love to do. To be top of the world in this sport, it’s quite remarkable, so I always try to remind myself of that. “Big things have happened in my life recently. I got married and, hopefully, I’m soon to be a father, so of course these are the joyful moments in life one can experience. That obviously is going to affect my priorities in life. But tennis-wise as long as I have this passion for the sport, of course I’m going to keep on going and keep on practising and working and hoping that I can win many big titles and stay No 1.” If his recent form has not been up to scratch, at least Djokovic will go into the year’s final Grand Slam event knowing that he has an excellent record at Flushing Meadows. John McEnroe, for one, does not read too much into the Serb’s results this summer and still regards him as the man to beat at Flushing Meadows over the next fortnight. “I don’t think Novak’s mind has been into it since [Wimbledon],” McEnroe said. “I think it was difficult for him to get back into the swing of things. I believe he’ll be ready here.” — The Independent
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Serena, Federer primed for glory
New York, August 25 Federer hopes to mark the 10th anniversary of his first US Open title with a sixth triumph in New York and become the oldest Grand Slam champion in more than 40 years. In an astonishing reversal of fortunes, the Swiss, written off as a relic of the game when he slipped to a fourth round loss to Tommy Robredo 12 months ago, finds himself perfectly positioned to win a staggering 18th major. Buoyed by claiming a sixth Cincinnati title — his 80th career crown — and with long-time rival Rafael Nadal again sidelined with injury, Federer is relishing the twilight of his career. “It’s perfect that we’re talking semis and finals already,” he told reporters on Saturday ahead of Monday’s start of the US Open, the last Grand Slam of the season. “It wasn’t like that last year.” Up until a couple of years ago, Serena practically plugged her ears at any mention of records or firsts. Now she says it out loud: Coming into the US Open, her next goal is matching two tennis greats for the second-most major titles in the Open era with 18. “Obviously just getting closer to tying with Chris [Evert] and Martina [Navratilova],” she said, before adding if she fell short there would be another opportunity. “Australian, Wimbledon, and French also could have been 18,” she remarked. “Didn’t quite happen. But there’s always next year and the year after, so you don’t give up.” Victory at Flushing Meadows would give Serena a third straight US Open title and a sixth crown in New York. — Agencies
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Ajmal tested for suspect action
BRISBANE, August 25 If Ajmal’s action is deemed to be illegal, he will be forced to step down from the two Test series between Australia and Pakistan in Dubai in October. The ICC clarified the procedures that will be followed to test Ajmal's 'Doosra', which was questioned in the first Test against Sri Lanka. The top-ranked ODI bowler’s ‘Doosra’ has come under the scanner for the second time after he was cleared by the ICC in 2009, though he was allowed to continue bowling with a corrective action subject to a 21-day appeal. In a statement, an ICC spokesman had explained: “Saeed Ajmal will be tested on Monday at the Cricket Australia National Cricket Centre in Brisbane. The test will be conducted by the ICC's accredited and lead team of Human Movement Specialists using the same testing protocol that were earlier followed for the testing of Sri Lanka's Sachithra Senanayake and New Zealand's Kane Williamson.” Reported to match referee Andy Pycroft by on-field umpires Ben Oxenford and Ian Gould in Galle, Ajmal played the next Test against Sri Lanka only to see Pakistan lose the match and the two-match series. The venue and time of the slated test was decided in consultation with the Pakistan board. Gazi latest to be reported for suspect action
Dubai: Bangladesh's Sohag Gazi has become the fifth off-spinner in recent months to be reported to the ICC for an illegal bowling action. The 23-year-old's action was found suspect during the second ODI against the WI on Friday. Gazi, who has played 10 Tests and 19 ODIs, has to undergo testing within 21 days as per the ICC regulations but can continue bowling until the results are known. — Agencies |
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Boxer Solanki misses bronze, athletes disappoint
Nanjing, August 25 The Indian got more points from the three judges in the first round but lost out in the two remaining rounds to miss out on the bronze. In athletics, javelin thrower Pushpa Jakhar failed to deliver in the 'A' final as she finished sixth among the nine contestants. Haryana girl Pushpa had registered a personal best of 50.21mm in the qualifying round. But she started badly today with a poor 39.31m in her first attempt. Although she recovered on her subsequent attempts, Pushpa's best — 49.56m in her fourth attempt — placed her only sixth. Hanna Tarasiuk of Belarus won the event with a personal best 59.52m while Germany's Fabienne Schonig settled with the silver in 53.68m. Japan's Mori Nagisa went home with a bronze medal by hurling the disc to 52.27m. In women's recurve individual archery event, Hema Latha Boda lost to Melanie Gaubil of France in the pre-quarterfinals to finish ninth overall. Wrestler Shri Pal finished fifth in men's Greco-Roman after losing 0-4 to Ramandeep Khehira of Canada. India are being represented by 32 athletes and they have won one medal — weightlifter Ragala Venkat Rahul. — PTI
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Back with a left-footed bang
Barcelona, August 25 Youngster Munir El Haddadi hit the woodwork as did Andres Iniesta before Messi made the breakthrough, turning well in the box and slotting in after 42 minutes. Barca’s job was complicated with Javier Mascherano sent off for bringing down Garry Rodrigues a minute later but Munir, drafted into the side as a replacement for the injured Neymar, clipped home to make it 2-0 shortly after the restart. Messi, whose Argentina side were beaten in the World Cup final by Germany in July, was the talisman once again for Barca. He made space for himself on the edge of the area and found the back of the net again after 63 minutes. The result handed Luis Enrique a promising start with Barcelona after the club failed to win any major trophy last season under Gerardo Martino. “I’ve always said that Messi is the best player in the world in all the ways that you want to look at it,” Luis Enrique said. “If Messi wanted to be a defender he would be the best in the world. We have seen him do more difficult things in training and he will keep being the best in the world as long as he wants to be.” Luis Enrique put his confidence in youth with Munir and Rafinha given a chance in attack alongside Messi. It was a sign of veteran Xavi’s changing role in the side that he was on the bench with new signing Ivan Rakitic taking his place and the Croat slotted in effortlessly in the midfield. It was the usual Barca style with more pace than they showed for much of last season but they found it difficult to break down a well-organised Elche. Munir has looked sharp during pre-season and his quick movement and shot almost gave Barca the lead midway through the first half but his effort came back off the crossbar. Iniesta also struck the woodwork from 25 metres and Dani Alves failed to hit the target from inside the area before Messi gave them the lead. — Reuters Falcao fires Monaco to season’s first win Paris: Radamel Falcao scored in his first competitive start in seven months as Monaco beat Nantes 1-0 to claim their first French Ligue 1 victory of the season in three games. The Colombia forward, who missed the second half of last season and missed the summer’s World Cup in Brazil after suffering a serious knee injury in January, headed home just before the break to secure their first points of the campaign. The 1-0 victory lifted the runners-up of last season up to the 17th, away from the relegation zone. PSV beat Ajax in Dutch top-of-table clash
The Hague: PSV Eindhoven defeated reigning champions Ajax 3-1 in Amsterdam to claim the top spot in the Dutch Eredivisie after three match rounds. Ajax took the lead in the first-half through a header by 19-year-old forward Anwar El Ghazi Sunday. In the second half PSV bounced back through some fast counter-attacks and goals by Memphis Depay, Luciano Narsingh and Florian Jozefzoon. — IANS |
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Hamilton wonders if Rosberg can be trusted
SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Aug 25 The incident, with Rosberg’s front wing making contact with Hamilton’s rear tyre and causing a puncture on the second lap of the race, was an avoidable one that wrecked the Briton’s afternoon. Hamilton eventually retired after struggling with a damaged car while Rosberg, now 29 points clear in the Formula One standings with seven races remaining, finished second. With the Spa paddock swept by the controversy, Hamilton fuelled the flames by telling reporters Rosberg had said in a post-race meeting he did it on purpose to ‘prove a point’. “When you’re out there you have to trust people to think with their heads and not do things deliberately. But after that meeting I don’t really know how to approach the next race,” Hamilton said. “I’ll have to make sure we’re not wheel-to-wheel,” he added when asked whether he would trust Rosberg in similar circumstances going into the chicane at Monza next week. Whatever the case I will always put the team first and I won’t take anything into my own hands.” In a potentially lethal sport where drivers go wheel-to-wheel at speeds in excess of 300kph, trust is essential. The Mercedes pairing have banged wheels before this season, without consequences, but Sunday’s incident moved their rivalry on to another level. An accident waiting to happen for some, although not in Hamilton’s book, it was the first time they had collided and done serious damage to the prospects of a team that had started one-two and expected to finish that way. “He basically said he did it on purpose,” Hamilton had said on Sunday. “He said he could have avoided it. He said ‘I did it to prove a point’.” Mercedes motorsport head Toto Wolff later attempted to clarify that, explaining that “Nico felt he needed to hold his line. He needed to make a point. It wasn’t deliberately crashing. That is nonsense.” — Reuters
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Bolt ends season after four races
Zurich, August 25 “It is now time to shut it down while he is healthy and injury free with a view on his preparations for the 2015 season,” Mills said. The premature end to Bolt’s season means the 28-year-old Jamaican has competed just four times this season, the start to which was delayed because of a foot injury. Bolt had only run his first 100m of the year in an exhibition race on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beach on August 17 in a time of 10.06sec. — Agencies
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Atletico coach gets 8-match ban for Super Cup fracas
Barcelona, August 25 The Argentine was sanctioned with four games for slapping the fourth official on the back of the head after his first-half dismissal, two for protesting, one for applauding the decision and another for giving instructions to the team from the stands. Atletico won the two-legged tie 2-1 on aggregate. — Reuters
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Indian men’s kabaddi team grouped with Pak in Asiad
Mumbai, August 25 The other two teams in Group A of the men's competition are Bangladesh and Thailand, as per the draw of the event commencing on September 28 at the Songda Global University Gymnasium in Incheon, South Korea. The women's outfit, which is also the title holder having clinched the crown on the event's debut four years ago at Guangzhou, China, is in Group A with Bangladesh and hosts South Korea which is also fielding the men's team. The men's team, that has lifted the title at every edition of the pan-Asian sports spectacle since kabaddi was introduced in Beijing in 1990, opens its campaign against another South Asian rival Bangladesh on September 28. India are to take on Pakistan, which won the bronze four years ago, on September 30 after meeting Thailand a day earlier. The other teams in the men's contest are Iran, Japan and Malaysia, which are in Group B along with Korea. In women's competition, India's league games are scheduled on Sept 28 (vs Bangladesh) and hosts South Korea (Sept 30). Teams in Group B are Thailand, Iran, Japan and Chinese Taipei. — PTI
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Pranaav-Akshay win, Kashyap loses in Rd 1 Copenhagen, August 25 The Indian men’s doubles team of Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Akshay Dewalkar beat Yun Lung Chan and Chun Hei Lee 21-19 16-21 22-20 in the first round, while shuttlers Tarun Kona and Ashwini Ponnappa were ousted from their mixed doubles opener. Though Tarun and Ashwini lost the first game 16-21 to Danish World No.16 pair Anders Kristiansen and Julie Houmann, they came back strongly in the second game at the Ballerup Super Arena. The World No. 39 Indian combine gave a tough fight in the second game but eventually went down 25-27 in a close match which lasted 46 minutes. However, in some good news for Ashwini, she, along with her women’s doubles partner Jwala Gutta, got a walkover in their opener to enter the second round as England’s Heather Olver and Kate Robertshaw withdrew from the tournament. In the second round they have a tough match ahead when they take on Chinese fifth seeds Qing Tian and Yunlei Zhao, who have an unbeaten 6-0 record against Jwala and Ashwini. In another match of the day, Arun Vishnu and Aparna Balan beat Brazil’s Hugo Arthuso and Fabiana Silva 21-12 21-14 in the first round of the mixed doubles event. — PTI
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the team and will stay till the 2015 World Cup has prompted a livid BCCI to take up the matter at the next Working Committee meeting.
Novak Djokovic has a solution to his on-court problems. Having made early exits from the two tournaments he has played since winning Wimbledon, the world No 1 was asked how he might add something extra to his preparations for the US Open, which begins here on Monday.
Lewis Hamilton says he no longer knows whether to trust Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg on the track after they collided at Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix but has ruled out retaliation.
Novak Djokovic has a solution to his on-court problems. Having made early exits from the two tournaments he has played since winning Wimbledon, the world No 1 was asked how he might add something extra to his preparations for the US Open, which begins here on Monday. “Two rackets,” Djokovic laughed. “I’m going to play with two rackets.” “The Djoker”, as he is sometimes known in these parts, may need a sense of humour given his woeful performances at this summer’s Masters Series tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati, where he won a total of just two matches before losing to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Tommy Robredo respectively.
