PARIS, Nov 9: Pete Sampras has often made it clear that he’s playing for the record books now.

The Paris Open was no exception: Sampras knew that winning it Sunday would be a huge boost to his goal of finishing the year at no. 1 for the sixth straight time.

That would break a record set by Jimmy Connors, and Sampras dearly wants it. But in yesterday’s final he came up against an unexpected obstacle: a much-improved Greg Rusedski, who served and volleyed his way to a decisive 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 victory over the top-ranked American.

Now, as the Tennis world looks ahead to the ATP world championships in Hanover, Germany later this month, Sampras knows his goal will be just a bit harder to attain.

"This match was pivotal," Sampras said after his loss. "It really would have put me ahead by quite a bit."

Sampras will remain no. 1 when the new week’s rankings come out. But not far behind in the point standings is Chile’s Marcelo Rios.

" It’s a close race," Sampras said. "It’s going to come down to Hanover, that’s pretty much it."

Rusedski, ranked 13th in the world, also has a goal: he wants to qualify for Hanover. He improved his chances with his impressive win, which showed he is no longer just a hard server, but a much more complete player.

He always seemed to come up with the big shot when he had to. He had 18 aces, closing out the first set with two of them, and slamming one on match point.

But he also hit laser-sharp passing shots and returned serve extremely well.

It was the first time he’d beaten Sampras in seven meetings.

" It was a magical match for me," Rusedski said. "I’ve never beaten the world’s no. 1 before. It’s definitely the biggest match of my career." Sampras, the defending champion here, couldn’t blame his back injury from earlier in the week for his lapses, which included six badly timed double faults a couple on break point.

"Greg was just too good today," Sampras said. "My back was fine. He just basically outplayed me."

In the first set, the players held serve until the ninth game, when Sampras double-faulted on break point, giving Rusedski a 5-4 lead.

In the second set, Sampras blew four break points in the second game. He broke Rusedski later for a 4-2 lead, but at 5-3, serving for the set, he allowed his opponent to break back again on a double-fault. Rusedski won the tiebreaker 7-4 when Sampras hit into the net.

In the third set, Sampras had that familiar defeated look. He never recovered, despite playing a great service game to hold at 3-5.

Rusedski, 25, reached the U.S. Open finals and the Wimbedon quarter-finals in 1997, and has been ranked as high as no. 4. He confesses he was a late bloomer.

"Some people just mature later," he said.

Last year, he was the first British player to qualify for the ATP Championships. He wants to do so again.

Sampras, already a sure thing for Hanover, has other concerns. He has a wild card to play in Stockholm this week, another attempt to gain points in his quest to break connors’ record.

"The reason I’m doing this is I feel like this is one of the records in tennis that won’t be touched," he said.

"Today would have been a big help. I’m not making it easy on myself, that’s for sure." (AP)

Delhi force HP to follow-on

NEW DELHI, Nov 9: Delhi were sitting pretty after forcing Himachal to follow-on and the visitors closing the day on 52 for no loss were still 176 runs in arrears, on the penultimate day of Tenort Zone Ranji Trophy league match at Ferozeshah Kotla ground here today.

Earlier, Delhi piled up 339 for six before Captain Vijay Dahiya declared their first innings close.

In reply, Himachal were soon in trouble losing their first wicket with the score just five. But a second-wicket partnership of 72 runs stemmed the tide a bit. But Delhi bundled out the visitors for just 111.

Only Nischal Gaur (39) and Ajay Mannu (37) could put up some resistance to Delhi’s pace-spin bowling combination.

Robin Singh Jr. and Aakash Malhotra, who bowled in tandem and picked up five wickets apiece, did all the damage.

After Himachal were made to follow-on, 228 runs behind Delhi, their openers however saw through the day.

At close Ajay Mannu (28) and Nischal Gaur (20) were batting.

Earlier, Delhi started their innings with some fine strokeplay by overnight not out Aakash Malhotra and Vijay Dahiya, who remained unbeaten on 64. Malhotra (49) departed on score of 225 and Virendra Shehwag scored a brilliant 74. Dahiya declared Delhi’s first innings when Sehwag fell. (PTI)

CHANDIGARH, Nov 9: The Union Territory team (girls), representing India, has clinched gold at the first World Badminton Cup for schools held at Flanders (Belgium) recently.

Secretary of School Games Federation of India (SGFI) B D Gandhi said here local girl Mala Gabha won gold in singles while Isha and Parnita won silver in the doubles ensuring team championship.

The event was held by International School Federation, the apex body for school games in the world.

For the first time India was participating in an International School Tournament. Scotland, Belgium, Germany, France and Ukraine were the other countries who took part in the event, held from November 2 to 6, he said.

The next tournament will be held in France.

Mr Gandhi said that the SGFI would recommend to the Union Ministry and the Union Territory administration to honour the girls with cash prizes. (UNI)

England takes lead over South Australia

ADELAIDE, Nov 9: England battled to an 11-run lead over South Australia with six second-innings wickets remaining at stumps on the third day of a four-day cricket match at the Adelaide Oval today.

England was 149-4 with lefthander Graham Thorpe on 30 and Mark Ramprakash not out 33. It started its second innings 138 runs behind after bowling South Australia out for 325 earlier today.

Misfortune dogged England’s batsmen when the visitors lost three wickets for eight runs midway through the final session.

In-form strokeplayer Nasser Hussain was trapped LBW by a Mark Harrity delivery that kept low, captain Alec Stewart completed a pair of ducks when adjudged LBW after not offering a shot and opener Michael Atherton was run out when gaining momentum.

Atherton, on 53, was at the non-striker’s end when a crashing thorpe drive flicked a fingertip of paceman harrity and deflected onto the stumps, with the experienced opener just short of his crease.

Earlier, England fast bowler Dominic Cork claimed 4-45 from an impressive 29 overs and Seamer Angus Fraser Snared 3-57 from 27 overs as the tourists restricted the state side’s lead on the first innings.

South Australian middle order batsman Jeff Vaughan completed a half-century Monday before being dismissed by Fraser for 58.

The first of five ashes tests between Australia and England begins on November 20 in Brisbane. (AP)

NEW DELHI, Nov 9: Punjab promptly took a first innings lead and declared their innings 116-runs ahead in an effort to force an outright win on the third day of their North Zone Ranji Trophy Cricket league tie against Services at the Palam ground here today.

Overnight five for none after restricting Services to 178 in their first innings, Punjab reached 294 for four wickets before declaring and then had Services at 13 for one in 8.1 overs when play was stopped due to fading light.

Former India opener and kipper Vikram Rathore (75 - 127 b, 7 x 4, 2 x 6) and under-19 star Reetinder Sodhi (71 - 142 b, 7 x 4, 1 x 6) crafted fine half-centuries and piled up an opening stand of 150.

Services bowlers removed both and claimed three wickets for the addition of just 13 runs but veteran Navjot Sidhu (56 - 87 b, 5 x 4) and Dinesh Mongia (72 -118 b, 7 x 4, 1 x 6) came up with a breezy 129-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Rathore was stumped off left-arm spinner Pankaj Maitrey and medium-pacer J P Pandey claimed three wickets (3/72) while trapping Sodhi and Pankaj Dharmani (2) leg before, but Sidhu, Mongia took their side to 204 at tea before scoring quick runs to ensure the declaration.

Medium-pacer Harvinder claimed opener Sarabjeet Singh (0), caught behind off the glove with a lifter before ply was called off. Play started 15 minutes late due to fog.

Brief scores: Services 178 and 13 for 1 in 8.1 overs vs Punjab 294 for 5 decl in 82.1 overs (V Rathore 75, R Sodhi 71, N S Sidhu 56, D Mongia 72, J P Pandey 3/72). (PTI)

JAIPUR, Nov 9: Uttar Pradesh were 221 for five at close of play in reply to Rajasthan’s first innings score of 338 on the third day of their four-day Ranji Trophy cricket match here today.

Remain at the overnight score of 19 for no loss, the visitors coasted along with half centuries from Mohammad Kaif (51) and Jyoti Yadav (55) and good knocks by Rizwan Shamshad (40) and skipper G Pandey, who was batting on 49.

Kaif and Yadav began cautiously, and the latter got a life in the second over of the day when he was dropped by wicket keeper Jhalan off Shamsher Singh.

The mistake proved costly for Rajasthan as the pair took UP’s score to 87 without loss by lunch. Yadav departed early in the second session, caught by Devra off Ashish Kapooor with the total at 98 and Kaif followed soon after. Yadav’s 50 came off 170 balls, while kaif took 145 balls to reach the mark.

Rajasthan’s tails were up when he got the wicket of S Shukla (6), but Pandey and Shamshad batted sensibly to prevent a collapse.

Shamshad fell after tea to a brilliant catch by Shamsher at square leg while trying to sweep Kapoor.

New batsman Rahul Sapru (5) was dropped by Gagan Khoda off Kapoor at backward short leg. But Kapoor had him caught at the same position by Khoda off the last ball of the day. (PTI)

India trounce Bangladesh in classification match

CALCUTTA, Nov 9: Hosts India showed very good form to trounce Bangladesh 102-58 in a Group-IV classification league match of the 15th Asian Basketball Confederation Championship for junior men at the Netaji indoor stadium here today.

The Indians, who failed to qualify for the quarter final league stage, proved to be much superior for their unfancied opponents in a rather one-sided contest.

Leading by 47-25 at the interval, the Indians capitalised on their height advantage to keep increasing the lead after the breather with a combination of fast breaks and drop passes which unsettled the Bangladeshis.

The hosts, who finished third in Group-B with just one victory over Pakistan, relied on the sharp-shooting abilities of Gajendar Singh who fetched 21 points, including three threapinter, for the team which was cheered by the small but vociferous home crowd. Dilip Kumar was the other notable contributor with 18 points.

The talented Mohammed Raseduzzaman, who had been the top scorer for his team in all the matches so far, excelled again with 28 points while A K Numan chipped in with eight points.

India will take on lebanon in their next Group-IV Classification league match tomorrow while Bangladesh will clash with South Korea. (PTI)

Young Stars to clash with BSF Jammu in Soccer final

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 9: Young Stars to clash with BSF Jammu tomorrow in the final of the Ist Jammu Gold Cup Football Tournament being played at Mini Stadium, here.

Young Stars entered the final defeating Jammu Sports Club 3-1 in a well fought second semi-final played here this evening.

Both the sides could not made any success in the first half of the match, although had a spectacular play. First goal came through a attacker Satpal in the 61st minutes of the second half, when he converted a field pass into goal.

Second goal was made by a senior most player of Young Heros, Shiv Paul (45 years old) soon after the first goal in the 65th minutes of the match. Defender Rajesh Khana scored the third goal of the match for his team in the 70th minutes of the match.

Jammu Sports Club maintained their lead of 3-0 till the 80th minutes of the match. But the extra efforts put in by the Ajay Paul headed the ball into a goal in the 83rd minutes of the game. Senior most player, David Mashih, who is INS qualified Football coach played for the Jammu Sports.

Young Stars made three changes, while Jammu Sports made two during the match.

Young Stars team was led by Ramesh Chander (Jr), while Sonu Kumar Soni was the goal-keeper. Ajay Paul was Jammu Sports captain and Ajay Sandhu was goal-keeper.

Mr Ashok Khajuria, MLA was guest of honour and memento was presented to him by Mr Sheikh Fazal, Secretary State Sports Council.

Ranji Trophy
J&K establishes supremacy

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 9: Jammu and Kashmir has established supremacy over star studded Haryana by securing first innings lead and restricting them on 121 for six in the second innings of the four-day Ranji Trophy match being played at M A Stadium here today.

J&K spinners managed to put pressure on Haryana, when Shashi Kumar took first wicket in the fifth delivery of the very first over of the match. Pressure built up after Parinder Sharma’s dismissal which haunted the guests batting line up and they started losing wickets after a regular interval.

Second wicket fell when Jatinder Singh (13, 1x4) hit a shot at the mid wicket boundary and made a suicidal attempt for third run and got run out after Shashi made an accurate throw in the 15th over.

In the very next over, Rajesh Gill took a running catch of Rajesh Puri (25, 5x4s) at the mid-off, when the score on board was just 46.

Nitin Goel and Vijay Yadav went to pavilion without opening their accounts. Amarjeet K P (45, 6x4s) and Dhan Raj Singh were on the crease.

Ashwani Gupta got two wickets, Shashi Kumar, Pardeep Bali and Surinder Singh Bagal took one wicket each from J&K.

Earlier, J&K, who resumed its innings from fortnight total of 249 for six added 105 runs till their innings ended before lunch. Skipper Sanjay played a spectacular game, staying on the wicket for 263 minutes made 91 runs. Pardeep Bali contributed 27 runs after playing a long innings of 78 minutes. Vivek Sharma bowled by Dhan Raj Singh on 44, while, Vivek Singh made 15 runs.

Pankaj Thakur (40-9-120-3) took another wicket today, while Dhan Raj Singh (14-1-5-31-2) took both his wickets this morning.

SCOREBOARD

Haryana Ist innings: 310

J&K Ist innings: 354

Haryana 2nd innings:

Parinder Sharma c Vivek Sharma b Shashi Kumar 4, Jatinder Singh runout Shashi Kumar 13, Rajesh Puri c Rajesh Gill b Surinder Singh Bagal 25, Amarjeet K P not out 45, Shafiq Khan c Kavaljeet Singh b Ashwani Gupta 19, Nitin Goel c Sanjay Sharma b Ashwani Gupta 0, Vijay Yadav c Vivek Singh b Pardeep Bali 0, Dhan Raj Singh not out 2

Total 121 for 6 in 46 overs.

Bowlings: Shashi Kumar: 12-3-25-1, Kavaljeet Singh: 1-1-0-0, Vivek Sharma: 7-1-20-0, Surinder Singh Bagal: 10-2-40-1, Ashwani Gupta: 9-5-18-2, Pardeep Bali: 7-3-12-1.

A match begins with six players

Making ‘mockery’ of the cricket, six players from J&K came on the ground for fielding against Haryana. It was only after the bowling of first over by Shashi Kumar, who also took a wicket, the whole team came on the ground. Earlier, after completing their innings, J&K players could not arrive on the ground even after 10 minutes brake. It was followed by two minutes time given by the umpires to the J&K to come on the field, otherwise, the match would be given in favour of Haryana.

Fearing umpires action, the skipper, Sanjay Sharma arrived on the ground followed by Kavaljeet Singh, Pardeep Bali, Shashi Kumar, wicket keeper Vivek Singh and Rohit Mattoo.

It may be recalled that some of the players were protesting against the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association for their pending match fee. Earlier on the day first of the match, they wore black badges and had warned of extreme steps if fee was not given, but nothing was done by the Association, which ‘forced them for this step’.

On the other hand, JKCA taking plea that they don’t have money.