CHENNAI, July 5: Living cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Steve Waugh today came out in support of a longer tenure for coaches, physios and trainers, saying it was required for better on field results.......more

Serena ousts hurting
Venus in Wimbledon
repeat

LONDON, July 5: Defending champion and top seed Serena Williams beat her elder sister Venus, the two-time champion and fourth seed, 4-6 6-4 6-2.........more

East Bengal beat
Mohun Bagan 3-0

KOLKATA, July 5: Baichung Bhutia signalled a return to vintage form with a spectacular brace, as a fitter and faster East Bengal outclassed arch-rivals Mohun...........more

Sasikiran draws,
Humpy goes
down fighting

ESBJERG (Denmark), July 5: Second seed Grandmaster Krishnan Sasikiran started his campaign with a lively draw against GM Luke McShane of England in the first round of the 18th North Sea Cup Chess..........more

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, July 5: Even as Jammuites felt relieved with a shower of rains this morning, the cricket lovers and the organisers of the events looked dejected because.....more

SPORTSMASTER
With a professional
touch, glory of football
can be restored

By Tarlok Singh

JAMMU, July 5: A professional touch and sincere efforts can once again revive the glory of football in Jammu and Kashmir......more

Selection trials
for Asian Skating
meet from July 7

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, July 5: Jammu and Kashmir Roller Skating Association has decided to conduct trials (men and women).......more

Major Jasrotia
Memorial tourney
from next week

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, July 5: Fifth Major Ajay Singh Jasrotia Memorial day-night (Cosco ball).....more

Paes-Navratilova in mixed doubles semi.....

Jeev falls back, Atwal makes late charge for cut in Golf.....

Wimbledon final to provide Davis Cup form guide.....

‘Coach, physio, trainers should be given longer tenure’

CHENNAI, July 5: Living cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Steve Waugh today came out in support of a longer tenure for coaches, physios and trainers, saying it was required for better on field results.

The coach, physio and the trainer were part of the team and they involved themselves fully in its success, the three cricket greats, here for the MRF National go Karting Championship, told reporters here.

Responding first to a question, Indian batting maestro Tendulkar said: ‘The coach, physio and trainer are part and parcel of the team. Cricket is a team game and team’s success reflect on the performance of players as well as these three. Therefore, they have got to be given longer tenure for better on-field results’.

West Indies captain Lara said the three were an integral part of a team and required three or four years contract, while Australian test skipper Steve Waugh favoured a minimum tenure of two or three years.

‘Before these people are appointed, the respective cricket boards should look into their credentials and if they are good enough for the job, they need to be given a minimum of two or three years to work with the team,’ Waugh said.

To a question on the use of heavier bats, Tendulkar, who uses such a willow, said ‘it should be left to the individual. It might take a fraction of a second more to go for a shot but if the batsman is comfortable and more relaxed with a heavier bat, there was no harm in using one.

He was reacting to former Australian captain Greg Chappell’s remark that use of heavier bats would be detrimental to the player.

Tendulkar, who seemed to be in a humourous mood, said he was misquoted by a leading daily that he was doubtful for the home series against New Zealand.

"I reiterate that I am completely fit after medical treament and not only myself but all the players are raring to go," he said.

On the resurgence of West Indies cricket, Lara said he could see the team moving towards the standards of 70s and 80s. "Apart from the series win against the Sri Lankans, we had a good tour of Australia.’’

"We learnt a lot from the Aussies. Our team is a little inexperienced but the players are talented and willing to learn faster," he said.

Lara said West Indies had a "realistic opportunity" to perform well during their tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa. "I am sure my boys will put all their gains against Aussies and the Sri Lankans to good effect in winning matches’.

Asked whether the use of a bat autographed by Tendulkar during the World Cup brought him luck and also helped in regaining his form, Lara said "I had told Sachin that I am `joining’ MRF. He had only an extra sticker and that is how I used the bat with his autograph."

On his venture into films, Waugh said ‘concentrating on cricket is my top priority. I have decided to make a film involving the children of Udayan in Kolkata. I have plans to get into business after I quit cricket." (PTI)

Serena ousts hurting Venus in Wimbledon repeat

LONDON, July 5: Defending champion and top seed Serena Williams beat her elder sister Venus, the two-time champion and fourth seed, 4-6 6-4 6-2 in 2hr 03min to win the Wimbledon women’s singles title today.

Serena won on her first mared her movement.

"I just had to tell myself to look at the ball and nothing else," said Serena. "It was really tough. She’s really inspiring for me.

Venus, 23, came out with heavy strapping around her stomach under her stylish dress in Wimbledon white to combat the abdominal problem which had hampered her semi-final win over Kim Clijsters of Belgium.

"I came out because I just thought the people the fans deserved a final - that’s why I was out here," said Venus.

"She was playing the best this whole tournament," she added, insisting Serena deserved the title.

Adding to her anxieties was a left hip strain which necessitated further strapping and a WTA spokeswoman said before the start she was only 75 percent fit.

But the former champion still managed a smile as she won the toss and elected to serve.

Serena went into the match having defeated her elder sibling in four of the five most recent Women’s Grand Slam finals over 13 months dating back to last year’s French Open.

The 21-year-old also beat Venus in last year’s Wimbledon final, winning 7-6 (7/4) 6-3 on that occasion to deny her sister a hat-trick of victories.

Now they stand at 2-2 in titles here.

While Venus, the 2000 and 2001 champion, established early dominance by winning the first three meetings of an on-court rivalry which neither player enjoys, Serena has now won their last six meetings.

On every occasion, the sister winning the first set had gone on to triumph - and Venus, taken to three sets in both her quarter-final and semi, looked set fair after racing 3-0 clear with a break to love and notching 11 straight points.

But Serena saved four break points in the fourth game as she held for 1-3 and Venus then saw her first serve desert her with Serena breaking, then holding to love for 3-3 - before Venus held after saving two break points.

A double fault from Serena in the tenth game, a missed overhead and then an unsuccessful drop shot moved Venus, who defied medical advice not to play the French Open a month ago, a set clear in 43min.

However, Serena streaked 5-2 clear in the second despite a first Venus ace having broken in the third and fifth games.

Serving for the set Serena drove into the net and Venus then held despite a serve which was losing power by the point. Serena served out second time round on her second set point.

A pensive-looking Venus then called WTA trainer Karen Davis and took a three-minute medical time out after dropping serve in the opening game of the deciding set, clutching her left side in the process.

By then her first serve ratio had slid below 50 percent and she dropped serve again with an eighth double fault as Serena again opened up a 5-2 lead.

The Gulf was by now unbridgeable and Serena bagged the crown on her first match point. (AFP)

East Bengal beat Mohun Bagan 3-0

KOLKATA, July 5: Baichung Bhutia signalled a return to vintage form with a spectacular brace, as a fitter and faster East Bengal outclassed arch-rivals Mohun Bagan 3-0 in an entertaining Kolkata Super Division Football League outing amidst heavy monsoon showers here today.

A huge crowd of 1.10 lakh at the Salt Lake Stadium got their money’s worth as the two teams played attacking soccer, though East Bengal’s superiority was indisputable.

The winners reaped the fruits of month-long pre-season training under South African fitness adviser Kevin Jackson, towering over their opponents in every department of the game.

They went into the lead in the opening half through Ghanaian Suley Musah, before Bhutia scored twice in the second session to seal Bagan’s fate.

Skipper Musah’s goal came in the 23rd minute when he outjumped Bagan defenders to unleash a snap header, giving no chance to custodian Imran Khan. The spadework was done by attacking Medio Malsawmtluanga, the fulcrum of the East Bengal moves, who sent a measured floater to the right.

Malsawmtluanga was also instrumental in initiating the move for the second goal in the 23rd minute of the second session. He sent a centre to substitute Alvito D’cunha, who ran to the right and found Bhutia. Finding himself at a distance from the ball, the lethal striker threw himself in the air, and put the ball in dwith a side-volley in a flash.

Bhutia, determined to re-establish his credentials after his indifferent showing for Bagan last year, made the scoreline 3-0 15 minutes later. His first shot rebounded off the post, but the Sikkimese followed the ball well, and put it home with a rightfooter. (PTI)

Sasikiran draws, Humpy goes down fighting

ESBJERG (Denmark), July 5: Second seed Grandmaster Krishnan Sasikiran started his campaign with a lively draw against GM Luke McShane of England in the first round of the 18th North Sea Cup Chess Tournament here.

Top seed and hot favourite GM Alexey Dreev of Russia started in style defeating the other Indian GM in the fray Koneru Humpy.

The tournament is being played in round-robin league basis (all play all) and there are 10 players who will play nine rounds among themselves to determine the winner.

The average rating of the tournament, which got underway yesterday, is 2603 elo points, making it a category 15 event as per FIDE regulations.

Dreev, surprisingly was the only winner of the day with all the remaining four games ending in draws. Most of the players appeared keen to open their accounts before getting in to the groove and Dreev used that to his advantage to emerge as the sole leader.

Humpy was outplayed eventually but not without a fight. Undeterred by the big name of her opponent, Humpy put up a good show and Dreev had to use a fair amount of his experience before he tightened the noose.

The opening featured one of the popular variations of the queenthe Indian, playing black, traded two minor pieces by the 14th move itself.

Dreev gained a definite advantage by way of greater control on the chequered board and steadily developed his position without worrying about the exchanges. The players arrived at a queen and pawns endgame where Humpy lost a pawn and never recovered. Dreev exchanged the queens soonafter to force resignation on 41st move.

Sasikiran, who had the advantage of playing white in his opening game, tried hard but Luke McShane was quite up to the task. Sasikiran opened with his pet queen pawn to face the Grunfeld defence.

The middle game was fierce even after the exchange of queens early in the opening and McShane parted with a pawn to retain chances of a draw in the endgame. The too-few-pawns-factor played an important role but Sasikiran stood much better for the major part of the game that was agreed drawn on the 61st move.

Local GM Lars Schandorff was the first to sign peace when he decided against taking on Cuban GM Bruzon Lazaro. Starting with one of the violent variations of the semi slav defence, this game lasted just 17 moves with Lazaro playing black.

Playing white, Hastings champion and local favourite Peter Heine Nielsen failed to make an impact against highly regarded polish GM Michal Krasenkow and settled for draw in just 35 moves while Curt Hansen weathered a strong looking attack before settling for truce with Cuban Lenier Dominguez. (PTI)

Rain spoils cricket

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, July 5: Even as Jammuites felt relieved with a shower of rains this morning, the cricket lovers and the organisers of the events looked dejected because they had to postpone the start and conclusion of two separate cricket tournaments in Jammu.

The much publicised final and prize distribution of the Ist BA Kitchloo Memorial Cricket Tournament at M A Stadium, here could not take place because of the wet turf and outfield. In the final, former Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah was supposed to arrive from New Delhi to grace the occasion as chief guest.

Now, the organisers, Mohammadan Sporting Club has postponed the final for some other day. "we had made all the arrangements but nature is supreme and the results are before you. Due to uncertain weather we have decided to hold the final some day within coming week and the prize distribution function will be organised separately", informed Mr Sheikh Fareed Baba, chairman of the Club.

Meanwhile, the inauguration of a mega event, Jammu Cup 2003, at University of Jammu grounds too could not take place this morning because of the rains and strong winds.

Since the opening match of the tournament was to be covered live by Siti Cable, rains hurt the sentiments of the viewers who had decided to watch the first encounter between Vishal Cricket Club and Friends Cricket Club on their television screens.

The start of the tournament has been re-fixed for July 7 at the same time and venue. "we have re-scheduled the tournament and the opening match now will be played on July 7 at the same time and venue", informed organising secretary, Parveen Ghai.