Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek stunned top seeded and hot favourite pair of Mike and Bob Bryan, who were chasing a rare Calendar Grand Slam, in a gripping contest to storm into the US Open men's doubles final, here today.
     The fourth seeded Indo-Czech pair denied the Bryans a piece of history with their 3-6 6-3 6-4 win as the American twins were trying to become first doubles team since 1951 to collect all four Grand Slam titles in the same year.
     Ken McGregor and Frank Sedgman had achieved the rare feat of winning Calendar Slam in 1951.
     The Bryans ran away with the first set but faced stiff challenge in the second, which Paes and Stepanek dominated to take the match to full length.
     Paes stood out with his backhand slice and chips while Stepanek was solid with his blistering double-handed backhand.
     Paes and Stepanek will have a chance to win their first Slam title of the season, having finished semifinalists at the Wimbledon.
     The two teams began well but ..

Paes-Stepanek end Bryans quest of Calender Grand Slam

PTI Automatic

Veteran Younis Khan led a Pakistan fightback after his side lost three early second-innings wickets on the third day of the first Test against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday.
     Pakistan were 168 for four at the close, a lead of 90 runs, with Younis unbeaten on 76.
     Younis and fellow veteran, captain Misbah-ul-Haq, ground out a fourth-wicket stand of 116 after their side, who trailed by 78 runs after the first innings, slipped to 23 for three against Zimbabwe's new ball bowlers Tinashe Panyangara and Tendai Chatara.
     It was slow going against accurate bowling on a pitch of occasional low bounce. The partnership occupied 48.4 overs and Pakistan were still in trouble when Misbah played too early at a slower ball from Shingi Masakadza and gave a simple catch to cover. Misbah made 52 off 157 balls, with four fours.
     Younis and Asad Shafiq saw out the day and will resume on Friday, with a new ball due after 10 more overs. Younis, who came to the crease soon ...

Younis leads Pakistan fightback

Former IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi today said that he was not given enough time to defend himself by the BCCI Disciplinary Committee which probed into the charges of alleged financial irregularities committed by him while running the cash-rich Twenty20 event.
     "The hearings started on September 26, 2010 and for 20 months, the BCCI put forth their witnesses and statements recorded. My defence began only on March 3, 2013 and abruptly ended on April 22, 2013," he said.
     "They presented their witnesses for 20 months and I was not allowed to do the same. They could have given me another two weeks time more," he added.
     Modi, who was reportedly charged on 11 counts, even went to the extent of saying that he was not allowed to present his defence personally.
     "They did not give time for me to come down myself. They said they will not take further submissions," he told 'Times Now' from London.
     Modi was IPL chairman-cum-commissioner during the first three editions but was .

Modi says Disciplinary Committee didn't give him enough time

Tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi today threw his weight behind a campaign, seeking good governance in Indian sports, saying that ethics in sport and sports administration are "non-negotiable".
     Olympic gold medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra and other athletes launched an online campaign to free IOA of corruption.
     IOC wants Indian Olympic Association to amend its constitution so that people with criminal charges against them are not eligible to contest elections even as the IOA is not keen to do that. IOA is ready to bar only convicted people from contesting elections.
     "Ethics in sport and sports administration are non-negotiable, and cannot be 'compromised' in any manner whatsoever. As long as sport in this country is not governed in an ethical and fair manner, I strongly believe this ban will, rightly so, continue to stay," Bhupathi, who is also part of the campaign, said in a statement.
     "I am proud of the sporting community in India for joining forces in standing up for 

Ethics cannot be compromised: Bhupathi

Figure skater Rajkumar Tiwari fought financial constraints and intellectual disability to return with two medals from the Special Olympics World Winter Games in February and the young athlete says he was glad his hard work paid off finally in South Korea.
     The 18-year-old lad, who was diagnosed with hyperactivity disorder and intellectual disability, won a gold and a silver in figure skating singles and pairs respectively.
     "I have been into sports for six years. I used to play handball and then I started ice skating just six months before the Winter Games," said Tiwari, who took up figure skating only in August last year.
     Rajkumar had joined the Special Olympics Bharat to train in handball in 2006. He went on to play the sport at the national level but he could not make it to the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Greece in 2011 due to financial issues.
     "I faced a lot of financial hurdles, I didn't have the means to get a passport so I could not take part in ...

From obscurity to limelight, it was long journey for Tiwari

After guiding her side Hyderabad Hotshots to inaugural Indian Badminton League title, a 'tired' Saina Nehwal has decided to skip Japan Open Super Series tournament as she wants to take proper rest before the European circuit challenge.
     In Saina's absence, fast rising shuttler P V Sindhu will represent India as lone singles player in the meet while P Kashyap will spearhead the men's team.
     In all, an eight-member team has been selected for the event, starting September 17-22 in Tokyo.
     "I will not be able to play in Japan. I am tired after playing in the IBL," Saina said.
     Sania will next play in Denmark Open, where she is defending champion.
     Badminton Association of India has allowed Saina to skip the tournament in Tokyo on the advsie of national coach Pullela Gopichand.
     Indian team for Japan Super Series:
     Men: P Kashyap, Ajay Jayaram, Sai Praneeth, K Srikanth, Saurabh Verma, Manu Attri, Sumeet Reddy and P V Sindhu.
     Coach: Madhumita Bisht.

Saina to skip Japan Open, Sindu and Kashyap to represent India

Amid the pitched battle over hosting Sachin Tendulkar's 200th Test, former India captain Sourav Ganguly today said it would be a fitting tribute if the Mumbai batsman plays the milestone match at his home ground.
	"It would be the biggest thing if Tendulkar gets to play the 200th Test in Mumbai purely on emotional grounds. He has all his friends and family members there," Ganguly said on Tendulkar, who is two Tests shy of the milestone.
     "At this moment, it seems it would be impossible for anybody to break the record of playing 200th Tests. It would be fulfilling moment for him," he said.
	"Hope we all would be there. It would be a treat to watch Sachin take guard for his 200th Test. This moment would not come again, Sachin should enjoy the moment fully," said Ganguly who also hailed the BCCI's initiative to squeeze in the West Indies home series in view of Tendulkar's 200th Test.
	The former left-hander said he would not like to speculate about Tendulkar's retirement plans but ...

Ganguly bats for Tendulkar's 200th Test in Mumbai

Commonwealth Games silver medallist Mamta Prabhu today rued lack of proper infrastructure in the country, saying it has been a big obstacle in the development of players in the country.
     Mamta was speaking at the inauguration of the 5th State Ranking Table Tennis tournament here.
     Over 700 players, including Commonwealth silver medallist Madhurika Patkar, Pooja Sahasrabudhe, Sanil Shetty, Aman Balgu, Divya Deshpande and Nishad Shah will be seen in action in the five-day event.
     Mamta facilities in India are not at par with other countries, especially China, a formidable name in world of table tennis.
     "Whenever I have played abroad, I have seen big halls, with facilities of at least 100 tables. This is something I have seen in China, with 100 tables in one big hall and it is called a school of table tennis. You have 100 tables, with 200 kids playing and 50 coaches. This is the infrastructure that China has. This is the difference between China and other countries when .

Table tennis facilities in India woeful, bemoan players

The Badminton Association of India will investigate doubles player Jwala Gutta's alleged role in provoking some players of her IBL side Krrish Delhi Smashers to not play a match against Banga Beats.
     A controversy had erupted during the August 25 tie when Delhi smashers had threatened to pull out of the tie over the issue of a player replacement.
     Delhi Smashers were upset that the IBL governing council had allowed Banga Beats to replace its injured singles player, Hong Kong's Hu Yun with Denmark's Jan Jorgensen at the last minute.
     Beats then left out Jorgensen and played Arvind Bhat, who was already part of the team.
     S Muralidharan, chairman of BAI's disciplinary committee, had said said that Gutta had stopped some players from playing that tie.
     At its Special General Body and the Executive Council meeting held in Mumbai on August 31, BAI asked its disciplinary committee to investigate the issue.
     Gutta has already been served a show cause notice.
     ...

BAI to investigate Gutta's conduct during IBL

England batsman Eoin Morgan says Kevin Pietersen will have an important role to play in the One-day International series against Australia, which starts at Headingley tomorrow.
     With Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann all rested after a successful Ashes campaign, Morgan will lead some unfamiliar faces into battle against the tourists.
     Given the lack of experience in the England line-up, Morgan has urged 33-year-old Surrey batsman Pietersen to lead the way.
     "Kev offers a hell of a lot as a senior player and as a batsman," Morgan told a press conference.
     "As a senior player he leads by example with the confidence with which he goes about his business. People rub off on that and that's crucial.
     "When I first came into the team, he was one of the more senior players and he was a guy you could turn to and ask difficult questions or have no hesitation in turning to him for a positive option.
     "In that regard, I think he's ...

Pietersen can lead by example, says Morgan

Pakistan veterans Younis Khan and captain Misbah-ul-Haq set out on a rescue mission after their side lost three early second innings wickets on the third day of the first Test against Zimbabwe on Thursday.
     At the Harare Sports Club, Pakistan were 87 for three at tea, a slender lead of nine runs.
     Younis and Misbah came together after Pakistan, trailing by 78 runs on the first innings, slipped to 23 for three. They batted cautiously, adding an unbeaten 64 runs in 24.4 overs against accurate bowling, with some balls keeping low.
     Tinashe Panyangara took two wickets for 12 runs in eight overs.
     Predominantly swinging the ball away from the right-handed batsmen, he gained both his wickets with deliveries which cut back, trapping Khurram Manzoor and Azhar Ali leg before wicket.
     Tendai Chatara claimed the third wicket when Mohammad Hafeez drove a catch to short cover.
     Earlier, Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal took seven for 95 as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 327. .

Younis, Misbah on rescue mission

Haryana Olympic Association (HOA) President P V Rathee today supported International Olympic Committee on barring charge sheeted persons from contesting IOA elections.
     In a statement, Rathee said that at the outset, he had written to President, International Olympic Committee on July 10 and urged him to make amendments in constitution of IOA as there are people working in Executive Council who have been charged with criminal, corruption, financial implications and embezzlement and charges on them have been framed by trail courts or tribunals.
     "Therefore, there should be no place for such persons in sports associations and elections of sports associations, especially IOA should be conducted under supervision of Ethics Commission," he said.
     Rathee said that he had raised this issue in a meeting of IOA held in New Delhi on August 25 and objected to decisions taken in the meeting.
     He welcomed the decision of conducting proposed elections of IOA under supervision of ...

HOA backs IOC's decision on charge sheet clause

Defending champions India dished out yet another lacklustre performance to go down 1-2 against hosts Nepal but still managed to sail through to the semifinals of the SAFF Football Championships here today.
     The six-time champions were clearly the inferior side in their last Group A match at a packed Dasarath Stadium and they were lucky to make it to the last four stage after Pakistan beat Bangladesh 2-1 in another simultaneous match.
      For Nepal, who were cheered by a vociferous home crowd, Anil Gurung and Jumanu Rai scored in the 70th and 81st minutes while Syed Rahim Nabi pulled one back for India in the stoppage time (92nd minute) with an impressive side volley.
     India and Pakistan ended on four points behind Group A toppers Nepal -- who garnered seven points from two wins and one draw -- but Wim Koevermans' men qualified for the semifinals as group runners-up having beaten Pakistan in the head-to-head encounter.
     A lucky India had beaten Pakistan 1-0 in their ...

Lacklustre India qualify for semis despite loss to Nepal

Third seed Lakshmi C of Tamil Nadu surged ahead with a hard-fought victory against overnight sole leader Vantika Agrawal of Delhi in the sixth round of the National Under-11 Girls Chess Championship here today.
     Playing with white pieces in a Sicilian Defence game, Lakshmi put enormous pressure on Vantika's defence in the middle game to score the full point.
     The crucial victory enabled Lakshmi to take her tally to five and half point put of possible six. A pack of seven players including top seed Priyanka Nutakki occupy the second spot at point table with a drift of half point from the leader at Ludlow Castle Sports Complex.
     Meanwhile in the open section, top seed Ram Aravind of Tamilnadu continued his domination and registered his sixth win on the trot as he outwitted Arjun Erigaisi of Andhra Pradesh without much struggle.
     Playing white side of Sicilian Defence game, Ram made a tight grip on the proceedings from the start itself to secure full point in 35 moves.
   

Ram Arvind and Lakshmi surge ahead

India's Anirban Lahiri fired a pair of eagles and five birdies against just one bogey to card a stunning eight-under 63 that gave him a two-shot lead midway through the first round of the Omega European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre.
     Adding to Indian contingent's fine showing were Jeev Milkha Singh and Gaganjeet Bhullar, who returned three-under 68 each.
     Both Jeev and Bhullar had four birdies and one bogey each and they were joined in the group by Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, who had an eagle, two birdies and a bogey.
     Himmat Rai (73) and Digvijay Singh (74) were unable to exploit the fine scoring conditions, while C Muniyappa had just begun his round and SSP Chowrasia and Shiv Kapur were yet to tee off.
     Three-time Major winner, Padraig Harrington shot 70. Three-time winner on the Asian Tour regular, Lahiri, who made headlines at 2012 British Open with a hole-in-one, had an eagle on par five 14th.
     Lahiri started on 10th and his run of three pars was disturbed ...

Lahiri shoots stunning 8-under in opening round

The hastily arranged West Indies tour of India where Sachin Tendulkar is expected to play his 200th Test before home fans will begin on October 31.
     The BCCI announced that the four-week tour, which will comprise of two Tasts and three One-day Internationals apart from a three-day warm-up game, will begin on October 31 and conlcude on November 27.
     "The dates and venues of the matches will be announced shortly," BCCI Secretary Sanjay Patel said in a release.
     It is widely believed that the tour has been arranged  to give Tendulkar an opportunity to play the historic 200th Test in front of his home fans. As per rotational policy, Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad is in line to host the 200th game but Tendulkar's home city Mumbai and Eden Gardens Kolkata are also vying to host the landmark occasion.

WI tour of India to begin on Oct 31, to play 2 Test and 3 ODIs

Manprit Juneja missed out on a well-deserved double hundred by only seven runs while New Zealand top-order got some much needed batting practise against India A bowlers as the second unofficial 'Test' between the two sides predictably ended in a draw.
     In reply to New Zealand A's first innings score of 437, Indians finished their first innings seven runs short at 430. In the second innings, the Kiwis finished at 176 for three in 51.2 overs as the umpires decided to call off the match after taking consent of the two skippers.
     In all 62.5 overs of play was held on the final day.
     The honours were shared as both the Test matches failed to yield any positive outcome for either of the two teams.
     The only interest in final day's play was whether young Juneja (193, 362 balls, 20x4, 1x6) would get to score his second first-class double hundred but seamer Mark Gillespie (4/80 from 29.3 overs) dismissed him caught by Corey Anderson.
     Resuming the day at 408 for seven, ...

Juneja misses out on 200 as second 'Test' ends in a draw

India will not be hosting USD 2.3 million Avantha Masters from next year after the sponsors -- Avantha Group -- decided against renewing the contract with the European tour because of current economic condition.
     The Avantha Group had been the sponsors of the tri-sanctioned event in New Delhi for the last four years but it would no longer be sponsoring the prestigious tournament from next season.
	"Having successfully hosted the prestigious Avantha Masters for four consecutive years, the Avantha Group has concluded that in order to attract top talent, both the timing of the event in the golf calendar along with a substantial prize money increase will be required," the company said in a statement.
     "Given the current economic conditions, the Avantha Group has concluded that this is not the appropriate moment to do so and has therefore not renewed its contract with the European Tour," it added.
     India is going through its worst economic crisis in decades and it has affected .

India loses top golf event due to falling rupee

The Union Health Ministry today announced former Indian cricket team captain Rahul Dravid as brand ambassador for its National Tobacco Control Campaign.
	India has been committed towards strengthening its national tobacco control efforts as well as contribute towards tobacco control, additional secretary MoHFW C K Mishra said while making the announcement today.
	"Despite effective, evidence-based tobacco control policies, smoking continues. India played a leading role in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) negotiations and has been striving to implement more tobacco control measures," Mishra said.
	It is only through collective resolve of governments, world leaders, development partners and civil society, we can save lives, protect and preserve the health of future generations from harmful effects of tobacco use, he said.
	"The national anti-tobacco control campaign has to go on till we achieve desired results," Mishra said.
	With World Health Assembly adopting a ..

Rahul Dravid is brand ambassador for Tobacco Control Campaign

Local lad Trishul Chinnappa is poised to capture the Tata Steel Southern India Amateur title after he shot a brilliant 5-under par 67 to widen his lead to four shots at the end of the third and penultimate round at the Karnataka Golf Association Course here today.
     The 19-year-old's three-round total read at an impressive 8-under 208 at the testing 7227-yard course.
     Trishul's citymate Udayan Mane caught fire on his back nine making two birdies and an eagle in the first three holes to return a card of 2-under 70 for an overall total of 212.
     Ainesh Ahluwalia was lying third at level par 216. Ankur Chadha, Vikram Rana and Aman Raj were tied for the fourth spot at 217. Another local lad Jaibir Singh matched the day's best of 67 to move up to the seventh spot at 218 along with Hemendra Choudhary.
     Trishul admittedly was wayward in the initial stage of his round but was lucky to save the pars. Then began a birdie blitz -- four of them in five holes including a hat-trick ...

Trishul poised to win Tata Steel Southern India Amateur

Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal took seven wickets in an innings for the second time in his career to restrict Zimbabwe's first innings lead on the third day of the first Test at the Harare Sports Club today.
     Ajmal took seven for 95, as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 327 -- a first innings lead of 78.
     Pakistan were 21 for one in their second innings at lunch, still trailing by 57 runs.
     Khurram Manzoor was leg before wicket for the second time in the match, padding up to a ball from Tendai Chatara which cut back at him after he had scored five.
     Ajmal took all three wickets that fell yesterday as the host nation added 46 runs to their overnight 281 for seven.
     Elton Chigumbura became the third Zimbabwe batsmen to score a half- century, making 69 before he was ninth man out, caught off bat and pad at short leg by Azhar Ali after a 129-ball innings which included eight boundaries.
     Last man Chatara was out first ball, caught at gully by Younis Khan.
     ...

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