Clijsters routs Zvonareva to claim back-to-back US Open titles

Published>Sun, Sep 12 10 12:27 PM

New York, Sep 12(ANI): World No. 3 Kim Clijsters has claimed her second consecutive US Open women's singles title by defeating Russia's Vera Zvonareva at Flushing Meadows.

In a lopsided final, the defending champion required just 59 minutes for a masterful 6-2, 6-1 victory.

Clijsters now has three US Open titles after also claiming the 2005 crown, and remains unbeaten in New York in 21 matches dating back to 2003.

The Belgian had consoling words for her opponent, reminding the 26-year-old that she was the only woman to have lost her first four grand slam finals before finally winning the US Open five years ago.

"A little bit of experience definitely helps. It's tough (for Zvonareva), but it took me six or seven finals until I finally got one," Fox Sports quoted Clijsters, as saying.

On the other hand, a distraught-looking Zvonareva said: "Kim just played tremendously well and she deserved to win."

In addition to collecting a winner's cheque of 1.7 million dollars, Clijsters pocketed a 500,000 dollar bonus for taking out the US Open summer series.

Last year, Clijsters became the first-ever wildcard to win the US Open and first mother to raise a grand slam trophy since Australian Evonne Goolagong Cawley at Wimbledon in 1980. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

'There's no one consistent way to treat 15 different blokes,' says Nielsen

Published>Sun, Sep 12 10 12:07 PM

Sydney, Sept.12 (ANI): Australian cricket team coach Tim Nielsen is of the view that there's no one consistent way to treat 15 different blokes who do duty for the national squad at different times during the year.

"You can't underestimate the emotional stress on a player when they come into the team. Often it's different to what they expected. There's a lot of pressure, and they get heavily scrutinized. I need to ensure they feel good about themselves, but also understand what's expected. I need to give Ricky, players who are ready mentally, technically, physically and tactically," Nielsen told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"Players at this level have an ego that tells them they are good enough. We encourage that, but they need assistance to make the right decisions when they arrive at a fork in the road," he says.

"You can't treat players the same. I can't treat Ricky the way I treat Michael Clarke or Mitchell Johnson or Nathan Hauritz. I need to be aware of how best to treat them to make sure they perform well. Sometimes, your approach comes across to them as inconsistent, but there's no one consistent way to treat 15 different blokes," he adds.

As coach, Nielsen says he keeps an open mind, avoids being rigid and utilizes his extensive support staff.

"I'm lucky to have been involved in an era of great change. When I finished playing, there were only a few, like David Hookes and Darren Lehmann, who were being paid. Most of us worked for a living. Now, the game is so professional. I feel I've grown with the game," he says. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Clijsters romps to U.S. Open title

Published>Sun, Sep 12 10 11:57 AM

Kim Clijsters captured her third U.S. Open singles title after thrashing Russia's Vera Zvonareva 6-2 6-1 in Saturday's final.

The Belgian dazzled the centre court crowd with a brilliant display of shotmaking and poise while showing no mercy against her nervous opponent, who was appearing in her first final at Flushing Meadows.

With her infant daughter Jada watching from the stands, Clijsters raced to victory in one hour for the loss of just three games, making it the most one-sided final in New York since Chris Evert crushed Evonne Goolaging 6-3 6-0 in 1976.

Clijsters, champion in 2005 and again last year when she returned to the game after taking time off to start a family, became the first woman to successfully defend her U.S. Open crown since Venus Williams in 2001.

Source: Web Search

Clijsters wins again as Federer's run ends

Published>Sun, Sep 12 10 11:53 AM

It was all too easy for Kim Clijsters at the U.S. Open on Saturday. And all too hard for Roger Federer.

Clijsters won her third women's singles title with ridiculous speed, thrashing her nervous Russian opponent Vera Zvonareva 6-2 6-1 in less than an hour.

For the second year in a row, Clijsters celebrated her victory by fooling around with her infant daughter on the centre court. The photographers lined up to start snapping away but Jada protested. No photos, no photos, she told them. Clijsters giggled and the crowd at Arthur Ashe Ashe Stadium lapped it up.

I'm very excited that I was able to defend my title, Clijster said. It's always an honour to go back to a place, especially a Grand Slam, where you've done well and you've won.

Zvonareva was reduced to tears, hiding her head under her towel as she sobbed. The seventh-seed had played some brilliant tennis to get to the final but these were not her finest 59 minutes.

It was not Federer's greatest day at Flushing Meadows either. For the first time since 2003, the Swiss master will not be appearing in the men's singles final after his loss in the semi-finals to Serbia's Novak Djokovic.

I'm not as disappointed as I would have been in the final. That's the only positive news to enjoy anything out of it, he said.

Federer had two match points in the final set, which lasted longer than the entire women's final, but missed his chances and Djokovic went on to win 5-7 6-1 5-7 6-2 7-5.

It's one of those matches that you will remember for the rest of your life, said Djokovic. I am very proud of myself.

His reward was a place in Sunday's final against the world number one Rafa Nadal, who sailed through with a 6-2 6-3 6-4 victory over Russia's Mikhail Youzhny.

Nadal has never won the U.S. Open but it will take an extraordinary performance from Djokovic to deny him this time.

I have tried my best for a lot of years, Nadal, who has not dropped a single set in the tournament, said. So now after a lot of work I am here and I'm happy for that.

Nadal is now tantalisingly close to completing a career grand slam. Only six men, including Federer, have achieved the feat and Nadal only needs the U.S. Open to become the seventh. If he does it on Sunday, the 24-year-old will be second youngest.

I feel great, Nadal said. It's not a dream, because a dream is to win the tournament.

Nadal's only moments of concern against Youzhny were late in the match when he dropped serve for just the second time in the tournament and had his left foot retaped and bandaged because of a blister.

Labelled Quitter

Djokovic's victory put the Serbian into his third grand slam final. The world number three made the U.S. Open final in 2007, losing to Federer, but won the Australian Open the following season. At 23, he has time on his side and the game to match.

The biggest questions about him have revolved around temperament. He has been labelled a quitter whenever he has failed to finish a match.

In the third set against Federer, he repeatedly smashed himself in the head with his racket in an attempt to motivate himself. It worked and by the end, he was on his knees planting a sloppy kiss on the court.

Source: Web Search

England cricketer in hiding after raid

Sun, Sep 12 10 11:45 AM

London, Sep 12 (PTI) England Test cricketer Usman Afzaal is hiding in a "safe house" after a betting gang posing as cops ransacked his family house. According to British tabloid, ''News Of the World'', 33-year-old Afzaal is under police protection after being targeted by a shady betting syndicate. "Test match ace Usman Afzaal, 33, is being guarded at a "safe house" after a gang posing as cops ransacked his family home with a fake warrant," the report said. Afzaal''s family reported the unusual incident to a Nottingham police station next morning but they were informed that no such record of investigation existed. Afzaal''s brother Kamran had also received an anonymous blackmail call, asking for a sum of 100,000 pounds within 24 hours, failing which his family would be reported to cricket''s anti-corruption squad, the report said. The family had to leave their three-storey townhouse on the outskirts of Nottingham after the bizarre episode. "They have gone. They have been under police protective custody for a couple of months and have moved out," a neighbour at the family home, was quoted as saying by the tabloid last night. Scotland Yard''s Serious and Organised Crime Command were tipped off by Customs officers who had learned of the menacing demand. "It is believed the gang involved may have links to an illegal gambling ring run by an Indian fixer based in the Middle-East," the report said. Pakistan-born England cricketer Afzaal featured in three Ashes Tests against Australia in 2001.

Source: Published>

Clijsters' kind words ease Zvonareva's heartache

Published>Sun, Sep 12 10 10:57 AM

Some words of consolation from U.S. Open champion Kim Clijsters made the bitter pill of a second successive grand slam final defeat easier to swallow for Vera Zvonareva.

The Russian burst into tears in front of packed Arthur Ashe Stadium while Clijsters captured her third career grand slam title in under an hour on Saturday.

Clijsters, who lost four grand slam finals from 2001 to 2004 before winning her first of three U.S. Open titles in 2005, told number seven seed that her time would come in a grand slam final.

"When she told me that I was like, 'ok, it was just two for me, that's ok, it's not too bad,'" said Zvonareva, who lost in similar fashion to Serena Williams in July's Wimbledon final.

"Sometimes you can be disappointed and think I had two chances and I didn't use them. But that's how it goes. It's just a great experience for me."

Zvonareva looked a shadow of the player that knocked number one seed Caroline Wozniacki out of the tournament in straight sets the previous day.

She was sluggish throughout and scored a mere 31 points in a match that proved a damp squib for the expectant crowd, lasting 15 games and just 59 minutes.

Afterwards she blamed the women's doubles, in which she had partnered Elena Vesnina to the quarter-finals, for her lackluster display.

"I felt like here I had to play every day and it's tough not only physically but it's also mentally tiring," said Zvonareva, who hinted she would quit doubles at grand slams next year in order to focus on her singles career.

"By the time the most important match of the tournament arrived, for me it was very different out there physically."

Zvonareva, who has showed her emotional frailties before on court, once again struggled to keep her emotions in check.

During the second set, she broke her racquet and received a code violation for smashing it on the ground three times in frustration.

"When I cracked my racquet, I was like 'come on the ball is just two steps away,'" she said. "I was able to get to this ball in previous matches and right now I'm just so slow, I cannot move."

Source: Web Search

CWG coming to Delhi, Delhiites rushing out

Published>Sun, Sep 12 10 10:27 AM

New Delhi, September 12 (ANI): Delhi is inviting the entire world for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, but Delhiites are giving a new meaning to games tagline 'Come out and Play'. City residents are neither to keen to come out nor to play for the games. Travel agents in the city say that there has been an unprecedented surge in comparison to previous years in number of queries and bookings for domestic and international holidays from residents in the city.

Source: Web Search

Trophy might be Qureshi's passport to speedy immigration

Sun, Sep 12 10 10:21 AM

The last thing any international athlete wants to do after a 15-hour flight is spend another three hours stuck in immigration.

When the destination is New York, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi has little choice but to take the annual inquisition at the airport in his stride as he happens to hail from Pakistan.

The soft-spoken 30-year-old may, however, have finally found a way to secure a fast-track passage through U.S. immigration -- a U.S. Open runners-up trophy.

The next time the Lahore-born Qureshi boards a flight to the United States, he might want to tuck the engraved silver plate he was given on the Arthur Ashe Centre Court on Friday into his suitcase to prove his status as a world-class tennis player.

"I get more trouble in immigration here than anywhere else in the world, that's for sure," Qureshi told reporters after he and Indian partner Rohan Bopanna were beaten 7-6 7-6 in the men's doubles final by Mike and Bob Bryan.

"I don't think anywhere else in the world I stay three hours in immigration after a 15-hour flight. So, yes, I would say here I feel the most. I always do (have problems at immigration), for the last 10 years.

"Since September 11, every time I come to the States or Western countries, I feel people have the wrong impression about Pakistan as a terrorist nation," Qureshi added on Friday, the eve of the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks in the U.S.

"You just can't judge the whole country just because of some groups that are trying to spoil the whole world."

Source: Published>

CWG coming to Delhi, Delhiites rushing out

Published>Sun, Sep 12 10 10:07 AM

New Delhi, September 12 (ANI): Delhi is inviting the entire world for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, but Delhiites are giving a new meaning to games tagline 'Come out and Play'. City residents are neither to keen to come out nor to play for the games. Travel agents in the city say that there has been an unprecedented surge in comparison to previous years in number of queries and bookings for domestic and international holidays from residents in the city.

Source: Web Search

Trophy might be Qureshi's passport to speedy immigration

Sun, Sep 12 10 08:57 AM

The last thing any international athlete wants to do after a 15-hour flight is spend another three hours stuck in immigration.

When the destination is New York, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi has little choice but to take the annual inquisition at the airport in his stride as he happens to hail from Pakistan.

The soft-spoken 30-year-old may, however, have finally found a way to secure a fast-track passage through U.S. immigration -- a U.S. Open runners-up trophy.

The next time the Lahore-born Qureshi boards a flight to the United States, he might want to tuck the engraved silver plate he was given on the Arthur Ashe Centre Court on Friday into his suitcase to prove his status as a world-class tennis player.

"I get more trouble in immigration here than anywhere else in the world, that's for sure," Qureshi told reporters after he and Indian partner Rohan Bopanna were beaten 7-6 7-6 in the men's doubles final by Mike and Bob Bryan.

"I don't think anywhere else in the world I stay three hours in immigration after a 15-hour flight. So, yes, I would say here I feel the most. I always do (have problems at immigration), for the last 10 years.

"Since September 11, every time I come to the States or Western countries, I feel people have the wrong impression about Pakistan as a terrorist nation," Qureshi added on Friday, the eve of the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks in the U.S.

"You just can't judge the whole country just because of some groups that are trying to spoil the whole world."

Source: Published>

Clijsters repeats as U.S. Open champion

Published>Sun, Sep 12 10 08:37 AM

Belgium's Kim Clijsters won her second straight U.S. Open women's title on Saturday after crushing seventh-seeded Russian Vera Zvonareva 6-2 6-1 in the most lopsided triumph in 34 years.

The second-seeded Clijsters hit 17 winners while making just 15 unforced errors against a nervous Zvonareva to match the three games lost by American Chris Evert in her 6-3 6-0 demolition of Australian Evonne Goolagong in 1976.

Clijsters, 27, extended her Flushing Meadows match-winning streak to 21 in a row, having also won the title in 2005 before missing a year due to injury and two more to start a family.

"It's been an incredible year, being back in the Open and for the first time I'm able to defend my title," Clijsters said at the trophy ceremony.

Last year her infant daughter Jada came on court to cavort around the shiny silver trophy after Clijsters struck a blow for working mothers everywhere with a grand slam victory in just her third tournament back from her hiatus.

Saturday, curly-haired Jada looked on from the stands, sucking a lollipop as her mom made quick work of Zvonareva.

Clijsters cruised through the first set in 27 minutes after twice breaking Zvonareva's serve. The Russian, appearing in her first final at Flushing Meadows, gifted Clijsters a break in the sixth game with a double fault and three unforced errors.

Then Clijsters wrapped up the set with a service break when Zvonareva slapped a backhand into the net.

Another double fault by the Russian, who was also runner-up at Wimbledon this season, in the sixth game of the second set put Clijsters up by two breaks and she quickly ended the 59-minute match with a forehand winner in the next game.

It was the quickest women's final since officials started keeping track of match times in 1980.

"Kim just played tremendously well today. She deserved to win," said the Russian, who burst into tears at the end of the match, undone by the Belgian's bullet groundstrokes and by her own 24 unforced errors.

Clijsters, the first woman to defend her title at Flushing Meadows since Venus Williams in 2001, tried to console Zvonareva after the match.

"A little bit of experience definitely helps. She has improved so much," said Clijsters, who lost her first four slam finals before beginning her U.S. open run of success.

"Vera just keep it going, it will happen."

Clijsters pocketed $2.2 million for her efforts. In addition to the $1.7 million winner's prize she received a $500,000 bonus for finishing second in the U.S. Open Series of tournaments leading up to the grand slam event.

Source: Web Search

Clijsters romps to U.S. Open title

Sun, Sep 12 10 08:27 AM

Kim Clijsters captured her third U.S. Open singles title after thrashing Russia's Vera Zvonareva 6-2 6-1 in Saturday's final.

The Belgian dazzled the centre court crowd with a brilliant display of shotmaking and poise while showing no mercy against her nervous opponent, who was appearing in her first final at Flushing Meadows.

With her infant daughter Jada watching from the stands, Clijsters raced to victory in one hour for the loss of just three games, making it the most one-sided final in New York since Chris Evert crushed Evonne Goolaging 6-3 6-0 in 1976.

Clijsters, champion in 2005 and again last year when she returned to the game after taking time off to start a family, became the first woman to successfully defend her U.S. Open crown since Venus Williams in 2001.

Source: Published>

Clijsters coasts to third US Open title

Published>Sun, Sep 12 10 07:47 AM

New York, Sep 12 (DPA) Kim Clijsters crushed emotional Russian Vera Zvonareva 6-2, 6-1 Saturday to win her third title at the US Open and run her New York win streak to 21 consecutive victories.

The loss was the second in as many Grand Slam finals for Zvonareva, who was beaten by Serena Williams two months ago in the Wimbledon title match.

The Belgian winner has not lost at Flushing Meadows since 2003, after winning the 2005 edition and not playing for three years as she took time out of the game to have a child.

She returned in 2009 to resume where she left off by lifting the trophy. Clijsters lost her first four Grand Slam finals before winning her last three.

The 27-year-old Belgian dominated Zvonareva, breaking twice and frustrating the Russian to the point of a racket smash in the opening game of the second set.

She now stands on four trophies this season after winning her 30th on hard court.

Source: Web Search

Djokovic shatters dream final with knockout of Federer

Published>Sun, Sep 12 10 07:27 AM

New York, Sep 12 (DPA) Novak Djokovic played the spoiler as he beat Roger Federer in five dramatic sets Saturday to set up a US Open final against Rafael Nadal.

The third-seeded Serb saved two match points in the final set as he earned a 5-7, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5 win over the five-time champion, denied a seventh straight final in New York.

Top seed Nadal was barely tested in a 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 dismissal of Mikhail Youzhny for a place in his first career final at Flushing Meadows.

The win was the first over Federer in New York in four years for Djokovic, who lost the 2007 final to the Swiss and the next two years of semi-finals.

Federer went down after three and three quarter hours on a forehand wide, the first match point for Djokovic.

'I was just closing my eyes and hitting forehands as hard and as fast as i could,' said the Serb. 'If it goes in, great. If it's out, just another loss to Roger Federer in New York. I was very lucky, it was just a few points that determined the winner.

'I will try and get myself ready for the final. Rafa is playing great, the best in the world right now. He deserved this final. I will do my best to recover and give my best challenge to him Sunday.'

Nadal and Federer had been expected to contest the historic final as the Spaniard aims to polish his career record.

New York is the only one of the majors that eight-time Grand Slam champion has not won.

'This is another step in my career, so for sure is a very important victory for me,' Nadal said. 'To be in the final of the last Grand Slam of the year is something new, because I always arrived here with problems.

'I think I can say I did a very good tournament. Having three sets match and two hours, or a little bit more, of the match always is great, no? I'm gonna be in perfect conditions tomorrow, so that's very positive.'

Nadal dominated 12th seed Youzhny as he avenged a 2006 loss in New York to the Russian, who played his only other Grand Slam semi that year. Nadal now stands 11-3 in final-four matches at the majors.

Nadal becomes the first Spanish finalist at the event since Juan Carlos Ferrero, who lost to Andy Roddick in 2003.

Nadal won his 20th match in a row at a Grand Slam after taking titles at Roland Garros (his fifth) and Wimbledon (his second) this season.

Youzhny had been looking to become the first Russian to reach the final at a Grand Slam since Marat Safin won the 2005 Australian Open.

'This year, I didn't show my really best tennis, and I am in the semi-final,' said the Russian. 'This is good. Maybe if I can show my really best tennis, maybe I can do something more. If you lose the match you cannot be really happy. But actually it was good tournament for me.'

Federer started well against Djokovic, whom he now owns 16-5, but had letdowns in the second and fourth sets as the Serb refused to roll over.

The Swiss with 16 Grand Slam titles was unable to convert on his two match points leading 5-4 in the fifth. He then dropped serve for 5-6 against Djokovic before the fighting Serb served out the triumph.

Source: Web Search

Dhoni all praise for Badri, bowlers

Sun, Sep 12 10 01:27 AM

Durban, Sep 11 (PTI) Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was all praise for Subramaniam Badrinath for his superb unbeaten 52 which set up his side''s victory over Central Districts in Champions League Twenty20 match here tonight. "We lost early wickets and that put us under pressure. But Badrinath and Anirudha batted really well. These are the conditions where technique does matter. If those who have good technique perform up the order it is easier for those who have lesser technique to slog later," Dhoni said. "Badri has a good technique and so good to see him perform," said Dhoni after CSK''s 57-run win over Central Districts. Dhoni also have words of praise for the bowlers. "All the bowlers bowled well. Balaji bowled well to pick up three wickets. The two spinners were superb as conditions here were not that well assisting them," he said. "Muttiah Muralitharan is a great bowler and it is great to have him in the team. He just varied his deliveries and the same was in case of R Ashwin also," he added. He said CSK will have to win two more matches out of remaining three to make sure they qualify for the semifinals. "Well of course it is really good to start such a tournament with a big win. It is important to get momentum when you start off with a win. We want to win all the remaining three matches but at least we have to win two," he added. Central Districts captain Jamie How rued his side''s batting failure. "To restrict Chennai to 150, I thought the boys bowled really well. The bowling and fielding were the positives, but we didn''t really turn up with the bat. We will be looking to bounce back against Victoria," How said. Man of the Match Badrinath, whose counterattacking 52 from 42 balls was mainly responsible for taking CSK to 151 for four after being 48 for three at halfway mark, was happy that he could come out good in difficult condition. "I am really happy with the innings. To be able to see the team through to the end. It wasn''t easy to start off with, but once I got in I made sure I made it count. Totally different conditions to what we get in India, so really happy that I could do well here." PTI PDS

Source: Published>

Badri unbeaten 52 takes CSK to 151/4 against Central Districts

Sun, Sep 12 10 01:21 AM

Durban, Sep 11 (PTI) A superb exhibition of counter attacking batting from Subramaniam Badrinath and Srikkanth Anirudha helped Chennai Super Kings recover from a disastrous start and post a competitive 151 for four in their Champions League Twenty20 match against Central Districts here tonight. CSK were reeling at five for two in the second over after opener Matthew Hayden (0) and Suresh Raina (4) were out early before Badrinath (52 not out) and Anirudha (42) took their side past 150 after electing to bat. The duo shared 73 runs from 49 balls for the fourth wicket with some well-struck fours and sixes on a spongy Kingsmead pitch which saw odd balls kicking up to trouble the batsmen. Badrinath''s unbeaten 52 came from 42 balls with the help of four fours and two sixes while Anirudha hit five fours and as six in his 29-ball innings. Both Hayden, who fell in the first ball he faced in the opening over, and Raina, who followed suit after four balls, were done in by deliveries which had extra bounce. Hayden top-edged a Michael Mason delivery to deep square leg fielder Peter Ingram. Raina failed to negotiate a rising ball from 18-year-old pacer Adam Milne and it kissed the batsman''s gloves before landing at the hands of second slip fielder Brendon Diamanti. The early jolt meant that CSK had to dig deep and Badrinath and Murli Vijay (19) did just that. They ran in singles and doubles to keep the scoreboard ticking under some fine bowling display by the New Zealand champion side. Yet again, extra bounce on the pitch claimed Vijay as he tamely hung outside the off to a Dough Bracewell delivery for Mathew Sinclair to take a high catch off the edge. Vijay had shared 38 runs with Badrinath from 39 balls for the third wicket before departing. It was hard grind for Badrinath and Anirudha for some time as they could hit just a four from the fifth to the 10th over. But once they got a hang of the pitch, the duo opened up with some superb strokeplay. Badrinath smashed Mitchell McClenaghan for a six and a four to take 14 runs from the 11th over and he repeated it with a six and a four off Bracewell in the 14th over. Anirudha joined in with a six and four off Mason in the 15th over before he was out in the 17th over at CSK score of 113 for four. Albie Morkel produced the late fireworks with a 15-ball unbeaten 26 which had a four and two sixes. For Central Districts, Bracewell was the most successful bowler with two for 28 while Mason and Milne took a wicket apiece.

Source: Published>

CSK spank Central Districts by 57 runs

Sun, Sep 12 10 12:37 AM

Durban, Sep 11 (PTI) Subramaniam Badrinath struck an unbeaten 52 to save the batting blushes before a disciplined effort by the bowlers as Chennai Super Kings spank Central Districts by 57 runs in a Champions League Twenty20 match here tonight. Badrinath''s counterattacking 52 from 42 balls was mainly responsible for CSK reaching 151 for four after they were down five for two in the second over and 48 for three at halfway mark after electing to bat. He got ample support from Srikkanth Anirudha (42) and the duo shared 73 runs from 49 balls for the fourth wicket to take CSK score past 150 on a spongy Kingsmead pitch which saw odd balls kicking up to trouble the batsmen. Later CSK bowlers complemented the good work done by their batsmen by skittling out Central Districts for 94 in 18.1 overs to start their campaign on a winning note. Chasing 152 for a win, the New Zealand champion side initially looked like they would stand up for a challenge but after they lost their first wicket in the fourth over they were never in the chase. Pacer Laxmipathy Balaji was the most successful CSK bowler with three for 20 from his four overs while Muttiah Muralitharan, Ravichandran Ashwin and Doug Bollinger claiming a wicket apiece. Opener Peter Ingram was the first Central Districts batsman to go in the fourth over for six as he top-edged an Albie Morkel delivery to Suresh Raina at cover at team score of 12 for one. He was earlier dropped while on one in the second ball of their innings by Ravichandran Ashwin. Next over, George Worker fell to Balaji for four and at team score of 22 for two with Muralitharan taking an easy catch at mid-on. CSK captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni introduced off-spinner Ashwin in the sixth over and got the result immediately in the form of Jamie How''s wicket. The captain of the New Zealand champion side, who was dropped by Raina when on five, misread a delivery which straightened up before cleaning up his off-stump. Central Districts were reeling at 35 for three at that stage. Sri Lankan spin wizard Muralitharan then claimed two wickets in the space of three balls to leave Central Districts run chase in tatters as they were reduced to 37 for five in the eighth over. Mathew Sinclair (10), who hit Ashwin for a six in his first delivery, followed suit his captain soon as he fell to a superb catch by Matthew Hayden at slip while attempting a reverse sweep off a Muralitharan delivery. Muralitharan, who recently retired from Test cricket, scalped his second wicket two balls later with Noema-Barnettas (0) edging a sharp turning delivery for Dhoni to take a fine catch behind the stumps. .

Source: Published>

Kapur slips to fourth, Jeev 11th at KLM Open

Published>Sat, Sep 11 10 11:37 PM

Hilversum (The Netherlands), Sep 11 (IANS) An eagle on the closing hole for the day salvaged the day for golfers Shiv Kapur (70) and Jeev Milkha Singh both at the end of the third round of the KLM Open in the Netherlands.

Kapur, who was the co-leader at the end of the second round, is now eight-under 202 for three days and two shots of the leader Martin Kaymer, who is playing for the first since winning the PGA Championships at Whistling Straits.

Jeev Milkha Singh also seemed to be dropping way down at three-over for the day, but the eagle brought him to one-over for the day and to five-under in tied 11th place.

Kapur, who was eight-under overnight and in shared lead with Nicolas Colsaerts, pulled himself clear as he birdied the first and Colsaerts bogeyed the same. Then the two seemed to compete in dropping shots.

Colsaerts had two more bogeys on front nine and Kapur had a double on fourth and a bogey on fifth. He had a birdie on seventh but again dropped a shot on ninth. He swapped a birdie and bogey on 12th and 14th and then came the eagle on 18th.

Jeev bogeyed the sixth and then two more bogeys on 10th and 11th saw him slip down from his overnight sixth. A birdie on 12th was followed by a bogey on 14th. He finally made up with a eagle on 18th.

Kaymer birdied the last two holes of his third round to edge into a slender one shot lead. The 25 year old German, trying to make it five wins in a row by members of Colin Montgomerie's Ryder Cup Team, overtook Paraguay's Fabrizio Zanotti and Swede Christian Nilsson.

Kaymer himself began the run of success by taking his first major championship last month. That was followed by Peter Hanson at the Czech Open, Edoardo Molinari in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles and then last Sunday by Miguel Angel Jimenez at the Omega European Masters.

This is Kaymer's first outing since Whistling Straits and if he lifts the euro 300,000 winner's cheque he will open up a lead of almost euro 500,000 over Graeme McDowell at the top of The Race to Dubai.

While he is ranked sixth in the Official World Golf Ranking, Zanotti is 279th and Nilsson 255th.

They have only two top-ten finishes between them in 38 European Tour events this season, but shot 65 and 68 respectively to keep their title hopes alive.

It is a big day coming up for both of them. Zanotti is 111th on The Race to Dubai and Nilsson 138th - and only the leading 115 keep their cards at the end of the year.

Source: Web Search

Sutil to start 11th, Liuzzi 20th in Italian GP

Sat, Sep 11 10 11:21 PM

Monza (Italy), Sep 11 (PTI) Force India driver Adrian Sutil will start 11th, while his teammate Vitantonio Liuzzi will be nine places behind him when Italian Grand Prix gets underway here tomorrow. Sutil today completed 19 laps and clocked 1:23.199 in the Q2 to secure 11th starting position, which was one of the tightest qualifying sessions of the year. Sutil had a timing of 1:23.303 in the qualifying stage. Clocking 1:23.493 in Q1, he eased into the Q2 but just missed out on a Q3 slot for the second consecutive race by only a fraction of a second. Sutil will now line up on the clean side of the grid alongside Michael Schumacher. Liuzzi timed 1:24.439, enduring a frustrating qualifying and completed just three laps in Q1 when his VJM03 car lost drive on his out lap. Unfortunately the problem proved too difficult to rectify within the qualifying session and Liuzzi was forced to end his session early without setting a competitive lap time. Force India Chairman and team principal Vijay Mallya was, however, satisfied with the performance. "It''s been such a close day of action today that I think we can be pretty pleased to be P11 with Adrian, less than a tenth of a second from Q3. From that position anything is possible as we have seen so many times this season," Mallya said. "Tonio had a more difficult day with problems in FP3 and then qualifying, which is obviously frustrating on his home track. However, he is a fighter and more motivated than ever to move up the field. Given the pace yesterday I think that is very possible," he added. Sutil also admitted he had to face some stiff challenge during the practice session. "The times have been so close today that we knew qualifying would be tight as well. All the same we were very, very near to getting into Q3 just a couple of hundredths of a second so we can be happy with the performance," said Sutil who drove the car number 14 today. "Starting P11 means we will get to start on a new set of tyres and clean side of the grid, which can be an advantage. I think we''re still looking good for a points finish tomorrow," he added. Meanwhile, Liuzzi said, "We had a problem in the morning session where the car seemed to lose drive and did just a few laps. We did some analysis between the sessions and tried to solve the problem but then in qualifying a similar issue occurred." "On the first lap we lost power and then we had to stop completely once I got it back to the garage so I couldn''t get a real flying lap in. It''s a shame but tomorrow''s the most important we''ve got a good car here and you never know what can happen so we won''t give up until the end," Liuzzi added. PTI DB

Source: Published>

CSK make 151/4 against Central Districts

Sat, Sep 11 10 11:07 PM

Durban, Sep 11 (PTI) Opting to bat, Chennai Super Kings posted 151 for four wickets against Central Districts in the Champions League Twenty20 match here today. Brief score: Chennai Super Kings: 151 for 4 in 20 overs (Subramaniam Badrinath 52 n.o., Srikkanth Anirudha 42; Doug Bracewell 2/28).

Source: Published>

Sutil to start 11th, Liuzzi 20th in Italian GP

Sat, Sep 11 10 09:57 PM

Monza (Italy), Sep 11 (PTI) Force India driver Adrian Sutil will start 11th, while his teammate Vitantonio Liuzzi will be nine places behind him when Italian Grand Prix gets underway here tomorrow. Sutil today completed 19 laps and clocked 1:23.199 in the Q2 to secure 11th starting position, which was one of the tightest qualifying sessions of the year. Sutil had a timing of 1:23.303 in the qualifying stage. Clocking 1:23.493 in Q1, he eased into the Q2 but just missed out on a Q3 slot for the second consecutive race by only a fraction of a second. Sutil will now line up on the clean side of the grid alongside Michael Schumacher. Liuzzi timed 1:24.439, enduring a frustrating qualifying and completed just three laps in Q1 when his VJM03 car lost drive on his out lap. Unfortunately the problem proved too difficult to rectify within the qualifying session and Liuzzi was forced to end his session early without setting a competitive lap time. Force India Chairman and team principal Vijay Mallya was, however, satisfied with the performance. "It''s been such a close day of action today that I think we can be pretty pleased to be P11 with Adrian, less than a tenth of a second from Q3. From that position anything is possible as we have seen so many times this season," Mallya said. "Tonio had a more difficult day with problems in FP3 and then qualifying, which is obviously frustrating on his home track. However, he is a fighter and more motivated than ever to move up the field. Given the pace yesterday I think that is very possible," he added. Sutil also admitted he had to face some stiff challenge during the practice session. "The times have been so close today that we knew qualifying would be tight as well. All the same we were very, very near to getting into Q3 just a couple of hundredths of a second so we can be happy with the performance," said Sutil who drove the car number 14 today. "Starting P11 means we will get to start on a new set of tyres and clean side of the grid, which can be an advantage. I think we''re still looking good for a points finish tomorrow," he added. Meanwhile, Liuzzi said, "We had a problem in the morning session where the car seemed to lose drive and did just a few laps. We did some analysis between the sessions and tried to solve the problem but then in qualifying a similar issue occurred." "On the first lap we lost power and then we had to stop completely once I got it back to the garage so I couldn''t get a real flying lap in. It''s a shame but tomorrow''s the most important we''ve got a good car here and you never know what can happen so we won''t give up until the end," Liuzzi added. PTI DB

Source: Published>

CSK win toss, to bat

Sat, Sep 11 10 09:51 PM

Durban, Sep 11 (PTI) Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat against Central Districts in a Champions League Twenty20 match here today. The Teams: Chennai Super Kings: M S Dhoni (captain & wk), M Vijay, M Hayden, S Raina, S Badrinath, A Morkel, S Anirudha, D Bollinger, R Ashwin, M Muralitharan, L Balaji. Central Districts: Jamie How (captain), PJ Ingram, GH Worker, MS Sinclair, BBJ Griggs (wk), BJ Diamanti, K Noema-Barnett, DAJ Bracewell, AF Milne, MJ McClenaghan, MJ Mason.

Source: Published>

Sahaj, Girish joint leaders after Rd 10

Sat, Sep 11 10 09:27 PM

New Delhi, Sep 11 (PTI) Top seed, International Master Sahaj Grover of Delhi and Girish Kaushik of Karnataka won their respective matches to share the lead after 10th round of the National Sub-junior Chess Championship here today. Both of them have 8.5 points in kitty. Sahaj played well with white pieces against Karthikeyan Murali of Tamil Nadu, who proved no match in a Sicilian defense game. Going for the Scheveningen set up, Karthikeyan missed a fine point early in the middle game and ended up under enormous pressure on the king side. Sahaj won a pawn and scored an emphatic victory in the endgame that ensued. Kaushik proved superior to Gagare Shardul of Maharashtra from an English opening game with black pieces. Gagare was under control for the major part of the game but a momentary lapse in concentration with his clock ticking away cost him dearly. The rook ending that followed on board after subsequent exchanges had its technicalities but Kaushik made it look child''s play and wrapped the issue in quick time. Meanwhile, P V Nandhidhaa of Tamil Nadu retained a full point lead going into the final round of the girls'' event after settling for a draw with state-mate P Bala Kannamma in the 10th and penultimate round. Nandhidhaa just needs a draw in the final round to keep her rivals at bay. The Tamil Nadu girl moved to an impressive nine points out of a possible 10 in her section and is now one point ahead of B Pratyusha of Andhra Pradesh and Sonakshi Rathore of Rajasthan, a release said. .

Source: Published>

Aggressive Boucher leads Warriors to easy win over Wayamba

Sat, Sep 11 10 08:57 PM

Port Elizabeth, Sep 11 (PTI) Mark Boucher led a solid batting display with a sparkling 26-ball unbeaten 40 as Warriors spank Wayamba by seven wickets in a Champions League Twenty20 match here today. Chasing a modest 154 for a win, the Warriors were never in trouble as they were nicely placed at 93 for three in the 11th over before wicketkeeper-batsman Boucher and Justin Kreusch (37 not out) took them to a comfortable win with 10 balls remaining. The duo shared a 63-run stand for the unconquered fourth wicket from 44 balls. Boucher, who played for Bangalore Royal Challengers in the Indian Premier League, struck four fours and two sixes during his 26-ball stay while Kreusch hit three fours in his 29-ball innings. Boucher smashed two sixes and a four in three successive balls in the 14th over off leg-spinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi who was playing for Sri Lanka national team till 2007. Kreusch hit the winning runs -- a four off Chanaka Welegedara -- to take the home side to 156 for three in 18.2 overs. Opener and captain Davey Jacobs contributed 26 while one down Colin Ingram chipped in with a solid 28-ball 34 at a lively St Georges'' Park pitch. Warriors, the South African Twenty20 champions, made a flying start in their run chase though they lost opener Ashwell Prince in the third over. They scored at a brisk rate with Jacobs and Ingram taking the Wayamba bowlers to task notching their 50 runs in the sixth over. For Sri Lanka, Chanaka Welegedara, Rangana Herath and Ajantha Mendis took a wicket apiece. The trio bowled well but the other three bowlers Farveez Maharoof, Thisara Perera and Lokuarachchi were expensive. Earlier, opener Jeevantha Kulatunga struck a strokeful 59 to help Wayamba reach 153 for nine after the Sri Lankan champion side were reduced to 50 for three in the ninth over after electing to bat. .

Source: Published>

Bhullar tied 4th after Rd3 of Singapore Classic

Sat, Sep 11 10 05:07 PM

Singapore, Sep 11 (PTI) Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar remained in the hunt for a strong finish although he slipped a couple of rungs to tied fourth after returning a modest two-under 70 in the third and penultimate round of the USD 400,000 Handa Singapore Classic here today. Bhullar, a two-time Asian Tour champion, has a total of 14-under 202 and is six strokes behind leader Peter Karmis (70) of South Africa. The Punjab-golfer rued poor iron play as he closed with three birdies against one bogey today. "To be honest I didn''t hit the ball that close. I didn''t hit many balls on the green in regulation and the balls which I hit close wasn''t birdie opportunities," he said. "I could have been much better but I guess Peter has played well again. He deserves to be there and hopefully tomorrow I can scramble up the leader board," added Bhullar. SSP Chowrasia was the nest best-placed Indian tied 12th after 71 in the third round took his overall score to 12-under 204. Himmat Rai (69) was tied 36th with a total of nine-under 207, while a stroke a adrift was Anirban Lahiri (73) at the tied 45th spot. C Muniyappa signed a disappointing card of 74 to share the 56th position with a total of six-under 210. Vikrant Chopra (72) lay further down at tied 64th with four-under 212. PTI PM AT

Source: Published>

Sohail asks Afridi not to give confusing statements

Sat, Sep 11 10 04:57 PM

Karachi, Sep 11 (PTI) Pakistan''s former Test captain Aamir Sohail has advised the current ODI and Twenty20 skipper Shahid Afridi not to give confusing and contradictory statements in the media. "These statements are creating confusion and more problems for Pakistan cricket," Sohail said. The former chief selector also said if Afridi wanted his team to succeed he would have to be impartial while selecting the playing eleven. "He will have to keep aside his personal equations with the players while selecting the team," Sohail added. Sohail said it was unworthy of a captain to give a statement that everyone in the team should mind his own business. "What kind of a statement is this? This is not right. Afridi has to be very careful while speaking in the media," he said. Apparently, Sohail and some other former players are not happy with the way Afridi has been targeting some former players, criticising them for being negative and hence, creating problems for the team. Afridi also said on Geo News that the selectors and team management could only pick and play those players who have done well in domestic cricket. "We can''t go and bring players from Australia or South Africa. We can only select players from our domestic season," he said. Afridi seems to be unhappy with selection process. ''Dawn'' newspaper reported that he was at loggerheads with the team management over selection of three veteran players Shoaib Akhtar, Abdul Razzaq and Mohammad Yousuf for the limited over games. The newspaper said that Pakistan coaches Waqar Younis, Ijaz Ahmed and others strongly opposed the selection of three veterans for the five-match one-day international series against England. They contended that Shoaib, Razzaq and Yousuf were clearly over the hill and put up a flop show in the two Twenty20 games against England last week to harm the teams graph in the shortest version of the game. They also blamed Afridi for selecting the ODI squad arbitrarily, without consulting the team management or the coaches, which is resulting in Pakistan''s poor show in the limited over contests. However, the newspaper added that Afridi stuck to his guns during the showdown and asked the team management and the coaches to back the squad rather than spoiling the dressing room atmosphere, especially after the spot-fixing row, which he said had dented the players'' morale to a great extent. PTI COR CM

Source: Published>

Suspended Pakistan trio return home amid tight security

Sat, Sep 11 10 04:37 PM

Three Pakistan cricketers at the centre of match-fixing allegations returned home from London early on Saturday.

Salman Butt, Muhammad Amir and Muhammad Asif, who have been provisionally suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC), flew into Lahore where a large crowd, made up of both protesters and supporters, and a heavy police presence awaited them.

Source: Published>

PTF plans Bopanna-Qureshi games to raise flood relief funds

Sat, Sep 11 10 04:27 PM

Karachi, Sep 11 (PTI) Lauding their message of peace, the Pakistan Tennis Federation is planning to organise a series of tennis matches featuring the Indo-Pak pairing of Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi to raise funds for the victims of the devastating floods in the country. Pakistan Tennis Federation President Dilawar Abbas said the PTF is planning to organise a series of such matches with the US Open men''s doubles runners-up. Abbas said the growing popularity of the pair in both countries would help raise much needed funds for the flood victims. "At the moment Aisam and Rohan are the talk of the town with their outstanding performances in the US Open and we are planning to have matches between the two in both countries later this year," he said. Abbas said the PTF would also request Sania Mirza, the Indian tennis star and the wife of Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik to be present for the matches as she is also a popular figure in Pakistan. The Indo-Pak pair made waves in the US Open by reaching the final of the men''s doubles and Qureshi also managed to reach the final of the mixed doubles. All channels and newspapers have given extensive coverage to Qureshi''s performance with lot of emphasis also being laid on the fact that the pair were a perfect example that Pakistan and India could co-exist peacefully and that both had made a strong statement for normal relations between the two countries. Pakistan tennis player and Qureshi''s Davis Cup partner, Aqeel Khan said he had done everyone proud with his performances. "Aisam and Rohan have formed a formidable pair on the international circuit and they should very soon climb up into the top five pair rankings," he added.

Source: Published>

Rooney has best team and manager to help him beat his sexcapade daemons: Beckham

Published>Sat, Sep 11 10 03:27 PM

London, Sep 11(ANI): England midfielder David Beckham insists that Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has the right manager in Sir Alex Ferguson to help him through his personal problems.

Rooney is due to play his first game in England since revelations about how he used 1,200 pounds-a-night prostitutes while his wife Coleen was pregnant with son Kai.

"Wayne is definitely at the right team and has the right manager to help him cope with any situation," The Sun quoted Beckham, as saying.

"I know that from my own personal experience of being at Manchester United for so many years. It is a club that puts its arms around you and supports you, so he's got that," he added.

Meanwhile, Rooney and Coleen have asked the media to respect their privacy, and said that they had a right to discuss "these matters" in private.

"The last six days have been extremely painful for us and for our families," the duo said in a statement.

The couple also added that it was impossible for them to attempt to resolve the issues in the current media scenario and that they are facing a backdrop of so many inaccurate and intrusive stories. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Kumble''s Bangalore to take on Guyana

Sat, Sep 11 10 03:23 PM

Centurion, Sep 11 (PTI) Anil Kumble''s Royal Challengers Bangalore will be the only IPL side in action in the Champions League Twenty20 tomorrow when it squares off against West Indian underdogs Guyana in the second of the two matches here. Kumble''s Bangalore, which made the Champions League after winning the third-place playoff of the IPL, will be the favourites against Ramnaresh Sarwan''s Guyana. In fact Sarwan is the only big name in Guyana, which replaces last year''s runners-up Trinidad and Tobago as the Caribbean flavour in the two-week tournament. Well aware of the enormity of the task ahead of him, Sarwan has said that the team is banking on talented youngsters such as pacer Devendra Bishoo and all-rounder Jonathan Foo to give Guyana an opportunity to surprise their rivals. Guyana''s passage to CLT20 wasn''t the easiest of affairs. Playing in the semi-final of the Caribbean T20 2010, they beat Trinidad and Tobago, the defending champions, in a closely contested match and then snatched victory after very nearly courting defeat against Barbados in the final. In contrast, Kumble''s Bangalore have established names such as Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, Ross Taylor and Robin Uthappa in their batting line-up. On the bowling front, they have the pace of Dale Steyn and Praveen Kumar while Kumble himself leads the slower bowling department. All-rounder Cameron White adds variety to the team. In the other match of the day, South African domestic champions Highveld Lions, who sprung a major surprise by beating IPL runners-up Mumbai Indians in the tournament opener, will take on South Australian Red Backs. Led by Alviro Petersen the Lions will once again seek inspiration from their home crowd to create another upset. Although not as star-studded as Sachin Tendulkar''s Mumbai, the Red Backs have some in-form players such as Callum Ferguson, Daniel Harris and skipper Michael Klinger. Pacer Shaun Tait leads their bowling attack which also leg-spinner Cullen Bailey. For the Lions, Jonathan Vandiar was their top-performer with the bat against Mumbai making 71 against fine bowling attack that included established stars like Zaheer Khan, Lasith Malinga and Harbhajan Singh. The reliable Neil McKenzie would also be expected to carry on the form he showed while notching up an unbeaten 43-ball 56 yesterday. Against the formidable batting line-up of Mumbai, the Lions'' bowlers held their own rather well with Shane Burger picking up two wickets, that too of Tendulkar and the aggressive Kieron Pollard.

Source: Published>

Hamilton planning 'Italian Job' to keep F1 championship lead

Published>Sat, Sep 11 10 03:17 PM

London, Sep 11(ANI): McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton is confident that he would win Sunday's Italian Grand Prix to up the pressure in the championship fight.

Hamilton, who won last month's Grand Prix in Belgium, said: "This race is a really good opportunity for me. I will be going all out for the win."I am looking for every point I can get now," The Sun quoted Hamilton, as saying.

The 25-year-old further said that he is relishing being in the thick of the action as the five-way championship title battle enters its closing stages.

Hamilton currently holds a three-point lead in the drivers' championship over Red Bull's Mark Webber.

Webber is followed teammate Sebastian Vettel, McLaren's Jenson Button and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.

"The gap at the top of the championship is nothing. I've not been in this position before, where so many drivers are in the hunt," Hamilton said.It's a world championship, the most intense competition I've ever experienced, and I love it," he added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

All players indulge in spot-fixing: Latif

Sat, Sep 11 10 02:57 PM

Melbourne, Sep 11 (PTI) Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif says cricketers from all Test-playing nations indulge in spot-fixing and some matches are scripted "like movies". Latif, who retired in 1994 tour to protest suspected match-fixing by his teammates, said Pakistani cricketers are not the only ones involved in such shady dealings. "It is widely believed that only Pakistani players are involved in this practice (spot-fixing), but I have seen it all very closely and I can easily say that players from every country do it," Latif told ''The Age''. "There are clever ways to manipulate the game and maximise profits if players are involved. For example, some cricket matches have been scripted, like movies or plays, where it is decided that so many runs are to be scored in the first session of a Test, or how many in a certain over, and so on," he said. His comments come amid the raging spot-fixing controversy which has led to the suspension Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt and pacers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir for their alleged involvement in a betting ring exposed by a British tabloid''s sting operation. Latif said he was suspicious about the dismissal of two Australian batsmen in a Test match but the newspaper did not disclose who the players in question were. "I am not saying that both players were involved in spot-fixing, but the sequence of events was enough to create a doubt in my mind. "I want to say that a player is called a cheat only when he is caught, otherwise nobody points a finger at him, and believe me 50 per cent of the players fall in this category," Latif said. "I was an average player, yet I was offered money for wrongdoings and I brought it into the knowledge of the ICC." Latif said keeping internet laptops out of the dressing rooms is one way of ensuring that game remains free of corruption. "Now another point of concern for me is the presence of a laptop in the dressing rooms with internet connection, which is mostly used by a coach," he said. "The laptop with internet connection should not be allowed in the dressing room, because players can use it for betting on their wickets." PTI PM MRM

Source: Published>

Bopanna-Qureshi combo hailed as "ambassadors of peace" by western media

Published>Sat, Sep 11 10 02:53 PM

Islamabad, Sept 11 (ANI): The tennis duo comprising India's Rohan Bopanna and Pakistan's Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi has been receiving accolades from the western media for their humanitarian goals and bringing the two countries closer.

Terming the tennis combo of Bopanna and Qureshi as "the Indo-Pak Express," the US and Canadian media have hailed them as ambassadors of peace for their countries "whose officials have difficulty talking to each other," the Dawn reports.

"The tennis players, the Indo-Pak Express, are also sending a political message," noted America's largest radio network, National Public Radio.

Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper pointed out how the men's doubles semi-final at the US Open "attracted an unusual pair of spectators: ambassadors from Pakistan and India, sitting together, cheering for the same team."

"It was a rare display of friendship between countries whose officials still have difficulty talking to each other, making their victory a double success for the players --- one from India, the other from Pakistan --- who use their growing fame to campaign for peace," it noted.

The unlikely pairing of an Indian and a Pakistani at the highest level of tennis had captured the imagination around the world and fostered a growing feeling that their success could help improve understanding between the two nuclear nations with a long and bloody history of acrimony, CNN noted.

India's sports minister M.S. Gill also questioned in a statement that "if Bopanna-Qureshi can play together, why cannot India and Pakistan?" after the tennis duo won the semi-finals against the Argentine pair Eduardo Schwank and Horacio Zaballos on Wednesday.

Qureshi also felt that before his pairing with Bopanna, the two countries had never fought "for one cause" in any sport, and that "sports can reach places where no religion or politics can. If you can change a few people's minds on the Indian or Pakistan side, I think it's a great thing."

Bopanna is ranked 58th in doubles while Aisam is ranked 67th, and together they won four Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Challenger titles last year and ended runners-up at the US Open, where they lost to the Bryan brothers. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Hamilton planning 'Italian Job' to keep F1 championship lead

Published>Sat, Sep 11 10 02:37 PM

London, Sep 11(ANI): McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton is confident that he would win Sunday's Italian Grand Prix to up the pressure in the championship fight.

Hamilton, who won last month's Grand Prix in Belgium, said: "This race is a really good opportunity for me. I will be going all out for the win."I am looking for every point I can get now," The Sun quoted Hamilton, as saying.

The 25-year-old further said that he is relishing being in the thick of the action as the five-way championship title battle enters its closing stages.

Hamilton currently holds a three-point lead in the drivers' championship over Red Bull's Mark Webber.

Webber is followed teammate Sebastian Vettel, McLaren's Jenson Button and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.

"The gap at the top of the championship is nothing. I've not been in this position before, where so many drivers are in the hunt," Hamilton said.It's a world championship, the most intense competition I've ever experienced, and I love it," he added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Cricket matches are scripted like movies, says Latif

Published>Sat, Sep 11 10 02:17 PM

Melbourne, Sep 11 (IANS) Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif, a match-fixing whistleblower, said that not only Pakistani cricketers but players from all Test nations were involved in spot-fixing, and claimed that some matches are scripted 'like movies'.

Latif, who played 37 Tests and 166 one-day internationals at one stage, announced his retirement in protest over match-fixing suspicions on the 1994 tour of Zimbabwe.

And with three Pakistani crickters -- skipper Salman Butt, and pacers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif -- accused of being involved in a spot-fixing scandal, Latif says the sport faces a major fight to get rid of the evil of fixing.

'It is widely believed that only Pakistani players are involved in this practice (spot-fixing), but I have seen it all very closely and I can easily say that players from every country do it,' Latif was quoted as saying by The Age newspaper.

'There are clever ways to manipulate the game and maximise profits if players are involved. For example, some cricket matches have been scripted, like movies or plays, where it is decided that so many runs are to be scored in the first session of a Test, or how many in a certain over, and so on,' he said.

Latif, who testified against disgraced former Pakistan captain Salim Malik in the 1998 Qayyum Commission investigation, said the greater awareness of spot-fixing in recent years had cast doubt on several matches.

The former wicketkeeper also raised suspicions in a Test about two Australian batsmen. The daily claimed that it has withheld the names and the match in question for legal reasons.

'I am not saying that both players were involved in spot-fixing, but the sequence of events was enough to create a doubt in my mind. I want to say that a player is called a cheat only when he is caught, otherwise nobody points a finger at him, and believe me 50 per cent of the players fall in this category,' Latif said.

'I was an average player, yet I was offered money for wrongdoings and I brought it into the knowledge of the ICC.'

Latif said when he was the captain he called for all laptop computers and mobile phones to be banned inside the dressing rooms.

'Now another point of concern for me is the presence of a laptop in the dressing rooms with internet connection, which is mostly used by a coach. The laptop with internet connection should not be allowed in the dressing room, because players can use it for betting on their wickets,' he said.

Source: Web Search

Sarita wins, three others lose in Women''s World Boxing C''ship

Sat, Sep 11 10 02:07 PM

Bridgetown (Barbados), Sep 11 (PTI) Former champion L Sarita Devi''s triumph in the opening round of the flyweight (51kg) category was the lone bright spot on a largely disappointing day for Indian boxers at the sixth Women''s World Championships here. Sarita defeated Russia''s Alexandra Kuleshova 11-8 in a pulsating contest yesterday. An aggressive Alexandra was proving to be quite a handful for Sarita but the 25-year-old Indian dug from experience to be 2-1 ahead after the first two minutes. The Indian held on to the slender lead in the second round as well finishing 3-2. But Alexandra nosed ahead in the third round to lead 7-6 before Sarita roared back by going all out in the final round to notch up the win. Sarita will now face Yazici Sumeyra of Turkey tomorrow. "I worked very hard to reach my present level of fitness. I have never played against this Russian boxer and I am glad that I could put it through," she said after the win. India had a disappointing day as far as the other three boxers were concerned. In 64kg opening round, Pratibha Jakhar was out-classed by American Jackson Cashmere in the first round itself. In 69kg, Kavita Goyat was unlucky to lose 4-7 to Andrea Strohmayer of Germany. At the end of the first round, both the boxers were tied at 1-1 and Kavita was 2-1 ahead in the second. But Strohmayer made it 3-2 in the third round before wrapping it up in her favour in the fourth round. In 75kg, Aswathy Mol lost 1-5 to Sagaydakovskaya Inna of Russia.

Source: Published>

Button threatens to quit if team order rules become reality

Published>Sat, Sep 11 10 01:47 PM

Reigning Formula One world champion Jenson Button has launched a fierce attack on plans to allow team orders in the sport.

Button has warned that he could walk away from F1 if teams are allowed to fix races in favor of one driver from next season.

"I am against team orders and I don't think they are correct in any way. If it becomes legal and allowed, I won't be very happy. For me, it's not the way it should be," The Sun quoted Button, as saying.

"If team orders come in then I'll consider my future. I wouldn't stop right away, but I'd definitely shorten my career in F1," he added.

The 30-year-old further said that he would never want to win the title by ordering a teammate to move over.

"I don't understand why anyone would want to race in those circumstances - unless you are here for other reasons than I am. I'm here because I'm passionate about the sport and want to win. I want to beat every driver out there," Button said.

"But if you are here for other reasons, maybe you don't mind moving over for your team-mate. I've been racing for 10 years and never been told to move over and neither have my teammates," he added.

Source: Web Search

Button threatens to quit F1 if 'team orders' rules become reality

Published>Sat, Sep 11 10 01:37 PM

London, Sep 11(ANI): Reigning Formula One world champion Jenson Button has launched a fierce attack on plans to allow team orders in the sport.

Button has warned that he could walk away from F1 if teams are allowed to fix races in favor of one driver from next season.

"I am against team orders and I don't think they are correct in any way. If it becomes legal and allowed, I won't be very happy. For me, it's not the way it should be," The Sun quoted Button, as saying.

"If team orders come in then I'll consider my future. I wouldn't stop right away, but I'd definitely shorten my career in F1," he added.

The 30-year-old further said that he would never want to win the title by ordering a teammate to move over.

"I don't understand why anyone would want to race in those circumstances - unless you are here for other reasons than I am. I'm here because I'm passionate about the sport and want to win. I want to beat every driver out there," Button said.But if you are here for other reasons, maybe you don't mind moving over for your team-mate. I've been racing for 10 years and never been told to move over and neither have my teammates," he added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Very wrong perception that Pak is terrorist country: Qureshi

Sat, Sep 11 10 01:27 PM

New York, Sep 11 (PTI) As he spreads the message of peace with Indian doubles partner Rohan Bopanna, tennis player Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi says he also wants to correct the "very wrong perception" that Pakistan is a terrorist country. Nicknamed the ''Indo-Pak Express'', Qureshi and Bopanna, who finished runners-up in the US Open finals yesterday after losing to American top seeds Mike and Bob Bryan, have made quite an impression with their message of ''Stop war and Start tennis''. After the match and amid a resounding applause, Qureshi made a choked plea for a better understanding of his nation, which has been left ravaged by floods. "I feel there''s a very wrong perception of Pakistan as a terrorist country," Qureshi said. "We are a friendly, caring and peace-loving country and we want peace as much as you all." Qureshi''s speech came on the eve of the ninth anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks. "Since September 11, every time I come to the States or western countries, I feel people have the wrong impression of Pakistan as a terrorist nation," he said. The player said Pakistan cares as much for peace as any other country, including the USA. "We want peace in this world as much as Americans want and the rest of the world. We are all on the same side. There are extremists in every religion, but just because of them you can''t judge the whole country as a terrorist nation," he explained. Calling Bopanna his best friend on tour, Qureshi said he would not want to face the Indian in the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Delhi but would be ready for the challenge nonetheless. "I hope we don''t get drawn against each other in the same pool, but we are professionals, we know that we will both try our best for our country and give it our all. That is part of tennis, but this will not cause any differences between us as a team or as friends," he said.

Source: Published>

Bopanna-Qureshi peace message leaves Bryans choked

Published>Sat, Sep 11 10 01:17 PM

They lost their maiden Grand Slam final but the Indo-Pakistani team of Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi scored an emotional winner by leaving even their opponents "choked" with their message of peace on the eve of the 9/11 terror attacks' ninth anniversary.

Bopanna and Qureshi, who managed to tug at heartstrings here with their message of 'Stop War and Start Tennis, lost 6-7 (5) 6-7 (4) to top-seeded American brothers Mike and Bob Bryan in the US Open men's doubles final yesterday.

Their message, however, had such emotional resonance that the Bryans said they would have been happy to root for their 16th seeded rivals had it not been a Grand Slam final.

"We would have been rooting for them. Great guys. It's great to see another marquee team out there. They're gonna gather a lot of attention for doubles. They're going to be spokesmen for doubles, which we love. I think this is gonna raise the profile," said Bob.

"It choked me up. I could see him (Qureshi); he was quivering a little bit; he was very choked up. Just to give that message to everyone was very heartfelt. You know, even said before, he's like, I'm gonna say something about Pakistan. I hope you don't mind. I don't want to steal your limelight. We said, That's great," he added.

Bopanna and Qureshi played the US Open final on the eve of the ninth anniversary 2001 terror attacks in New York and Washington which killed thousands.

Just like the semifinals, the United Nations ambassadors from India (Hardeep Suri) and Pakistan (Abdullah H Haroon) sat together in the stands to cheer for the duo nicknamed the 'Indo-Pak Express'.

Bopanna said both he and Qureshi were thankful to the two dignitaries for turning up at the match.

"I mean we are just thankful they came out for us, they encouraged us and were very appreciative towards our efforts, they took time out to watch us in the Semis and the Finals and they sat together and cheered for us which is great, unfortunately we couldn't win," said the Indian Davis Cupper.

Bopanna and Qureshi also thanked fans from their respective countries for supporting them through their campaign.

"All those people from Pakistan and India supporting us these past two weeks, I thank everyone for helping me out but most importantly I would like to thank Aisam for playing with me and sticking with me we have had a great year together," said Bopanna.

"I must thank my parents, brother, sister for supporting me throughout my career. People in Pakistan and India for supporting us, I must thank Rohan for sticking by me when I needed him the most and for playing with me and helping me with my cause and helping me to send some positive news to people back home in Pakistan and making them smile," added Qureshi.

Bopanna said losing the close match to the Bryans was a disappointment but he and Qureshi would take heart from the impression they made at the season's last Grand Slam.

"I think Aisam and I generally play great at tie breaks, so far that's normally been our strength, we have won a lot of matches on the ATP Circuit, but I guess today they had the upper hand they came up with good shots and important times and they had great reflexes that's what made the difference," said Bopanna.

Bopanna said the experience at the Flushing Meadows has now given them the confidence of standing up to just about any team in the world.

"We believe in ourselves and we believe in each other, we know that we can stay with the big teams at the big tournaments. We know we can compete and beating tough opponents at this level is a great confidence booster.

"I guess we know that if we stick to our game and play to our strength we can beat anybody across the net," he said.

Source: Web Search

Wayne Rooney and wife Coleen ask media to respect their privacy

Published>Sat, Sep 11 10 01:07 PM

London, Sep 11 (ANI): England striker Wayne Rooney and his wife Coleen are fed up of the media hullabaloo, following the revelations of the footballer's hooker romps.

The couple has asked the media to respect their privacy amid allegations about his private life and said they had a right to discuss "these matters" in private.

"The last six days have been extremely painful for us and for our families," the BBC quoted the duo as saying in a statement published by the News of the World.

The couple also added that it was impossible for them to attempt to resolve the issues in the current media scenario and that they are facing a backdrop of so many inaccurate and intrusive stories.

The couple is going through the wrecking time and Rooney is trying hard to save his marriage subsequent the expose.

"We would therefore ask that the media now respects our privacy and the right of our family to discuss these matters in private," the statement wishfully concluded. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Mumbai Indians will come back stronger: Duminy

Sat, Sep 11 10 12:57 PM

Saumojyoti Singha Choudhury Johannesburg, Sep 11 (PTI) The shocking defeat at the hands of local side Highveld Lions in the Champions League Twenty20 opener notwithstanding, Mumbai Indians batsman JP Duminy said the IPL side has the firepower to bounce back in the tournament. Coming into the match as underdogs, Lions stunned a star-studded but sloppy Mumbai by nine runs last night to register the first upset of the Twenty20 tournament at the Wanderers. But Duminy said it was just an off day as captain Sachin Tendulkar''s 42-ball 69 could not save the day for his side. He insisted that Mumbai would roar back into the tournament in their next match against South Australia Redbacks in Durban on September 14. "It is the first game of the tournament and obviously we would have loved to start the tournament on a winning note. But we are not yet out. There are three more games to go and we definitely have the side to make a comeback," the left-handed South African batsman told reporters at the post-match press conference. "He (Tendulkar) played exceptionally well but in the end cricket is a team game and all of us needed to chip in," Duminy said. Duminy said fielding remains a concern for the Mumbai team and lauded the Lions bowlers, especially Shane Burger who accounted for the crucial wickets of Tendulkar and dangerman Keiron Pollard, for their exemplary display at the death overs. "I think we played pretty well but our fielding was not upto the mark and we need to address the issue in the coming games. But hats off to Lions bowlers. They bowled brilliantly at the end," Duminy said. .

Source: Published>

Rooney 'fears hooker sex sessions could have been secretly filmed'

Published>Sat, Sep 11 10 12:47 PM

London, Sep 11 (ANI): Love-rat Wayne Rooney is living in fear that his sex sessions with hookers could have been secretly filmed for a tape that might wreck his marriage.

He is terrified that underworld crooks linked to the two vice girls he paid for three-in-a-bed sex could have obtained footage.

It was emerged Jenny and Helen were both in relationships with gangsters.

Jenny's boyfriend Jared Jones, 28, a convicted armed robber, is wanted for springing a villain from a prison van outside a magistrates' court in May.

Helen's partner Louis Kettle, 25, who boasts a string of previous convictions, is in jail awaiting sentence for stockpiling gun parts.

Following the revelation, the Daily Star was contacted by an "acquaintance" of Jones offering to sell a sex tape said to star Jenny.

He said Jones was "in Europe" and "cannot return to England for obvious reasons".

He added: "He is not bothered about Jenny. But has footage of her being intimate which is available at a price." (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Ferguson brushes off Rooney 'sexcapade' talk ahead of Everton clash

Published>Sat, Sep 11 10 12:37 PM

London, Sep 11(ANI): Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has refused to discuss striker Wayne Rooney's current off-field problems ahead of Saturday's Premier League match against Everton.

Rooney is under immense public glare following revelations about his private life, and accusations that he used 1,200 pounds-a-night prostitutes while his wife Coleen was pregnant with son Kai.

"Let's put it to bed straightaway. I am not discussing any of my players' personal lives," The BBC quoted Ferguson, as saying.

Ferguson was further determined to focus on what his team can expect on the field.We know the dangers of Everton. We got slaughtered by them last season, well and truly beaten," Ferguson said.

"The atmosphere is always good there. It's a hard place to go, but it's also a fantastic place to go and we've got a good record there," he added.

Earlier, it was reported that United was considering dropping Rooney for the match, despite his goal in England's 3-1 Euro 2012 win against Switzerland on Tuesday.

"Everyone has assumed Wayne will play because of how bravely he performed in Basel, but playing hundreds of miles away in Switzerland is a lot different to stepping out at Goodison Park, where there will be a lot of hatred and abuse flying around - all of it directed at Wayne," an Old Trafford insider said,

"How can anyone give their best for 90 minutes in front of a baying crowd with all that turmoil going on in their private life," he added.

It is believed that Ferguson would leave it until the last minute before deciding whether the striker is in the right frame of mind to face Everton. (ANI)

Source: Web Search