Lindsay Davenport

Lindsay Davenport would
never hold a grudge

NEW YORK, Sept 11: Lindsay Davenport would never hold a grudge - but don’t expect the beaten finalist ....more

Kapil Dev

Board asks Kapil
to take charge of
coaching camp

NEW DELHI, Sept 11: Kapil Dev has been asked to take charge of the Indian team’s coaching camp . .....more

Indian tri-colour unfurled
in Games Village

SYDNEY, Sept 11: The Indian tri-colour went up to the strains of the national anthem ‘Jana Gana ....more

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 11: Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 2 Jammu and KV-1 Udhampur will meet each other in the ...........more

Host Baba Jamuna Dass
Club enters pre-quarters

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 11: Host Baba Jamuna Dass Cricket Club defeated Patoli Cricket Club by 64 runs to sail into the pre-quarterfinals round in the Rajinder Tickoo Memorial.........more

Army School Domana
presents inaugural
song in seminar

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 11: Army School, Domana presented an inaugural group song in the seminar on ‘Kashmir Shaivism’ organised by the Department of Sanskrit, University of Jammu, here today......more

Jammu Distt Open TT Champ
Chandpreet, Shagun,
Deepender, Rashi enter
sub-junior semis

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 11: Semi-finals position has been cleared in the Sub-junior girls section in the ongoing Jammu District Open Table Tennis Championship being held at Indoor halls.......more

Russian steamroller crushes Sampras

NEW YORK, Sept 11: Stunning 20-year-old Russian Marat Safin played a near perfect......more

Lindsay Davenport would never hold a grudge

NEW YORK, Sept 11: Lindsay Davenport would never hold a grudge - but don’t expect the beaten finalist at the 15-million-dollar U.S. Open to spend any free time with the Williams Sisters during the upcoming Sydney olympics.

Davenport will head down under after taking a 6-4, 7-5 loss in the title match in New York against Venus Williams. The Californian held a 4-1 lead with two breaks in the first set, but couldn’t consolidate as Williams steam-rolled to a second consecutive Grand Slam title.

"The olympics is a team sport, but the tennis event is totally individual," said Davenport. "It’s not like we’re out there and I need them to win."

Davenport may not even run into the sister act at the event. "I don’t know everyone’s plans. I have talked to Monica (Seles) about staying in the village, but I heard they were not going to.

"I don’t know how much time anyone is actually going to be together."

She won’t say it, but that certainly seems fine by Davenport.

The trophy-holder at three slams likely isn’t keen to concentrate on anything more than her own game, given her return to number 1 computer status achieved on Monday over Swiss Martina Hingis.

Davenport had to admit: Williams is playing the best of anyone at the moment.

"She’s played like the number 1 player for the past few months (26 wins in a row, five titles including wimbledon and the U.S. event). That’s too good.

"You just have to congratulate her and keep working on your own game."

Davenport said that after winning the Australian crown this year and playing two more major finals, she is not at all upset about her 2000 showing so far with three more months left in a long season.

"I’m leaving on a positive note," said the 24-year-old. "I’ve played some of my best tennis in months and months and I’m excited about that.

"Physically, I’m feeling really good again. There are still a few months left in the year, so I’ll see what I can do."

The American was the second notable victim in a row for Williams after dispatching top seed Hingis in the flushing meadows semi-finals.

Though Williams said she feels like a number 1 - even though she will stay at third - Davenport knows that’s not actually the case.

While she’s at the games, the losing finalist will be aiming to defend the gold medal she won in Atlanta, not worrying about anything concerning the controversial sisters.

Asked if making a peace with the siblings was something on her radar screen, Davenport didn’t hesitate: "it’s not a priority on my list, no." (DPA)

Board asks Kapil to take charge of coaching camp

NEW DELHI, Sept 11: Kapil Dev has been asked to take charge of the Indian team’s coaching camp at Chennai from September 14-23 thus putting an end to the suspense over whether he will continue to be the national team’s coach or not for the October 3-15 ICC knock-out tournament in Nairobi.

A letter received by the former India captain from Cricket Board (BCCI) secretary Jaywant Lele has asked him to proceed to Chennai and take charge of the camp.

Board chief A C Muthiah’s statement from Chennai yesterday that Kapil might be invited to train the probables was a strong indication that he would be retained as the team coach.

Muthiah said yesterday he had been authorised by the Board’s working committee meeting at Bangalore on August 20 to take appropriate decision on Kapil Dev. "I may even think of inviting Kapil Dev to coach the probables," he said.

The BCCI’s stand that it will not take any action on players or administrators, unless thy were proved guilty, would remain, he said.

The national selectors would meet in Chennai on September 20 to pick the 14-member squad, to be led by Saurav Ganguly, for the Mini World Cup in Kenya. (PTI)

Indian tri-colour unfurled in Games Village

SYDNEY, Sept 11: The Indian tri-colour went up to the strains of the national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ at the Sydney Olympic village here this evening to mark the country’s presence officially in the millennium games even as a few drops of rain greeted the visitors.

The Indian contingent, which is here in full force except for the last batch, was welcomed with the words ‘Jai Hind’ by the chairman of Culture, Australia - Neville Roach - whose ancestors hailed from Goa.

Indian contingent’s chef-de-mission, Ashok Mattoo, provided the encouraging news to the country’s mediapersons by stating that there were no injury worries and all the competitors were in top shape.

The hockey team, led by half back Hamandeep Singh and on which most of India’s medal hopes rest, has showed encouraging form in the run-up to the big event.

The squad, which has reached Australia well ahead of the games opening in order to acclimatise itself to Australian conditions notched up a 3-2 win over a Sydney XI in a practice game here yesterday, according to team manager K Jyotikumaran.

Baljit Singh Saini scored the first goal for the Indians against the local outfit which had some top players including former Olympian Ken Beck, Jyotikumaran said, and added that the other two goals were netted by Sameer Dad. (PTI)

Russian steamroller crushes Sampras

NEW YORK, Sept 11: Stunning 20-year-old Russian Marat Safin played a near perfect match here last night, crushing American Pete Sampras in straight sets to capture his first US Open Grand Slam title.

The 20-year-old Russian was faultless, dismantling the fourth-seeded Grand Slam record-holder Sampras 6-4 6-3 6-3 in one hour and 38 minutes.

Safin, who earned $800,000 for the victory, is the youngest US Open winner since Sampras and Andre Agassi squared off against each other in 1990.

"I can’t explain how I feel right now," Safin said. "I feel like I’m still in the match. I can’t think how great it is to win. Maybe when I’ll go in the locker room I’ll begin to think about it."

This is Safin’s second straight win over Sampras.

He beat the American this august at the quarter-finals of the tennis masters series in Toronto after the American squandered two match points there.

Safin was also a runner-up in Indianapolis, making him one of the hottest players on the ATP tour this summer.

Ignoring any signs of nervousness except in the last two games of the match, the unassuming Russian didn’t think his victory was going to be that easy.

"I didn’t expect it was going to be three sets," said Safin, who made a total of 37 winners, 12 unforced errors and 12 aces, only facing two break points on his serve during the entire match. "I returned very well. I couldn’t return any better. That’s why it was so easy maybe."

"I was probably less nervous than him. I had nothing to loose. I was relaxed," he added. I didn’t have any pressure except in the last two games when I thought I could win."

"It doesn’t happen that often that I get car waxed like that," Sampras said. "I got steamrolled today. He reminded me of when I was 19 and I steamrolled Agassi (in the 1990 final)." He played a great match and he hardly missed.

"He is the future of the game," he added. "The way he played today, he can be number one for many, many years. He can be really dominant because of his power."

Sampras, a 13-time grand slam record holder, who was playing in his sixth US Open final but first since 1996 said he tried everything to turn the table around but to no avail.

"I was trying everything against him. Whatever I tried he had the answers," he said. I was mixing up my serve but that didn’t seem to work. I was chipping and charging but that didn’t seem to work either."

"Before I knew it I was two sets down and that’s a tough hole to get out from," Sampras added.

The American, who was one match away from equaling his illustrious compatriot Jimmy Connors for a record five US Open titles, said he would set his sights on the number one ranking.

"I want to finish at number one," Sampras said. "If I don’t it would be disappointing but I got what I wanted this year, the record and wimbledon."

Sampras was 13 and 2 in Grand Slam finals, only falling to Swedish serve and volleyer Stefan Edberg in 1992 here and to Andre Agassi at the 1995 Australian Open. (AFP)

Inter-KVs Regional Sports Meet
KV-2 Jammu to meet KV-1 Udhampur in U-16
Cricket final today

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 11: Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 2 Jammu and KV-1 Udhampur will meet each other in the final of the U-16 yr Inter-KVs Regional Sports Meet of Cricket at KV-2 Jammu Cantt, here tomorrow.

Whereas, in the Basketball KV-4 Pathankot, K V Yol Cantt, KV-1 Pathankot and KV Samba have sailed in the semi-finals of the Basketball.

And in the Table Tennis, Aditya of KV-1 Jammu and Dushyant of KV Jyotipuram have reached the semi-finals.

Detailed results

Basketball: Yol Cantt beat KV-1 Akhnoor 22-9( Highest 12 points by Sunil for Yol Cantt); KV Samba beat KV-2 Akhnoor 35-16 (Suresh secured 23 points for KV Samba); KV Yol Cantt beat KV-1 Udhampur 31-22 (Desh Raj secured 23 points for KV Yol Cantt); KV-4 Pathankot beat KV-2, Jammu 60-24 (Sandeep secured 52 points for the winners); KV Jyoti Puram beat KV-1 Udhampur 41-39; KV Samba beat KV-2 Jammu 51-21 (Suresh secured highest 32 points for Samba).

Sandeep, who scored 52 points out of a total of 60 for KV-4 Pathankot was declared as man of the day for his superb performance.

KV-1 Amritsar beat KV Samba 17-16; KV-1 Pathankot beat KV-1 Udhampur 44-31; KV Yol Cantt beat Jyoti Puram 35-17; KV Samba beat KV-4 Pathankot 32-31; KV Pathankot beat KV Yol Cantt 49-17; KV-1 Akhnoor beat KV Jyoti Puram 22-16; KV-2 Jammu beat KV Amritsar 21-13.

Table Tennis quarters: Aditya of KV-1 Jammu bat Molay of KV Nangal Bhur 21-5, 21-7; Dushyant of KV Jyotipuram beat Rajan of KV-2 Akhnoor 21-15, 21-15.

Cricket

KV-1 Pathankot beat KV-1 Akhnoor: In the first match, KV-1 Pathankot beat KV-1 Akhnoor by eight wickets. Batting first KV-1 Akhnoor lost all the wickets for 33 runs in 9.1 overs. Gopal was the main scorer with 11 runs. For Pathankot Gagan and Amit were the most successful bowlers with four wickets each in 3 and 2.3 overs respectively. In reply, KV-1 Pathankot reached the required total in 7.4 overs for the loss of two wickets. Rohit was the top scorer with 17 runs off 18 balls.

KV Nangal Bhur beat KV-1 Amritsar: KV Nangal Bhur outplayed KV-1 Amritsar by seven wickets. After winning the toss and opted to field, K V Nangal bowled out Amritsar for 60 runs in 14.5 overs in the 15 overs match. No body could score in double digit. Sandeep got three wickets for 6 runs in three overs for KV Amritsar.

Batting second, KV Nangal Bhur made 62 runs for the loss of three wickets in 10 overs. Sukhvinder was the highest scorer with 24 runs off 22 balls.

KV-1 Udhampur beat KV-1 Pathankot: KV-1 Udhampur beat KV-1 Pathankot by six wickets. Batting first, KV-1 Pathankot could score 35 runs in 10.2 overs. For Udhampur, Deepak took four wickets, while Shamsher bagged three. In reply, Udhampur reached the required total in 7.5 overs losing four wickets. Deepak was declared as man of the match.

KV-2 Jammu beat KV Dalhouse: KV-2 Jammu defeated KV Dalhouse by 18 runs. KV-2 Jammu made 78 runs for eight in 15 overs, which KV Dalhouse unable to chase and could score 60 runs for nine in 15 overs. Akhil made 11 runs off 12 balls for the winners Jammu, while Akhil and Akshay later claimed three wickets each for their side.

Sunny, who took two wickets and contributed 10 runs for Jammu was declared as man of the match.

KV-3 Pathankot beat KV Samba: KV Pathankot beat KV Samba by nine wickets. Batting first after winning the toss, KV Samba made 50 runs losing all the wickets in the 15 overs. In reply, KV-3 Samba scored 54 runs for one in 10.5 overs. Amit was declared as man of the match. He scored 19 runs off 16 balls for the winners Pathankot.

KV Udhampur thrashed KV Nangal Bhur: KV Udhampur thrashed KV Nangal Bhur by 61 runs. After winning the toss and opted to field, Nangal bowled out KV Udhampur for 88 runs in 14.5 overs. In reply, Nangal Bhur could score 27 runs in 6.5 overs. Dilip made 23 runs, while Ashish contributed 20 for Udhampur. Later, Kailash took four wickets for nine runs for Udhampur. Kailash was declared as man of the match.

KV Samba: Today’s results of the Swimming competitions which are being hosted by the KV Samba under the supervision of Mr A N Thaker, Principal of the School.

Swimming results:

200 mts Free Style U-17: Manish Badgal of KV Samba, Ist; Parkash Joshi of KV-3 Pathankot, 2nd and Vaibhav Mahindru of KV-2 Amritsar, third.

400 mts Free Style U-19: Jasjit Singh of KV-2 Amritsar, Ist; Vaibhav Mahindru of KV-Amritsar, 2nd and Bikramjit Singh of KV-3, Amritsar, third.

400 mts Free Style U-17: Karan Hukku of KV Nagrota, Ist; Prakash Joshi of KV-3 Pathankot, 2nd and Rahul Dogra of KV-1 Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, third.

400 mts Free Style U-14: Vipan Sharma of KV Samba, Ist; Ashwani Kohli of KV Samba, second.

200 mts Individual Medley U-19: Vidyanand of KV Samba, Ist; Jasjit Singh of KV-2 Amritsar, 2nd and Paramjit Singh of KV-1 Amritsar, third.

200 mts Individual Medlay U-17: Karan Hukku of KV Nagrota, Ist; Sumeet Bharadaj of KV Pathankot, 2nd and Surjit Kumar of KV Samba, third.

200 mts Individual Medlay U-14: Shibesh Sharma of KV-2 Pathankot, Ist; Rahul Singh of KV-1 Amritsar, 2nd and Gulraj Singh of KV-1 Amritsar, third.

50 mts Free Style U-14 girls: Pooja of KV Samba, Ist and Sunita of KV Samba, second.