Ivanovic seeks to stretch comeback into 2011

Four years of gentle persuasion from fellow Serb Novak Djokivic finally convinced Ana Ivanovic to return as a competitor at the Hopman Cup.

Former number one Ivanovic said that after last playing the eight-nation mixed team event in 2006, she is pleased to be returning to Perth for the opening tune-up for the Australian Open.

“I’m very excited about this, coming here, there is a lot of potential to do really well,” said the 23-year-old.

“Novak has been asking me to come back ever since the first year we played here.” Ivanovic is well used to summer condition in the southern hemisphere, arriving in Australia from Europe in time for Christmas with her parents.

“There are lots of great players out there but it’s been a little bit shaky, it’s been up and down,” she said of a women’s game currently without a dominating player with the decline of Serena Williams and number one Caroline Woznbiacki still without a Grand Slam crown.

“A lot of players have been fighting injuries and haven’t played that many events, so I think if you can start good and be consistent you can get really far next year.”

With her ranking having risen to 17th after sinking to 68th in the years since her Paris Grand Slam title, Ivanovic feels poised for a rebirth in the sport. “I want to get back to the top ten and hopefully win another slam,” she said.

“Winning a Grand Slam is something I can never forget. If I had to choose I would always choose a Grand Slam over number one ranking. I have potential to win some more and it would be a good start next year.

“I think I’m on the right way,” added the player who took on a new coach in the WTA off season, “I work really hard but consistency is the main thing. You have to perform good week after week and also match after match.

“You have to recover well and then get your game up because you have lots of tough opponents. In a Grand Slam you have to win seven matches and there are no easy matches anymore — from the first round on you get tough opponents.”

“My goal now is to get to the second week (of a Slam). I feel good about my game and my fitness at the moment but I just don’t want to get too excited about the possibilities or how far I can get. “It’s very important to just set realistic goals and aim for the second week, then take it day by day. I think it’s all about confidence.”

Ponting survives axe, CA endorses him as skippe

Despite calls for his sack getting louder everyday, Ricky Ponting looks certain to survive the axe as his deputy Michael Clarke and Cricket Australia (CA) have endorsed him as the Australian skipper after he returns from injury.

CA’s chief executive James Sutherland also endorsed Ponting’s continuation as skipper upon return from his injury and quashed assumptions that a new captain would be appointed should the team lose the fifth and the final Ashes Test.

CA board unanimously endorsed a recommendation from the selection panel of Andrew Hilditch, Greg Chappell, David Boon and Jamie Cox, to appoint Clarke as captain for the Sydney Test in the absence of Ponting.

Ricky will undergo surgery to repair a broken left little finger in a bid to lead the side in the one-day World Cup in February.

“There’s no question of looking beyond the immediacy of this Test match ... and [Ponting’s] return ahead of the World Cup, which we’ve obviously flagged as being incredibly important, which is why he’s being wrapped in cotton wool from now,” Sutherland was quoted as saying by The Age.

Clarke said that his appointment as the Australian captain for the final Ashes Test in Sydney is only a temporary arrangement as he can’t think of a Test side without Ponting.

“No, I’ve always said from day one Ricky Ponting is my leader, my captain, and I’m certain he’ll be back captaining ASAP. For me the focus is right now on this Test match, and doing as well as we possibly can to try and level the series, and I’m certain Punter will be back ASAP,” Clarke was quoted as saying by the daily.

Ponting also said that he had no intention of giving up the captaincy despite his record as the first skipper since 1890 to have lost the Ashes urn three times.

“I think I’ve got a lot to offer as a player and as the captain of the Australian team and I want to continue to do that. I want to play Test cricket post-World Cup as well, so that’s what’s in the future for me,” he said.

Nimbus Sport, IHF launch World Series Hockey

India men hockey current team members Sandeep Singh, Sardara Singh, Adrian D’Souza, Dhananjay Mahadik and Gurjinder Singh were present at the announcement of the World Series Hockey (WSH). Nimbus

Sport and the Indian Hockey Federation have entered into a 15-year agreement to conduct the annual league spread over 10 cities in India.

Teams will be owned by corporate franchises and players will be allocated on the basis of draft pick. Performers will get guaranteed playing fees, endorsements and performance incentives. According to Harish Thawani, Executive Chairman of Nimbus Communications Limited, players’ initial contract will be for three years and estimated average earnings for performers will range from Rs 40-50 lakhs annually. Corporates owning teams have to make three types of payments (running expenses, commitment to hockey development and commitment to infrastructure development).

WSH’s first edition is expected to take place in November/December 2011 after the Champions Trophy, extending upto February 2012 and will feature 100 matches held over 10 weeks, involving around 250 players.

Each game will be broadcast live in at least 10 countries, according to Mr. Thawani, informing that 37 leading India players had already been signed up to compete in WSH. Slots have been reserved for 60 foreigners, to be signed up using accredited player agents.

Mr. Thawani was asked questions about Nimbus Sport’s decision to team up with Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), instead of FIH-recognised Hockey India (HI) for the new project. “IHF is recognised by the Sports Ministry and infrastructure like stadiums are owned by IHF. For example, stadiums in Mumbai and Bangalore are owned by the Mumbai Hockey Association and Karnataka State Hockey Association respectively, both part of IHF,” said Mr. Thawani, extending a welcome to HI for becoming part of the WSH project.

Responding to a question about HI secretary Narinder Batra’s statement in certain sections of media about denial of permission to Indian national men team probables wanting to take part in WSH, he said: “We are willing to release players for national camps and international competitions whenever there is a question of India representation.

After doing this, I don’t think HI will object to players becoming part of World Series Hockey. Then it amounts to restraint on trade, which is to be taken very seriously and won’t stand the test from a legal viewpoint.”

India captain Sandeep Singh denied receiving any instruction from HI so far on the issue of WSH participation. “I have not got any call from HI yet. Something like the World Series Hockey is happening in India for the first time,” said the penalty corner specialist. Asked whether he is willing to risk omission from the national squad against the prospect of an estimated Rs 40 lakhs annual League earnings, he said: “If I am good enough for India, I will be selected.”

R. K. Shetty, current president of IHF and K P S Gill, past president, also spoke, besides Yannick Colaco, CEO of Nimbus Sport.

PLAYERS

Signed for three-year period initially. Guaranteed payments in three categories--- Rs 5 lakhs, Rs 7 lakhs and Rs. 10 lakh, besides others like endorsements and performance incentives differing from franchise to franchise. Player allocation by Draft pick, based on systems used globally like the NBA.

FRANCHISES

First four franchises to join by invitation, given status of founding members. Next four or six may have to go through procedures. Franchise allocation for period of 15 year and based on financial strength of team owner, commitment of hockey development and commitment to infrastructure development.

BUSINESS MODEL

Ownership rights split between teams and League. Team rights include team sponsorship, ticketing and hospitality at home games. League rights include all event sponsorship and media rights. Percentage of League revenue to be shared with teams.

UNDERWRITING

Nimbus Sport to underwrite the entire cost of the League as well as pay IHF an annual fee for hockey development in India, amounting to Rs. 30 crores over the contract period OR share of League profiles, whichever is higher. Nimbus Sport to market all broadcasting and other electronic media rights.

Arsenal claims crucial victory over Chelsea

Arsenal showed that they mean business in the title race this season as they beat champions Chelsea 3-1 on Monday to go second in the English Premier League.

Alexander Song, Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott put Arsenal in control with three goals in nine minutes either side of half-time, and Branislav Ivanovic’s goal proved no more than a consolation for the champions.

The win moved Arsenal back up to second, two points behind Manchester United, who have a game in hand, while Chelsea stay fourth, six points off the pace.

Having seen his team lose to Manchester United in their last match, manager Arsene Wenger had called on his players to show mental strength, and they did just that with a clinical performance, ending a run of seven straight defeats against Chelsea.

Though Arsenal had more of the possession, the first half was fairly even in terms of chances — Didier Drogba going close twice for Chelsea and Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie threatening at the other end.

But with one minute to go before the break, Fabregas looked to have been fouled when in a dangerous position, but the ball broke to Song, and he finished neatly to put Arsenal ahead.

Fabregas, Walcott consolidate Gunners’ position

That was a blow to Chelsea’s hopes, and things quickly turned worse in the second half as first Fabregas and Walcott laid on goals for each other.

Ivanovic gave Chelsea a glimmer when he pulled one back on 57 minutes with a header, but any hope was short-lived as Arsenal saw out time to send out a message to their rivals.

Second Test tantalisingly poised

The low-scoring second cricket Test was tantalisingly poised after the third day’s play with South Africa needing 192 more runs to win and India also fancying their chances of a remarkable series-levelling victory here on Tuesday.

Chasing a target of 303 for victory after India scored 228 in their second innings, South Africa were 111 for three when bad light brought an early end to an eventful third day’s play which saw V.V.S. Laxman miss his century by just four runs.

After three days of see-saw battle, the game is now heading for a nail-biting finish with both teams in a position to tilt the balance in its favour on a Kingsmead track which has shown signs of easing out.

With two full days left, India’s hopes of levelling the series will largely depend on how well pace spearhead Zaheer Khan and spinner Harbhajan Singh, the chief wreckers in South Africa’s first innings, bowl tomorrow.

The experienced Jacques Kallis (12) and AB de Villiers (17) were at the crease when stumps were drawn on the third day. South Africa’s push for taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series will largely depend on this pair.

If the second day’s play saw as many as 18 wickets fall, nine wickets tumbled on the third day on Tuesday to set the stage for an engrossing climax.

Laxman’s sparkling 96 and his vital 70-run partnership with Zaheer for the eighth wicket was largely responsible for India to gain an overall lead of 302.

Earlier, resuming at the overnight score of 92 for four, Cheteshwar Pujara (10) was the first wicket to fall this morning when he failed to negotiate the extra bit of bounce from Morne Morkel and was bowled out.

Morne pitched the ball around off stump as Pujara looked to ride it but it bounced higher than he expected and after hitting his bat, trickled onto the stumps.

Captain Dhoni, who joined the action after Pujara’s dismissal, eased the pressure as he drove past Morkel for a boundary in the 34th over, before picking up two more fours off Dale Steyn at square leg and backward point in consecutive deliveries.

Laxman also dealt in boundaries as he steered one off Morkel over slips to the fence.

But Tsotsobe broke the partnership in the 42nd over, dismissing Dhoni when he induced an edge off the Indian skipper with an out-swinger as India slipped to 141 for six.

Harbhajan Singh also didn’t last long and was sent back to the pavilion by Morkel in the first delivery of the 45th over.

Morkel’s away going delivery cramped Harbhajan, kissed the outside edge of his blade and landed safely in the hands of Jacques Kallis at second slip as India further slumped to 148 for seven.

At the other end, Zaheer Khan lived dangerously and was lucky to survive two confident LBW appeals -- one of Steyn and the other of Paul Harris.

Laxman, in company of Zaheer, continued his good work and picked up two more boundaries off Paul Harris. He also picked up a boundary off Steyn when his inside edge got past a diving Boucher.

The Indians lost Zaheer Khan (27) immediately after the break with spinner Paul Harris breaking the vital 70-run partnership for the eighth partnership.

Harris got the ball to bounce sharply around off stump and Zaheer was a little late in playing the stroke and edged it to AB de Villiers at second slip.

Ishant Sharma, who joined the action after Zaheer’s dismissal, hung around for 16 balls before falling prey to a short-pitched ball from Jacques Kallis.

Ishant tried to fend off the short-pitched ball but only succeeded in lobbing up in the air for Amla to take a simple catch at forward short leg. Ishant hung around for a moment as umpire Davis checked whether it was a no-ball, but it was not.

Running out of parters, Laxman went for his strokes in a bid to complete his century and swept Harris to the fine leg boundary.

South African captain Graeme Smith brought in his pace spearhead Dale Steyn and the move paid dividends as the speedster accounted for the dismissal of Laxman, who was unlucky to miss his century by four runs.

Laxman played a rather loose shot as he tried to cut the ball but only managed to edge it to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher who made no mistake. Laxman’s 96 came off 171 balls and was laced with 12 boundaries.

Chasing a target of 303 for victory, Graeme Smith started the chase on a flourishing note by smashing Zaheer Khan for two consecutive boundaries in the very first over. In the next over off Ishant, his partner Alviro Petersen clobbered him for a boundary.

Zaheer, who could not get any swing in the second innings, proved quite expensive in his first three overs as he repeatedly strayed the ball on the leg side.

The two South African openers seemed to be in no discomfort at all as they went about the task of providing a good start to the team.

The duo put on 63 runs on the board before Sreesanth provided the breakthrough by removing Smith (37), who mistimed a bouncer and offered a simple catch to Dhoni.

The balance tilted slightly in India’s favour after the tea break as the visitors got rid of Petersen and Hashim Amla in quick succession to reduce the Proteas to 82 for three.

While Harbhajan accounted for Petersen (26) with Cheteswar Pujara taking a smart catch at short leg, Sreesanth got rid of the dangerous Amla (16) who played a poor shot and edged the ball to Dhoni.

The experienced Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers tried to rebuild the South African innings by playing cautiously but were quick to despatch the loose deliveries to the boundary.

Cilic looking forward to Chennai Open

Marin Cilic, World no. 14 and the first player since Carlos Moya to win back-to-back titles at the Aircel Chennai Open, talks about the year gone by, his experience at Chennai and more, in an email interview with The Hindu. The Chennai Open (CO) will see Cilic battle it out with the likes of Tomas Berdych, Stanislas Wawrinka and Janko Tipsarevic between January 3 and 11.

2010 started off with a bang for you (defending titles at Chennai and Zagreb, the run at the Australian Open) but kind of ended in a whimper. What happened - was it a question of accumulated fatigue and tiredness, or was it a dip in form?

Cilic: Yes, I had a really good start to the year. I was on my best start and best winning streak in my career. I had 17 wins and one loss over a one-and-a-half month period. Of course in tennis, sports and life we have ups and downs. It is not always easy. But these things are going to come. I have to say I have had some tough times but I am looking forward to the next season now and will try to do well this year in Paris, finish good and have a fresh good start for the next year.

Chennai has been a favourite haunt of yours, what are your plans for Chennai Open 2011? Sticking to the basics that got you the back-to-back title haul here, or are you trying to change things around (with respect to your game) to recapture form?

The biggest reason for the back to back wins was very good preparation in the off season and I was really fresh and hungry to play. I enjoy playing at CO. It is very well organised. I feel good on the court and can give my best.

How does your height (Cilic is 6'6”) affect your tennis? Pop science seems to suggest that the most convenient height for an activity like tennis is around 6-6'2". Your thoughts?

You have good and bad things about height. It depends on how you are moving and what your potential is. From my side I am doing my best of myself and my natural ability , but still I think I have a lot of room to improve in many things.

How difficult was the quarterfinal defeat to Serbia in the Davis Cup? What was it like being the youngest member of the team?

Davis Cup was a great experience, especially as this year we had a big tie against Greece and in the quarterfinals against Serbia. It was a great experience and atmosphere for me, to play in that kind of situation. It was the first time in history that Croatia and Serbia played against each other in tennis. Everyone was expecting a lot of tension around the court. But I have to say it was really positive and even though we lost I think we got good results this year.

Any specific reason for choosing Chennai over Doha or Brisbane (which host ATP 250 tournaments in the same week as Chennai)?

Well, I have played in Chennai for last four years and it has been a great tournament to play in. I feel good being in Chennai and so there is no reason to change.

Steyn has India hopping and jumping again

M.S. Dhoni's 12th lost toss of the year (in 13 attempts!) forced on India's batsmen the opportunity to address the ills of the first day of the series.

Although they turned in a better display in the second Test here at Kingsmead, in circumstances that were just as challenging, they largely flattered to deceive. To be fair, the nature of the wicket (green, damp) and the ambient conditions (overcast, milky-white skies) meant no batsman felt ‘in'.

But they didn't exploit a South African bowling attack that was less efficient than the first innings of the first Test. India slumped to 183 for six in 56 overs before fading light ended play. Dale Steyn, the lone standout bowler, claimed four wickets.

The first over seemed to set the tone: Virender Sehwag, taking first strike, walked away, wringing his bottom hand, after the first ball of the match, from Steyn, jumped off a dark spot and struck it. Later in the over, one delivery made as if to move into the right-hander only to leave him off the seam and travel over the exposed stumps.

Wry smile

A wry smile escaped Sehwag the next over when Morne Morkel cut him in half. Enough of this, he seemed to say, and in Morkel's next over, the fourth of the innings, he struck one straight and another over cover to get things rolling.

Sehwag then punched Lonwabo Tsotsobe through cover-point before back-cutting the left-armer for another four.

M. Vijay, in for Gautam Gambhir who sat the match out with an injured left hand, had a strange time of it in his hour-long stay. He played the rising ball well; the full ball that moved was another matter.

After being dropped on 3 at first slip off Steyn, he began to leave deliveries with excellent judgment; he also got a boundary when his judgment faltered and he couldn't withdraw his bat in time.

But just as it seemed that India was having the luck it needed to survive in conditions such as these, Steyn struck. A magnificent out-swinger it was, angling into Sehwag before rebelling off-course late.

It committed Sehwag to the drive, eluded the bat's middle, and took the edge, travelling chest-high to second slip. Such was the quality of the delivery that it made it seem that Sehwag had given it away.

Vijay departs

Vijay followed, trapped on the crease by another wickedly curling Steyn out-swinger to be caught behind. He was nearly held by a diving A.B. de Villiers at third slip the previous ball; the indecision in his footwork was his undoing again.

Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar took India to lunch at 74 for two from 19 overs, the latter attacking Morkel before the break, collecting three fours, two from thrilling flashes over the slips and one from a top-edged hook.

Tendulkar fell in the over after lunch, chasing a wide delivery slanted across him by Tsotsobe from left-arm over. But V.V.S. Laxman, who joined Dravid, played with beautiful touch, even as batting got marginally easier.

Two pulls, one off Tsotsobe for four and another off Steyn for six, were arresting strokes; as was a vertical-bat cut-drive, not something seen often, off Tsotsobe.

Dravid — who, in between push-driving splendidly, played and missed, bat flicking out like a switchblade — left after gloving a ball that both lifted and left him, off a length. As is sometimes the case in a Dravid defensive stroke, his hands were low, which compromised the stroke.

Bizarre departure

Laxman's innings ended in slightly bizarre fashion, a pull off Steyn intercepted at mid-on by Tsotsobe, who moved late and suddenly, and stuck out his right hand. Laxman was aghast, as he supported himself with a hand on his hip. The South Africans celebrated with surprised delight.

Cheteshwar Pujara batted with greater composure than the man he replaced, Suresh Raina, leaving the ball well, even playing a marvellous upper-cut off Morkel. But he was late on the hook and pull-strokes. The first top-edge, off Morkel, went for four, but the second — against Tsotsobe's angle from left-arm over — steepled high.

Mark Boucher back-pedalled, and despite knocking over a protective helmet with one step and scattering a heap of sawdust with the second, took his third catch.

M.S. Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh counter-attacked whenever the opportunity presented itself, both playing bold strokes for valuable runs.

India requires more from this pair — and anything else the tail can cobble together. Then it will need to bowl better than it did in the first Test if it is to re-enter the series.

Scores

India — 1st innings: V. Sehwag c Kallis b Steyn 25 (32b, 4x4), M. Vijay c Boucher b Steyn 19 (42b, 2x4), R. Dravid c Boucher b Steyn 25 (68b, 3x4), S. Tendulkar c Kallis b Tsotsobe 13 (22b, 3x4), V.V.S. Laxman c Tsotsobe b Steyn 38 (73b, 4x4, 1x6), C. Pujara c Boucher b Tsotsobe 19 (45b, 3x4), M.S. Dhoni (batting) 20 (31b, 2x4), Harbhajan (batting) 15 (25b, 2x4); Extras (b-1, lb-2, nb-2, w-4): 9. Total (for six wickets in 56 overs): 183.

Fall of wickets: 1-43 (Sehwag), 2-48 (Vijay), 3-79 (Tendulkar), 4-117 (Dravid), 5-130 (Laxman), 6-156 (Pujara).

South Africa bowling: Steyn 14-3-36-4, Morkel 15-2-60-0, Tsotsobe 11-3-40-2, Kallis 8-2-18-1, Harris 8-1-26-0.

Saina wins Hong Kong Open Super Series

India’s Saina Nehwal has done it again. The champion shuttler picked her fourth Super Series title in all when she came back strongly from a first-game deficit to down the Chinese Wang Shixian of China 15-21, 21-16, 21-17 in the final of the Hong Kong Super Series women’s singles final on Sunday.

Saina, in a way, achieved a rare feat of winning all the finals she entered this year – starting with the Indian Open in Chennai, Singapore Open, Indonesian Open, Commonwealth Games and now the Hong Kong Open.

For the record, World No. 4 Saina has an unmatched record for any Indian badminton player in terms of winning the Super Series titles.

The 20-year-old Indian, seeded second here in Hong Kong Open, was desperate to put behind the disappointment of her quarter-final loss in the recent Guangzhou Asian Games, shrugged off early blues to rediscover her form to the shock of the third-seeded opponent.

For someone who had to miss out at least five Super Series this year because of her national commitments to play in the Commonwealth and the Asian Games, the Hyderabadi was clearly in the mood to make a point or two with her typical blend of solid defence and wonderful strokes.

It was a remarkable contest where the Indian shuttler showed her now familiar fighting qualities. There were quite a few moments when she was down but not out, literally. The second game gave enough hints that this Indian shuttler meant business without wilting under pressure. Initially, she led 3-0 then it was the Chinese who took the lead 4 was a simple example of Saina’s remarkable ability 5-4 only to see Saina take seven points in-a-row to lead 11-5.

Then it was the turn of the Wan g to pay back the compliments with a wonderful blend of attack and defence to narrow down the lead 10-11. This was the phase when Saina raised her game to a new high picking another seven points stretch to take a convincing 19-11 lead. It was not as if the Chinese shuttler gave up easily as she reduced the lead only to lose the game.

Buoyed by this success in the second game, Saina was in a different mood in the decider, coming up with some stunning cross-court returns initially to take a 5-0 lead, combining her famous net-dribbles. But, again it was a see-saw battle for supremacy. When things appeared to be too close, Saina scored the big points when it mattered most to slow inch her way back into the game and eventually emerged a deserving winner when the opponent returned out a deep return from the Indian.

Saina was on record before she left for the Hong Kong Open saying that very rarely she was as determined as she was this time around to win this title. And, now she has every reason to sport a big smile.

City turns down Tevez transfer reque

Manchester City has turned down a transfer request from captain Carlos Tevez, the club announced on Sunday.

The Premier League team confirmed that the Argentina forward had submitted a written transfer request, adding that it is “disappointed by this situation.”

According to reports, Tevez has clashed with City manager Roberto Mancini and is unhappy to be apart from his family in Argentina.

But in its statement, the team said “Roberto Mancini and all at the club have shown, and will continue to show, sensitivity to Carlos’ personal circumstances including the issue of his family being based overseas.”

Tendulkar’s 200 in Time magazine’s 'Top 10 Sports Moments'

Iconic Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar’s record-breaking one-day International double century has found a place in Time magazine’s 'Top 10 Sports Moments' of the year.

“Certain sports milestones seem simply unreachable: In cricket, it’s the one-day double-hundred: no man had ever produced 200 runs for his team during a one-day international match,”‘Time’ said.

“In February, however, India’s Sachin Tendulkar, the greatest run scorer of all-time, hit the magic milestone against a powerful South African squad.

“Tendulkar smacked three ‘sixes’ - the cricket equivalent of a home run — during his epic performance, and the build up to 200 was exhilarating.

“When he reached 199, the home crowd in Gwalior waved Indian flags, and roared, knowing they were about to witness history. The diminutive Tendulkar, dubbed ‘The Little Master,’ slapped a single past the South African fielders. The world’s 1.5 billion cricket fans had a moment they’d never forget,” it said.

India’s No.1 ranking at stake: De Villiers

The mind games have started ahead of the India-South Africa Test series with Proteas star batsman AB de Villiers saying that there would be a question mark on the visitors’ number one ranking if they falter in the three-match series starting on December 16.

“There’s been this feeling and stats show it, that their batters score bigger and they generally perform better at home — which is normal. This will be a big test for them. There’s always been the label that they struggle in South Africa,” De Villiers told The Independent.

“If they don’t have success here, there’ll definitely be a question mark about their No. 1 ranking,” he said.

De Villiers said he admires Sachin Tendulkar in the Indian team but hoped that the veteran right-hander does not strike form in the three-Test series.

“Sachin is a legend of the game and I’ll always look up to him and it’s great that he is here. It might be his last series in South Africa, so you’ve got to enjoy having the man around, but I’m hoping he doesn’t score too many hundreds.”

Talking about his team’s chances in the upcoming series De Villiers said the visitors would gain from having South Afircan Gary Kirsten as coach but the hosts have the quality bowlers to contain their much-vaunted batting line-up.

“He (Kirsten) has got a lot of knowledge of conditions here. They’ll have all the necessary information. They are a class team and they gave us a run for our money the last time they were here.”

“I back our seam bowlers. Dale (Steyn) and Morne (Morkel) will be big danger men. We are playing at home we should know the conditions.”

“I’d be a loser if I said I was happy with my career right now — I’d like to achieve a lot more. I have my goals now and I just want to go out there and win games for the team.”

De Villiers said having captain Graeme Smith’s backing has also worked wonders for him.

“I’m the type of guy that needs a boost every now and then from the coaching staff and the captain. Graeme Smith’s always been there for me, backed me 100 per cent, even during the bad times,” he said.

Chelsea heads to Tottenham looking to end poor run

Chelsea’s recent blip has turned into a full-blown slump ahead of Sunday’s trip to London rival Tottenham, the first of three tough English Premier League matches in a row for the stuttering defending champions.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side was tight at the back and free-scoring up front in the first three months of the season as it built a five-point cushion at the top of the league.

But the Blues have won just two of their last eight matches in all competitions, have slipped to third in the Premier League and play Manchester United and Arsenal -- the division’s top two who meet at Old Trafford on Monday -- after the away match at fifth-place Spurs.

Chelsea captain John Terry denied the side was in a crisis but warned his team-mates the bad run of results had to come to an end.

“We’re going through a bad spell ... hopefully this will be the end of our blip otherwise teams are going to pull away,” the England defender said. “We need to go on a good run and now would be the perfect time with Tottenham, Man United and Arsenal coming up.

“Nothing has changed on the squad basis; it’s just about staying together and staying confident. The good thing is we’re not out of it.”

Ancelotti said on Friday he has the full backing of club owner Roman Abramovich and does not fear for his job.

“I am an optimist that everything will be OK for this season,” the Italian manager said. “I spoke with Roman after the game on Wednesday and he gave me total support. He understood the problem of the team.”

Arsenal took advantage of United’s postponed match at Blackpool last weekend to climb to the top of the standings with a 2-1 win over Fulham, its third straight victory in the league.

Chelsea, on the other hand, was fortunate to draw 1-1 at home to Everton last Saturday, extending its winless streak to four league matches.

England midfielder Frank Lampard was still out with a groin injury and Brazil centre back Alex was missing because of a knee problem.

Netherlands playmaker Rafael van der Vaart was still out with a hamstring strain for Spurs, who are six points behind Arsenal.

Second-place United’s home match against league leader Arsenal, which is a point clear at the top, will have been given some added bite following comments by its left back Patrice Evra.

United, which saw its match against Blackpool last weekend called off because of a frozen pitch, should have Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand available.

Arsenal joined United, Chelsea and Tottenham in qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League by beating Partizan Belgrade 3-1 on Wednesday.

Captain Cesc Fabregas missed that match with a hamstring problem, and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was unsure whether the Spain midfielder will be fit for Monday.

In the other standout match this weekend, Alan Pardew takes charge of his first game as Newcastle manager when Liverpool visits St. James’ Park on Saturday.

Pardew was hired to replace the popular Chris Hughton, who was fired on Monday despite leading the club back into the Premier League and into a mid-standings position.

Disgruntled fans could vent their feelings toward the club’s board on Saturday.

Liverpool has recovered from its difficult spell at the start of the season and has moved up to eighth, just four points behind Spurs.

Elsewhere on Saturday, fourth-place Manchester City visits last-place West Ham, Villa hosts West Bromwich Albion, Everton is at home to Wigan, Sunderland goes to Fulham and Stoke welcomes Blackpool.

On Sunday, sixth-place Bolton is at home to Blackburn, and Wolverhampton Wanderers hosts Birmingham.

Saina scrapes through to Hong Kong Super Series final

Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal fought her way to the Hong Kong Super Series final with a gruelling three-game victory over sixth seed Juliane Schenk of Germany in Wanchai today.

The second seeded Indian registered a 21-19 17-21 21-12 win over Juliane in a 53-minute women’s singles semi-final match.

20-year-old Saina will lock horns with third seed Shixian Wang of China in the summit clash tomorrow. Shixian beat top seed and compatriot Xin Wang 21-12 21-14 in another semi-final match.

In a battle of nerves, Saina was trailing 8-12 but the Indian won four straight points to first catch up with the German and then level 17-17 before marching ahead to pocket the first game.

But the Hyderabadi couldn’t hold on to the lead in the second game and from 5-5, Juliane moved ahead in strides to bounce back into the match.

In the decider, Saina gave no chance to her rival and opened a 6-1 lead before surging ahead to 11-3 and 19-9 before wrapping up the match.

“The final will be a tough match because Shixian is in good form. It has been a fantastic year for Saina and will have to see how she plays tomorrow. She has been very consistent and have done well in bigger events and am happy overall,” national coach and Saina’s mentor Pullela Gopichand told PTI.

“She missed out of at least five super series this year because the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games were more important events but it also means that she missed out of some events which otherwise could have taken her to the number one spot. But it doesn’t matter, what matters is number of wins,” he added.

Saina registered three back-to-back titles this year, winning the Indian Open, Singapore Open and defending the Indonesian Open. But the icing of the cake for her was the Commonwealth Games gold medal.

In the Asian Games last month, Saina, however, lost in the quarterfinals to Pui Yin Yip of Hong Kong. However she didn’t take time to take her revenge as the Indian beat Pui Yin Yip in straight game in the quarterfinal of the Hong Kong Open to reach the semifinals.

“It is good that she didn’t take much time to recover from that loss,” Gopichand said.

Meena Rani stops a fighting Loura

Defending champion Meena Rani (UP) spoiled former world bronze medallist Chhotu Loura's (RSPB) comeback by winning a narrow semifinal bout in the 60kg division of the Monnet 11th National Senior Women's boxing championship at the Lulu International Convention Centre on Thursday.

The judges decided in favour of Meena 11-10 after both boxers were tied at four points each at the end of the fourth round. Easily the most exciting bout of the evening, Meena had to dig deep into her reserves to connect with a left hook in the dying seconds of the fourth round to equalise the scores.

A fast tiring Chhotu was in the lead by a point after Meena was penalised two points by the referee in the third round. In the last round, the Railway boxer was a bit defensive while Meena went all out and took the deserving point. Chhotu had started in style taking a 2-0 lead at the end of the first round. But Meena clawed back and wrested the lead when Chhotu was penalised two points by the referee.

Kavita sizzles

However, there were no hiccups for Asian Games bronze medallist Kavita Goyat in the 69kg category as she stormed into the final. Kavita's class was evident as she started aggressively to open up a four-point lead against Madhya Pradesh's Ankita Gayrta. However, Ankita was too defensive and rarely troubled Kavita who scored quite easily. The referee stopped the contest midway through the third round with Kavita leading 8-0

In the 51kg, Sarita Devi crushed Suman to take her appointed place in the final. Suman's challenge faded out after a close second round. But Suman's tendency to expose her left flank while counterattacking was to bring her downfall as the experienced Sarita connected with a few straight ones to score crucial points in the third and fourth rounds.

Geeta does well

Youngster Geeta Solanki scored a significant win of her fledgling career as she overcame experienced Sushma Kumari and entered the final in the 54kg weight category.

Geeta, competing in her first senior Nationals, beat two-time champion and international Sushma after seizing control of their bout from first round. After nailing a point at the end of the first round, the youngster grew in confidence and counter attacked whenever her opponent lowered her guard to score crucial points. Sushma couldn't connect most of her punches as Geeta deftly evaded them to chalk out a win.

The results (semifinals):

48kg: Monita Devi (Aru) bt Roshani Bhusal (Meg) 3-0; Vanlal Duati (Tri) bt Mamta (Bih) 5-2. 51kg: Rebecca Lali Mawii (Miz) bt Daljeet Kaur (Pun) 3-0; Sarita Devi (Man) bt Suman (Har) 12-5.

54kg: Sonia (Har) bt Preeti Mehra (Pun) 3-1; Geeta Solanki (Del) bt Sushma Kumari (RSCB) 4-2.

57kg: Dorothy Lal Chhanhimi (Miz) bt Rumi Gogoi (Asm) 3-2; Pavitra (Har) bt Kamla Bisht (AIP) 15-4.

60kg: Monika Suan (Pun) bt Kross Hmangaihsangi (Miz) 4-0; Meena Rani (UP) bt Chhotu Loura (RSPB) 11-10.

64kg: Aruna Misha (AIP) bt Sumann (Har) 3-2; Lal Ramngeni (Miz) bt Minu Basumatary (Asm) 3-2. 69kg: Kavita Goyat (Del) bt Ankita Gayrta (MP) 8-0 RSC.

Webber drove last four races with shoulder fracture

Mark Webber drove the last four races of the Formula One season with a broken shoulder, the Red Bull driver has revealed.

The 34-year-old Australian sustained the injury in a mountain bike accident,BBC Sport reported on Monday.

Webber kept the injury secret from team principal Christian Horner, telling only his physiotherapist Roger Cleary and the F1’s chief medical officer, Gary Hartstein.

At the time of the accident, Webber was leading the world championship by 11 points from Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and was 21 ahead of teammate Sebastian Vettel, who went on to win the drivers’ championship.

Webber says in his book, Up Front — 2010, A Season to Remember, he sustained the injury a week before the Japanese Grand Prix when he was out mountain biking with a friend.

“Suddenly, he crashed right in front of me and I had nowhere to go but straight through the ears of the horse!” he said “I suffered what they call a skier’s fracture to my right shoulder.” The fracture was quite fine and could not be treated. Webber had cortisone injections before the races in Japan and Korea to dull the pain.

It was the second time in a little less than two years that Webber has suffered an injury while out training on a mountain bike. In November 2008 he was hit by a car in Tasmania and suffered a fracture of his right leg as well as a broken shoulder. According to the BBC, on that occasion he also kept the shoulder injury from his team and the public.

World Cup: former captains back India

India will start ‘favourite' for the 2011 ICC World Cup in the assessment of cricketing greats like Sir Vivian Richards, Kapil Dev and Imran Khan. Sri Lanka's Arjuna Ranatunga, however, backs his nation to go all the way.

In a function hosted by the ESPN-STAR Sports to announce its coverage of the World Cup, these ex-cricketers shared their experiences of the past editions of the Cup and made it a memorable experience for a packed hall on Thursday.

Note of caution

Imran, in his inimitable style, backed India but struck a note of caution. “The best team does not necessarily win the Cup. The West Indies (in 1975 and 1979) did win and Australia won the last three times without really being troubled. But now there are problems for India and Pakistan's cricket is in a mess.

“I, for one, believed that our 1987 team was the best team that deserved to win. Usually, the semifinal is the one where one has to watch out,” cautioned Imran and continued, “India should do it the Australian way or else it will have problems. I am of the firm belief that you don't need five batsmen to perform on a given day for a team to win. Just two batsmen could hit a purple patch and the job will be done.”

Kapil, who expressed his belief that the coming World Cup was not going to be Sachin Tendulkar's last, said, “like in 1983, when we toured the West Indies ahead of the World Cup and gained plenty from it, this time Dhoni and his men are touring South Africa. A tough tour will test India's preparation and that should help the team in its World Cup campaign.”

On Tendulkar, Kapil said, “two World Cups ago, I had said, this could be Sachin's last. And I am sure, the way he is batting, this year he scored a double century in the one-dayers, I think if he is not injured, he will not retire until he lifts that Cup.”

Richards was quick to add, “Winning the Cup at home will be the icing on the cake (for Tendulkar).”

The West Indian great, however, did not give his team much of a chance. “I'll be praying, because prayers usually help,” but on a serious note, he said, “they need to be inspired to win.”

Ranatunga placed Sri Lanka ahead of India as his favourite. “We have all our matches at home (in the league stage) and we should do well. India, I have seen, tends to be under pressure when playing before the home crowd of 100,000. (To which Kapil later reacted, “Going by what Arjuna thought, I should be telling our people not to watch the matches when India is playing.”

Free tickets

Earlier, the Board's Chief Administrative Officer, Ratnakar Shetty, said the board was contemplating issuing free tickets to students for the World Cup matches. The idea was to have packed stands even for the non-India games, he said. In the first part of the function, ESPN-STAR Sports' Manu Sahney, in the presence of ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat, said, for the first time 27 cameras, including movable slip cameras, would be used in each match.

“A total of 30 commentators and studio experts will be employed and the production of the World Cup will be in high-definition for the first time,” he said. Mr. Lorgat, when asked about corruption in world cricket and security issues, said, “ICC will do everything possible to deal with these issues.”