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SPORTS GOA, Tuesday, 10 August, 2010
Nalbandian claims Washington title
AGENCIES WASHINGTON, AUG 9
Former Wimbledon finalist David Nalbandian made the most of his first tournament since April by turning aside eighth seed Marcos Baghdatis 6-2, 7-6 to win the $1.2 million Washington Classic on Sunday. The Argentine captured the first five points of the tie-breaker before winning 7-4 to claim his 11th career title and first in the United States. "I felt I played good all week," said Nalbandian, a wild card entry who missed much of 2009
following hip surgery and several months this year with a hamstring injury. "I'd been practising well but I didn't expect to win my first tournament back," he added. While Baghdatis landed only 41 percent of his first serves, including 39 in the second set, it was his failure to win the big points that cost him the match as the 25th-ranked Cypriot converted only two of his 11 breakpoint opportunities. "I knew that I would have chances on his serve," Baghdatis said after reaching his first final
Australia bag 11th Champions hockey crown AGENCIES GERMANY, AUG 9
Australia trounced England 4-0 and claimed a third successive Champions Trophy, 11th in all, in a rain-delayed match in Moenchengladbach (Germany), on Sunday. England, who had never finished better than fifth, were runners-up while the Netherlands placed third after beating Germany 4-1. Spain beat New Zealand 3-1 to finish fifth. It was Australia fifth perfect campaign after Pakistan in 1978 and 1980, Netherlands in 2000 and Germany in 2001. Luke Doerner opened the scoring for the Aussies, converting his side's first penalty-corner. A minute later Desmond Abbott finished off a pass from Glenn Turner and Jason Wilson made it 3-0 in the 14th minute with a stiff shot. England had three penaltycorners at the end of the first half, but Ashley Jackson and Simon Mantell failed to make
the most of them. A cloud burst at the half-time break caused a 60-minute delay. Play slowed down in the second half because of the heavy pitch, but Jamie Dwyer increased the tally for the Aussies in the 49th minute to dash whatever hopes the English may have had of staging a fightback. The 4-0 scoreline equalled the highest score in a Champions Trophy final, achieved by Germany and Australia. Australia coach Ric Charlesworth was delighted with his team's perfect record of six wins from six matches. "If you had told me before the tournament we would have these results I would have been very happy. You don't expect it will happen," Charlesworth said. "We came here with the most inexperienced team in the tournament and this has deepened the belief of a number of players that they can play at this level."
in the United States. "I had my chances to win the second set but I didn't take them," he added. Nalbandian broke Baghdatis in the first game of the match at love and dominated the opening set on a sultry day in Washington. Cheered on by a boisterous flag-waving Argentine contingent in the crowd, he also broke Baghdatis in the seventh game before closing out the set in 32 minutes. "I felt in the second set I had to mix it up a bit and maybe go for a bit more," the 25-year-old Baghdatis said. "I did it pretty good. If I was serving a bit better today, if I could have won more easy points, I could have won," he added. Nalbandian, a 2002 Wimbledon finalist ranked 117 entering the tournament, will move up to around 45 when the new rankings come out later this week. The victory was the third straight for an Argentine at the Washington Classic as Nalbandian's win follows two straight titles by compatriot Juan Martin Del Potro. Nalbandian had two victories in Argentina's victory over Russia in the Davis Cup last month but admitted he would not have bet on himself to win his first tournament back. "It's been about a year and a half fighting with the surgery, with the recovery," said the 28year-old Argentine, who was ranked number three in 2006. "We are so happy and this victory made me feel very good again," he added.
Devvarman out of top 100, Sania now at 153rd place UNI NEW DELHI, AUG 9
After staying in the top 100 for a week, Somdev Devvarman found himself back in familiar environs as he lost 15 places and slipped to 111th place as per the latest ATP rankings issued today. In the women's rankings, Sania Mirza's lost 15 places and was placed at 153 spot. Devvarman failed to qualify for the main draw of the Washington event and that caused him a loss of 55 points which led to his exit from the top 100 club. The Indian had entered the top 100 for the first time in his career last week following the second round appearance at the Los Angeles ATP event. Meanwhile, in the ATP doubles rankings, Leander Paes (6) kept his position intact but Mahesh Bhupathi slid to eighth from seventh. Rohan Bopanna gained one spot to career best 33 following his stunning win against Bryan brothers along with Pakistan's Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi at Legg Mason Classic.
Wozniacki wins on home soil AGENCIES COPENHAGEN, AUG 9
Caroline Wozniacki eased to victory in the final of the e-Boks Sony Ericsson Open in Copenhagen. The 20-year-old Dane had given her compatriots plenty of scares on her run to the final, having been taken to three sets in her last three matches, but had no such trouble in beating seventh seed Klara Zakopalova 6-2 7-6 (7/5). The world number three was forced to dig deep in the second set, recovering from 2-4 down to force the tie-break which she took only after her opponent had recovered from 6-1 down to 6-5. Wozniacki nevertheless held her nerve to finally close out the match to secure her second WTA title of the season and eighth of her career.
Kuznetsova wins Carlsbad title AGENCIES CARLSBAD, AUG 9
Svetlana Kuznetsova overcame a bout of mid-match nerves to grind down Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 and clinch the San Diego Open on Sunday. The Russian Kuznetsova blew four match points in the second set tiebreak to gift Radwanska the set but roared back to life in the third to take her first title in 10 months. "I just shook," said Kuznetsova, playing in her first final of the year. "The trophy was very important to me. I was very embarrassed and I just got it back together and dictated," she added. Kuznetsova double faulted on two of her four match points during a second set tiebreak where she squandered leads of 4-0 and 6-3 to allow Radwanska back into the match. The two-time Grand Slam champion said she had a fit dur-
Pak doesn’t need a batting coach: Akram AGENCIES KARACHI, AUG 9
‘By introducing a coach, the technique of our batsmen will not change overnight', says cricket legend and expert Wasim Akram. I had recently written that in spite of beating Australia at Headingley in July, the series against England will be a stiff test for the young Pakistan team. My worst fears have come true as Pakistan struggled throughout the second Test at Birmingham. It amuses me when I read reports that the Pakistan Cricket Board is looking for a batting coach. Obviously, Pakistan’s poor show in England has ‘inspired’ the PCB to mull over an ‘exclusive’ batting coach. But I wonder how a coach will radically change the technique needed to negotiate a moving ball in English conditions? Even if the PCB appoints a batting coach, the question is who should be the right man? I have read reports where Inzy (Inzamam-ul-Haq) wants to be the coach. Inzy has been one of Pakistan’s best batsmen and his experience can surely come in handy, but when Pakistan already has someone like Ejaz Ahmed in the coaching staff, why look beyond? First of all, I don’t think a batting coach will do any good. And Pakistan’s current fielding coach Ejaz is absolutely capable of teaching the lads a few things
about batting as well. During his heydays, Ejaz was a good batsman and he can come in handy. What the boys need is mental toughness and the current team management, including Waqar, can surely pass on a few tips. The likes of Stuart Broad and James Anderson can be dangerous customers in English conditions as one of Pakistan’s most talented youngster Umar Akmal is finding out. Umar had no clue against a swinging ball. By shuffling too much across, he is becoming far too vulnerable. This has been the case with many others. Under the circumstances, the PCB is also a confused lot. The decision to recall Mohammad Yousuf reflects the state of mind of the national selectors. While ‘retirement’ has become a bit of joke in Pakistan, one can’t deny the necessity of experience in the team. I will assume Yousuf ’s inclusion (he had quit the game recently) is well intended and he should add muscle to the batting whenever he gets to play next. Talking of experience, Sachin (Tendulkar), Laxman and Dravid continue to give the Indian batting line-up the ‘monstrous’ look that it has. The best thing about them is that they have gelled well with the youngsters. The team’s performance if uppermost in their minds and the way Laxman batted in the third Test at P. Sara Oval was really commendable. The Indian team looked like a unit.
ing a break between the second and third sets that she said helped her to get her nerves calmed down. "My knees were shaking and I couldn't push on my serve and now I know why people double fault on match points," Kuznetsova said. "It was very hard to close and I choked for first time in my life," she added. After falling behind 2-1 to start the third set, Kuznetsova grabbed control of the match from just inside the baseline with a series of winners before clinching the title with a backhand down the line. The victory provides a timely return to form for Kuznetsova ahead of the US Open, and will propel her to 14th when new rankings are released on Monday. "To play that bad at end of the second set and then to let her come back and see me choke, I had to be twice as
strong in the third set and I was," said Kuznetsova. "It's pretty funny now that I won the match, but if I lost I
Inzy ruined Pak team, alleges Sohail
HI cannot represent India, Govt tells FIH
AGENCIES KARACHI, AUG 9
Pakistan's former Test captain, Aamir Sohail feels the country's most capped player Inzamamul Haq is responsible for the dearth of quality batsmen in the national team. Sohail said by the time Inzamam retired he had disturbed the national team and left it facing numerous problems. "When Imran Khan retired, he left behind a pack of quality bowlers, when Javed Miandad retired he left behind a legacy of good batsmen but when Inzamam retired he left behind nothing," Sohail told 'Geo super channel'. Sohail said during Inzamam's tenure as captain, no batsman was allowed to settle down or groomed to take over when the big guns retired. "Good players like Yasir Hameed, Asim Kamal, Faisal Iqbal, Taufiq Umar or Hasan Reza who had done well in the chances given to them were never allowed to settle down in the team and establish themselves," he explained. "The result is that today we don't have a ready line of batsmen to replace seniors. That is why I blame Inzamam for the current crisis in the team," Sohail said.
UNI NEW DELHI, AUG 9
The Sports Ministry today reacted sharply to the FIH's refusal to recognise the IHF, asserting that since Hockey India have declared themselves as a private body, they do not have the right to represent the country on the international stage. The ministry also informed the International Hockey Federation (FIH) that the KPS Gillled Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) is now the sole National Sports Federation (NSF) for the game in India. Earlier, the FIH had rejected the government's appeal to grant recognition to the IHF and had thrown its weight behind Hockey India, which has flouted the Sports Ministry's guidelines by electing 83-yearold Vidya Stokes as its president. ''Please note that the authority for any association to represent India in any international association comes within the ambit of the Union Government as per the Constitution of India. Hence, it is the responsibility of the Sports Ministry to grant recognition to NSFs in the country. It is in this context that we
might be thinking: 'should I finish playing tennis?' I doubt it will happen again," she added.
had advised you not to deal with HI under the impression that it is the recognised NSF for hockey in India,'' the Sports Ministry wrote in a letter to the FIH. ''The Registrar of societies of Delhi has been duly advised to withdraw permission from the society for the use of the name 'Hockey India' which conveys the impression of government recognition or patronage. Since HI stands de-recognised, it has to change its name and revise its Memorandum of Association to fit with its private character. ''HI has lost its national character and therefore cannot be allowed to select or field the national team any more. We once again request the FIH to allow the IOA or the SAI to field the Indian team in international competitions pending IHF becoming fully compliant and gaining the recognition of FIH,'' the letter added. The ministry also stated that the IHF in the process of merging the men's and women's associations in accordance with FIH guidelines after which they will approach the world body for recognition.
CWG OC sacks Darbari from panel AGENCIES NEW DELHI, AUG 9
Acting on the persistent plea of the Sports Ministry, the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee on Monday terminated the services of its tainted Joint Director General T S Darbari in the wake of the corruption scandal that has rocked the event. Darbari, who had been suspended pending an inquiry after his name cropped up in alleged corruption during the Queen's Baton Relay's launch in London, has been told to hand over charge to Additional Director General VK Saxena.
"The Ministry had written several letters to OC asking for his ouster because of the cases in Enforcement Directorate and the last such communication was made on August 6. The Ministry was not happy that he was merely suspended," a source informed. The OC has finally acted on the instructions and given the marching orders to Darbari, who appeared before the Enforcement Directorate in a probe over his alleged customs violations.
"According to an order from the OC, pending an inquiry by the ED into the case of alleged involvement of Darbari, who is the Joint Director General (PSUs, sponsorship and marketing), in the payment of an unreasonable amount to a British firm at the time of the QBR ceremony in London, his services are hereby terminated with immediate effect," the source said. "He will hand over all documents, papers and equipment to VK Saxena Addi-
tional DG (PSUs, Marketing and sponsorship)," he added. According to OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi, Darbari oversaw the QBR preparations in London, which became the focal point of a corruption storm following revelations that a little-known UK-based firm A M Films was paid lakhs of pounds for its "services" during the event. Later, an e-mail from the Indian High Commission which Kalmadi made public to justify payments to AM Films also turned out to be doctored, forcing OC to launch a probe into the entire episode.
Sutil confident of ending F1 season on a high PTI MUMBAI, AUG 9
Force India driver Adrian Sutil is confident of picking up points in the remaining seven races of the Formula 1 season and finish 2010 on a high. "I feel very comfortable. They (remaining races) should suit our car (Mercedes). If you remember last year, there was a podium finish there (Italian GP at Monza) and a pole position," said the 27-year-old German here last evening before leaving for Switzerland after a short holiday in Goa. Last year at Monza, Sutil, who came to India last Wednesday, was second in the qualifying and finished fourth in the race. The regulations that caused changes in the
tyres of F1 cars this season would be a disadvantage, felt Sutil, who is 10th overall with 35 points, but said he was confident of doing very well in four out of the last seven races this year. "Last year we had an incredible car there, it was a big advantage. This year, it's a little bit more consistent tyres. We don't have that advantage any more. Still we should be able to score a lot of points in the coming races. We have very a good chance in Spa (Belgium on August 29) and Monza (Italy on September 12)," he said. "Then we go to Singapore which is a bit more difficult course. Korea...nobody knows. Japan and Brazil should suit us well (before the season-ending race in Abu Dhabi). Four of seven...I'm absolutely confident," said Sutil.
Sutil, who was in Goa on a short holiday, said he was satisfied with his performance this season. "I'm satisfied and very happy with my performance. It was my goal to score a lot of consistent points and that's what happened this year really. I lost a little bit (momentum) in the last two races. A bad weekend in Germany. (But) I'm not concerned we are losing. On the whole I'm very happy," said Sutil. "At the beginning, we had some failures in the car in Australia (Melbourne in March). I could not finish the race (because of) hydraulic problems. The first race (Bahrain GP in March) had a little incident in the first corner. In the third race in Malaysia, I got my first points and from thereon it went
Bayern refuse to release Ribery REUTERS PARIS, AUG 9
Bayern Munich will not release France forward Franck Ribery for a disciplinary hearing by the French Football Federation to probe his alleged role in the team’s World Cup revolt, the German champions said on Monday. Ribery is one of five France players summoned by the FFF. The hearing is scheduled for Aug. 17, three days before the start of the new Bundesliga season. “Under FIFA rules, clubs are forced to release their players
only for set dates on the international calendar,” Bayern said in a statement posted on their website (www.fcbayern.de). “It is not the case here and for that reason, FC Bayern Munich will not make Franck Ribery available for that hearing,” the statement added. Ribery was a prominent member of the France team who boycotted a training session in South Africa in support of striker Nicolas Anelka, who was banished from the squad for insulting coach Raymond Domenech. Anelka, Patrice Evra, Eric
Abidal and Jeremy Toulalan have also been summoned. Meanwhile, French defender Patrice Evra, facing sanctions for leading a player revolt at the World Cup, does not understand why he should be punished and wants to wear his country's colours again. Evra was captain of the team that boycotted a training session in South Africa in support of striker Nicolas Anelka, who was banished from the squad for insulting coach Raymond Domenech.
Jaisha pockets steeple gold AGENCIES PATIALA, AUG 9
India's OP Jaisha set a new national record with an effort of 10:03.05 in steeple chase, to win the gold medal on the final day of the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in Patiala. On a hot and humid evening, Jaisha outshined national record holder Sudha Singh, who came a distant second in 10:14.68.
really well," said Sutil. "The only races that did not go well were the last two races (Germany and Hungary). In Hungary (Budapest on August 1) there was this most uncommon incident that can happen in the pit lane, crashed into another car. Sometimes these things happen," he pointed out. While generally satisfied with his vehicle, Sutil also pointed out its shortcomings and needed the body shape to be improved in order to remain competitive. "Generally satisfied, yes. (But) We have to get it upgraded now, we are losing to the competitors, a little bit in the diffuser area. We had not got this new diffuser. (But) It looks good overall," he declared.
He described the race in his home country on July 25 as his worst so far and added the team members had a subsequent meeting to thrash out how not to commit some mistakes again. "I think it was Germany. We just were not fast enough, gear problem in the morning on Saturday. I got extra pit penalties for changing the gearbox. There was big mess in the back. "I don't have to explain everything. People have seen, what happened in the race with the tyres. We were disappointed. Out of these situations, we learn the best. We had lot of meetings after this to try and make sure we don't make these mistakes again," he said. For next season, Sutil feels his best option is to remain with liquor baron Vijay Mallya's
FIH rankings: India languishes at 9th spot UNI NEW DELHI, AUG 9
India failed to improve on their lowly ninth place in the latest men's world rankings issued by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). The eight-time Olympic champions are on 1280 points, and are a spot below arch-rivals Pakistan (1410). They sit a berth above 10th placed Canada (1221). The Australians, who
claimed the Champions Trophy yesterday, strengthened their position at the top with a lead of 250 points over European giants Germany (2370), the FIH said in a statement. England (2047), the runnersup in the Champions Trophy, have made the biggest jump in the rankings chart by moving to the fourth position behind third-spot holders Netherlands (2213).
Force India but did not rule out a change too when asked about reports that he may join Renault in 2011. "Too early to say, nobody knows what Renault is going to do. People are speculating. We have not seen any official statement. I don't think about it so much. You don't only want to take the result from this year. You have to look to the future with the team. We (Force India) are very similar to Renault. Renault is one two places in front of us. At the moment, I don't see any reason to change my team. To find a better team than Force India is difficult at the moment. You have to go to the absolute top teams. Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bulls...all those teams have no place," he said.