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Tendulkar,
Kumble fit MUMBAI, Sept 4: The beleaguered Indian cricket team received a shot in the arm today with two of its star performers, Sachin Tendulkar and Anil Kumble, reporting fit for the tour to South Africa starting later this month.........more Paes,
Raymond through NEW YORK, Sept 4: Second seed Leander Paes and Lisa Raymond advanced to the semi-finals of the mixed doubles at the US Open .....more Venus,
Capriati move NEW YORK, Sept 4: Venus Williams and Jennifer Capriati, who between them own the past five ......more Pete
Sampras celebrates NEW YORK, Sept 4: Pete Sampras pumped his fists and roared in delight, unusual behaviour for the ........more |
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Ist Master Rahul, Bhanu Pratap
Memorial Cricket Shivalik Club wins as first round completes Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 4: Shivalik Cricket Club emerged victorious in the last match of the first round of competitions against.......more Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 4: Second seed Jyoti Anand and Manav Gulati today entered the final of the........more Lajwanti
Memorial Cricket Cup Tourney Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 4: Jammu Cricket Club (JCC) today entered the final of the Lajwanti.......more Gurmeet
accompanied Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 4: Dr Gurmeet Kour, who the Indian women accompanied hockey team.....more |
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Tendulkar, Kumble fit for South Africa tour MUMBAI, Sept 4: The beleaguered Indian cricket team received a shot in the arm today with two of its star performers, Sachin Tendulkar and Anil Kumble, reporting fit for the tour to South Africa starting later this month. Cricket Board secretary Jaywant Lele told PTI over phone from Baroda that both Tendulkar and Kumble had informed him that they were fit and would send their fitness certificates soon. Lele said Tendulkar had spoken to him today and told him that he was feeling comfortable wearing the new inner soles in his boots to protect his injured right toe, and there was no pain whatsoever. Tendulkar, who sustained the toe injury on the Zimbabwe tour, acquired the inner soles from South Africa last week after consulting arthroscopic surgeon Dr Mark Fergusson. "Kumble too has disclosed that he is completely fit and has no problem with his shoulder which was operated upon in January. I am expecting their fitness certificates within a day or two," Lele added. Lele said there was no intimation yet from the V V S Laxman who had skipped the test series in Sri Lanka due to a knee problem and had gone to Australia for an operation. Lele was also not aware of medium pacer Zaheer Khan’s fitness. Zaheer had shin problem during the test series in Sri Lanka which worsened during the third test in Colombo. Pacemen Javagal Srinath and Ashish Nehra, who too were nursing injuries, were also expected to be fit in the next few days. Meanwhile, BCCI sources here said Tendulkar was having light work-outs at the Mig Club at Bandra in North-West Mumbai, since yesterday. "In fact, he ran two rounds of the ground yesterday and three today and looked pretty comfortable," the sources said. "Sports medicine expert Dr Anant Joshi was also present during the work-out and expressed satisfaction with the recovery made by the star batsman so far," the sources added. (PTI) |
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Paes, Raymond through to semi-finals of mixed doubles NEW YORK, Sept 4: Second seed Leander Paes and Lisa Raymond advanced to the semi-finals of the mixed doubles at the US Open, defeating Mark Knowles and Elena Tatarkova 6-2 6-3 yesterday. The Indian/American pair dominated throughout the game, committing just five unforced errors and one double fault. Knowles, a doubles specialist from the Bahamas, and Tatarkova, from Ukraine, struggled on their serve and failed to take advantage of six breakpoints, converting just one. Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, one of the best pairs on the tour, crashed out in the first round of the men’s doubles, a disappointing result for the 1999 runner-ups. The winning pair in the mixed doubles competition splits $126,000. (AP) |
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Venus, Capriati move closer to semi-final showdown NEW YORK, Sept 4: Venus Williams and Jennifer Capriati, who between them own the past five women’s Grand Slam tennis titles, moved one step away from a US Open semi-final showdown with triumphs here yesterday. Reigning champion Williams won the final 10 games to rally past France’s Sandrine Testud 6-4 6-0 while second seed Capriati beat Austria’s Barbara Schett 6-3 6-3 for her first US Open quarter-final trip in 10 years. Capriati won her first Slam titles at the Australian and French Opens. Williams won her second Wimbledon crown in a row in July. Their only 2001 meeting came at Miami’s final, won by Williams in a third-set tie-breaker. Both have more work ahead before they meet. Williams will have her first match against Belgian Kim Clijsters, runner-up at the French Open. Capriati meets the women who beat her in the German Open final, Amelie Mauresmo. "I have seen her play Serena about three times, so hopefully I have paid attention," Williams said of Clijsters. "But you know, I’m ready. If I’m not ready by now, it’s going to be too late." Clijsters knows all too well what to expect from Williams — speed and powerful serves. "Venus has been playing unbelievable the past two years. She has been dominating tennis," Clijsters said. "She can have an off day sometimes but when she plays her best tennis it’s very hard to beat her. "I’m looking forward to it. I know it’s going to be fast. That’s what I’ll be ready for. If you don’t hit with a lot of speed, they’re going to hit winners past your ears." (AFP) |
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Pete Sampras celebrates after ousting Rafter NEW YORK, Sept 4: Pete Sampras pumped his fists and roared in delight, unusual behaviour for the all-time Grand Slam victory leader after only a fourth-round win at the US Open. But this victory came against twice champion Patrick Rafter of Australia and comes in the midst of the longest title drought in 11 years for the 30-year-old Sampras. "It’s a huge match, playing pat, who is worthy of a big match, a semi or final here. You have to emotionally treat it like a final, at least I did," said Sampras after his 6-3 6-2 6-7 6-4 win that put him into the quarters against long-time rival Andre Agassi. "I’ve got a lot of respect for pat and his game. I wanted to show some emotion." Sampras has not won a tournament since beating Rafter in the 2000 wimbledon final, going 17 tournaments in a row without a title in the longest dry spell the American has had since winning his first title on tour in Philadelphia in 1990. Winner of a record 13 Grand Slam crowns, including four U S Open titles, Sampras as seeded 10th at flushing meadows — his lowest seeding since winning his first Grand Slam as the 19-year-old 12th seed in the 1990 Open. Sampras rose to the occasion against Rafter. "He definitely brings out the best in me," said Sampras, who smashed 20 aces and slugged 60 winners in the two-hour, 31-minute victory. "He’s one of the best players in the world. "I think coming in here, he was one of the strong favourites to go all the way. He’s had a great summer." Rafter, who lost a five-set thriller to Goran Ivanisevic this summer in the Wimbledon final, reached three finals in a row during the hardcourt season leading up to the Open, claiming the title in Indianapolis. Sampras said Rafter had always given him trouble, despite enjoying an 11-4 advantage entering the match. "He possesses a game that I have had problems with ... His athletic ability, the way he competes. He doesn’t give up. "I just have a lot of respect for his game. He definitely is one of the best movers I’ve ever played, especially at net." Sampras said returning serve was a key for him. "He’s got that big kicker to my backhand, which has always given me problems. I was just making him play," said Sampras. "I was taking it short and early. It was just something I was telling myself to do." The American decided the showdown with an emphatic putaway after one of the best rallies of the match. Sampras cracked a running forehand off a sharply angled forehand volley from rafter. The Australian got to it with a backhand stab and Sampras punched a volley into the backhand corner before finishing it off with his overhead volley. "I thought we were going into a tiebreaker, which at that point, it’s anyone’s tiebreaker," Sampras said about his relief at ending the match. "You know tennis, it can come down to a couple of points." Sampras got in his celebration, but knew he could not relish his victory for long with twice champion Agassi, the second seed, up next. "It doesn’t get any easier, that’s for sure," said Sampras. "Another heavyweight that I’m up against in a couple of days." (REUTERS) |
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Ist Master Rahul,
Bhanu Pratap Memorial Cricket Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 4: Shivalik Cricket Club emerged victorious in the last match of the first round of competitions against Subash Nagar Cricket Club in the Ist Master Rahul, Bhanu Pratap Memorial Cricket Tournament, here at Paloura. Chasing a target of 118 runs in the stipulated 16 overs, Subash Nagar Club bowled out for 96 in 14.5 overs, thus losing the match by 21 runs. Varun and Raj Kiran were the maximum scorers, who made 21 (3x6) and 16 (2x6) runs respectively. From Shivalik Club, Ranjan took four wickets, while Kuldeep bagged three. Earlier, batting first after winning the toss, Shivalik Club made 118 runs losing all the wickets in the last 16th over. Kali was the maximum scorer with 41 runs which he made with the help of five sixes, while Guggu and Ranjan contributed 20 and 12 runs respectively. Ripo added valuable 12 runs hitting one four. From Subash Nagar Club, Nizam and Varun were the most successful bowlers, who took three and two wickets respectively. Later, on the basis of his all-round performance, Ranjan was declared as man of the match. Manohar Lal was special invitee in today’s match which was officiated by Dalip Singh and Jhony. Ninda was scorer. According to the organisers, the second round of pre-quarters will start after a day’s gap. |
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11th Jammu Distt
Billiards and Snooker Champ Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 4: Second seed Jyoti Anand and Manav Gulati today entered the final of the juniors Snooker, whileas Sohail Khalid has qualified for the semi-finals of the juniors Billiards, in the ongoing 11th Jammu District Billiards and Snooker Championship being held at M A Stadium, here. In the semi-finals, which played late this evening, Jyoti Anand had a narrow escape against fighting Sunny Arora, whileas Manav Gulati defeated Rajan Gupta in straight frames. The second semi-final, which lasted in complete five frames, the State juniors number two, Jyoti Anand had a challenging task while taking on Sunny fighting Sunny, who battled for every frame. Winning the first frame 75-55, Sunny lost the second one 22-55 to Jyoti. Jyoti continued his winning spree taking away the third frame. However, Sunny fought back in the fourth frame making it 2-2, but only to lose the deciding fifth frame miserably. Sunny could able to gather only 6 point as against 55 by Jyoti. The score: 55-75, 52-22, 62-38, 54-29. Since, the competitions in the junior Snooker reached the final stage, the organisers today started the juniors Billiards matches. On the very first day, after playing his two matches, Sohail Khalid reached the semi-finals. Sohail beat Nimish Sharma 230-137 including two handsome breaks of 35 and 32. Earlier, Sohail, in his first round match, beat Akhil Kohli 142-90. Two other players, who have also reached the second round of quarter-finals in the junior Billiards are Sunny Arora and Sheetal Bharti. Sunny Arora beat Nikhil Kapahi 171-123 and Sheetal Bharti beat Ranjot Singh Wazir 163-100. Detailed results of other first round matches: Sheetal Bharti bt Nitin Sharma 174-74; Nimish walkover Pallav Gupta, who could not turn-up the venue; Tarun Singla walkover against Nishant Azad; Deepak Bajan bt Rahul Puri 151-119; Kuldeep Choudhary bt Manmohan Arora 216-102; Jyoti Anand bt Amit Khorana 247-141. |
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Lajwanti Memorial
Cricket Cup Tourney Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 4: Jammu Cricket Club (JCC) today entered the final of the Lajwanti Memorial Cricket Cup Tournament beating Kishen Chand Cricket Club (KCCC) by 17 runs in the second semi-final which played at M A Stadium, here. Now, in the final (date yet to be decided), JCC will meet Trikuta Cricket Club for the title clash. Earlier, Ranji player Guru Pratap helped JCC to set a challenging target of 169 runs for nine in 30 overs, which KCCC could not chase and the whole side was bundled out for 152 runs in 29.1 overs. Guru Pratap, who played sensible and matured innings, made 55 runs facing 60 deliveries with the help of two fours. Virender and Mohsin too batted well and contributed 34 runs each. Vivek added 13 runs to the total. From KCCC, Bobby was the most successful bowler, who took two wickets for 25 runs in five overs. Raman and Dhruv shared one each. Rest of the batsmen were run-out. Batting second, KCCC lost all the wickets for 152 runs in 29.1 overs. Shashi Kumar was the top scorer with 44, while Dhruv and Bobby contributed 23 and 13 runs respectively. From JCC, Jagtar took three wickets for 19 in 5.5 overs, while Raj Kumar clinched two and Vijay one. |
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Gurmeet accompanied Indian
team to Asian Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 4: Dr Gurmeet Kour, who accompanied the Indian women hockey team to Ist Asian Women Boxing Championship in Bangkok, has became the first lady from the J&K to achieve this distinction. She was one of the official-cum-doctor, who accompanied the Indian team which returned with three silver and one bronze medal. The championship took place from August 24 to 30. |
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