‘2003 Davis Cup defeat to Hewitt was one of my toughest losses,’ says Federer

Melbourne, Sep 16 : Swiss tennis star Roger Federer insists that his 2003 Davis Cup failure against Lleyton Hewitt, having led by two sets and 5-2, was one of his “toughest losses”. Federer’s comment comes after he failed to convert two match points in his US Open semi-final against Novak Djokovic that condemned the 16-time major winner to his first year in the past nine without a grand slam title. “People might think...

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Tired Bolt eyes world-leading time in Brussels

Brussels (Belgium) Sep 16: Jamaican sprint icon Usain Bolt finds himself in an unfamiliar position at the season-ending Diamond League meet here Friday, still trying to post the world's fastest time in 100 metres. The 25-year-old has not been at his best this season, with a time of 9.85 seconds earlier this week in Zurich being his...

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Davis Cup: Bopanna loses to Nishikori, India trail 0-2

Tokyo, Sep 16 : Rohan Bopanna lost 3-6, 2-6, 2-6 to Kei Nishikori in the second singles to leave India 0-2 against Japan on the first day of the Davis Cup World Group play-off here Friday. India's No. 1 Somdev Devvaraman had gone down 3-6, 4-6, 5-7 in the first singles. The doubles match will be playec Satur...

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Afghanistan Cricket Board express concern over touring dengue-ridden Lahore

Lahore, Sept 16 : The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has expressed concern over the Afghan team scheduled visit to dengue-ridden Lahore to take part in Pakistan’s National Twenty20 Championship. The event, featuring 13 regional teams along with Afghanistan, is expected to attract a full house at the Gaddafi Stadium, situated in an...

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Boxing hero Mayweather, a softie and a realist at heart

London, Sep. 16 : He may be known as one of the world’s best boxers currently, but at heart, American pugilist Floyd Mayweather is a softie and a realist. He likes to switch off his sports-related ego, and would like nothing better than to be remembered for teaching his kids to be responsible and respectful human beings. Asked what...

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Webber admits Schumacher "pushed boundaries" during Italian Formula One Grand Prix

Brussels, Sept 16 : Formula One driver Mark Webber has claimed that Michael Schumacher was "pushing the boundaries" with his driving style while taking on Leiws Hamilton at the Italian Formula One Grand Prix. Comparing the incidents between Hamilton and Schumacher, as well as another between Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso, Webber...

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Pak’s ''''risky'''' decision to rest key pacers for Zimbabwe tour paid off: Mohsin

Karachi, Sept 16 : Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Selector Mohsin Khan has said that the decision to rest fast bowlers Umer Gul and Wahab Riaz and inject new talent, including fast bowler Aizaz Cheema and leg-spinner Yasir Shah, into the team for the Zimbabwe tour has paid dividends. The team, featuring new faces, whitewashed Zimbabwe...

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Cook upset at Twenty20 skipper snub

Cardiff (Wales), Sep. 16 : England one-day captain Alastair Cook has admiited to being upset over Graeme Swann being made the national team’s stand-in Twenty20 captain, as he wanted the job himself to go with his permanent leadership of the 50-over team. Speaking before today''s final one-dayer against India in Cardiff, The Sun quoted...

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Ponting could move down order as Marsh keeps place for third Test against Lanka

Colombo, Sep. 16  : Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting is likely to come down in the batting order in the third Test against Sri Lanka to allow Shaun Marsh to continue batting at NO. 3 following his outstanding debut century in the second Test at Kandy. According to the Courier Mail, Marsh has kept his place in the team for...

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It would be lovely to finish with a win,’ says Dravid

Cardiff (Wales), Sep. 16 : Rahul Dravid, “The Wall” of Indian cricket and a former skipper of the national side, has said that he would like to end his one-day international career on a winning note in Cardiff on Friday. Dravid acknowledged the appreciation he had earned in his 15-year long career, and said that a win would be special. “I...

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Cook seeks to end series with India on a high

Cardiff (Wales), Sep. 16 (ANI): England cricket captain Alastair Cook has said that his side would try to seal the ongoing ODI series against India with a win in the final game, in Cardiff on Friday. Cook said his side’s approach has not changed and they are concentrating on one game at a time, and practicing hard for the last match. “Yeah,...

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Giggs’ sis-in-law ex-lover spotted lingerie shopping following boob job

London, Sept 16 : Ryan Giggs’ sister-in-law and alleged long-term lover, Natasha, who has been keeping low profile since being caught up in the Manchester United star’s sex scandals, was spotted lingerie shopping in Manchester recently. The 28-year-old visited Agent Provocateur in the city''s centre where she had a wander round and...

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Warne eyeing Oz Twenty20 Big Bash comeback

Melbourne, Sep 16 : Former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne has confirmed that he is considering coming out of retirement to play in Australia’s Twenty20 Big Bash League. Warne had retired from all forms of cricket in May following the end of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The 41-year-old, however, said that he was balancing family...

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Juan Mata backs ‘misfiring’ Torres to score big in 2011-12 season

London, Sep 16 : Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata has predicted that his teammate Fernando Torres will prove his goal-scoring prowess has not faded when they face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday. “I believe Fernando is still the same player he was before - nothing has changed. He is a great player who has demonstrated he can...

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Campbell terms lack of black managers in Brit football as embarrassing

London, Sep 16 : Former England defender Sol Campbell reckons that the woefully-low number of black managers in British football leagues is ‘embarrassing’. Campbell describes football as “institutionalized” in attitudes towards black managers, and said that owners and officials need to change. “A lot of successful black footballers...

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McCullum ‘feels sorry’ for Oz spinners trying to replace Warne

Auckland, Sep 16 : New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Brendon McCullum says that he feels sorry for Australian spinners trying to fill-in the boots of retired great Shane Warne. “I feel sorry for whoever it is who steps into that (spinner’s) role (for Australia). I feel sorry for Haury (Nathan Hauritz) that his run came to an abrupt...

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Davis Cup: Sugita stuns Somdev to put Japan ahead

Tokyo, Sep 16 : Yuichi Sugita produced an amazing mix of scintillating power and precision to outwit India's No. 1 Somdev Devvarman 6-3,6-4,7-5 and give Japan a 1-0 lead on the opening day of their Davis Cup World Group play-off here Friday. Rohan Bopanna will be playing the second singles against Japan No. 1 Kei Nishikori to try and...

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Hammam turns to Arbitration Court after FIFA rejects appeal

Zurich, Sep 16, :  The fall-out from the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) cash-for-votes scandal seems set to continue after football's world governing body, FIFA, on Thursday rejected former executive committee member Mohamed bin Hammam's appeal against a life ban. In a statement, FIFA said its Appeals Committee had upheld a July...

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Flintoff marooned in Oz jungle for Discovery Channel’s ‘Alone In The Wild’

London, Sept 16 : Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff and Jason Gardiner have starred in Discovery Channel’s new series ‘Alone In The Wild’. The 33-year-old former cricketer and the 39-year-old choreographer were marooned alone in the lush jungles of Australia for the series starting next month. “I was speaking to the psychologist before I left...

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People envy me because I''m rich, handsome, a great player: Ronaldo

London, Sept 16  : Cristiano Ronaldo appears to be too proud of his possessions, including his looks, with reports saying that the Portuguese footballer claimed that people are the "jealous" of his rich and lavish lifestyle. "People are envious of me because I''m rich, handsome and a great player. There''s no other explanation,"...

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Steven Gerrard’s heavily pregnant wife ‘excited’ for 3rd baby

London, Sept 16 : Alex Gerrard, who feels huge as she waits to give birth to her third child, has revealed that she is really “excited” to welcome the new addition to the family. The 28-year-old wife of Liverpool ace Steven Gerrard revealed in OK! magazine column that she’s planning to keep a unique name for her to-be-born child. “I...

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India wasted talented Aaron in England, says Akram

New Delhi, Sep 15   Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram feels that India wasted young express fast bowler Varun Aaron by not playing him in the One-Day Internationals against England. "It is foolish to fly in a deserving youngster and then ask him to carry drinks to the field or bowl at the nets. India have done just that with...

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Australia will continue domination to win Lanka Test series: Harris

Colombo, Sep 15: Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris is confident that his team will beat Sri Lanka in the Colombo Test, which starts tomorrow, to win the three-match series. Australia had to settle for a draw in the rain-hit second Test in Kandy despite dominating the game, meaning that they head into the final match with a 1-0 lead. "I...

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My emotions got the best of me, says Serena Williams on US Open rants

London, Sept 15 : Serena Williams, who was seen ranting at the chair umpire during US Open final recently, has finally opened up in defense of her remarks. The tennis ace was spotted in a rather demure look in the front row of Vera Wang’s Spring 2012 showcase at New York Fashion Week, following which she revealed that her emotions...

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Mancini blames 'nerves' for City's unimpressive Champions League debut

London, Sep 15   Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has blamed "nerves" as his team drew 1-1 with Napoli in their Champions League debut. The Italian, who was watched by his father Aldo Wednesday night at the Etihad Stadium, hoped that his team can be better in the next match against Bayern Munich. "We can do better in Munich....

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Meet glamorous Carolyn Still – the youngest ever CEO of English football club

London, Sept 15  : A 29-year-old glamorous blonde is causing a stir in the male-dominated world of football by becoming the youngest ever CEO after being appointed to the board of Mansfield Town. Carolyn Still, a politics graduate, who already had a knowledge of business acquired in the cutthroat fashion industry, said that she...

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Dravid gears up for his ODI swan song at Cardiff

Cardiff, Sep 15  Former captain Rahul Dravid is all set to bid adieu to One-Day Internationals and India hope to end their nightmarish English summer on a winning note at the final match here Friday. The Indian team will be looking to give a fitting farewell to Dravid and this perhaps is the only motivation for the crest-fallen...

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Amir Khan calls Mayweather a ‘chicken’

London, September 15 : British Muslim world light-welterweight champion Amir Khan has called American rival Floyd Mayweather a ‘chicken’ as Mayweather has repeatedly backed off from fighting him. Khan has been trying his best to persuade Mayweather for a face off but for reasons unknown Mayweather has been avoiding it for sometime. Khan...

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Surprised Ojha not playing Test cricket: Surrey manager

London, Sep 13   Surrey manager Chris Adams is surprised that Pragyan Ojha has been left out of the Indian cricket Test squad and predicts that the left-arm spinner would play 100 tests for the country, Ojha took six for 42 in Surrey's innings-and-126-run victory over Derbyshire in three days at The Oval. The win promoted the county...

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It does not feel like I'm finishing: Dravid

Cardiff, Sep 15 : Former India cricket captain Rahul Dravid, who will be retiring from one-day internationals after the fifth ODI here Friday, said hard work in the shorter format of the game helped him to excel in Tests. "It does not feel like I'm finishing. I will still be doing the same things I have been doing in the last two and...

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Kolkata football coaches lament lack of infrastructure

Kolkata, Sep 15    The coaches of city based I-League teams Thursday criticised the newly laid artificial grass at the Salt Lake Stadium and regretted that lack of football infrastructure in the country was retarding the growth of the game. "I am really surprised. How can anyone lay such grass at an important stadium like that? Because of unfamiliarity with the pitch, the players are vulnerable to injuries. It...

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China Masters: Saina, Jwala-Diju in quarters

New Delhi, Sep 15    India's badminton star Saina Nehwal overcame mid-match jitters to eke out a stiff 21-11, 18-21, 27-25 victory over Japan's Ayane Kurihara and entered the women's singles quarterfinals of the China Masters Super Series badminton tournament in Changzhou Thursday. It took fifth-seeded Indian one hour and...

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Davis Cup semifinals: Nadal plays Gasquet, Djokovic against Nalbandian

Corboda (Spain), Sep 15   World No. 2 Rafael Nadal will play the opening singles for Spain in the Davis Cup semifinal against France here Friday. Nadal will play Richard Gasquet while Spain's second singles player David Ferrer takes on Gilles Simon in the second singles match. Nadal, who has already practised twice in Cordoba,...

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England eye clean sweep against India in one-dayer

We're going to have to play at the top of our game to try to win, and finish the summer on a high as a one-day team: Alastair Cook. England captain Alastair Cook is hoping to complete a miserable tour for India on Friday by wrapping up a 3-0 one-day series victory over the tourists. India are yet to taste victory over England this...

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