Daily Excelsior.........sports

Hingis steamrolls Sania to move into final

KOLKATA, Sept 23: The much-awaited dream semifinal outing at the Sunfeast Open ended on a disappointing note for the Indian fans as Sania Mirza found herself to be no match for top seed Martina Hingis and went down in straight sets here today.

Hingis practically gave tennis lessons to her teenage opponent on way to winning the grossly one-sided tie 6-1 6-0 in only 58 minutes to cruise into the final of the usd 175,000 tier 3 event.

Even as a partisian crowd of 5,000 rooted for the home-spun player at the Netaji Indoor Stadium, World Number 9 Hingis quickly took command of the proceedings and maintained her control right through with her exemplary fitness, silver-quick court coverage and excellent anticipation that left Sania far behind.

In the end, it was the sheer class of the former world number one that proved the decisive factor.

"She was playing too well. I had a bad day. I am not as fit as she is. And I don’t know how many girls in the circuit are as fit as her," Sania said after the match, paying compliments to her fancied opponent and summarizing the causes for her emphatic defeat.

Hingis, despite the thumping victory, had some words of encouragement for the 19-year-old Hyderabadi.

"She is a great player. She has a great future. I hope to play against her in future," the `swiss miss’ said, as the crowd broke into thunderous applause.

"I knew she has a good forehand. So, I tried to play to her backhand. But I find that her backhand has also improved now," Hingis said.

Hingis also said that the match was closer than what the scoreline suggested.

Such was Hingis’ dominance that Sania could retain serve only once, in the second game of the opening set.

With several VIPs including former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly in attendance, the match started in an electrifying atmosphere as a raucous crowd constantly chanted ‘Sania, Sania’.

However, the Swiss also got her share of cheers from the spectators as she proceeded to clinically decimate the Indian.

The first three games went with serve, before Hingis gave the first indication of things to come by demolishing her opponent in the fourth game.

Sania tried to stage a comeback in the fifth, but Hingis managed the situation calmly setting up the points and then going for the kill to open up a 4-1 lead.

Sania’s serve was again in trouble in the next game, as Hingis made her run around the court to win another break. However, the shot of the game came from Sania, when she found Hingis charging upto the net and let loose a lightning forehand crosscourt that left the European stranded.

Hingis had little problem retaining serve in the crucial seventh game, as she closed the set in 24 minutes with a backhand down the line shot that almost kissed the tramline. (PTI)

West Indies seek rare title triumph

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23: The West Indies will seek a rare title triumph when they cross swords with Australia in the final of the cricket tri-series here tomorrow, fully aware that the brittle batting line-up needs to put up a far more inspired show.

The middle-order batsmen have failed in all the matches of the series and captain Brian Lara is hoping that his tough words will have some impact on his off-colour batsmen in the crucial day and night encounter at the Kinrara Oval.

The Caribbeans would consider themselves a trifle lucky to be featuring in the final after the Duckworth-Lewis system went in their favour in the rain-hit opening match against India.

However, the team pulled off a shock victory against Australia in the league match to secure a place in the final.

The Australians, on the other hand, are in no mood to take their rivals lightly as they are keen to go into next month’s Champions Trophy with a title under their belt.

The Champions Trophy is one title which has eluded the Australians and Ricky Ponting and his men are determined to lay their hands on that cup this time around.

Although the Aussies have experimented with their players in this tournament, it remains to be seen whether they will pick their best eleven for tomorrow’s game.

The world champions have not been too convincing in their performance in this series and managed to clinch a berth in the final after a slender 18-run victory over India yesterday. The Caribbeans will be heavily relying on the genius of Brian Lara to win the match and the elegant left-hander has shown that he is in good form.

But the form of some of his other top batsmen has not really inspired confidence which has been the main reason for the repeated batting collapses of the team.

Lara was particularly annoyed on his batsmen after they failed to reach a modest target of 163 against India in their last league match where he deliberately brought himself at the number nine slot to give others a chance to shoulder the responsiblity.

"There are people knocking on the door. If these guys do not take the responsibility, they will be replaced," Lara said

"We are not sure what is happening at the number six, seven and eight positions in the batting line-up," he said.

Although the West Indies have some dangerous batsmen like Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan, it is necessary for them to click collectively tomorrow if they wish to counter the formidable Australians.

Some of the Australian batsmen have also not been in good nick but as seen in the past the enormity of the occassion bring out the best in them.

It would be interesting to see who opens the innings for the Aussies since they have gone with different combinations in all the matches. The strongly-built Matthew Hayden, who has got some runs under his belt, is likely to open with Simon Katich.

But strangely, the running between the wickets was a problem area for the world champions in the last match against India and captain Ponting is keen to rectify it.

"Losing 5 wickets for 90 runs is not good enough to win big games. We will have to sort out our running between the wickets also," Ponting said.

In the bowling department, the Aussies have the formidable pace duo of Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee which will pose a major threat to the rival batsmen.

Despite returning to international cricket after a fairly long gap, McGrath has shown that he is still accurate and capable of troubling the best of batsmen with his nagging line and length.

The Kinrara track has not been too conducive for strokeplay and judging by the scores of the last few matches, a low scoring contest appears to be on the card.

Teams (from):

Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Hussey, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Michael Clarke, Dan Cullen, Brad Haddin, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hogg, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath, Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson.

West Indies: Brian Lara (captain), Ramnaresh Sarwan, Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Wavell Hinds, Runako Morton, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo, Dwayne Smith, Carlton Baugh, Ian Bradshaw, Jerome Taylor, Fidel Edwards and Corey Collymore. (PTI)

Doda lifts Inter-Distt Kho-Kho Tournament

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 23: Doda District lifted Divisional level Inter-District Kho-Kho Tournament for Boys in the age group of Under-17 years.

In the final, Doda defeated Jammu district by one turn and 14 points. Earlier, in the first semi-final, Doda defeated Udhampur by one turn and seven points. Mohd Rafi, Rajesh Kumar, Sanjeet and Nadeem of Doda played for maximum time in the field.

In the second semi-final, Jammu defeated Rajouri by one point in an exciting match. District Jammu scored seven points in the first turn and four points in the second turn while Rajouri score six points in first and four points in second turn.

For the third place, Rajouri defeated Udhampur by one turn and five points. Gulshan and Kuldeep of Jammu played well.

Before the start of the final match, the teams were introduced with Mohd Din, District Youth Services and Sports Officer Rajouri and Jai Raj, District Youth Services and Sports Officer, Doda.

Divisional Youth Services and Sports Officer Madan Lal was the chief guest on the concluding ceremony and he gave away trophies to the winner and runner-up.

JKCA conducting selection trials for CK Naidu Tourney

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 23: Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association is conducting open trials for selection of J&K team for the CK Naidu Under-22 age group BCCI Tournament.

The selection trials will start at Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium, Srinagar from September 29 to October 8, 2006. The net practice will be conducted under the guidance of Abdul Qayoom Khan, former Ranji player and Mushtaq Ahmed Rather.

Players desirous of participating in these trials are directed to report on September 29 at 2 pm alongwith their original date of birth certificates and four passport size photographs for security, without which no player will be allowed to participate in the trials. All the players are directed to come with their own kit and white uniform.

Only those out station players, who are short listed for final selection after two days of nets will be entitled to TA/DA under rules.

Kashmir Open Golf Championship concludes

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

Srinagar, Sept. 23: Jammu and Kashmir is all set to hold national Level golf tournaments from the next year.

This was disclosed at the prize distribution function of the Kashmir Open Golf Championship-2006 held here today at picturesque Royal Spring Golf Course in the foot hills of Zabarwan hills.

The function was presided over by the Minister for Tourism, Horticulture, Mohammad Dilawar Mir.

Secretary Tourism, Naem Akhtar, Director Tourism, Farooq Ahmad Shah, secretary Kashmir Golf Course, A. Bakshi, front ranking golfers and golf loving youth were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that government would create ample facilities in tourism sector to attract potential foreign and national level tourist to visit Kashmir, known as paradise on earth. He said golf courses provide added attraction to the tourists.

He made a fervent appeal to the media to project Jammu and Kashmir in a positive tone. He said any adverse publicity can cause a big damage to the tourism industry adding that electronic and print media have to be very cautions in reporting Jammu and Kashmir situation. He said situation in the state is for better as compared to other states of the country.

Speaking on the occasion, the Director tourism said that the greens in Gulmarg Golf Course are being re-laid and some fairways and greens being relocated there. He said Pahalgam Golf Course is also being upgraded to 18 hole golf Course.

Earlier, the Minister distributed prizes to the winners of the Kashmir Open golf Championship 2006 in which 110 golfers participated in qualifying round. Of these, 34 golfers qualified for the final, 17 in the Gross category and 17 in the Net Category. In all 48 participants took part in the find gave.

The championship was won by Ghalib Mohi-ud-din Shah and the runner up was Shabir Ahmad Bhat. Dr. Suhail Khanday was declared Net runner up while Altaf Ahnager nearest to pin and Danish Aman as longest drive – a drive of 291 metres.

Football tournament held

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Sept 23: J&K Football Association in collaboration with Iqbal Sports Club Srinagar organised football tournaments at Polo Ground here today. Under 13 and under 15 years teams participated in the tournament.

The under 13 final match was won by Iddgah eleven by defeating Anantnag team. Farman Ali was declared man of the match.

In under15, final match was won by Anantnag team by defeating Srinagar team by two goals. Waqar Ahmad was declared man of the match.

Minister of State for Rural Development Javid Mustafa Mir was the chief guest while Minister of State for School education, Manjit Singh presided.

The Ministers gave away the trophies and prizes to the winning and runner up teams on the occasion.

Dogra Higher Secondary School wins cricket match

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 23: A one day cricket match was organised at Dogra Ground Jammu between Dogra Higher Secondary School Shastri Nagar and MNKG School, Gandhi Nagar.

MNKG School won the toss and scored 36 runs in eight overs. Dogra Higher Secondary School also scored 36 runs and match ended in a draw. Later, four more overs were allotted to both the teams during which MNKG scored 16 runs and Dogra School scored 17 runs thereby winning the match.

Umesh Dhar was adjudged as best bowler and Sahil Gupta as best batsman and man of the match. Amit Tickoo and Abhinash Chib were adjudged as best alrounder and best fielder.

Sunny Nanda, Sports Incharge supervised the match.