Paes-Dlouhy enter Rolex Masters quarterfinal

New Delhi, Apr 16 (PTI) Leander Paes and his partner Lukas Dlouhy entered the quarterfinals of the euro 2,750,000 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters in Monaco, defeating unseeded Spaniard duo of Albert Montanes and Tommy Robredo in a match tie-breaker.

The third seed Indo-Czech pair had to stretch themselves to the limit to beat Montanes and Robredo 2-6 7-6(5) 10-8 in the third round.

Paes and Dlouhy will next face seventh seeds Julian Knowle of Austria and Andy Ram of Israel.

Knowle-Ram combination defeated Simon Aspelin of Sweden and South African Wesley Moodie 7-6(3) 6-2 in another third round encounter.
PTI

Sania falters at Venus hurdle in Family Circle Cup

Charleston, Apr 16 (PTI) Sania Mirza put up a spirited challenge against multiple Grand Slam winner and second seed Venus Williams before going down in a tough three-setter in the second round of the USD one million WTA Family Circle Cup here.

The Indian ace, fresh after her doubles title win at a Florida WTA event last week, fought valiantly against Venus but ran out of steam as the world number five American used her experience to pocket the encounter 1-6 6-3 2-6.

The match, however, started on an expected note with Venus coming out all guns blazing against Sania. The American won nine of the first 11 games to race on to a 6-1, 3-1 lead.

Down by a set and break in the second, Sania made a remarkable comeback into the match with the help of her monstrous forehand.

She took seven of the next nine games to win the second set 6-3 and then take a 2-1 in the third.
PTI

Sports Minister flays Dhoni, Harbhajan's casualness

New Delhi, Apr 16 (PTI) Sports Minister MS Gill today flayed the 'casualness' of Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh for skipping the Padma Shri function and said the Ministry would soon issue a circular to ensure that sportspersons treat national awards with utmost respect.

Dhoni and his India teammate Harbhajan were conspicuous by their absence at the Rashtrapati Bhavan ceremony where they were expected to accept the Padma Shri awards from President Pratibha Patil.

Even though reports claimed the duo gave it a miss because of their commercial pre-occupations, Harbhajan cited family commitment as the reason for skipping the event.

The Sports Minister, however, was not convinced and even though he refused to name the duo, Gill said he would not brook such casualness by anyone.

"To be selected for such a national honour and then getting the opportunity of receiving it from the President of India is a rare good fortune and must be treated with greatest respect. I certainly don't approve of any casualness in anyone's approach," Gill told PTI.

And to ensure it does not happen again, the Ministry would issue a new circular soon, he said.
PTI