Brisbane, Jan 4:
Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer survived a massive scare from Frenchman Jeremy Chardy today to reach the final of the Brisbane International.
Federer was outplayed for large parts of the match but lifted when it mattered to beat the eighth seeded Chardy in three sets 6-3, 6-7 (3/7), 6-3.
The one hour, 55 minute win puts Federer into Sunday’s final against local hero Lleyton Hewitt, who took 35 minutes longer to beat Japan’s second seeded Kei Nishikori 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.
Federer, who at 32 is the same age as Hewitt, admitted he found it difficult to like the Australian at the start of their careers but said they had both mellowed as they grew older and became fathers, and now they sometimes practised together.
“We go back 17 years, our coaches back in the day were best friends,” Federer said.
“It’s amazing we have a chance to play in Australia, our first time in a final here I think.
“I struggled a lot against him in the early stages of my career.”
Federer looked as though he was headed for a straightforward win against Chardy when he broke the Frenchman’s opening service game to jump out to a 2-0 lead.
But Chardy recovered from that setback to work his way into the match and he began to look increasingly comfortable against the 17-time Grand Slam winner.
Federer grabbed the first set after 33 minutes but Chardy’s booming forehand began to hit home and the Frenchman started to dominate.
Chardy raced through the tiebreak to level the match and an upset looked possible against an at-times frustrated Federer. (AGENCIES)
Federer survives scare to reach final
Signing of Indo-US nuke deal worst moment for country: Left
NEW DELHI, Jan 4:
Taking on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for describing the signing of the Indo-US nuclear deal as one of the best moments of his 10-year tenure, CPI(M) today said it was perhaps the “worst” moment for the country.
“As far as the country is concerned, that was perhaps the worst moment. Nothing tangible has been achieved, not a single unit of nuclear power has been added as yet. But as a result of it, India’s foreign policy has been dovetailed to the US,” senior CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury told reporters.
Yechury said, “The victims of this dovetailing has been the India-Iran gas pipeline, deterioration of relations with other developing countries on issues like agriculture and climate change, as these countries feel their interests have been compromised with India becoming a subordinate ally of the US.”
Also, “whatever progressive legislations have been enacted by the UPA — whether it was the RTI or on issues like rights to education and employment or the rights of tribals, were done due to the push by the Left parties,” Yechury said, adding that these measures were adopted and implemented by the UPA-I “however reluctantly or inadequately”.
The Prime Minister had yesterday described the signing of the nuclear deal with the US as one of his best moments in last 10 years of Prime Ministership.
CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy also said Singh’s statements yesterday that the next Prime Minister would be from the UPA was wrong as “neither Narendra Modi’s BJP nor Manmohan’s UPA-III will come to power” in the next elections.
Reddy, while speaking to CPI journals like New Age, said he strongly believed that only a secular democratic alternative that would come to power in 2014 elections.
Congress misrule had messed up the economy with unabated price-rise, unemployment, closure of industries. It has allowed corporate houses to loot the country. Singh’s tenure has been also marked by “political corruption bringing misery to people and the nation.”
“They are worth only to be thrown out. BJP is not only the other side of the coin with same economic policies like Congress, but with the addition of dirty communalism, trying to divide the nation on religious lines and spreading hatred among the people of different religions,” Reddy said.
“By inviting former corrupt Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa back into its fold, BJP has only lost its moral right about fighting against corruption,” he said. (PTI)
AAP to hold rally in Amethi on Jan 12
LUCKNOW, Jan 4: After forming the Government at Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is preparing itself to establish its base in Uttar Pradesh in view of the Lok Sabha elections.
The AAP will hold its first rally at Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s parliamentary constituency, Amethi on January 12, party sources confirmed.
The Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP is expected to announce the name of Kumar Vishwas as the party candidate from Amethi.
The rally, named as ‘Jan Vishwas rally’, is expected to witness a gathering of 50,000 people.
Earlier, the AAP had carried out ‘Jhadu Sandesh Yatra’ in Amethi on December 27.
(UNI)
Humble Shami enjoys being with Ranji team mates
Kolkata, Jan 4:
He might have cemented his place in the India team in less than a year’s time, but Mohammad Shami is not fyling high as the pacer today cherished returning to his roots and bowled to his Bengal teammates, boosting their morale ahead of their Ranji quarters against Railways.
“It feels great to be back with my team after a long time. Obviously, you will miss your home teammates when you play for the country,” Shami, who has played 20 ODIs after making his debut against Pakistan in January last year, said.
“Well, every sportsperson ulimately aspires to play for the country. I’m no different. I’m proud to be a part of the Indian dressing room.”
Shami had a dream Test debut of a 10-wicket match haul against the West Indies in November last year and has not looked back since then.
Flying to New Zealand on January 12, Shami will miss out on Bengal’s knock-out leg beginning with the Railways match at the Eden Gardens from January 8-12 as he wished luck to Laxmi Ratan Shukla and Co.
“My best wishes for Bengal. The fact that they are in the quarters will make them confident. It’s tough but definitely they have it in them to go all the way,” Shami said.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly might have termed Shami as the biggest find of India cricket in 2013 but the pacer wants to focus on his game.
Shami, who returned with nine wickets from three ODIs and six scalps from two Tests in South Africa, hoped to do well in the pace friendly conditions of New Zealand.
“I’ve been to New Zealand before, and the conditions there are not very different from what we saw in South Africa. The only difference will be in the wind, which will be a factor in the Kiwi conditions. I’m preparing myself keeping that in mind,” Shami said.
Shami found a bunny in Hashim Amla, dismissing the South African batting mainstay thrice in three ODIs, and twice in two Test matches and the pacer said he is success rate in the just-concluded tour was 80 per cent.
“I don’t think about the opposition, all are same. I just keep my focus on my bowling. At the same time, you’ve plans up your sleeve to a particular batsman. I’m happy with my performance in South Africa. Overall, I think I was 80 per cent successful.”
Shami further said he was benifitted from seniormost Indian pacer Zaheer Khan’s tips during the Test series.
“There’s always a lot to learn from an experienced bowler like Zaheer bhai (brother). He has pointed out a few things which I will keep in mind.” (PTI)
Back channel talks on: Pak
ISLAMABAD, Jan 4:
Any breakthrough on outstanding issues between India and Pakistan, including Kashmir and Siachen, can be expected only after the Indian elections, Prime Minister’s Advisor on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said today.
Back channel talks are being held on issues like Kashmir‚ Sir Creek and Siachen as it is Pakistan’s “utmost endeavour” to improve relations with India, Aziz told state-run Radio Pakistan.
The composite dialogue is facing delays due to upcoming polls in India but groups handling trade‚ energy and the visa regime are conducting negotiations, he said.
“Back channel talks are continuing with India on the issues of Kashmir‚ Sir Creek and Siachen,” he said.
Pakistan has appointed former Foreign Secretary Shehryar Khan as its point man for back channel talks and his Indian counterpart is former envoy S K Lambah.
Now when India is heading for elections‚ peace on the Line of Control (LoC) and continuation of talks is necessary to avoid any tensions in bilateral relations, he added.
Aziz described the Kashmir dispute as a very important issue whose resolution is imperative for improving Pakistan-India relations.
Several countries had realised the importance of peace between the two sides and “are now evincing interest in the Kashmir dispute”, he claimed.
Aziz further said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had invited his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh to visit Pakistan. “Though there is less possibility of his visit, but if he wishes to visit Islamabad in the next few weeks‚ we will definitely welcome him,” he said.
Singh yesterday expressed hope of visiting Pakistan in the next four months and said circumstances were “not appropriate” for a visit so far.
Pakistan is keen to resume the composite dialogue with India, which was called off after an Indian soldier was decapitated in January last year along the LoC. (PTI)
Australia on brink of Ashes whitewash over England
Sydney, Jan 4:
Australia were closing in on a 5-0 Ashes sweep after demolishing England’s batting and pushing their lead to 311 runs after just two days of the final Sydney Ashes Test today.
The relentless Australians blasted out the hapless tourists for 155 — the fifth time England had been dismissed for less than 200 in the series — and set their sights on batting them out of the game with three days to play.
At second day stumps Australia were 140 for four with Chris Rogers compiling his fourth half-century in five innings on 73 and George Bailey not out 20.
The home side in the process lost the wickets of David Warner (16), Shane Watson (9), skipper Michael Clarke (6) and Steve Smith (7) as England tried to restrict Australia’s mushrooming lead on a flattening Sydney Cricket Ground pitch.
Australia’s pace trio of Ryan Harris, Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle earlier took three wickets apiece as England narrowly avoided the follow-on in response to Australia’s first innings score of 326.
The tourists never recovered from a disastrous morning session when they crashed to 23 for five despite the efforts of young guns Ben Stokes, Gary Ballance and Jonny Bairstow to repel the hostile home attack.
Stokes eked out a dogged 47 off 101 balls after his six-wicket haul in the Australian first innings.
But he showed an error of judgement that cost his wicket when he offered no shot and was bowled off-stump by Siddle just three short of his half-century.
It was Siddle’s second wicket of his 12th over after having wicketkeeper Bairstow caught by Bailey, purposefully positioned at short mid-on, for 18, ending a 49-run stand with Stokes.
Debutant Ballance earlier went in the second over after lunch for 18, caught behind off spinner Nathan Lyon. (AGENCIES)
AAP National Executive meets, first list of LS candidates soon
NEW DELHI, Jan 4: After its success in the Delhi Assembly polls, the AAP National Executive was meeting here today to decide on its strategy for the Lok Sabha elections with a senior leader saying his dream would be to see Arvind Kejriwal as the Prime Minister.
Another AAP leader said the first list of AAP candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections should be out in 10 to 15 days.
Before going into the meeting, AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal said the party is meeting to plan the strategy for Lok Sabha polls and all the issues that are before the party.
However, there will be no discussions with regard to the names of the candidates for the polls, he said.
Speaking to reporters, senior AAP leader Yogendra Yadav said the country must have better options than Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi for the Prime Minister’s post.
Asked if he would like to see Kejriwal as the Prime Minister he said, “We have again and again said that Rahul and Modi’s fight (for the post) is unfortunate. The country must have better options than this.
“But are we in the position to (say that Kejriwal should occupy the post). We will have to discuss hat. My dream is to see Kejriwal as Prime Minister. He is capable of it but in politics one has to see ….Strength and where we stand,” he said.
AAP leader Sanjay Singh said the first list of party candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections should be out in 10 to 15 days.
The 23-member AAP National Executive is meeting at the Constitution Club here to discuss plans and strategies for the general elections. AAP had bagged 28 out of 70 seats in the just-held Delhi assembly elections, riding on its main plank of fighting against corruption and price rise.
Yadav said, “It is the first meeting of the national executive which is our highest decision-making body of the party so the idea would be to review what we did in Delhi and to plan for the Lok Sabha elections, to have a national perspective.
“There are also some organisation matters to be settled,” Yadav said.
AAP has already decided to fight all the seats in Gujarat and will also contest in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
Apart from Delhi, key party functionaries from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Haryana and Tamil Nadu are present at the meeting.
Other than Kejriwal, his ministerial colleague Manish Sisodia and senior party members Yadav, Anjali Damania and Mayank Gandhi are attending the meeting. (PTI)
Three players in joint lead at Gurgaon chess tourney
Gurgaon, Jan 4:
Three players, including top seed Ukrainian Grandmaster Kravtsiv Martyn, were in joint lead after Round 5 of the second Gurgaon International Grandmasters chess tournament, here today.
Playing with black pieces in Ruy Lopez game, Martyn outwitted his Uzbek rival Tillayev Ulugbek in 47 moves while second seed Filipino Grandmaster Oliver Barbosa and Indian hope Sahaj Grover defeated IM Shyam Nikil and S Nitin respectively at the Suncity School.
Playing white side of Modern Benoni game, Sahaj exchanged his rook for minor piece in the middle game to gain advantage in the centre and maintained the positional advantage throughout the game and secured full points after 70 moves.
In surprising results of the day, Women Fide Master Sarvinoz Kurbonboeva got the better of seasoned Grandmaster Marat Dzhumaev of Uzbekistan while Grandmasters John Paul Gomez of Philippines and Eldar Gasanov of Ukraine were forced to split the point against talented Indian youngsters Visakh N R and Sameer Kathmale.
Earlier in the fourth round, International Master S Nitin defeated Georgian Grandmaster Tornike Sanikidze while Anirudha Deshpande shocked Ukrainian Grandmaster Valeriy Neverov.
In the sixth round, top seed Martyn will take on second seed Barbosa while Grover is paired against Russian GM Alexander Evdokimov, who beat Vikramjit Singh in the fifth round. (PTI)
CM calls on Governor
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 4: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today met Governor, N N Vohra at Raj Bhavan.
During their over hour long discussions, the Chief Minister briefed the Governor about various important matters relating to development, security and governance.
The Governor informed the Chief Minister about certain important events relating to the State which may materialize in the next few months.
Bangladesh to remain venue of Asia Cup
Colombo, Jan 4:
The security concerns triggered by political unrest in Bangladesh notwithstanding, the country will remain the host of the Asia Cup next month, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced today.
“There is no change to the venue, it will go ahead as planned in Bangladesh,” Ashraful Haque, the ACC chief executive officer said here today.
The ACC executive committee met here to discuss a possible alternative venue in view of the ongoing political unrest in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka. The Asia Cup is scheduled between February 24 and March 7.
Dhaka, during the recent weeks, has been gripped by political unrest ahead of the January 5 general elections. In December the West Indies under-19 team withdrew from the tour after a bomb explosion in Dhaka.
Haque said ACC has also decided to invite Afghanistan to take part in the Asia cup — their first attempt at a major international competition. They will join India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
The tournament will now feature a total of 11 games with Afghanistan’s entry.
Haque said the ACC had also accepted a bid from STAR India Pvt Ltd for broadcast and ground rights for the Asia Cup.
Commenting on the forthcoming Sri Lanka tour to Bangladesh, Nishantha Ranatunga, the SLC secretary said the tour will go ahead despite security concerns.
“We will ask for security guarantees and will go on the tour. We have to show solidarity with Bangladesh as a country which has experienced similar situations,” Ranatunga said.
“We have to take part in regional tournaments if we are to promote cricket in the region,” he added.
Sri Lanka are to play two Tests and an equal number of Twenty20 internationals in Bangladesh between January 27 and February 14. (PTI)