New York, Sep 4 (PTI) A profligate Somdev Devvarman squandered chances galore to crash out of US Open singles even as Sania Mirza advanced in the women's doubles and mixed doubles events here at Fushing Meadows.
Somdev, who was trailing by two sets, staged a dramatic comeback by blanking 23rd seed German Philipp Kohlschreiber in the third set but eventually lost his second round encounter 3-6 4-6 6-0 2-6 after a close to three-hour battle last night.
With Somdev's defeat, Indian challenge ended in the singles events. Sania is already out of singles after suffering one of the worst defeats of her career in the second round against Italian friend Flavia Pennetta.
Somdev, who won three qualifying matches to make it to the main draw, could convert only four of the 20 breakpoints against experienced Kohlschreiber, who had defeated Novak Djokovic in the French Open.
Giancarlo Fisichella savours Ferrari call-up in place of Felipe Massa
Thursday 3 September 2009 20.00 BST:Giancarlo Fisichella will replace the injured Felipe Massa at Ferrari for the rest of the season, starting at next weekend's Italian grand prix, after he was granted special dispensation by Force India. Fisichella, who finished second for the British-based team in last Sunday's Belgian grand prix, will become Ferrari's test driver in 2010 and the move brings a 14-year Formula One career to potentially spectacular finish after only three wins in 226 starts.
"I'm in seventh heaven," said Fisichella. "I still can't believe it – that the dream of my life comes true. Over the last week some really incredible things happened to me: the pole position and then second place at Spa and now I'm called by Ferrari to race the last five races of the season for them. I'll give my best to recompense the Scuderia for this great opportunity they gave me: I know that it won't be easy, but I'll give it everything to gain the best possible results."
The Italian will join Kimi Raikkonen, the winner in Belgium, and the move comes at the expense of Luca Badoer who failed to impress during his two races with the Italian team. "I want to say that I'm very sorry for Luca," said Fisichella. "I know how much he cared to race in Monza behind the wheel of a Ferrari, because this is the best thing that can happen to an Italian driver, to drive a red car in front of our fans."
Dr Vijay Mallya, the Force India chairman, stressed that there had been no financial settlement with Ferrari despite allowing Fisichella to break the final year of his contract. "For any Italian driver, a Ferrari race seat is a long-held dream and for Giancarlo it was no exception," said Mallya. "No one should stand in the way of this. Furthermore the agreement will secure Giancarlo's long-term future with Ferrari and it would be incorrect to jeopardise this, particularly when Giancarlo has made such a vital contribution to Force India."
Force India have not decided on Fisichella's replacement though the team's Italian test driver, Vitanonio Liuzzi, is the favourite.
'Modi party to IMG decision'
KOLKATA: The IPL franchise owners may be cut up with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for severing ties with the International Management Group (IMG), but the fact remains that IPL commissioner Lalit Modi was a signatory to the working committee's decision to pull the plug on the sports management company.
According to a TOI source who attended the said working committee meeting last month, several state associations objected to IMG being paid far in excess to the services it had rendered during IPL-I.
Among the state associations to object were the Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA), the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA), and the motion was passed by the house unanimously.
Modi, the brain behind IPL, surprisingly didn't counter the arguments offered by the likes of Jagmohan Dalmiya and Rajeev Shukla.
It's difficult to say why the issue was not hotly debated even though the objection raised was not specific in nature.
It is also not clear why the working committee, the all-powerful arm of the BCCI, was in such tearing hurry to pass a resolution to this effect on this potentially tricky issue. A few working committee members that TOI spoke to admitted to the haste on their part but are livid with the IPL franchise owners for "poking their nose into" something that is clearly "none of their business".
"The issue involves two parties - the BCCI and IMG. The franchise owners have no locus standi. The matter is being reviewed by the BCCI president, who I am sure will come up with an acceptable solution," a working committee member said.
While just about everyone in the BCCI feels that the fee being charged by the IMG for their services is quite high, there are many who rate their quality of service highly. Indications are that unless the IMG continues to be rigid on this issue, a compromise of sorts will be worked out that will see the sports management company and the IPL continue their honeymoon.
The BCCI Working Committee (All the office-bearers): DDCA; TNCA; CAB, MCA; UPCA (Permanent Test centres); Haryana CA (North); Andhra CA (South); National Cricket Club(East); Saurashtra CA (West); MPCA (Central); Karnataka CA; Punjab CA; Gujarat CA; Vidarbha CA (Associations who have staged Tests).
Questions Raised Over The Role Of Arbitrator In Bhaichung Bhutia Case
04-Sep-2009 8:27:43 AM:On the eve of the Nehru Cup final, the AIFF Executive Committee decided to hire a reputed lawyer to look into the transfer saga which has gone far too long for anyone’s comfort.
However, it must be noted that an arbitrator is called for in any case when both parties agree to follow and there must be an arbitration agreement in place. In Bhaichung’s case, according to what AIFF general secretary Alberto Colaco was quoted saying, there isn’t any.
“In his letter, Bhaichung Bhutia has informed us that there was no arbitration clause in his contract with Mohun Bagan. So we need a legal expert to look into this,” said Colaco.
Meanwhile, the Indian FA haven’t kept in check the laws mentioned in its Constitution which clearly mentions that in case of an arbitration, all the previous stages of appeal have to be exhausted.
Only the arbitrators shall deal with appeals against decisions and sanctions of the last instance, after all previous stages of appeal available at AIFF, Member, Club level have been exhausted. The reference to arbitrators shall be sought by an application made to the AIFF General Secretariat within 10 days of the notification of the decision. (Article 60 (i))
So far there hasn’t been any decision announced. It must be remembered that Bhaichung’s case could have had a judgement had Indian Football Association (IFA) been given a free hand to do so. But needless interference from the AIFF, which wrote to the IFA, stating that since the Indian captain wants the transfer saga to come to a close as quickly as possible, they shall refer the matter to the Players Status Committee (PSC). The IFA refused to give a decision as they felt that it could be embarrassing for them if their decision and the one taken by the PSC would be contradictory.
The PSC wrote to the AIFF that without the decision of the IFA and all the documents provided, as they believed that they were provided with insufficient details, they can’t take a decision. Next, the Indian FA appoints Alberto Colaco to get the two parties for an amicable solution which didn’t produce any factual results as was known to all.
The AIFF have appointed a single solicitor as the arbitrator to resolve the case or “settle the dispute”, which also goes against what’s mentioned in their laws!
AIFF shall create an option for recourse to arbitration, by nominating a panel of 10 independent arbitrators to resolve any disputes between AIFF, its Members, Clubs, Players, Officials and all those involved in the Game of Association Football. The arbitration tribunal will only deal with internal disputes that do not fall under the jurisdiction of the other two judicial bodies of the AIFF (Disciplinary Committee and the Appeal Committee). (Article 59)
It is also stated that the Arbitrators wouldn’t entertain complaints on (a) violations of the Laws of the Game; (b) suspensions of up to four matches or up to three months; (c) decisions passed by an independent and duly constituted arbitration tribunal of a Member. (d) Decisions of the Disciplinary and Appeal Committee. (Article 60 (ii))
Also the arbitrators are empowered to deal with all disputes between a third party and any entities or persons only if an arbitration agreement exists (Article 60 (iii), which isn’t case with Bhaichung’s contract.
One wonders whether the Indian skipper shall ever get a decision on his transfer saga and ongoing duel with Mohun Bagan due to plain mishandling of the affair.
Dhoni hammers unbeaten 106
Mohali: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (106) and Manvinder Bisla (152) saw Air India Blue through to the semi-finals after they slammed unbeaten centuries in their massive 136-run victory over Indian Revenue in a rain-truncated group A match in the Sahara BCCI Corporate trophy here Thursday.
In a match that was reduced to 42 overs per side due to repeated rain-interruptions, Indian Revenue captain Amay Kurasyia’s decision to field backfired as the Air India Blue top-order put up a relentless display of aggressive batting at the PCA stadium. Dhoni alone accounted for seven fours and six sixes in his 61-ball unbeaten hundred.
In the run chase, opposition opener Ameya Shrikhande made a valiant effort with a 119-ball 121 but he found no support from the other batsmen in the team. Shrikhande batted till the 38th over, hitting 16 fours and a six. Indian Revenue ended their allotted 42 overs for just 222 from the loss of eight wickets.
With Thursday’s win, Air India Blue topped their group with seven points and will take on group C winners Tata Sports Club in the second semi-final here on Sunday.
In Bangalore, Air India Red joined Dhoni’s team after Suresh Raina smashed an unbeaten 92 for a thumping seven-wicket victory over Indian Cements in their last group D match.
Raina sent the Indian Cements bowlers for a leather hunt in his 107-ball innings which was studded with seven fours and two sixes at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here.
Earlier, put in to bat, India Cements made 243 for nine thanks mainly to contributions from S. Badrinath (91) and Rahul Dravid (66) after the match was reduced to 47 overs a side following a brief shower during the 15th over.
In Dharamshala, Tata SC strolled into the semis after their crucial and last Group C match against Indian Oil was washed out due to continuous downpour at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association stadium. The Ajit Agarkar-led Tata SC, by virtue of their win against All India Public Sector Sports Promotion Board (AIPSSPB) in the rain-truncated group C opener Tuesday, moved to the last four stage. They will face Air India Blue on Sunday at Mohali.
In Visakhapatnam, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation became the fourth semi-finalist after their last group B match against Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain.
summarised scores
Air India Blue 362/1 in 42 ovs (M. Bisla 152, M.S. Dhoni 106). Indian Revenue 222/3 in 42 ovs (A. Shrikhande 152; R.P. Singh 2/24, P. Singh 2/34) Air India Blue won by 143 runs via VJD method.
India Cements 243/9 in 47 ovs (S. Badrinath 91, R. Dravid 66). Air India Red 244/3 in 43 ovs (S. Raina 92 .., N. Ojha 59). Air India Red won by seven wickets.
Raina charges Air India Red to semi-finals
September 3, 2009:Suresh Raina hit a sparkling 92 after Naman Ojha laid the platform with a breezy 59 to charge Air India Red to a semi-final contest against ONGC.
It could have been a tricky chase on a slow wicket but Ojha and Raina killed the contest with their attractive aggression. Ojha waited for the new-ball bowlers to be taken off the attack before he upped the ante in style. In the 13th over, P Amarnath's first, Ojha crashed a full delivery for a stunning six over extra cover. It was the beginning of the onslaught. Rahul Dravid brought on spin in the form of R Ashwin from the other end but Ojha responded with a ferocious airy inside-out drive over covers. He went on to pull Amarnath and heave Ashwin for more boundaries to provide impetus to the chase.
Ojha's aggression allowed Raina to settle down through some nervy moments before he too started to scythe through the attack. He got moving with a cover-driven boundary before he hit the best shot of the day: a breathtaking straight six off Amarnath. The shots kept coming in a flood: a drag through midwicket, a peachy drive through covers, a six over midwicket, and even a pulled boundary off Amarnath which was a tad unconvincing as he took his eyes off but went through with the swat. But for the most part, after the initial period, he looked secure.
India Cements had couple of moments in which they could have turned the game. In the 14th over Ojha, on 23 then, hit a hard cover drive and Suresh Kumar nearly pulled off a blinder but couldn't hold on. And the next chance, much simpler this time, came when Raina, on 53, swung Hemang Badani straight to deep midwicket where the substitute fielder Shivakumar dropped a straightforward chance.
Ojha departed soon after that but with Raina, who was later given two more reprieves on 88 and 90, steered the chase along with an equally aggressive Yuvraj Singh to take the game away from India Cements, who had earlier posted a competitive total courtesy an 133-run untroubled partnership between S Badrinath and Dravid.
What stood out in their partnership was the serenity with which they went about their task. With two men who are extremely aware of their own game, it was almost a tango between master and pupil.
Dravid's ODI game is so structured that even though it seems predictable, it is always a safe, secure and successful blueprint. Badrinath is increasingly tending towards a similar approach, especially in domestic cricket. As usual, he started with an open bat-face push for a single to get off the mark and as he settled down, he started unfurling all the familiar shots.
Badrinath repeatedly played the paddle shot - he even picked a few boundaries with it - against the spinners and mixed it with charges down the track. Against seamers, he played those typical short-arm jabs of his and when the bowlers banged it in shorter, he reeled off his upper cuts over the slip cordon. In between these forcing shots, he played innumerable dabs into gaps to rotate the strike. His best stroke of the day, though, was an on-the-up cover drive off the sharp left-arm seamer Saurabh Netravalkar.
Badrinath started off with a feisty cut and a punchy drive against the seamers before lifting Ajith Chandila for two sixes to cow corner in the 19th over. He has of late become more inventive in his shot-making and he continued to show that prowess today with a paddle shot against the medium-pacer Mundeep Mangela. On occasion he moved outside leg stump and walked across the sticks to upset the bowlers' rhythm successfully. He fell when he charged out too early against Chandila, who pushed it wide down the leg side to have him stumped.
Dravid was out before Badrinath, holing out to long-on, but by then he had played another one of his patent innings. He started off with singles and twos and never looked in any trouble as he calmly steered the innings towards a healthy total. He was on 39 when suddenly he decided to up the ante. As he often does against the spinners, he lunged out to Ankit Chavan to heave him over wide long-on. He didn't leave the crease; it was just a purposeful lunge as he wristed it up and over the boundary. The next delivery was pulled to wide of midwicket and a little later, he chipped Dhawal Kulkarni over mid-on.
After the dismissal of Dravid and Badrinath, the lower order crumbled cheaply and perhaps, it was that period where India Cements lost the game. It proved to be the difference between a merely competitive total and a daunting one.
Safina struggles, Dementieva dumped in US Open
Shaky top seed Dinara Safina turned in another patchy performance to escape with a victory, while American Melanie Oudin produced the shock of the event so far with a 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 knockout of fourth seed Elena Dementieva on Thursday.
It was hit-or-miss for Safina, troubled by doubts over her status as a world number one who has yet to win a Grand Slam title.
The Russian got past Kristina Barrois of Germany 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-3, no thanks to 15 double faults and 38 unforced errors in their second-round match-up.
The two-and-a-quarter-hour struggle was turned in the seed's favour by 43 unforced errors from her opponent.
Dementieva, the 2004 losing finalist, had been tipped as an outside title favourite, given the apparent knee injury to third Venus Williams and Safina's lack of confidence after losing three Grand Slam finals in two seasons.
But the Russian failed to come through in the clutch as 70th-ranked Oudin continued to surprise after Wimbledon fourth round performance just weeks ago.
The 17-year-old said that despite some leg pain, she put everything into her serve on match point to end the two-hour, 45-minute contest.
"I thought this match point might be my last chance, so I threw in a really big serve. I'm so happy I won it."
Russian 13th seed Nadia Petrova reached the third round over Julie Coin of France 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), while Romanian teen Sorana Cirstea beat Stephanie Dubois of Canada 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 with a third set littered with five straight breaks of serve.
In men's play, Germany's Tommy Haas advanced at the expense of American Robert Kendrick 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), the winner producing a dozen aces and 48 winners.
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