Saturday, June 5, 1999
today's calendar
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S P O R T | Saturday, June 5, 1999 |
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Warm
welcome for B’desh cricketers B’desh
deserve Test status: Miandad
‘Test nations should play in
Kenya, B'desh’ Windies
need to be tougher : Richards Will
Jonty run out Inzamam? India
take on mantle of home side Pollock hopes to get lucky against
Pak Allott
a potential match winner |
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Srinath, Fazaluddin enter
final Beckham
keen to be kids’ role model
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Brave efforts of Jadeja, Robin
in vain THE OVAL, June 4 — India were on their way out of the World Cup today after a dismal batting and bowling performance that saw them capitulate meekly to Australia by 77 runs despite a gallant unbeaten century by Ajay Jadeja. Chasing a tough target of 283 in the first match of the Super Six, India’s top batsmen Sachin Tendulkar (0), Rahul Dravid (2), Saurav Ganguly (8) and as usual skipper Mohd Azharuddin succumbed easily to the Australian fast bowler Glen McGrath to leave the team tottering at 17 for 4 at one stage before Ajay Jadeja (100 no) and Robin Singh (75) put on a fighting 141-run partnership for the fifth wicket. But that was not enough and the team was bowled out for 205. After an uncharacteristic short burst of inspiration against England, Azharuddin was back at his worst as captain and batsman, putting Australia in first on a good batting wicket and then contributing a mere three with the bat to have a grand average of 18.00 in the tournament. With the defeat, India are the only team in the Super Six without any points, leaving them with only a feeble chance of figuring in the semifinal. India must now win both their next two ties against the formidable Pakistan, on June 8, and New Zealand, on June 12, and even then can nurse hopes of making it only on the basis of net run rate if they tie with more than two teams going by the complicated rules. India today strengthened the bowling by including Robin Singh at the expense of opener Sadagopan Ramesh, but the Indian bowlers pitched too short to enable Australia to pile up 282 for six with opener Mark Waugh top-scoring with 83. Any chance of reaching the target was frittered away by the early collapse and the efforts by Jadeja and Robin Singh only helped them push past the 200-run mark before being all out with 10 balls to spare. However, Azhar kept saying at the end of the match that the Indian bowlers had done a good job and went on to argue as only he can: "I thought we bowled well, but our bowlers didn’t get the nicks." The Indian chase began disastrously as Tendulkar nibbled at a McGrath outswinger to give wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist a straightforward catch in the very first over. The next blow came in the bowler’s very next over when Dravid touched a ball that reared and moved away from good length for Gilchrist to complete a fine catch. Ganguly, the third centurion in the Indian ranks, played a reckless shot against paceman Damien Fleming to be bowled off his inner-edge. Azhar surprisingly sent Jadeja ahead of him, but was forced to come in on Ganguly’s dismissal soon after. He faced just nine balls before he was completely beaten by a lifter from McGrath which flew off the splice of his bat into the safe hands of rival skipper Steve Waugh at deep gully. India: Australia: |
Pakistan, South Africa in TRENT BRIDGE, June 4 (PTI) — Pakistan take on South Africa in a battle of World Cup giants tomorrow that will witness two formidable attacks test each other to gain a psychological advantage in their quest for an early semifinal berth. The Super Six tie at Trent Bridge, that has all trappings of a final, will book Pakistan’s last four berth if the 1992 champions win while South Africa will be equally keen to seek their maiden title. The stakes will be higher for group ‘A’ toppers South Africa, who have carried forward only two points after the hot favourites were stunned by Zimbabwe in their last league tie. Pakistan, on the other hand, have brought in full four points and have emerged strong title contenders after topping group ‘B’. Like Zimbabwe, they will also be keen to show their loss to debutants Bangladesh was only an aberration. Batting consistency will hold the key to the high-profile tie between sides boasting of envious bowling arsenals. The top order has struggled for both and only late order resurgence and all-round performances have seen them through. The African pace quartet of Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Jacques Kallis and Lance Klusener have hardly been challenged barring the fine effort by Indian batsmen in their group tie. But skipper Wasim Akram, the tearaway Shoaib Akhtar, seamers Azhar Mahmood, Abdul Razzaq and off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq will once again be raring to show that Pakistan’s is the most versatile attack. Despite his penchant for running out partners, Inzamam-ul Haq has emerged the key player as Pakistan batting has been inconsistent. Unless opener Saeed Anwar regains form to prove Akram’s prediction he would come good in the Super Six, and seasoned Ijaz Ahmed weighs in with big scores, the skipper and stumper Moin Khan might be left waging late rearguard rescue acts. South Africa, barring Zimbabwe, have brooked no real opposition, but have a similar worry as their top batsmen, including opener Gary Kirsten, have not done much till now. Only Jacques Kallis (96 vs India) and Herschelle Gibbs (60 vs England) have struck fifties among the top batsmen. One man who can make all the difference will be their brilliant all-rounder Lance Klusener, who has hit 164 runs in four innings without being dismissed and taken 13 wickets. Skipper Hansie Cronje, who gave a piece of his mind to his players after the loss to Zimbabwe left them two valuable points less, will expect that their batting does not once again come down to Klusener’s heroics alone. Their bowling has been making up for batting failures, but Cronje would expect his main batsmen to perform against the dangerous Pakistan attack. Saqlain himself has accounted for 12 wickets in conditions otherwise suited for pacemen. AFP ADDS: Pakistan coach Mushtaq Mohammad said: "We’re not worrying about points or table positions — we’ve just set our goal of winning every game." South Africa’s bowling, meanwhile, is not making the early inroads Cronje had been expecting, a weakness glaringly highlighted in the defeat to Zimbabwe. "When we’ve bowled first, sides have been getting 60 or 70 runs against us in the first 15 overs and it is difficult to pull it back from there," he said. "That is something I want to turn around." He is equally concerned about Pakistan’s much-vaunted attack. "In a lot of games, their fifth bowler was not up to it and we were able to cash in," he said. "In this tournament, they have used a full five-man attack and we will have to make sure we don’t leave ourselves with too many runs to score off the fifth bowler or in the closing overs." South Africa look certain to field an unchanged side for the fourth game in a row, with pace bowler Steve Elworthy getting the nod over left-arm spinner Nicky Boje. Pakistan must decide between the dour Wajahatullah Wasti and the pinch-hitting Shahid Afridi to open with Anwar. South Africa have won the only two previous World Cup ties between them. In 1996 in Karachi, Daryll Cullinan made 65 as his team won by five wickets. The teams: |
Warm welcome for B’desh cricketers DHAKA, June 4 (PTI) — Bangladesh erupted with joyous celebrations as its cricketers, fresh from their stunning victory over Pakistan in the World Cup, returned to a tumultuous reception here today. All roads led to National Parade Square at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in downtown Dhaka where thousands of cricket-crazy fans, including women — dancing and singing — gathered from early morning to attend a grand civic reception organised by the Dhaka City Mayor to give skipper Aminul Islam and his team mates a hero’s welcome. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was the chief guest at the function, in a reminiscent mood told the thousands of cheering fans that celebrations marking the victory at Northampton were like that witnessed on December 16, 1971 after the country gained independence from Pakistan. "The jubilation today reminds me of December 16, 1971 when men, women and children came out of their homes to celebrate the victory of our independence war.... again the whole nation has awakened for another victory," Hasina said. Although they failed to reach the Super Six, Bangladesh caused a coup in the World Cup by sending favourites Pakistan tumbling to a 62-run defeat, stunning the cricketing world. Bangladesh also defeated Scotland in a ‘mini final’. An emotionally-charged Hasina said: "Our golden boys made the impossible possible, they not only played (in the World Cup), they beat unbeaten mighty Pakistan." Sheikh Hasina said preparations for the team’s campaign for the next World Cup would be started straightaway and her government would provide all necessary help including infrastructural facilities. The Prime Minister, who distributed cheques worth over five million taka (about Rs 42 lakhs) to team members, also remembered sacked West Indian coach Gordon Greenidge for his role in shaping the team for the World Cup success. The out-spoken Greenidge, who was relieved of his assignment before the match against Pakistan, however, did not return to Bangladesh to attend the function. Responding to a request made earlier by skipper Islam who lamented lack of a permanent cricket stadium, Hasina assured that her government would build a new stadium with the start of the ensuing cricket season. Though matches are held in Dhaka Stadium (Bangabandhu National Stadium) and the cricket board anticipates that the stadium would be handed to it, the issue has remained a matter of discord between the football and cricket administrators. Earlier, thousands of cheering fans — packed in buses and trucks — reached the Dhaka international airport this morning to greet the cricketers. The fans, carrying national flags and posters, then rushed for the reception, which was attended among others by the entire cabinet, members of Parliament, cricket board officials and former national cricketers. Millions of Bangladeshis across the country watched the event as the state-run Bangladesh television and radio broadcast the function live.
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B’desh deserve Test status: Miandad KARACHI, June 4 (AFP) — Former Pakistan cricket coach Javed Miandad, who stepped down days before the World Cup, yesterday backed the Bangladesh team, saying it deserved Test status after its performance in the tournament. "They deserve the Test cricketing status now. And I hope they get it as it will help them further improve the standard of the game," Miandad told AFP before leaving for England for a family holiday. Miandad’s comments came after reports that Bangladesh was seeking his services as coach following the sacking of former West Indian star Gordon Greenidge from the post. Greenidge was reportedly sacked for saying that Bangladesh did not deserve Test status. "They have shown tremendous talent and team work during the prestigious tournament. They are a good fielding side and need a little bit of improvement," Miandad said. "If they do not get the status, the future of Bangladeshi players and the game as whole in that country will suffer." The International Cricket Council is to decide whether or not to award Test status to Bangladesh in its annual meeting after the World Cup. Bangladesh first defeated qualifiers Scotland but its victory over tournament favourites Pakistan by 62 runs in group matches stunned cricket pundits and fans. Miandad said he had not received an official offer from the Bangladesh Cricket Board yet, adding "I will only decide once it comes my way." "When we were in Bangladesh (during Triangular Asian Test Championship) they showed interest in having me as coach but after that I have never had direct contact with the cricket officials," he said. "I have improved my team and I can improve the performance of Bangladesh team or any team in the world," he said. Miandad hit the headlines when he announced his resignation as Pakistan’s coach barely three weeks before the start of the World Cup. He cited family commitments for his resignation but sources in sports circles suggest he resigned after developing serious differences with senior players including skipper Wasim Akram. "There are no hard feelings. I wish them good luck for the World Cup and hope they return victorious as we did in 1992 in Australia," he said. Miandad is legendary in cricket circles, having scored 8,032 runs in 124 Tests-during his 21-year career and earning the singular honour of playing in all of first six World Cup tournaments.
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‘Test
nations
should play in LONDON, June 4 (UNI) — Arjuna Ranatunga, captain of deposed World Cup holders Sri Lanka, believes England and other major cricketing nations must be prepared to send their Test teams to outposts like Kenya and Bangladesh to foster interest in the game. Kenya failed to win a group match in the World Cup and Gordon Greenidge was sacked as Bangladesh coach for admitting his side are a "million miles" from becoming a Test-playing country. Rantunga’s Sri Lanka overcame spirited Kenya by 45 runs at Southampton but they return home this week having failed to reach the Super Sixes. He said: "Kenya and Bangladesh need to start playing against England and the top countries if they are going to expand and develop the sport there." "It is essential that if the game is to survive and develop, the players get to play against top players on a regular basis." "Cricket has been dying a little in some places, in my view, and the only way for it to grow in Kenya and Bangladesh, and other such places, is for the Test-playing countries to go out to them more often." "We all want Kenya and Bangladesh to become better and more proficient at cricket but if they don't play against the very best, the game will not be encouraged." "It is all very
well for them to play in the World Cup to make up the
numbers, but it should be the aim of every country to
help them raise their standards so they can compete as
equals." |
Windies need to be tougher : Richards BEIDGETOWN, June 4 (Reuters) — Former Test captain Sir Vivian Richards believes West Indies need tougher players to improve their performance, the Nation newspaper reported. Richards, who took over as West Indies coach during the World Cup when Malcolm Marshall fell ill, said in an interview he was deeply disappointed with the team’s defeat by Australia on Sunday. That result signalled
West Indies elimination from the tournament. Richards, the highest run scorer in West Indies Test history, said he would love to continue working with the team if the West Indies cricket board wanted him to. But he said he would want players under him whose approach to the game mirrored his, the Nation said. "We have got to look for young individuals with ability and talent, sure, but we’ve got to make sure they have substance, that they are fighters," he said. "The selectors must look for consistency and get to know more about the individuals than just by the scorers or by watching them for a match. They’ve got to know how they stand up to pressure, what their attitude is like." He cited two players from the World Cup squad who had those qualities, wicketkeeper batsman Ridley Jacobs and 20 years old all-rounder Ricardo Powell. "Ridley Jacobs is the perfect example of what I mean," he said. "He just goes out there and gets the job done. "I hope the others can look and see what he is doing and get positive vibes from him. Every time you ask him to put his hand up, he’s there performing. We need more like Ridley Jacobs." On Powell, who was a late inclusion in West Indies squad, Richards said he was a young player keen to learn. "He is positive, he is young and he is a talent to work with. We have got to get him into the international set-up quickly and the same with other young players with his attitude and talent. "We’ve got
Brian Lara who is only 30 and has plenty of cricket left
and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who certainly has the
temperament. Now it’s time for some young players to
stand up and be counted." |
Gavaskar remark angers Pak team LONDON, June 4 (AFP) — Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar angered Pakistan team ahead of next week’s World Cup clash by suggesting their supporters were among fans causing problems by getting drunk. Gavaskar, asked on Sky Television this morning whether he anticipated any trouble during the game at Old Trafford next Tuesday, said: "I don’t know, but the problem is that some Indian and Pakistan supporters start drinking early in the game and then cannot hold their drinks". Pakistan manager Zafar Altaf said he and the entire team were shocked at Gavaskar’s remarks. "Yes, we heard it and we are shocked that a person of Gavaskar’s stature could have said such a thing," Altaf told AFP from Trent Bridge, where Pakistan take on South Africa tomorrow. Alcohol is banned for Muslims in Islamic Pakistan. Altaf said he planned to issue a statement later today after discussing the matter at a team meeting. Gavaskar stood by what he said. "Of course I said it," he told AFP. "Excuse me, but you can’t hide the fact that it is these drunk supporters who are causing the trouble. They don’t seem to be holding their drinks." The high profile match
at Old Trafford comes as both countries are gripped by
border tension over entry of Pakistan-backed infiltrators
into Kashmir. |
Will Jonty run out Inzamam? TRENT BRIDGE, June 4 (AFP) — Jonty Rhodes — the hare — meets Inzamam-ul Haq — the cricket World Cup’s favourite tortoise — here tomorrow. The South African is the best fielder in the world. Pakistan’s Inzamam is one of the most lethargic runners between the wickets ever seen. His calling is so bad that people cheer him for it. On the face of it, it should be a no contest. The two met in the 1992 World Cup and, predictably, Rhodes ran his opponent out. The tortoise of the fable, however, made up for his lack of speed with cunning. Inzamam is not so stupid either. True, he often gets caught in dreadful mix-ups with his batting partners which inevitably lead to a wicket falling. But it is rarely Inzamam who has to head back to the pavilion. Normally, he simply refuses to budge from his crease while his team-mates hurtle towards oblivion. And in between the run-outs, he cracks enough boundaries to keep his captain happy. Wasim Akram won’t hear of criticism. "He is a great batsman and in great form," he says. "We can’t ask more from him, except he should continue batting like this for the rest of the World Cup." Pakistan have lost more players to run-outs — nine in five matches — than any side at the World Cup. There were three during their last match, a shock defeat to Bangladesh. South Africa, in contrast, have lost three during the whole tournament. Rhodes will be relishing the chance of a few shies at the stumps at Trent Bridge tomorrow. The odds are he will run at least one batsman out. But it’s unlikely to be Inzamam. The tortoise, in all likelihood, will be safely sheltering in his hutch.
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Pak vs South Africa form guide TRENT BRIDGE, June 4 (AFP) — Pakistan v South Africa form guide: Pakistan: coach — Mushtaq Mohammad, captain — Wasim Akram. South Africa: coach — Bob Woolmer, captain — Hansie Cronje. 1999 World Cup results: Pakistan — beat West Indies by 27 runs, beat Australia by 10 runs, beat New Zealand by 62 runs, beat Scotland by 94 runs, lost to Bangladesh by 62 runs. South Africa — beat India by four wickets, beat Sri Lanka by 89 runs, beat Kenya by seven wickets, beat England by 122 runs, lost to Zimbabwe by 48 runs. Recent head-to-heads: The two teams drew a Test series 1-1 last year. Mark Boucher and Pat Symcox saved the first Test for South Africa, but Pakistan won the second through Shoaib Akhtar’s five wickets and Mushtaq Ahmed’s seven. South Africa won the decider with Fanie de Villiers taking eight wickets in the last game of his career. South Africa have won their last 12 one-dayers against Pakistan. Their last meetings came during a three-nation tournament in April last year. South Africa beat Pakistan in the final with Lance Klusener taking five wickets. Previous World Cups: South Africa have won both their World Cup meetings. In 1992, they won by 20 runs in a rain-affected match at the Gabba in Brisbane — made famous by Jonty Rhodes’ spectacular dive to run out Inzamam-ul Haq. In 1996 in Karachi, South Africa won by five wickets despite a century from Aamir Sohail. Chasing 242, the South Africans won with 34 balls to spare as Daryll Cullinan made 65 and Cronje 45 not out. Venue: Trent Bridge. The home of county side Nottinghamshire, it has been a regular Test venue for 100 years. The West Indian all-rounder Garfield Sobers, rated the greatest all-round cricketer ever, played for Notts, as did Richard Hadlee of New Zealand, Test cricket’s second highest wicket-taker.
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India take on mantle of home side LONDON, June 4 (Reuters) — Following the locally lamented elimination of England, India are taking on the mantle of the home side at the World Cup. Some 900,000 people of Indian descent live in Britain, many of them enthusiastic cricket fans whose sporting loyalties lie in the sub-continent. The Indian side, who meet Australia in the first game of the Super Six on Friday, may not suffer the mobbing and superstar fanaticism they meet every day at home. But they recognise the same enthusiasm and dedication to the game among their British supporters. "It’s the best thing about being an Indian cricketer," fast bowler Javagal Srinath said during practice yesterday. "Wherever you go you get a lot of support." At Hove, where India met South Africa in their first match of the tournament, organisers said they could have sold ticket for the 6,000-seat ground a dozen times over. At Leicester, fans camped outside the team hotel to catch glimpse of their heroes. At Edgbaston, where India dumped England out of the competition, the drum-beating, flag-waving green and orange bedecked Indian fans outnumbered the home supporters — and they made a great deal more noise. "The atmosphere in Birmingham was the best I have experienced at a cricket match," said London newsagent Sunil Patel, who has been following the Indian campaign. Patel, a British citizen who left India as a baby, said second and third generation Indians were as keen as their parents on cricket and less inhibited in their support. "They make much more noise than the older ones — more like football chanting," said Patel, who bought his package of tickets nine months ago. Patel goes to matches with another shop owner and three relatives who have travelled from India for the competition. "There are a lot of well-heeled Indian fans now and I have met many expatriates from America at matches, who have been starved of cricket," he said. "It’s a shame England is out," he said. "The host nation should be in to sustain interest. But India and maybe Pakistan can be the home teams now." India play Pakistan in a potentially explosive encounter at Old Trafford on Tuesday. Patel has not been able to get tickets but is hoping to do a deal with a Pakistani neighbour who cannot get there. With a community in this country of 600,000, Pakistan also has a huge following and Tuesday’s game played against a background of fighting in Kargil will be heavily policed. India’s management have asked authorities to curb the crowds that swarm on to the pitch at the end of matches. Several players have been pushed, shoved and bruised by over-enthusiastic fans. "We have to take care of India," coach Anshuman Gaekwad said. "We have already put in a word with the ECB (English Cricket Board) and they are looking into it." Patel believes there could be trouble at the Pakistan/India match. "There will be hotheads who discuss each other’s parentage," he said. "Pakistanis don’t drink but the Indians do and then they start shouting at each other." Srinath said relations between the Indian and Pakistani players were very friendly, however. "We are very
cordial," he said. "Politics has nothing to do
with cricket." |
Pollock hopes to get lucky against Pak TRENT BRIDGE, June 4 (AFP) — Shaun Pollock, one of the sleeping giants of South Africa’s World Cup campaign, will be seeking a change of fortune when he lines up against Pakistan in their Super Six match at Trent Bridge tomorrow. "It has been a bit frustrating," admitted the 25-year-old South African all-rounder and vice-captain after taking just three wickets in five matches. "I feel I’ve done all right but the wickets are not coming." Playing against Pakistan has often brought the best out of Pollock, while Trent Bridge is a ground of great sentimental significance to the Pollock clan. Against England in 1965, Pollock’s uncle Graeme scored a century and a fifty, and his father Peter took 10 wickets here as South Africa gained a test series-clinching win. Pollock junior followed in those large footsteps in 1997-98 by wrecking Pakistan’s hopes twice in successive matches when South Africa were on tour. With Pakistan needing only 146 to win the third and final Test in Faisalabad, Pollock took three wickets in four balls and finished with five for 37 as South Africa won by 53 runs. Six days later, he produced an even more astonishing spell. In a limited-overs floodlit tournament, Pollock, exploiting the evening dew, took three wickets for no runs in the first over as Pakistan chased 272 to win. South Africa went on to win the tournament. Such feats helped Pollock reach 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in both Tests and one-day internationals last season. He achieved the one-day double in 68 matches, faster than any player before him. Yet the World Cup has been largely barren for the flame-haired all-rounder, with bat and ball. Before making 52 against Zimbabwe last Saturday, Pollock had scored only two runs in two innings. He has had to play a supporting role while his room-mate and close friend Lance Klusener has won three successive Man-of-the-Match awards. Pollock points, though, to his good economy rate. He and Steve Elworthy shared the fourth most economical figures in the first round, conceding 2.91 runs an over. The list was headed by Courtney Walsh of the West Indies on 2.30. "I feel I have done
a job for the team but I would like to take a few
wickets," said Pollock. "I will just have to
wait for them to come. I like to think that it is not
just me but the whole team that is gathering momentum as
we go into the Super Six." |
Allott a potential match winner LONDON, June 4 (AFP) — Pace bowler Geoff Allott will top New Zealand’s list of potential match-winners when they clash in the World Cup Super Six second round with Zimbabwe at Headingley on Sunday. His excellent bowling is now earning him as many headlines as his batting did earlier in the year. The 27-year-old Canterbury bowler — known affectionately as a "genuine number 11" — became the toast of his team-mates in March when he batted for a world-record 102 minutes without scoring in the first Test against South Africa in Auckland. "I am not sure whether to be happy with it or not," he says of the record. "The boys have given me a bit of gibbing." Allott’s bowling, however, is now the issue. The powerful left-armer, whose style makes him a mirror image of England’s right-arm paceman Darren Gough, tops the wicket-taking charts with 15 after the first phase of the World Cup. His best, four for 37, helped New Zealand defeat Australia and get them through to the second round. Before the tournament, Allott was seen as a bowler offering pace and bounce rather than control but he has managed to balance those twin necessities here. His victims have cost him just 12.33 runs apiece — only five bowlers have a better average here — and he is conceding less than four runs an over. That success has left
his batting in the shade. He has only managed to get to
the crease once in five games, playing a robust if
unspectacular knock to finish on nought not out. |
It's time for me to win: Hingis PARIS, June 4 (AP) — Martina Hingis and Andre Agassi will win more than a trophy if they triumph at the French Open. Both players still need to win at Roland Garros to achieve a career Grand Slam. This will be the second French Open final for Hingis. In 1997 she lost to Iva Majoli. Agassi has been in the final twice. In 1990 he lost to Andres Gomez and in 1991 he bowed out to Jim Courier. Agassi looked ahead to the possibility over a win in each Grand Slam event after his win on Tuesday over Marcelo Filippini. It would be an incredible accomplishment for me,’’ he said. During the semifinal between Steffi Graf and Monica Seles, Hingis commented on her desire to win this tournament for the first time. Both players they’ve won it, Monica won three times, Steffi five times,’’ said Hingis. It’s about time for me, at least once.’’ Novotna still positive Wimbledon champion Jana Novonta was optimistic yesterday about her chances of defending her title after spraining her ankle. Novotna severely sprained her right ankle while playing doubles Wednesday. The x-rays that were taken on Wednesday night confirmed that nothing was broken, but there was ligament damage said Novotna. Nevertheless, I’m very optimistic and I’m hoping that I’m ready to play,’’ she said. Don’t forget I still have up to three weeks to recover.’’ The decision to play Wimbledon would probably not be taken until the last moment, according to Novotna. "If I decide to play, it will be because I will be one hundred per cent ready and I will go out there and try to do my best and win, as always,’’ she said. Well prepared Steffi Steffi Graf prepared well for her semifinal match against Monica Seles. While Graf was having her rackets stringed in the players lounge on Wednesday she took the opportunity to get a haircut in the players salon. The hairdressers were instructed to pay special attention to Graf’s fringe. All the grooming paid off when she won to advance to the final. Towels and balls In the morning of the 11th day of the French Open only 4,560 tennis balls are left of the 54,000 the tournament began with. As there are four tennis balls in a can, that means that an average of 1,236 cans are used a day in the French Open. Towels are also a sought after item at Roland Garros. At the beginning of the tournament there were 6,100 towels available. For the next three days 1,500 towels are left.
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I don't have to prove anything, PARIS, June 4 (Reuters) — For Steffi Graf playing in the French Open final tomorrow against top seed Martina Hingis will just be business as usual. The former queen of the courts, who won five of her 21 Grand Slam titles in Paris, will be playing in her ninth final at Roland Garros and her 30th in one of the four Grand Slam events. Hingis, on the other hand, lost her only final in Paris two years ago and will be aiming for a feat her opponent was the last to achieve - win each of the four Grand Slam tournaments at least once. Graf achieved a genuine Grand Slam — the four tournaments in the same year — in 1988. The German, who has not been in a Grand Slam final since the 1996 U.S. Open, believes the pressure will thus be on Hingis’s shoulders. "For sure that’s going to work for me. Obviously, I don’t have to prove anything. I’m just happy to be there," said the German, who would move one step closer to seven-times winner Chris Evert should she lift the trophy tomorrow. Asked if she would feel nervous, Graf smiled and replied: "I won’t!" After two seasons marred
by injuries, Graf had no real expectations when she
started the tournament. Observers felt the experienced
sixth-seed would do well to get to the semifinals. Her 10th victory in 15 clashes against Monica Seles, probably her fiercest rival, was such a joy for the German that she did not want to look ahead. "It’s such a big thing to be where I am right now. Very few people, even me, thought that I’d be there," she said. "I don’t want to think any further." Asked how a victory would rate in her career after such a long barren spell, she said: "I’d like to win it first and I can tell you. If it happens, sure it will have a big place in my heart." Graf refused to be drawn into looking back on the hard times she has been through in recent seasons and it was perhaps her capacity to bounce back that helped her survive a tough battle against Seles on Centre Court. "Even if I lost the first set, I did not have the feeling that the match was over at all. At that point, not too much had happened yet," said Graf, who fought back to win 6-7 6-3 6-4. Her relatively modest season had not given her much hope about her prospects in Paris. "There were moments when I was starting to wonder what I was doing out there. I was not playing at my potential. It gave me a lot of doubts," she said. The German confessed she had really entered the French Open as a preparation for Wimbledon, her favourite tournament and one she has won seven times. "I thought I was here just to have a few matches before Wimbledon," she said. In Berlin, two weeks before the French Open, she told reporters Wimbledon was the tournament she had the best chance to win once again. And now? "I think it’s
Paris," she said. |
Medvedev moves into final PARIS, June 4 (AP) — Andrei Medvedev overcame long spells of sloppy play to beat Fernando Meligeni today and become the lowest ranked player in the Open era to reach the final of the French Open. Ranked No. 100 coming into the tournament, Medvedev beat Meligeni 7-5, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (8-6) to reach his first Grand Slam final. In the second semifinal, Andre Agassi played Dominik Hrbaty. Medvedev lost the first four games, not even winning a point in the first two. But he then won nine out of the next ten games as he clinched the first set and took a 2-0 lead in the second. He was up 3-1 when his game deteriorated again and Meligeni won five straight points to even the score at one set apiece. Medvedev was seen by a trainer during several changeovers and was given vitamins and minerals to help him get over cramps and a spell of dizziness. He recovered from a break down to win the third and blew a 4-0 lead in the decisive tiebreaker. Medvedev had to save a set point before pulling together and playing a brilliant forehand drop shot on match point that Meligeni could only get on the second bounce. The Ukrainian’s previous best at the majors was a semifinal berth in 1993, also at Roland Garros. This year’s march to the final for the former world number 4 player included upsets of number 2 seed Pete Sampras in the second round and eighth-seeded and tournament favourite Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil in the quarters. Meligeni, who had 57 errors on the day, was Medvedev’s second Brazilian victim in a row. Kuerten had previously been the lowest-ranked player to reach the Paris final, when he won the tournament as the 66th-ranked player in 1997. The lowest-ranked player ever in a Grand Slam final was mark Edmondson, who won the 1976 Australian Open as number 212. "This means a new life for me. I’m back in tennis. I am playing good, feel great and my girlfriend is here," said Medvedev, in reference to German Anke Huber, who came to watch him for the first time. "I didn’t play great, but fought." Medvedev added that the
1996 Australian Open finalist Huber had needed to calm
him down: "I began putting too much pressure on
myself. I didn’t sleep in two nights and had no
appetite. She told me she felt exactly the same. She is a
great support." 2nd semis put off due to rain (Reuters): The French
Open men's semifinal between American Andre Agassi and
Slovak Dominik Hrbaty was postponed for the day today
because of the rain. Agassi was leading 6-4, 7-6, 3-6,
1-2 when play was halted by heavy showers. Organisers
later announced it would resume tomorrow at 1530 IST
before the women's final between Swiss Martina Hingis and
German Steffi Graf. |
Srinath, Fazaluddin enter final NEW DELHI, June 4 (PTI) — Syed Fazaluddin fired two aces in a crucial first set tie-breaker winning it 7-4 before top seed Russian Artem Derepasko conceded a semifinal tie to set the stage for an all-Indian final in the third leg of ITF Men’s Satellite circuit here today. Indian No. 4 Fazaluddin took the first set into tie-break winning it 7-6 (7/4) when Derepasko, winner of the second leg in Mumbai, conceded the match complaining of dizziness. Fazaluddin will take on second seed Prahlad Srinath, who defeated young and in-form Harsh Mankad, the fourth seed, 6-1, 6-0 in just under an hour. Third seeded Fazaluddin looked tensed against strongly-built Derepasko early on, but then recovered his composure as he replied with strong returns to the Russian’s powerful groundstrokes to take the first set in the tie-breaker. Davis Cupper Fazaluddin had his revenge for the Mumbai final defeat in an unlikely manner. He opened up a 2-0 lead in the tie-break and then lost four points in a row to go 2-4 down. Fazaluddin smashed an ace down the middle and a sheepish Derepasko showed no commitment to comeback in the match. After losing the first set, Derepasko conceded the match saying he could not concentrate as he felt drained in energy-sapping conditions. The second semifinal between Srinath and Mankad was expected to be an interesting duel after the fourth seed showed promise in the earlier rounds of the tournament. Mankad opened the service and held it comfortably but then Srinath reeled off six games in a row breaking Mankad thrice to pocket the first set 6-1. Indian No. 3 Srinath, who won the first leg in Bangalore, totally blanked Mankad out in the second. Srinath booked a place in the final breaking Mankad in the sixth game for a 6-1, 6-0 verdict. After an easy first round opponent in P. Ravikrishna, Mankad swept aside national hardcourt champion Nitin Kirtane and qualifier Andrei Youznyi coming into the semifinals. Mankad, who as a junior
scored memorable wins over Srinath before taking a break
from tennis for studies, was expected to give a tough
fight, but faded out in hot conditions. Srinath had
earlier beaten Mankad 6-2, 6-1 in the semifinals in
Bangalore. |
Beckham keen to be kids’ role model LONDON, June 4 (AFP) — England midfielder David Beckham has admitted his greatest wish was to be respected as a role model after proving the critics wrong since his World Cup sending-off. Just 11 months ago, Beckham was considered, however unfairly, as England’s public enemy number one after his red card against Argentina and the torrent of criticism which then engulfed him hurt his family deeply. But while he insisted that he would never dilute the fiery character which led to his downfall in St Etienne, he showed his developing maturity as he faced the media before tomorrow’s Euro 2000 qualifier against Sweden. Beckham may be widely considered to have everything in life — a small fortune by the age of 24, an England career, the treble with Manchester United, a glamorous pop star wife and a baby son. But in a rare insight, he confessed: "I love kids or young players looking up to me and respecting me." "That’s something I always did as a youngster — look up to great players like Bryan Robson and Bobby Charlton. "That’s how I want to be looked at and I don’t want people saying horrible things about me off the pitch either."
|
Foreman wants to fight Tyson LAS VEGAS, June 4 (AFP) — Former world heavyweight champion George Foreman, thwarted in a bid to take on Larry Holmes in a "battle of the aged", now wants to fight ex-champion Mike Tyson in December. Foreman, who turned 50 in January, has agents trying to assemble a deal for a bout that would pay Tyson $ 25 million and Foreman $ 20 million. Tyson, who turns 33 later this month, was released from jail last month after serving more than three months on assault charges stemming from an auto accident last August. The time also included violation of his probation after being released early from an Indiana prison following a rape conviction. Foreman had been planning to face Larry Holmes, 49, last January in Houston but financing for the fight fell through. Instead, Holmes faces James "Bonecrusher" Smith, 46, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on June 18. By December, Foreman would not have fought in more than two years since losing a 12-round decision to Shannon Briggs at Atlantic City. And while the age gap might work against any deal, Foreman is one of the most popular fighters in America while Tyson has been boxing’s top pay-per-view draws even in his weaker outings of recent years. Foreman became the
oldest heavyweight champion in boxing history in 1994 at
age 45 by stopping Michael Moorer for the International
Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association crowns. |
H
Ardaman, Gurmeet enter semis AMRITSAR, June 4 (FOSR) — Ardaman Sidhu and Gurmeet Singh of Chandigarh entered the semifinals of the Adidas Junior Tennis (U-14) conducted by the Punjab State Lawn Tennis Association here today. The results: Boys U-14 (Semifinals): Ardaman Sidhu (Chd) b D. Rohit K. Raju (Dli) 3/6, 6/3, 6/3; Gurneet Singh (Chd) b Wrik Ganguly (Dli) 6/1, 4/6, 6/7, (7/4). Girls U-14 (Semifinals): Sanya Mirza (AP) b Sanna Bhambri (Dli) 6/2, 6/3; Ankita Bhambri (Dli) b Neha Singh (Chd) 6/4, 6/3. Boys U-16 (Semifinals): Dharuv Kumar (WB) b Vivek Bhakuni (Dli) 6/3, 8/5, 7/5; Amanjot Singh (Chd) b Chatwinder Singh (Chd) 3/6, 6/1, 6/3. Girls U-16 (Semifinals): Sanya Mirza (AP) b Rani Samita Jain (Raj) 6/2, 2/6, 6/2; Sanna Bhambri (Dli) b Ankita Bhambri 6/4, 6/4. Amritsar score 291 against Patiala PATIALA, June 4 (BOSR) — Amritsar piled up 291 on the first day of the two day match against Patiala in the Punjab State Inter-District Katoch Shield Cricket Tournament played at the Dhruv Pandove Stadium here today. Scores: Amritsar 291 all out (S.P. Singh 92, Tejinder Singh 62, Devinder 31, Sandeep Sanwal 23, Reetinder Sodhi 5 for 58, Lakhbir Singh 2 for 52, Amit Kakria 2 for 62). Patiala: 4 for no loss (R. Sodhi 2 n.o., G. Garry 2 n.o.). Sport dept to give cash awards CHANDIGARH, June 4 (TNS) — The Haryana Sports Department has invited applications from meritorious sportspersons of the state who excelled in various sports events during the last financial year for providing them cash awards. The last date for receiving the applications is July 30, 1999. The sportspersons securing first, second and third positions at the international, national, inter-university and national level school competitions can apply through their respective District Sports Officers. Attested copies of certificates of positions secured in the sports event, residential proof of Haryana and a certificate specifying that no such cash award has been obtained by the concerned sportspersons for the meritorious performance in the event applied for should also be attached with the application. Postponed CHANDIGARH, June 4
(BOSR) — The Haryana Swimming Championship for Sub
Junior and Junior (Group I, II,III) and scheduled to be
held from June 5 has been postponed due to unavoidable
reasons, according to a press note of the Haryana
Swimming Association. |
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