New Delhi, Feb 19: He doesn’t receive letters written in blood any more, but Sachin Tendulkar says that he does not feel comfortable when a fan touches his feet and tells him he is God.Tendulkar, whose achievements with the bat have won him fans worldwide, says the adulation never ceases to surprise him.“I used to receive letters written in blood...But not any more. It feels strange when a fan comes and touches your feet and says you are God. I don’t feel comfortable with it, but it is the way they feel about you...That happened again just a couple of weeks ago actually,” he says.In a light-hearted interview published in celebrity magazine OK!, Tendulkar spoke about his love for Ferrari cars, his post-retirement plans and how he handles criticism.Tendulkar said retirement thoughts were far away from his mind at the moment but he may start a business when he stops playing competitive cricket.“That’s a big question. I don’t know...I will definitely be involved with the game. When I retire, that is when the doors to other opportunities will open. As of now, other than just promoting various products, I haven’t opened the door to anything else. Maybe I’ll start a business,” he said. “I don’t know when that would be yet, but that will be the time I will focus my energy in different directions. Right now it’s only focussed in one direction—that is cricket,” Tendulkar said. Asked when was the last time he received some constructive criticism, the batting maestro said, “Criticism is hardly ever constructive. I try and stay away from newspapers when I am playing. You get to read so many things that are not constructive, but somehow the guy who is writing it all seems to think that it’s constructive.” Tendulkar said his celebrity status has helped him wriggle out of situations that would be difficult to handle for a commoner.“There’s one time that I remember clearly...We were in Australia playing some exhibition games -- it was around 1994. I was out with two other players and when we got back to the hotel, the rest of the team had already left for the airport. They had packed my bags and gone and there were no mobiles or anything. We had no way of reaching them,” he recalled.“We were to fly from Sydney to Melbourne -- we had no tickets, no passports, nothing. I got to the counter at the airport and explained the situation. The guy at the counter recognised me and he gave us three boarding passes from Sydney to Melbourne...Without passports, without tickets. I felt that I was truly special,” he said. Asked when was the last time he spent an entire day without watching any sport, the 35-year-old batsman replied, “On December 31 last year. I spent time with my family in Mussoorie about 7,000 feet above sea level looking at the snow-capped mountains. It was freezing and we went for a long walk. I was a fantastic feeling. That was the day when I didn’t watch sports at all.” On the one moment he felt proud of, Tendulkar said, “I was truly proud of our performance during the Chennai Test. We won against England on the last day.” Asked about the most recent prank he had played on a teammate, Tendulkar said, “I am always doing that...A while ago, we had gone to a restaurant and we actually fooled Yuvraj Singh. We put wasabi on a toast and told him it was a delicious spread that he must try. He almost ate it. We stopped him at the last minute.”When was the last time he did something which he wished he hadn’t? “Probably the last innings I batted in Mohali. I felt that I shouldn’t have played that shot. I got out on it. (Smiles) That’s what I feel every time I get out,” he quipped. (PTI)
Friday, February 20, 2009
I don’t feel comfortable fans touching feet: Sachin
Windies heroes Powell, Sarwan hail drawn Test
ST JOHN'S: Two key players who helped West Indies draw the third Test against England on Thursday felt it was one of the team's finest performance in recent memory.
Ramnaresh Sarwan, who led the West Indies batting with his 13th Test hundred, a defiant 106, described the Test as "one of the best he has ever played in".
And Daren Powell, who batted agonisingly for 10 overs in a last wicket stand with Fidel Edwards to formalise the result, felt the entire match was a "test of character" for the home team.
Sarwan felt the draw justified the emotional roller-coaster on which the team been put through over the past week, following the aborted second Test at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.
"We knew we were up against it from the very first day when England got away to a pretty good start," he said.
"We knew how important it was to bat and occupy the crease. For me to bat and occupy the crease, and get a century was very pleasing.
"This Test match was up there for me. . . It is something that I will hold very dear to me the way we fought back."
"With two Test matches left, and the position in which we were, I know many people thought we would have lost it. But for us, this result is a victory."
Powell said the rest of the team felt that they could not let down Sarwan and compatriot Shivnarine Chanderpaul, after they shared 148 for the fourth wicket to put West Indies in a position to draw the match.
"When we saw the way Sars and Shiv batted in the second innings, there was total consensus from everybody else in our team that everyone that came behind them had to make sure we did not let them down," he said.
"Sarwan played a brilliant innings, and for us to back it up, we needed to draw this Test match."
He added: "We won the Test in Jamaica with a day to spare. We did not expect it, but we did, and coming into this game, Tuesday was the only day we had practice. After that it was total chaos.
"But we came to the Antigua Recreation Ground for this Test, and we toiled away. . .But this result has proven to us that if we go out there and fight every day, we can do the job."
Sarwan hoped West Indies can avoid a similar situation in the fourth Test at Kensington Oval in Barbados, starting next Thursday, and can put themselves in a formidable position to win the match from early.
"It is important that we get ourselves mentally ready and physically too, because I think this game took a lot out of us," he said.
"The good thing is that we have a couple days to rest and to regroup, and get ourselves ready for Barbados.
"It is important that we do not find ourselves in this situation again or else it might be difficult to get out of it again, so it is important that we go into that Test and try to hold the upper hand from early."
Before the series, Powell predicted that West Indies would win 3-0, and he feels this is still possible.
Soruce:http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Windies-heroes-Powell-Sarwan-hail-drawn-Test/articleshow/4161070.cms
Ramnaresh Sarwan, who led the West Indies batting with his 13th Test hundred, a defiant 106, described the Test as "one of the best he has ever played in".
And Daren Powell, who batted agonisingly for 10 overs in a last wicket stand with Fidel Edwards to formalise the result, felt the entire match was a "test of character" for the home team.
Sarwan felt the draw justified the emotional roller-coaster on which the team been put through over the past week, following the aborted second Test at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.
"We knew we were up against it from the very first day when England got away to a pretty good start," he said.
"We knew how important it was to bat and occupy the crease. For me to bat and occupy the crease, and get a century was very pleasing.
"This Test match was up there for me. . . It is something that I will hold very dear to me the way we fought back."
"With two Test matches left, and the position in which we were, I know many people thought we would have lost it. But for us, this result is a victory."
Powell said the rest of the team felt that they could not let down Sarwan and compatriot Shivnarine Chanderpaul, after they shared 148 for the fourth wicket to put West Indies in a position to draw the match.
"When we saw the way Sars and Shiv batted in the second innings, there was total consensus from everybody else in our team that everyone that came behind them had to make sure we did not let them down," he said.
"Sarwan played a brilliant innings, and for us to back it up, we needed to draw this Test match."
He added: "We won the Test in Jamaica with a day to spare. We did not expect it, but we did, and coming into this game, Tuesday was the only day we had practice. After that it was total chaos.
"But we came to the Antigua Recreation Ground for this Test, and we toiled away. . .But this result has proven to us that if we go out there and fight every day, we can do the job."
Sarwan hoped West Indies can avoid a similar situation in the fourth Test at Kensington Oval in Barbados, starting next Thursday, and can put themselves in a formidable position to win the match from early.
"It is important that we get ourselves mentally ready and physically too, because I think this game took a lot out of us," he said.
"The good thing is that we have a couple days to rest and to regroup, and get ourselves ready for Barbados.
"It is important that we do not find ourselves in this situation again or else it might be difficult to get out of it again, so it is important that we go into that Test and try to hold the upper hand from early."
Before the series, Powell predicted that West Indies would win 3-0, and he feels this is still possible.
Soruce:http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Windies-heroes-Powell-Sarwan-hail-drawn-Test/articleshow/4161070.cms
Indians greeted by rain on arrival in New Zealand
CHRISTCHURCH: A strenuous journey, prolonged by transit layovers at Hong Kong and Auckland, was followed by baggage-collecting hassles and rain as the Indian team arrived for the cricket series against New Zealand starting on February 25.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men struggled to collect their suitcases and cricket kits at the Auckland airport after enduring a 10-hour flight from Hong Kong.
They waited for another three hours at Auckland before boarding a flight for here, making it a bone-weary 27-hour trip from Mumbai.
Missing a luggage-handler, the players were left to carry their suitcases themselves.
"I know the players' problem. It needs to be addressed. Hosts countries have often said that they can't appoint such people because of security problems. But I will write to them and convince them to do something about this," said team administrative manager Niranjan Shah, a former BCCI secretary.
"Why should there be discrimination? When foreign teams come to India, we have people carrying their luggage. But when we travel, we have to do it ourselves," fumed a senior player.
"If this continues to happen, they should get us accustomed to carry our luggage in Indian cities as well," he added.
Recalling his bitter experience during a 1996 tour of Holland, where the team had gone to promote cricket, the player said, "We had gone there to promote the game. But there was nobody to receive us at the airport. We had to arrange for transport. Getting the baggage into the bus was a Herculean task."
Source:http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Indians-greeted-by-rain-on-arrival-in-New-Zealand/articleshow/4159555.cms
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men struggled to collect their suitcases and cricket kits at the Auckland airport after enduring a 10-hour flight from Hong Kong.
They waited for another three hours at Auckland before boarding a flight for here, making it a bone-weary 27-hour trip from Mumbai.
Missing a luggage-handler, the players were left to carry their suitcases themselves.
"I know the players' problem. It needs to be addressed. Hosts countries have often said that they can't appoint such people because of security problems. But I will write to them and convince them to do something about this," said team administrative manager Niranjan Shah, a former BCCI secretary.
"Why should there be discrimination? When foreign teams come to India, we have people carrying their luggage. But when we travel, we have to do it ourselves," fumed a senior player.
"If this continues to happen, they should get us accustomed to carry our luggage in Indian cities as well," he added.
Recalling his bitter experience during a 1996 tour of Holland, where the team had gone to promote cricket, the player said, "We had gone there to promote the game. But there was nobody to receive us at the airport. We had to arrange for transport. Getting the baggage into the bus was a Herculean task."
Source:http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Indians-greeted-by-rain-on-arrival-in-New-Zealand/articleshow/4159555.cms
No sponsors pull out from IPL : Lalit Modi
MUMBAI: Debunking reports that some sponsors and partners were thinking of pulling out of the high-profile Indian Premier League, its chairman Lalit Modi on Friday said not only all of them were firmly on board but a lot of others were waiting to jump on to the Twenty20 bandwagon.
"I want to make it amply clear that all our sponsors and partners are still on board. They have all paid as per the schedule. In fact, a lot of other sponsors have approached us and are willing to pay more than our existing ones," Modi said at a hastily arranged media conference.
Modi also hailed the decision of the Supreme Court on Friday to reschedule the elections for the faction-ridden Rajasthan Cricket Association, headed by him, from February 22 to March one under the unamended constitution as a vindication of his stand.
The Apex Court said that the elections will be held under the unamended constitution of RCA as per its directions given on February 11, 2005.
Reacting to this development, Modi said, "My stand gets vindicated. All the illegalities done by the other group by changing the constitution have been set aside by the Supreme Court. I'm extremely happy."
Modi said that the resignation of Kunal Dasgupta as the CEO of Sony Corporation, IPL's broadcast partner, will not in any manner affect the conduct of the Twenty20 event scheduled in April-May.
"It's an internal matter of Sony Corporation. He (Kunal Dasgupta) is a personal friend of mine. He was deeply involved in developing the IPL concept. But the organisation, whether it's Sony or IPL, is bigger than any individual. There's no question of Sony pulling out," said Modi, who is also BCCI vice-president.
He also rubbished reports that title sponsors DLF have paid and will pay only 50 per cent of what they had agreed upon in a five-year deal worth Rs 200 crore.
"All these are mere speculations and none of our sponsors want to leave us. All of them have also paid us what they have to pay so far. We have had offers from many more at multiple prices for some of the properties," Modi added.
Soruce:http://ipl.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/No_sponsors_pull_out_from_IPL__Lalit_Modi/articleshow/4161353.cms
"I want to make it amply clear that all our sponsors and partners are still on board. They have all paid as per the schedule. In fact, a lot of other sponsors have approached us and are willing to pay more than our existing ones," Modi said at a hastily arranged media conference.
Modi also hailed the decision of the Supreme Court on Friday to reschedule the elections for the faction-ridden Rajasthan Cricket Association, headed by him, from February 22 to March one under the unamended constitution as a vindication of his stand.
The Apex Court said that the elections will be held under the unamended constitution of RCA as per its directions given on February 11, 2005.
Reacting to this development, Modi said, "My stand gets vindicated. All the illegalities done by the other group by changing the constitution have been set aside by the Supreme Court. I'm extremely happy."
Modi said that the resignation of Kunal Dasgupta as the CEO of Sony Corporation, IPL's broadcast partner, will not in any manner affect the conduct of the Twenty20 event scheduled in April-May.
"It's an internal matter of Sony Corporation. He (Kunal Dasgupta) is a personal friend of mine. He was deeply involved in developing the IPL concept. But the organisation, whether it's Sony or IPL, is bigger than any individual. There's no question of Sony pulling out," said Modi, who is also BCCI vice-president.
He also rubbished reports that title sponsors DLF have paid and will pay only 50 per cent of what they had agreed upon in a five-year deal worth Rs 200 crore.
"All these are mere speculations and none of our sponsors want to leave us. All of them have also paid us what they have to pay so far. We have had offers from many more at multiple prices for some of the properties," Modi added.
Soruce:http://ipl.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/No_sponsors_pull_out_from_IPL__Lalit_Modi/articleshow/4161353.cms
UAE confirms Israel's Ram given visa to play in Dubai
DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will allow Israel's Andy Ram to play in the men's Dubai Championships next week, the state news agency WAM said on Thursday.
A UAE foreign ministry official was quoted as saying that the doubles specialist would be given "special permission" to take part.
"This does not politically imply any form of normalisation with countries with which the UAE has no diplomatic relations," the official said.
Top Israeli player Shahar Peer had to forfeit her place in the women's tournament in Dubai this week after the UAE blocked her visa application.
Tournament officials defended the stance, saying local fans would have boycotted the event if an Israeli was allowed to compete and that Peer's safety could also have been compromised.
The UAE, like most Arab countries, has no diplomatic ties with Israel and routinely denies entry to Israelis.
Tensions have been heightened after the three-week Israeli offensive against the Gaza Strip, which killed 1,300 Palestinians and 14 Israelis. Although the conflict ended in January it caused deep anger around the Arab and Muslim worlds.
The refusal to issue a visa to Peer violated WTA Tour rules, which state any player should be able to compete where she wishes if she has the required ranking.
After players, officials, Jewish leaders and even some sponsors condemned the UAE for excluding Peer, pressure mounted on the men's ATP tournament to be cancelled if Ram was also denied entry.
If the ban on Israelis had persisted, tennis governing bodies warned future tournaments in Dubai could be scrapped.
"I am pleased that the efforts to secure Andy Ram's visa to compete in Dubai next week have been successful," ATP chief Adam Helfant said in a statement.
"The UAE government has made the right decision.
"No player, who qualifies to play an ATP World Tour event, should be denied their right to compete on the basis of ethnicity, nationality or religion and we are happy that the Dubai Tennis Championships and the UAE have shown that they share that view."
Before Ram's entry was confirmed, Women's Tennis Association chief Larry Scott said: "I would be very pleased if as a result of this awful situation some good could possibly come out of it, where there is a revision to the decision of their (UAE's) policy.
"I've always believed sport should be separate from politics and political intervention.
"If that (Ram getting a visa) winds up being the outcome, that would be a very positive thing."
Soruce:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Israels-Ram-given-visa-to-play-in-Dubai/articleshow/4156741.cms
A UAE foreign ministry official was quoted as saying that the doubles specialist would be given "special permission" to take part.
"This does not politically imply any form of normalisation with countries with which the UAE has no diplomatic relations," the official said.
Top Israeli player Shahar Peer had to forfeit her place in the women's tournament in Dubai this week after the UAE blocked her visa application.
Tournament officials defended the stance, saying local fans would have boycotted the event if an Israeli was allowed to compete and that Peer's safety could also have been compromised.
The UAE, like most Arab countries, has no diplomatic ties with Israel and routinely denies entry to Israelis.
Tensions have been heightened after the three-week Israeli offensive against the Gaza Strip, which killed 1,300 Palestinians and 14 Israelis. Although the conflict ended in January it caused deep anger around the Arab and Muslim worlds.
The refusal to issue a visa to Peer violated WTA Tour rules, which state any player should be able to compete where she wishes if she has the required ranking.
After players, officials, Jewish leaders and even some sponsors condemned the UAE for excluding Peer, pressure mounted on the men's ATP tournament to be cancelled if Ram was also denied entry.
If the ban on Israelis had persisted, tennis governing bodies warned future tournaments in Dubai could be scrapped.
"I am pleased that the efforts to secure Andy Ram's visa to compete in Dubai next week have been successful," ATP chief Adam Helfant said in a statement.
"The UAE government has made the right decision.
"No player, who qualifies to play an ATP World Tour event, should be denied their right to compete on the basis of ethnicity, nationality or religion and we are happy that the Dubai Tennis Championships and the UAE have shown that they share that view."
Before Ram's entry was confirmed, Women's Tennis Association chief Larry Scott said: "I would be very pleased if as a result of this awful situation some good could possibly come out of it, where there is a revision to the decision of their (UAE's) policy.
"I've always believed sport should be separate from politics and political intervention.
"If that (Ram getting a visa) winds up being the outcome, that would be a very positive thing."
Soruce:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Israels-Ram-given-visa-to-play-in-Dubai/articleshow/4156741.cms
Indian hockey team lose both matches to Australian development squad
BRISBANE: The Indian hockey team suffered their second straight defeat at the hands of the Australian Development squad when they were beaten 2-5 at the State Hockey Centre on Wednesday.
The Aussies scored through Hotchkis Daniel (14th), Geoffrey Cock (18th), Liam de Young (21st), Jason Wilson (53rd) and Mark Patterson (61st min).
Shivendra Singh (10th) and Sandeep Singh (46th min) found the mark for India.
The Australian Development squad is coached by Ric Charlesworth, who had a bitter relationship with the Indian hockey team as its consultant.
India won their first two matches against Australian state teams. They lost 3-5 to the Australian Development squad Tuesday, before going down 2-5 Wednesday.
India's coach in-charge Harendra Singh was disappointed with the team's overall performance and said the defence needed to be bolstered.
India trailed 1-3 at half time. India shot into the lead when Shivendra deflected home from Sandeep Singh's shot past goalkeeper George Bazeley.
Australia equalised four minutes later in identical fashion as Daniel put it past Baljit Singh after being set up by medio Jonathan Charlesworth.
Cock got the lead for the hosts after a goalmouth skirmish. The Aussies further consolidated their position when captain Liam de Young struck to put them 3-1 up.
After the break, Sandeep Singh reduced the margin from a penalty corner conversion.
However Australia came back strongly as they scored twice with Wilson and Patterson shooting past substitute custodian Adrian D'Souza.
India will fly to New Zealand on Thursday where they will play a four Test series against the Kiwis at Wellington and Auckland starting Saturday.
Soruce:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Indian-lose-both-matches-to-Australian-development-squad/articleshow/4151203.cms
The Aussies scored through Hotchkis Daniel (14th), Geoffrey Cock (18th), Liam de Young (21st), Jason Wilson (53rd) and Mark Patterson (61st min).
Shivendra Singh (10th) and Sandeep Singh (46th min) found the mark for India.
The Australian Development squad is coached by Ric Charlesworth, who had a bitter relationship with the Indian hockey team as its consultant.
India won their first two matches against Australian state teams. They lost 3-5 to the Australian Development squad Tuesday, before going down 2-5 Wednesday.
India's coach in-charge Harendra Singh was disappointed with the team's overall performance and said the defence needed to be bolstered.
India trailed 1-3 at half time. India shot into the lead when Shivendra deflected home from Sandeep Singh's shot past goalkeeper George Bazeley.
Australia equalised four minutes later in identical fashion as Daniel put it past Baljit Singh after being set up by medio Jonathan Charlesworth.
Cock got the lead for the hosts after a goalmouth skirmish. The Aussies further consolidated their position when captain Liam de Young struck to put them 3-1 up.
After the break, Sandeep Singh reduced the margin from a penalty corner conversion.
However Australia came back strongly as they scored twice with Wilson and Patterson shooting past substitute custodian Adrian D'Souza.
India will fly to New Zealand on Thursday where they will play a four Test series against the Kiwis at Wellington and Auckland starting Saturday.
Soruce:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Indian-lose-both-matches-to-Australian-development-squad/articleshow/4151203.cms
Williams sisters set up semi-final clash
DUBAI: The Williams sisters earned the right to play each other for the 19th time when both won their quarter-finals in straight sets against illustr ious opponents in the two million-dollar Dubai Open.
Serena Williams, the top seeded US and Australian Open champion, made a storming recovery from 2-4 down in the second set to beat Ana Ivanovic, the French Open champion, 6-4, 6-4 in a match in which it was a surprise that one of them did not puncture a ball.
Venus Williams, the sixth-seeded Wimbledon champion, won 6-3, 6-3 against Elena Dementieva, the Olympic champion, making a breakaway start and only losing the momentum for one brief moment in the second set.
Their head-to-head stands at nine wins each, with Venus having won their last encounter, on a similar surface in Doha in November, before going to win the WTA Championships, the tour's year-end event.
That may have made more of a mark on Serena's memory, for she was more upset than usual after that loss, and alluded to it when asked to talk about their upcoming meeting.
"She killed me last time," Serena said. "Hopefully I will be able to do better this time."
Her racquet certainly did plenty of talking against Ivanovic. She broke the Serbian's serve at once, and though she lost the advantage, she was punishing many of the second deliveries and it was no surprise when she broke again for 4-3, with the help of one return of serve which may have burnt the court.
Ivanovic was just as forceful and launched into some tremendous attacks which carried her to a 3-0 and got the crowd roaring in support of her.
"I like people coming at me. And next time I play her I will know what to expect more," said Serena, referring to the fact that they had only played once before. "But I was only down one break and I knew what to do."
When Ivanovic lost her advantage, she lost it disastrously, delivering two double faults in a row to drop service in the seventh game, though much of that may have been due to the consistent pressure Serena applied to anything short, telegraphed, or lacking penetration.
Ivanovic lost her next service game too, this time from 40-15 up, though this had much more to do with the quality of Serena's returns than any Ivanovic failings.
Serena closed it out with a flourish and indicated her pleasure at playing Venus again. Venus' performance in beating Dementieva however was impressive too.
She broke at once, raced to a 3-0 lead, and nearly made it two breaks before consolidating so well that she lost only three points on her serve all set.
Venus was not only serving solidly, she was striking the ball cleanly too, though there was a brief crisis in the middle of the second set when Venus saved a break point at 30-40 in the sixth game, coming to the net and putting a backhand volley away.
That turned the match. She broke at once for 4-3, with the help of two Dementieva double faults and having taken it to 5-3, broke Dementieva again to leave the Olympic champion looking deflated.
"She's been playing great tennis this year," Venus said of Dementieva. "She's a great player. So to come and control the match like that - that's how I always wish to play."
She had one other wish too. "I hope I play Serena," she said. That came true as well."
Virginie Razzano, the world number 58 from Nimes, scored her second win of the week over a top ten player to reach the biggest semi-final of her career, winning 7-6 (9/7), 7-5 against Vera Zvonareva, the world number five from Russia.
Razzano next plays Kaia Kanepi, who beat Russia's Elena Vesnina, 6-3, 7-5 in the other quarter-final.
Soruce:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Williams-sisters-set-up-semi-final-clash/articleshow/4157835.cms
Serena Williams, the top seeded US and Australian Open champion, made a storming recovery from 2-4 down in the second set to beat Ana Ivanovic, the French Open champion, 6-4, 6-4 in a match in which it was a surprise that one of them did not puncture a ball.
Venus Williams, the sixth-seeded Wimbledon champion, won 6-3, 6-3 against Elena Dementieva, the Olympic champion, making a breakaway start and only losing the momentum for one brief moment in the second set.
Their head-to-head stands at nine wins each, with Venus having won their last encounter, on a similar surface in Doha in November, before going to win the WTA Championships, the tour's year-end event.
That may have made more of a mark on Serena's memory, for she was more upset than usual after that loss, and alluded to it when asked to talk about their upcoming meeting.
"She killed me last time," Serena said. "Hopefully I will be able to do better this time."
Her racquet certainly did plenty of talking against Ivanovic. She broke the Serbian's serve at once, and though she lost the advantage, she was punishing many of the second deliveries and it was no surprise when she broke again for 4-3, with the help of one return of serve which may have burnt the court.
Ivanovic was just as forceful and launched into some tremendous attacks which carried her to a 3-0 and got the crowd roaring in support of her.
"I like people coming at me. And next time I play her I will know what to expect more," said Serena, referring to the fact that they had only played once before. "But I was only down one break and I knew what to do."
When Ivanovic lost her advantage, she lost it disastrously, delivering two double faults in a row to drop service in the seventh game, though much of that may have been due to the consistent pressure Serena applied to anything short, telegraphed, or lacking penetration.
Ivanovic lost her next service game too, this time from 40-15 up, though this had much more to do with the quality of Serena's returns than any Ivanovic failings.
Serena closed it out with a flourish and indicated her pleasure at playing Venus again. Venus' performance in beating Dementieva however was impressive too.
She broke at once, raced to a 3-0 lead, and nearly made it two breaks before consolidating so well that she lost only three points on her serve all set.
Venus was not only serving solidly, she was striking the ball cleanly too, though there was a brief crisis in the middle of the second set when Venus saved a break point at 30-40 in the sixth game, coming to the net and putting a backhand volley away.
That turned the match. She broke at once for 4-3, with the help of two Dementieva double faults and having taken it to 5-3, broke Dementieva again to leave the Olympic champion looking deflated.
"She's been playing great tennis this year," Venus said of Dementieva. "She's a great player. So to come and control the match like that - that's how I always wish to play."
She had one other wish too. "I hope I play Serena," she said. That came true as well."
Virginie Razzano, the world number 58 from Nimes, scored her second win of the week over a top ten player to reach the biggest semi-final of her career, winning 7-6 (9/7), 7-5 against Vera Zvonareva, the world number five from Russia.
Razzano next plays Kaia Kanepi, who beat Russia's Elena Vesnina, 6-3, 7-5 in the other quarter-final.
Soruce:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Williams-sisters-set-up-semi-final-clash/articleshow/4157835.cms
Woods to make his return at Arizona match play event
LOS ANGELES: Fourteen-time major winner Tiger Woods will mark his return to the PGA Tour with an appearance at the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship next week in Arizona.
"Elin and our new son Charlie are doing great," Woods said as he made the announcement. "I've enjoyed my time at home with the family and appreciate everyone's support and kind wishes. I'm now ready to play again."
The tournament will be Woods' first event since winning the US Open last June at Torrey Pines. Woods made the announcement on his website.
Less than two weeks after his US Open triumph Woods underwent season-ending surgery to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Woods also had stress fractures in his left tibia, injuries that affected him during his gritty Open win.
The timing for Woods' return was affected by several factors and not just the rehab on his knee. Woods' wife Elin just gave birth to their second child Charlie Axel on February 8.
"We received confirmation today that Tiger Woods has committed to play in next week's Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson, Ariz." PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem said Thursday. "We are delighted that Tiger is returning to competition and look forward to watching him compete next week."
Woods has won the Accenture Match Play Championship three times, including last year when he beat Stewart Cink 8 and 7 in the 36-hole championship match. Of his nine starts at the Accenture Match Play Championship, he has seven top 10s.
Woods will be included in the 64-player field which begins play February 25 at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club course in Marana, Arizona.
Soruce:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Tiger-Woods-to-make-his-return-in-Arizona/articleshow/4158033.cms
"Elin and our new son Charlie are doing great," Woods said as he made the announcement. "I've enjoyed my time at home with the family and appreciate everyone's support and kind wishes. I'm now ready to play again."
The tournament will be Woods' first event since winning the US Open last June at Torrey Pines. Woods made the announcement on his website.
Less than two weeks after his US Open triumph Woods underwent season-ending surgery to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Woods also had stress fractures in his left tibia, injuries that affected him during his gritty Open win.
The timing for Woods' return was affected by several factors and not just the rehab on his knee. Woods' wife Elin just gave birth to their second child Charlie Axel on February 8.
"We received confirmation today that Tiger Woods has committed to play in next week's Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson, Ariz." PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem said Thursday. "We are delighted that Tiger is returning to competition and look forward to watching him compete next week."
Woods has won the Accenture Match Play Championship three times, including last year when he beat Stewart Cink 8 and 7 in the 36-hole championship match. Of his nine starts at the Accenture Match Play Championship, he has seven top 10s.
Woods will be included in the 64-player field which begins play February 25 at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club course in Marana, Arizona.
Soruce:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Tiger-Woods-to-make-his-return-in-Arizona/articleshow/4158033.cms
Djokovic into Marseille last eight
MARSEILLE (France): World number three Novak Djokovic eased into the quarter-finals of the Marseille ATP indoor tournament as the Serbian continued his rehabilitation from his Australian Open nightmare.
Djokovic saw off Czech journeyman Jan Hernych 7-5, 6-4 on Thursday and will tackle Germany's Mischa Zverev for a place in the semi-finals.
Top seed Djokovic is playing in his first tournament since retiring from his Australian Open quarter-final clash against Andy Roddick last month where heat exhaustion scupper his title defence.
"It was a strange match with a lot of ups and downs regarding my game," admitted Djokovic.
"I was a break up in both of the sets so I should have finished the job earlier. But I'm happy to get through in straight sets."
The 21-year-old Djokovic is through to the Marseille quarter-finals for the first time in three visits.
Looking ahead to a quarter-final clash with Zverev, Djokovic said: "He has a lot of touch and great talent. He doesn't really have a powerful stroke but he's very solid from both sides so it's a tough one."
Also into the last eight is France's Julien Benneteau who enjoyed a 6-1, 2-6, 6-1 win over Switzerland's George Bastl, the world 227.
Soruce:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Djokovic-into-Marseille-last-eight/articleshow/4158501.cms
Djokovic saw off Czech journeyman Jan Hernych 7-5, 6-4 on Thursday and will tackle Germany's Mischa Zverev for a place in the semi-finals.
Top seed Djokovic is playing in his first tournament since retiring from his Australian Open quarter-final clash against Andy Roddick last month where heat exhaustion scupper his title defence.
"It was a strange match with a lot of ups and downs regarding my game," admitted Djokovic.
"I was a break up in both of the sets so I should have finished the job earlier. But I'm happy to get through in straight sets."
The 21-year-old Djokovic is through to the Marseille quarter-finals for the first time in three visits.
Looking ahead to a quarter-final clash with Zverev, Djokovic said: "He has a lot of touch and great talent. He doesn't really have a powerful stroke but he's very solid from both sides so it's a tough one."
Also into the last eight is France's Julien Benneteau who enjoyed a 6-1, 2-6, 6-1 win over Switzerland's George Bastl, the world 227.
Soruce:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Djokovic-into-Marseille-last-eight/articleshow/4158501.cms
Carrying tri-colour in rucksack not enough: Gill
NEW DELHI: Merely carrying the tri-colour in rucksack won't do, asserted Sports Minister MS Gill on Saturday while reiterating that only Indian passport holders would be allowed to represent the country in international events.
"It's no use if you carry the Indian flag in your rucksack. All you need to represent the country is an Indian passport in your hand and no other," Gill said.
"Only Indian passport holders would play for the country and India doesn't allow a second passport. So, if a player doesn't have an Indian passport, he or she cannot play for the country," the Minister added.
The Sports Ministry recently came out with the new policy that slams the door on the tennis trio of Prakash Amritraj, Shikha Uberoi and Sunitha Rao - all US citizens - and Gill said it is perfectly in accordance with the International Tennis Federation rules.
"I want the country to know that this is not a new policy made by the government. This is only a correct and honest application of the law. We have checked the ITF regulations and only then laid down the same here, which was not being followed earlier. I think the new policy is going to benefit the youth of the country," Gill said.
With Amritraj rendered ineligible to play for the country, Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna will spearhead India's challenge in singles against Chinese Taipei in their Asia-Oceania Group I tie next month, while old hands Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi would team up in doubles.
Gill said the country needed to find Paes and Bhupathi's successors and hoped the next generation players would be able to fill the gap when the veteran duo retires.
"Both Paes and Bhupathi are great players who served the country with distinction. The time is ripe to find players who can succeed them. I'm happy the way Devvarman came up and (Junior Australian Open champion) Yuki (Bhambri) emerged. Now they have added Sanam Singh to the Davis Cup squad as well," he said.
"Today I had a talk with (former Davis Cup captain) Jaideeep Mukherjea who is training 15 kids in Florida with the money we provided for 2010 Commonwealth Games preparation. I'm confident some of them would emerge as quality players," he said.
With Sunitha and Shikha rendered ineligible to represent the country and Sania Mirza skipping the Asia/Oceania Group I Fed Cup match citing an abdominal injury, the Indian eves lost all three round-robin matches in Perth, Australia.
"I noticed Sania did not play in the Fed Cup. Whatever the results, I'm happy that new girls got a chance," he said.
Source:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Carrying-tri-colour-is-not-enough-Gill/articleshow/4160166.cms
"It's no use if you carry the Indian flag in your rucksack. All you need to represent the country is an Indian passport in your hand and no other," Gill said.
"Only Indian passport holders would play for the country and India doesn't allow a second passport. So, if a player doesn't have an Indian passport, he or she cannot play for the country," the Minister added.
The Sports Ministry recently came out with the new policy that slams the door on the tennis trio of Prakash Amritraj, Shikha Uberoi and Sunitha Rao - all US citizens - and Gill said it is perfectly in accordance with the International Tennis Federation rules.
"I want the country to know that this is not a new policy made by the government. This is only a correct and honest application of the law. We have checked the ITF regulations and only then laid down the same here, which was not being followed earlier. I think the new policy is going to benefit the youth of the country," Gill said.
With Amritraj rendered ineligible to play for the country, Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna will spearhead India's challenge in singles against Chinese Taipei in their Asia-Oceania Group I tie next month, while old hands Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi would team up in doubles.
Gill said the country needed to find Paes and Bhupathi's successors and hoped the next generation players would be able to fill the gap when the veteran duo retires.
"Both Paes and Bhupathi are great players who served the country with distinction. The time is ripe to find players who can succeed them. I'm happy the way Devvarman came up and (Junior Australian Open champion) Yuki (Bhambri) emerged. Now they have added Sanam Singh to the Davis Cup squad as well," he said.
"Today I had a talk with (former Davis Cup captain) Jaideeep Mukherjea who is training 15 kids in Florida with the money we provided for 2010 Commonwealth Games preparation. I'm confident some of them would emerge as quality players," he said.
With Sunitha and Shikha rendered ineligible to represent the country and Sania Mirza skipping the Asia/Oceania Group I Fed Cup match citing an abdominal injury, the Indian eves lost all three round-robin matches in Perth, Australia.
"I noticed Sania did not play in the Fed Cup. Whatever the results, I'm happy that new girls got a chance," he said.
Source:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Carrying-tri-colour-is-not-enough-Gill/articleshow/4160166.cms
2010 World Cup tickets on sale
JOHANNESBURG: Tickets have gone on sale for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Organizers hope the global recession will not dampen sales and that the event will be accessible to as many fans as possible.
The launch of the first ticket sales began Friday at 1000 GMT. FIFA has set aside cheaper tickets, with 15 per cent of the 3 million tickets to be priced at US$20 - well below the top ticket of US$900.
The low-priced tickets will be available only to those living in South Africa, a nation with high unemployment and poverty.
Tickets will be sold in several phases and are available at www.FIFA.com. A random draw will be held on April 15 at the end of the first phase.
Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/2010-World-Cup-tickets-on-sale/articleshow/4161280.cms
The launch of the first ticket sales began Friday at 1000 GMT. FIFA has set aside cheaper tickets, with 15 per cent of the 3 million tickets to be priced at US$20 - well below the top ticket of US$900.
The low-priced tickets will be available only to those living in South Africa, a nation with high unemployment and poverty.
Tickets will be sold in several phases and are available at www.FIFA.com. A random draw will be held on April 15 at the end of the first phase.
Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/2010-World-Cup-tickets-on-sale/articleshow/4161280.cms
2010 World Cup tickets on sale
JOHANNESBURG: Tickets have gone on sale for the 2010 World Cup in South
Africa. Organizers hope the global recession will not dampen sales and that the
event will be accessible to as many fans as possible.
The launch of the
first ticket sales began Friday at 1000 GMT. FIFA has set aside cheaper tickets,
with 15 per cent of the 3 million tickets to be priced at US$20 - well below the
top ticket of US$900.
The low-priced tickets will be available only to
those living in South Africa, a nation with high unemployment and poverty.
Tickets will be sold in several phases and are available at
www.FIFA.com. A random draw will be held on April 15 at the end of the first
phase.
Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/2010-World-Cup-tickets-on-sale/articleshow/4161280.cms
Schedule Cricket Match in February 2009
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Source:http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/calendar/1965227.cms
Schedule Cricket Match in March 2009
| March 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source:http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/calendar/1922194.cms?calmonth=3&calprevyear=0
Thursday, February 19, 2009
India lose to Oz Development team
Brisbane, Feb 18: India suffered the first defeat of their Australia-New Zealand tour when they were beaten 3-5 by the Australian Development squad at the State Hockey Centre, here late last night.
The hosts, who led 3-1 at the half time, profited due to a lacklustre Indian showing both in attack and defence.
The Aussies scored through Jason Wilson (10th min), Nick Budgeon (22nd min), Joel Carrol (27th min), Liam de Young (52nd min) and Mark Patterson (66th min).
The Indian marksmen were Sandeep Singh (16th), VR Raghunath (37th) and Tushar Khandker (64th min). PTI
The hosts, who led 3-1 at the half time, profited due to a lacklustre Indian showing both in attack and defence.
The Aussies scored through Jason Wilson (10th min), Nick Budgeon (22nd min), Joel Carrol (27th min), Liam de Young (52nd min) and Mark Patterson (66th min).
The Indian marksmen were Sandeep Singh (16th), VR Raghunath (37th) and Tushar Khandker (64th min). PTI
GTC in semifinal of Bud Cricket
By our Sports Reporter
GUWAHATI, Feb 18: Gauhati Town Club moved into the semifinal of the 7th Jugal Kishore Newatia Bud Challenge Cup Cricket Tournament defeating Silchar Cricket Coaching Centre by six wickets in a quarter-final match held at the Nehru Stadium here today. Krishanu Majumder of Gauhati Town Club was the star of the day who played a well composed innings of 54 runs to guide his team to the victory.
It was the second match for both the teams in the championship but Gauhati Town Club had to play two back-to-back matches on two consecutive days.
In the morning it was Gauhati Town Club who won the toss and invited Silchar Cricket Coaching Centre to bat first. The Silchar outfit though batted well in their first match against Tinsukia Railway, failed to display a similar performance today and were bowled out for 146 runs in 39. 4 overs.
Santosh Das was the top scorer for the visitors with his 39 run innings with the help of three boundaries. Anuj Sirohi (25) was the other major scorer for Silchar Cricket Coaching Centre. Three bowlers of Gauhati Town Club—Javed Akhtar Khan (2-17), Binoy Kalita (2-19) and Parag Barman (2-26) were the successful bowlers.
Gauhati Town Club didn’t face to many problems to chase down the target and they won the match scoring 148 runs for the loss of four wickets in 35.3 overs. Krishanu Majumdar, who was adjudged the best player award of the match, played a solid knock of 54 runs that came in 87 deliveries and the batsman hit five boundaries. Raju Das picked up two wickets for 31 runs.
Brief scores: Silchar Cricket Coaching Centre 146 (39.4); Santosh Das 34, Anuj Sirohi 25, Javed Akhtar Khan 2-17, Binoy Kalita 2-19, Parag Barman 2-26. Gauhati Town Club 148-4 (35.3 overs); Krishanu Majumder 54, Nitin Das 25, Amzad Ali 20, Raju Das 2-31.
Today’s match: RCA (Gaziabad) vs Guwahati Cricket Coaching Centre.
Jeev eyes full PGA Tour card for 2010
NEW DELHI: Next week's Northern Trust Open in California will be first of the 12 tournaments Jeev Milkha Singh plans to play in the US this season and the Indian pro is confident of doing decent enough to seal his full PGA Tour card for 2010.
"I will be playing six weeks in an eight-week period and be back after the Augusta Masters," said a relaxed Jeev as he prepared to leave for the US.
"I have a start in all the Majors and the WGC events and the Invitationals and I will get some other invites. Hopefully in these I shall be able to have good enough finishes to make my card and playing rights for the full PGA Tour in 2010," said the Indian.
Apart from securing his card for the next year, doing well in the Majors figure quite high on Jeev's agenda.
"Playing and doing well on the world's biggest and toughest Tour and achieving good results at the Majors is the goal of every professional. I am going all out to try and do that this year," said Jeev.
A veritable golfing nomad who played virtually non-stop on Asian, European, Japan and PGA Tours over the years, Jeev has decided to slow down and he in fact played only three events in the West Asia this year.
"Cutting down events and focusing on US for the first few months has been my plan for 2009. I want to play 33 weeks or so and play well to get my ranking further up. I have enjoyed the Majors and I want to do well in them this season," Jeev said.
"I had a mixed start in the Middle East. I had two top-20 finishes in Qatar and Dubai. But the good thing I hit the ball well and got to the greens in regulation often enough to give myself birdie chances. But I did not hole many of those putts. I am not going to get worried as this is just the start," he added.
In the next eight weeks, Jeev will tee off in six events, including two World Golf Championship events - the World Matchplay and WGC-CA Championships - and the Augusta Masters. The other events will be Northern Trust Open, Arnold Palmer invitational and the Shell Houston Open.
In the latter part of the season, Jeev hopes to play six more events in US and some in Europe and Asia.
"Yes, I will play some in Europe and Asia, but the focus as I have been saying is going to be US," he concluded.
Source: TOI
"I will be playing six weeks in an eight-week period and be back after the Augusta Masters," said a relaxed Jeev as he prepared to leave for the US.
"I have a start in all the Majors and the WGC events and the Invitationals and I will get some other invites. Hopefully in these I shall be able to have good enough finishes to make my card and playing rights for the full PGA Tour in 2010," said the Indian.
Apart from securing his card for the next year, doing well in the Majors figure quite high on Jeev's agenda.
"Playing and doing well on the world's biggest and toughest Tour and achieving good results at the Majors is the goal of every professional. I am going all out to try and do that this year," said Jeev.
A veritable golfing nomad who played virtually non-stop on Asian, European, Japan and PGA Tours over the years, Jeev has decided to slow down and he in fact played only three events in the West Asia this year.
"Cutting down events and focusing on US for the first few months has been my plan for 2009. I want to play 33 weeks or so and play well to get my ranking further up. I have enjoyed the Majors and I want to do well in them this season," Jeev said.
"I had a mixed start in the Middle East. I had two top-20 finishes in Qatar and Dubai. But the good thing I hit the ball well and got to the greens in regulation often enough to give myself birdie chances. But I did not hole many of those putts. I am not going to get worried as this is just the start," he added.
In the next eight weeks, Jeev will tee off in six events, including two World Golf Championship events - the World Matchplay and WGC-CA Championships - and the Augusta Masters. The other events will be Northern Trust Open, Arnold Palmer invitational and the Shell Houston Open.
In the latter part of the season, Jeev hopes to play six more events in US and some in Europe and Asia.
"Yes, I will play some in Europe and Asia, but the focus as I have been saying is going to be US," he concluded.
Source: TOI
Milan want Beckham until at least June 2010: Source
AC Milan are willing to sign David Beckham until at least the end of next season, a source at the Italian club said on Wednesday.
The England midfielder, on a two-month loan at Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy until March 9, has said he wants to stay with the Serie A club as he tries to increase his chances of playing at a fourth World Cup in 2010.
"We hope to sign Beckham until at least June 30, 2010", an AC Milan source said. The former England captain will be 35-year-old by the start of the next World Cup in South Africa.
Milan remain confident of sealing a deal by Friday after a deadline imposed by Major League Soccer to complete the move passed last week.
Milan director Umberto Gandini is expected to fly to Los Angeles on Thursday to try to negotiate the transfer.
Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani said on Tuesday there was still "a bit of distance" between the two sides over the deal, but talks have been continuing.
Various estimates of the transfer fee required by Galaxy have been cited by the media after Milan's opening offer of five million euros ($6.3 million) was turned down.
Some reports have said Galaxy want about 12 million while Milan sources say they are only willing to go to eight.
Source:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Milan-want-Beckham-until-June-2010-Source/articleshow/4151129.cms
The England midfielder, on a two-month loan at Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy until March 9, has said he wants to stay with the Serie A club as he tries to increase his chances of playing at a fourth World Cup in 2010.
"We hope to sign Beckham until at least June 30, 2010", an AC Milan source said. The former England captain will be 35-year-old by the start of the next World Cup in South Africa.
Milan remain confident of sealing a deal by Friday after a deadline imposed by Major League Soccer to complete the move passed last week.
Milan director Umberto Gandini is expected to fly to Los Angeles on Thursday to try to negotiate the transfer.
Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani said on Tuesday there was still "a bit of distance" between the two sides over the deal, but talks have been continuing.
Various estimates of the transfer fee required by Galaxy have been cited by the media after Milan's opening offer of five million euros ($6.3 million) was turned down.
Some reports have said Galaxy want about 12 million while Milan sources say they are only willing to go to eight.
Source:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Milan-want-Beckham-until-June-2010-Source/articleshow/4151129.cms
Hewitt ousts Blake as Roddick drops Darcis
MEMPHIS (Tennessee): Australian veteran Lleyton Hewitt sent third-seeded American James Blake tumbling out of the first-round of the $1.22 million ATP and WTA hardcourt tennis tournament on Wednesday.
Hewitt notched the upset of the day with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 triumph over Blake.
Hewitt, a former world number one, bounced back from a sloppy first set to improve to 8-1 lifetime in head-to-head matchups with Blake.
Despite the weary history, Blake entered as a heavy favorite to pull off his second victory over Hewitt, who had battled a myriad of injuries throughout 2008 and has dropped to 103rd in the world rankings.
Instead Hewitt booked a second-round clash with compatriot Chris Guccione, who was called up along with Hewitt Wednesday for Australia's Davis Cup tie against Thailand in March.
Top-seeded American Roddick launched his quest for a first title of 2009 by dispatching defending champion Steve Darcis of Belgium 7-6, (7/1), 6-2.
Roddick has reached three finals over his previous eight appearances at this hardcourt event, but has only the 2002 crown to show for it.
Although Roddick has yet to lift a trophy this year, he boasts a runner-up finish in Doha and semi-final showings at the Australian Open and San Jose.
Darcis, the shock winner here last year, remains in search of his first match win of the year after first-round departures at Brisbane, Auckland, the Australian Open and San Jose.
Roddick, ranked sixth in the world, was one of six American men in action on Wednesday.
He advanced to a meeting with compatriot Robby Ginepri, a 6-4, 6-4 winner over German qualifier Simon Greul.
Fifth-seeded Czech Radek Stepanek, who won the title in San Jose on Sunday, also reached the second round, beating American qualifier Kevin Kim 6-4, 6-2.
Seventh seed Mardy Fish also benefited from the partisan crowd as he topped Taipei's Lu Yun-Hsun Lu 6-1, 7-5.
Eighth-seeded Sam Querrey - in the same half of the draw as compatriots Roddick, Blake and Fish - downed German veteran Tommy Haas 7-6, (7/4), 6-4.
On the women's side, Danish top seed Caroline Wozniacki advanced to the quarter-finals by defeating France's Severine Bremond 6-1, 7-6 (7/1).
Wozniacki will next face Dutch qualifier Michaella Krajicek, the only unseeded player in the women's final eight.
Also claiming quarter-final spots were Czech third seed Lucie Safarova, British fourth seed Anne Keothavong, German sixth seed Sabine Lisicki and eighth seed Pauline Parmentier of France.
Britain's Keothavong defeated Portugal's Michelle Larcherde Brito 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 to book a date against New Zealand's fifth-seeded Marina Erakovic.
Parmentier eliminated South African qualifier Chanelle Scheepers 6-4, 6-1 and will next meet second seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
Safarova ousted American Vania King 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, to book a final-eight date with Lisicki, who defeated France's Stephanie Foretz 6-2, 6-4.
Source:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Hewitt-ousts-Blake-as-Roddick-drops-Darcis/articleshow/4153639.cms
Hewitt notched the upset of the day with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 triumph over Blake.
Hewitt, a former world number one, bounced back from a sloppy first set to improve to 8-1 lifetime in head-to-head matchups with Blake.
Despite the weary history, Blake entered as a heavy favorite to pull off his second victory over Hewitt, who had battled a myriad of injuries throughout 2008 and has dropped to 103rd in the world rankings.
Instead Hewitt booked a second-round clash with compatriot Chris Guccione, who was called up along with Hewitt Wednesday for Australia's Davis Cup tie against Thailand in March.
Top-seeded American Roddick launched his quest for a first title of 2009 by dispatching defending champion Steve Darcis of Belgium 7-6, (7/1), 6-2.
Roddick has reached three finals over his previous eight appearances at this hardcourt event, but has only the 2002 crown to show for it.
Although Roddick has yet to lift a trophy this year, he boasts a runner-up finish in Doha and semi-final showings at the Australian Open and San Jose.
Darcis, the shock winner here last year, remains in search of his first match win of the year after first-round departures at Brisbane, Auckland, the Australian Open and San Jose.
Roddick, ranked sixth in the world, was one of six American men in action on Wednesday.
He advanced to a meeting with compatriot Robby Ginepri, a 6-4, 6-4 winner over German qualifier Simon Greul.
Fifth-seeded Czech Radek Stepanek, who won the title in San Jose on Sunday, also reached the second round, beating American qualifier Kevin Kim 6-4, 6-2.
Seventh seed Mardy Fish also benefited from the partisan crowd as he topped Taipei's Lu Yun-Hsun Lu 6-1, 7-5.
Eighth-seeded Sam Querrey - in the same half of the draw as compatriots Roddick, Blake and Fish - downed German veteran Tommy Haas 7-6, (7/4), 6-4.
On the women's side, Danish top seed Caroline Wozniacki advanced to the quarter-finals by defeating France's Severine Bremond 6-1, 7-6 (7/1).
Wozniacki will next face Dutch qualifier Michaella Krajicek, the only unseeded player in the women's final eight.
Also claiming quarter-final spots were Czech third seed Lucie Safarova, British fourth seed Anne Keothavong, German sixth seed Sabine Lisicki and eighth seed Pauline Parmentier of France.
Britain's Keothavong defeated Portugal's Michelle Larcherde Brito 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 to book a date against New Zealand's fifth-seeded Marina Erakovic.
Parmentier eliminated South African qualifier Chanelle Scheepers 6-4, 6-1 and will next meet second seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
Safarova ousted American Vania King 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, to book a final-eight date with Lisicki, who defeated France's Stephanie Foretz 6-2, 6-4.
Source:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Hewitt-ousts-Blake-as-Roddick-drops-Darcis/articleshow/4153639.cms
Azharuddin to join Congress, confirms Moily
NEW DELHI: Former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin is all set to join the Congress party, as confirmed by spokesperson Veerappa Moily.
Speaking exclusively to TIMES NOW, the AICC General Secretary said, "I know him since 25 years. He expressed his desire to join the Congress. He wants the Congress to come back to power. I took up this matter with the Congress president, who has agreed to admit him into the party
When asked whether he will contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls from Andhra Pradesh, Moily said, "Till today we have not discussed the constituency. He is joining the party unconditionally. He is very fond of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The matter whether he will contest for the LS polls will be discussed later."
When quizzed on whether the party is worried about Azhar's past, as there is a life-ban imposed on him by the BCCI, Moily added, "There is no criminal case against Azhar. If there is a case at all then it is only between the BCCI and him, which has been filed by Azhar himself against the ban."
Justifying Congress' decision to induct Azhar into the party, Moily said, "Remember, he served the Indian cricket for 9 years as a captain with outstanding performance. He has filed a case against the ban imposed by the BCCI and that is not a criminal matter."
Meanwhile, he decided not to comment on actor Sanjay Dutt's admission into the Samajwadi Party saying, "We have no comment on Sanjay Dutt. It is up to him to join any party he wants."
Earlier, reports suggested that Azharuddin is scheduled to meet Congress chief Sonia Gandhi after which he is likely to visit the party headquarters and formally announce his foray into the world of politics.
Already in New Delhi, Azhar had a late-evening meeting with some of the senior party leaders on Wednesday (February 18).
Reports stated that the Congress is likely to field Azharuddin on his home turf Andhra Pradesh, where the Congress can cash in on his popularity.
Inducting the former skipper into the party is part of a Congress plan to accommodate celebrities from different fields. This is in keeping with the party effort to project a youthful and happening image for itself.
Known for his fabled catching abilities, Azhar can face a tough challenge to prove that there will be no misses on the new turf as well.
Soruce: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Azharuddin-to-join-Congress-Moily/articleshow/4153419.cms
Speaking exclusively to TIMES NOW, the AICC General Secretary said, "I know him since 25 years. He expressed his desire to join the Congress. He wants the Congress to come back to power. I took up this matter with the Congress president, who has agreed to admit him into the party
When asked whether he will contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls from Andhra Pradesh, Moily said, "Till today we have not discussed the constituency. He is joining the party unconditionally. He is very fond of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The matter whether he will contest for the LS polls will be discussed later."
When quizzed on whether the party is worried about Azhar's past, as there is a life-ban imposed on him by the BCCI, Moily added, "There is no criminal case against Azhar. If there is a case at all then it is only between the BCCI and him, which has been filed by Azhar himself against the ban."
Justifying Congress' decision to induct Azhar into the party, Moily said, "Remember, he served the Indian cricket for 9 years as a captain with outstanding performance. He has filed a case against the ban imposed by the BCCI and that is not a criminal matter."
Meanwhile, he decided not to comment on actor Sanjay Dutt's admission into the Samajwadi Party saying, "We have no comment on Sanjay Dutt. It is up to him to join any party he wants."
Earlier, reports suggested that Azharuddin is scheduled to meet Congress chief Sonia Gandhi after which he is likely to visit the party headquarters and formally announce his foray into the world of politics.
Already in New Delhi, Azhar had a late-evening meeting with some of the senior party leaders on Wednesday (February 18).
Reports stated that the Congress is likely to field Azharuddin on his home turf Andhra Pradesh, where the Congress can cash in on his popularity.
Inducting the former skipper into the party is part of a Congress plan to accommodate celebrities from different fields. This is in keeping with the party effort to project a youthful and happening image for itself.
Known for his fabled catching abilities, Azhar can face a tough challenge to prove that there will be no misses on the new turf as well.
Soruce: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Azharuddin-to-join-Congress-Moily/articleshow/4153419.cms
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