S P O R T S

Toe crushers to come: Umesh
Cardiff, August 26
Fresh from a successful India A tour of Australia, paceman Umesh Yadav has revealed that his Kolkata Knight Riders bowling coach Wasim Akram helped him get his yorkers right and he is now keen to use the toe-crushers against England batsmen in the One-dayers.

second odi
Dhoni & co. look to turn the tables
cardiff, August 26
Rocked by one controversy after another, India will be hoping that the spotlight shifts to the cricketing action as they take on an upbeat England side in the second one day international of the five-match series here on Wednesday.

Djokovic, Sharapova show no mercy
New York, August 26
Former champions Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova sparkled under the Arthur Ashe Stadium lights to end a steamy first day that proved more than a little stressful for several of the U.S. Open favourites on Monday.

Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova were in their elements on Day One at the Flushing Meadows on Monday. AFP

world championships
Saina storms into Round 3
Copenhagen, August 26
London Olympics bronze medallist Saina Nehwal stormed into the third round of the World Badminton Championship with a commanding straight game win over Natalia Perminova of Russia in women’s singles in Copenhagen on Tuesday.

Home Ministry relaxes arms license rules Jalandhar, August 26 In a huge respite to shooters, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), on the recommendations of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), has issued new guidelines for the grant of arms license under various categories. Over 600 shooters are participating in the Punjab State Shooting Championship that got underway in Jalandhar on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Sarabjit Singh

Bolt to take on Yuvi in a cricket face-off
Bangalore, August 26
Sprint superstar Usain Bolt will make his maiden visit to India early next month, not to race but to compete in a cricket face-off against India discard Yuvraj Singh. Both the Puma ambassadors are coming together for the event on September 2, organised by the sportswear giants at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

City beat Liverpool Manchester, August 26 A Stevan Jovetic double and a third by Sergio Aguero helped Manchester City send out an ominous warning to those with designs on their Premier League crown, routing Liverpool 3-1 in the first heavyweight clash of the new season on Monday. City’s Stevan Jovetic shoots to score the opening goal against Liverpool in their EPL match in Manchester on Monday. AFP

Champs Atletico held, Real start with a win
Madrid, August 26
Champions Atletico Madrid made a sluggish start to the defence of their La Liga title with a 0-0 draw against Rayo Vallecano while a header from Karim Benzema and a late Cristiano Ronaldo strike helped Real Madrid beat promoted Cordoba 2-0.

Shooter Tara’s husband held
New Delhi, August 26
The husband of national-level shooter Tara Shahdeo was arrested in a joint operation by Jharkhand and Delhi Police on Tuesday night, sources said. Ranjeet Singh Kohli alias Rakibul Hasan Khan, 30, was arrested from a place near the Delhi-Ghaziabad border.

Toe crushers to come: Umesh

Cardiff, August 26
Fresh from a successful India A tour of Australia, paceman Umesh Yadav has revealed that his Kolkata Knight Riders bowling coach Wasim Akram helped him get his yorkers right and he is now keen to use the toe-crushers against England batsmen in the One-dayers.

“I had a problem with the yorkers as my ball often strayed on the leg. Wasim bhai helped me with that. He said, ‘when you are at your bowling mark and about to bowl a yorker, just keep all your focus on the spot you want the ball to pitch and don't think that it will go down the leg side’,” Yadav said.

“He said ‘it is very important to be aware of your whole body and its position - whether your bowling arm is following the ball and how your follow-through is.

“You have to ensure that your body and mind are in perfect sync. Even the slightest of angle change will affect where your ball pitches’. “He (Akram) told me to make sure the body is always behind the ball and you follow the ball till the end,” he said.

After finding rhythm in India A's tour of Australia, Yadav said getting a five-wicket haul was a huge confidence booster for him and he hopes to carry that form into this series. “That tour was very good for me. I bowled well and picked wickets on flat pitches. There was bounce but they weren't as quick as we had expected them to be. So we had to assess the wickets, study the bounce and bowl accordingly,” the 26-year-old said. Noting that the wickets in England are generally softer and have spongy bounce, Yadav said his plan would be to try and bowl as full as possible in order to give the ball the time to swing. The Indian pacer said he will use the toe-crusher regularly in England. “The ball stops before coming on to the bat here unlike in Australia, where it skids through. The good thing here is that you just need to bowl with discipline and rest assured the ball will do something,” he said. Yadav said he does not agree with the viewpoint that the yorker has gone out of fashion, instead feels it is an important weapon in the bowler’s armoury.

“Everyone knows how to bowl a yorker but not everyone can. That is because of the mindset. The key to getting it right is to go with a clear plan, only focus on bowling the yorker and be very confident about it,” the pacer said.

"If bowled accurately, there is no better delivery than a yorker,” he added.

Yadav, who has joined the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami for the ongoing five-match ODI series, said he has to share their workload.

“It is only normal for them to be a bit tired. So, the new-ball bowlers who have joined the team will have to take up more responsibilities in that regard.

“The onus will be on us to take them with us and keep pushing them to carry on,” he said. Yadav said that he has learnt a lot while working with the legendary pacer.

Elaborating on what he has learnt, Yadav said, “If at the last moment, your body is not in the perfect alignment of the ball, you should not try to swing the ball because it will either stray down the leg side or too wide outside off.

“The better your body control and position at the release point, the more accurately will you be able to bowl where you want to. That body alignment at the time of release is the key to bowling fast while swinging the ball. If your wrist position is wrong, your swing will go wrong. If your head is falling over, your line will be ruined,” he said. — PTI

second odi
Dhoni & co. look to turn the tables

cardiff, August 26
Rocked by one controversy after another, India will be hoping that the spotlight shifts to the cricketing action as they take on an upbeat England side in the second one day international of the five-match series here on Wednesday.

With the first match in Bristol being washed out without a ball being bowled, India will be itching to perform in a format where Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men have shown their prowess over the years.

Some on-field action will also mean that skipper Dhoni will be able to focus on cricket, after his comments supporting chief coach Duncan Fletcher did not got down well with the BCCI bigwigs.

A notable thing during this tour has been Dhoni expressing his firm point-of-views quite explicitly.

It happened in the Ravindra Jadeja-James Anderson case during the Test series and then after the loss when he hinted that perhaps he had done enough as the Indian Test skipper.

Now this is the third instance, where he suddenly finds that he is not on the same page with the board. With simmering tension, all parties though will be hoping for clear weather in Cardiff then as some cricket will do well to cool down tempers.

In terms of on-field action there wasn’t much to take away from Bristol, except the pre-match practice on Sunday. For Indian batsmen, this meant big shots sailing out of the park at every opportunity possible.

Almost every batsman concentrated on hitting out in a bid to get away from the Test mindset. Dhoni himself led the way, with Rohit Sharma and Stuart Binny also using their long handles well. Suresh Raina too had a little hitting-out session towards the end. — PTI

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Djokovic, Sharapova show no mercy

New York, August 26
Former champions Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova sparkled under the Arthur Ashe Stadium lights to end a steamy first day that proved more than a little stressful for several of the U.S. Open favourites on Monday.

Djokovic, who had won only two matches in the hard court run-up to the season's final grand slam after getting married just days after his Wimbledon triumph, was back to his best once the center court spotlight shone on him at Flushing Meadows.

The 2011 champion treated his first-round match against unseeded 22-year-old Argentine Diego Schwartzman like a breezy workout, dominating in all phases with 24 winners including seven aces in a 6-1 6-2 6-4 rout.

His fast work followed a scintillating finish by French Open champion and 2006 winner Sharapova, as the fifth seed won 10 straight games to prevail 6-4 6-0 after falling 2-4 behind against her Russian compatriot and old friend Maria Kirilenko.

Despite the night programme starting one hour later than scheduled due to ceremonies featuring bands, speeches and fireworks, Djokovic enabled the New York night crowd to head to the exits shortly before the stroke of midnight.

"I'm very pleased," the Serbian world number one said in a courtside interview after his 97-minute win. "It's never easy to start a U.S. Open smoothly."

Several of the favorites at Flushing Meadows could attest to his opinion.

Busy bees made life difficult for two grizzled veterans and a pair of favourites were forced to work overtime on a hot, steamy day at the U.S. National Tennis Center that drew a combined 57,000 fans to the day and night sessions.

Eighth-seeded 2012 champion Andy Murray fought off cramps to beat Dutchman Robin Haase in four painful sets, while women's second seed Simona Halep lost an early tiebreak to U.S. debutant Danielle Collins before claiming victory.

And in an intriguing match-up of 19th seed Venus Williams and Kimiko Date-Krumm of Japan, the oldest players in the women's draw, some pesky bees joined in and refused to leave them alone.

MAJOR CRAMPING

Murray appeared on course for an easy victory before he fell victim to cramps that left him stretching and straining to get comfortable before clinching a 6-3 7-6 (6) 1-6 7-5 victory over Haase.

"I felt extremely good before the match, and I did train very, very hard to get ready for the tournament," said Murray, one of the fittest players on the ATP Tour.

"My quads were cramping, then it started to get to my lats, then my forearms," he added. "I just tried to hang around and at the end I was trying to play without moving my legs much and managed to get through."

Murray said he might consult with a nutritionist before meeting his second-round opponent, Germany's Matthias Bachinger.

A less serious intrusion hit the irresistible women's clash between seven-times grand slam singles winner Williams and Japan's remarkable Date-Krumm, who were beset by bees.

First the 43-year-old Japanese player and later 34-year-old Williams dipped, ducked and danced away before ballgirls helped usher the stubborn swarm away from the baseline.

When finally left to play tennis on a sun-bathed Arthur Ashe Stadium court, Williams stung her opponent 2-6 6-3 6-3 to advance.

Asked about who presented the peskier test in the two-hour match, two-time U.S. Open winner Williams said: "The bee was a challenge but easily the answer is Kimiko."

EARLY UPSET

In an upset on the men's side, twice U.S. Open semi-finalist Mikhail Youzhny of Russia, the 21st seed, fell to big-serving Australian teenager Nick Kyrgios 7-5 7-6 (4) 2-6 7-6 (1).

The 19-year-old Kyrgios, who made a Wimbledon splash by ousting Rafa Nadal in the fourth round to reach the quarter-finals, blasted 26 aces. The 60th-ranked Kyrgios moved on to a second-round match against Italy's Andreas Seppi.

Advancing with relative ease in straight sets were Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland and fifth-seeded Canadian Milos Raonic, a Wimbledon semi-finalist.

The Swiss third seed beat Jiri Vesely of the Czech Republic to set up a second-round test against Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci, while big-serving Raonic defeated Japan's Taro Daniel to get to the next round against Peter Gojowczyk of Germany. Halep survived a scare in the tournament's first match on stadium court before overtaking Collins 6-7 (2) 6-1 6-2.

The 22-year-old Romanian, a French Open finalist, admitted to a bout of nerves in being thrust onto the big stage as the opening act of the season's last grand slam. Also advancing on the women's side were fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, sixth seed Angelique Kerber of Germany, and former world number one Jelena Jankovic of Serbia, the ninth seed. — Reuters

Results: (Men's Singles Round 1)

Milos Raonic (Canada) beat Taro Daniel (Japan) 6-3 6-2 7-6(1), Novak Djokovic (Serbia) beat Diego Schwartzman (Argentina) 6-1 6-2 6-4, Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) beat Jiri Vesely (Czech Republic) 6-2 7-6(6) 7-6(3), Fernando Verdasco (Spain) beat Blaz Rola (Slovenia) 6-3 3-6 7-5 1-6 6-4, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) beat Juan Monaco (Argentina) 6-3 4-6 7-6(2) 6-1, Andy Murray (Britain) beat Robin Haase (Netherlands) 6-3 7-6 (6) 1-6 7-5,Matthias Bachinger (Germany) beat Radek Stepanek (Czech Republic) 6-3 6-2 6-2,Nick Kyrgios (Australia) beat 21-Mikhail Youzhny (Russia) 7-5 7-6(4) 2-6 7-6(1).

Women's Singles Round 1: Maria Sharapova (Russia) beat Maria Kirilenko (Russia) 6-4 6-0, Venus Williams (U.S.) beat Kimiko Date-Krumm (Japan) 2-6 6-3 6-3, Angelique Kerber (Germany) beat Ksenia Pervak (Russia) 6-2 3-6 7-5, Sloane Stephens (U.S.) beat Annika Beck (Germany) 6-0 6-3, Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) beat Bojana Jovanovski (Serbia) 6-2 6-3, Daniela Hantuchova (Slovakia) beat Romina Oprandi (Switzerland) 4-6 6-2 6-3, Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) beat Sharon Fichman 6-1 6-0, Sabine Lisicki beat Francoise Abanda 6-3 7-5, Caroline Wozniacki beat Magdalena Rybarikova 6-1 3-6 2-0 Sara Errani beat Kirsten Flipkens 6-1 7-5.

world championships
Saina storms into Round 3

Copenhagen, August 26
London Olympics bronze medallist Saina Nehwal stormed into the third round of the World Badminton Championship with a commanding straight game win over Natalia Perminova of Russia in women’s singles in Copenhagen on Tuesday.

Saina, seeded seventh, took just 31 minutes to dispose off Perminova 21-11 21-9. The Indian had earlier got a bye in the first round.

She will next play the winner of the match between 13th seed Sayaka Takahashi of Japan and Bulgaria’s Petya Nedelcheva.

Another Indian in the fray in women’s singles, 11th seed P V Sindhu will take on Russia’s Olga Golovanova in the second round on Wednesday after she too got a bye in the opening round.

In men’s singles, Ajay Jayaram also progressed to the second round after receiving a walkover from fourth seed and higher-rated Kenichi Tago of Japan.

Jayaram will next face Thai shuttler Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk, who defeated Scotland’s Kieran Merrilees 21-16 21-17 in his opening round. However, it turned out to be a disappointing outing for Parupalli Kashyap as he crashed out in the first round of the men’s singles event after suffering a shocking defeat against Dieter Domke of Germany last night.

The world number 27 Indian played his heart out before going down fighting 24-26 21-13 18-21 in a nerve-wrecking battle of attrition which lasted an hour and seven minutes. But the Indian mixed doubles pair of Arun Vishnu and Aparna Balan crossed the opening hurdle, beating Brazilian combination of Hugo Arthuso and Fabiana Silva 21-12 21-14. Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Akshay Dewalkar eked out a 21-19 16-21 22-20 win over Hong Kong’s Yun Lung Chan and Chun Hei Lee. — Agencies

Home Ministry relaxes arms license rules
Rachna Khaira
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 26
In a huge respite to shooters, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), on the recommendations of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), has issued new guidelines for the grant of arms license under various categories.

As per the new guidelines, the shooters with minimum qualifying score (MQS), set by the NRAI, will be entitled to possess an arms license of 'All India' validity. Also, the age limit to possess the license has been reduced from 18 to 12 years.

The MHA has also introduced two new categories - junior target shooter and aspiring shooter -- under the Arms Act, 1959, for issuing license for the weapon they would be using in their event. Following the new rules, the NRAI has begun the process of setting the MQS for the shooters performing in various categories across India. "Our shooters since long were facing difficulty in getting the license. Even those who had somehow managed it had to skip several national and international events as the license was valid for a particular state. Also, as the age limit for an individual to possess an arms license was 18 years and above, our shooters could not participate in many u-18 international events. Now, after the amendments announced by the MHA, shooting will get a big boost," said Raninder Singh, the NRAI president.

He also informed that each unit of the NRAI will have a certifying body to keep a check on the issuance of licenses to the shooters.

The shooting fraternity, as expected, has shown its pleasure over the development. According to Ramandeep Kaur Brar, the only shooting coach from Punjab who has been selected for the prestigious 'B' Coaching Course later this year, said the players had been facing harassment since long in getting the license. "Now, with the amendments, more youth will be attracted to the sport," said Brar.

Bolt to take on Yuvi in a cricket face-off

Bangalore, August 26
Sprint superstar Usain Bolt will make his maiden visit to India early next month, not to race but to compete in a cricket face-off against India discard Yuvraj Singh. Both the Puma ambassadors are coming together for the event on September 2, organised by the sportswear giants at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

“Puma brings Usain Bolt down for a one-of-a-kind cricket face-off between two sporting legends. For the first time ever, watch the Fastest Man on Earth — Usain Bolt — challenge Yuvraj Singh to an exclusive cricket showdown,” said a media release.

The face-off has been titled ‘Bolt and Yuvi — Battle of the Legends’. The 28-year-old from Jamaica, a multiple Olympic and world champion, is an ardent cricket lover and had expressed his desire in the past to play in the Indian Premier League as a fast bowler. — Agencies

City beat Liverpool

Manchester, August 26
A Stevan Jovetic double and a third by Sergio Aguero helped Manchester City send out an ominous warning to those with designs on their Premier League crown, routing Liverpool 3-1 in the first heavyweight clash of the new season on Monday.

With new signing Mario Balotelli watching from the stands, last season’s runners-up Liverpool looked lively in miserable conditions, but an error from debutant Alberto Moreno allowed the Montenegro international to smash the ball home on 41 minutes.

He grabbed his second 10 minutes after the restart, putting away Samir Nasri’s low cross, while Aguero scored 23 seconds after coming on as a substitute as Manuel Pellegrini’s side put down an early-season statement of intent.

After going agonisingly close to winning their first league title in 24 years last season, Liverpool are desperate to mount another creditable challenge, but despite nine new arrivals they are still looking to adjust to life without Luis Suarez.

They failed to seriously trouble Joe Hart despite having plenty of ball and earned a consolation through a Pablo Zabaleta own goal. — Reuters

Champs Atletico held, Real start with a win

Madrid, August 26
Champions Atletico Madrid made a sluggish start to the defence of their La Liga title with a 0-0 draw against Rayo Vallecano while a header from Karim Benzema and a late Cristiano Ronaldo strike helped Real Madrid beat promoted Cordoba 2-0.

Mario Mandzukic missed two clear chances in the first half for Atletico, whose Super Cup victory last Friday over Real appeared to take its toll as the players looked fatigued in the second half. — Reuters

Man U agree to pay fortune for Di Maria

Manchester United have agreed a British record transfer fee of £59.7 million to secure Angel di Maria from Real Madrid, British media reported. The Argentina winger arrived in Manchester on Monday and would have a medical test later. The transfer fee outstrips the £50 million EPL rivals Chelsea paid Liverpool for Spain striker Fernando Torres in 2011.

Shooter Tara’s husband held

New Delhi, August 26
The husband of national-level shooter Tara Shahdeo was arrested in a joint operation by Jharkhand and Delhi Police on Tuesday night, sources said. Ranjeet Singh Kohli alias Rakibul Hasan Khan, 30, was arrested from a place near the Delhi-Ghaziabad border.

Tara, 23, who won the gold medal in the 2009 Eastern Zone championship, had alleged that Kohli beat her and forced her to convert to Islam after they got married in July. — IANS