The New Nation - Internet Edition

Gold medallists Nadal, Dementieva shake off Olympic hangovers

AFP, New York

Reigning Olympic champions Rafael Nadal and Elena Dementieva got their US Opens off and running Monday, facing stiff challenges from a pair of unseeded players.

Nadal, who goes into a Grand Slam ranked No. 1 in the world for the first time, outlasted Bjorn Phau 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) on day one of the 20.6 million dollar tournament.

“When you win in three sets it is a good results,” Nadal said. “I had some difficult moments in the match so that is going to help me be prepared for the pressure moments later on.”

Like Nadal, Dementieva came out shaky but finished on a winning note by brushing aside Akgul Amanmuradova in straight sets.

The fifth seed Dementieva hopes her 6-4, 7-5 victory is a stepping stone to better things.

“The first round is never easy,” said Dementieva, who stopped Serena Williams and Vera Zvonareva before beating Russian compatriot Dinara Safina in the gold medal match at the Olympics.

The 22-year-old Nadal, of Spain, fired seven aces and hammered 37 winners but it wasn’t the opening statement he had hoped for as he needed almost three hours to beat 146th ranked journeyman Phau.

“I tried to keep my level up. I tried to hurry him,” said Phau who plays mainly on the lower level Challenger circuit.

Nadal moves through to the second round where he will face Ryler De Heart who surprised Belgium’s Olivier Rochus in a five setter 7-6 (7/4), 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.

Nadal has his gold medal to go with his victories at the French Open and Wimbledon this year.

Last week he surpassed Roger Federer as the world’s top ranked player after spending a record 160 weeks as No. 2.

The sky is the limit for Nadal who has eight titles this season but has never made it to a hardcourt Grand Slam final.

Scottish sixth seed Andy Murray, who is looking to improve on his fourth-round finish last year, rolled to a 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 win over Sergio Roitman in his opening match in the final Grand Slam of the season.

“I didn’t lose a serve the whole match,” Murray said. “He was hitting his forehand really hard and making me do a bit of running.

“It was a decent test and I came through it pretty well.”

On the women’s side of the draw, Dementieva, second seed Jelena Jankovic, third seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, China’s Li Na and 23rd seeded Lindsay Davenport, of the US, all advanced.

Dementieva had four double faults and only three aces but made less unforced errors, 20 to 32, than her opponent in the 88 minute match on the main Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Dementieva next faces France’s Pauline Parmentier, who beat Marina Erakovic of New Zealand 6-3, 7-6 (7/2).

Li got off to a disastrous start before coming from behind to beat Israel’s Shahar Peer 2-6, 6-0, 6-1 on the Grandstand court.

True to her history of not surrendering easily, Li converted five of six break point chances and won 58 percent of her second serve points to Peer’s 42 percent.

Li made 20 of her 40 total unforced errors in a sloppy first set before she rounded into form in the second and third sets.

“In the first set I felt like I was playing against a wall,” Li said. “In the second set I told myself to just play your game and don’t give up.”

The lowest seed to get knocked out on the opening day was 10th ranked Anna Chakvetadze who lost to Russian compatriot Ekaterina Makarova 1-6, 6-2, 6-3.

In the night match, former world number one Jankovic launched her quest to reach her first Grand Slam final, cruising past American wild card Coco Vandeweghe 6-3, 6-1.

The 23-year-old Serbian has already reached two semi-finals in Grand Slams this year (French Open and Australian Open) but has never made it to a final in 20 career major appearances.

This is the sixth straight US Open for second seeded Jankovic who moves through to the second round where she will face Swede Sofia Arvidsson who beat China’s Yan Zi 6-2, 6-4.

Jankovic needed just 27 minutes to win the second set on Monday, forcing the 16- year-old Vandeweghe into making mistakes especially when the American attacked the net.

“It is tough to play opponent who doesn’t have anything to lose,” Jankovic said. “I didn’t know she was 16 until they made the announcement before the match. I did as much as I needed to win the match.”

Men’s second seed Federer, women’s world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic and the Williams sisters play their first round matches on Tuesday.

Dhaka Mohammedan move to semifinals beating Muktijoddha

UNB, Dhaka

Dhaka Mohammedan SC smartly moved to the semifinals of the Citycell Federation Cup Football Tournament eliminating Muktijoddha Sangsad KC by 2-0 goals in the 2nd quarterfinals at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Tuesday.

Nigerian striker Alamu Bukola scored both the goals for the traditional black and white team during the first half.

Dhaka Mohammedan will play the 2nd semifinal on Saturday (Aug 30) against the winners of the last quarterfinal on Thursday between Chittagong Mohammedan and BKSP.

Farashganj SC will play the first semi-final on Friday (Aug 29) against the winners of Dhaka Abahani and Sheikh Russell KC, who will lock horn tomorrow (Wednesday) in the 3rd quarterfinal.

In the day's match, Mohammedan SC dominated the first half displaying a better football and took its fruit in the early hour converting two of the four attacks into goals.

Muktijoddha Sangsad KC, which failed launch any good offensive against Mohammedan goal post in the first half, reorganized themselves in the second half and came close to score twice.

Nigerian striker Bukola, who came to limelight after his hattrick against Arambagh KS in the last group match, today proved his worth scoring two superb goals within just 13 minutes.

Bukola opened the black and white account in the 8th minute when he forces a shot from danger zone utilizing a right cross from Robin (1-0).

He smashed the Muktijoddha defence again in the 21st minute by a straight shot from top of the small box, capitalizing a minus pass from Khaled Mahmud (2-0).

Rokonuzzaman Kanchan of Muktijoddha SKC missed a real chance to narrow the gap in the 70th minute when his close range header went just over the bar off a right wing cross from Tajul Khan.

Tajul Khan also got another opportunity in the 87th minute but his shot from goalmouth melee was brilliantly tackled by Mohammedan's national custodian Aminul at the cost of corner.

Ronny and Kanchan of Muktijoddha SKC were cautioned with yellow cards during the match.

Dhaka Mohammedan: Aminul, Hasan Al Mamun, Rajani, Jewel Rana, Arman Aziz, Sharif (Dami), Nasir, Kamal, Bukola, Robin (Komol) and Khaled (Maruf).

Muktijoddha SKC - Nizam, Biplob, Rajib, Nwakanma, Ronny, Buddyut, Yousuf (Tajul), Jalal (Sentu), Kanchan (Milan), Amin Rana and Duru.

Referee- Azad Rahman

Haddin excited by clash with Bangladesh

AFP, Brisbane

A short one-day series against Bangladesh in Darwin might not sound tempting for some of Australia’s seasoned international cricketers, but wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin can’t wait.

The three-match series, which was to be a warm-up for the now-postponed Champions Trophy, starts on Saturday.

Haddin has recovered from a fractured finger suffered during the recent tour of the West Indies, on which he made his long-awaited Test debut following the retirement of Adam Gilchrist.

The 30-year-old said motivation would not be a problem.

Although the veteran of 30 one-day internationals has kept wicket for Australia at home before, it will be the first time he has done so as the country’s No.1 gloveman.

“For me personally it’s another international,” he said.

“It’s the first time I’ve had the opportunity to keep in Australia since Adam (Gilchrist) retired. I’m jumping at the bit to have an opportunity to play in front of an Australian crowd.”

Haddin said he tested the lingering finger injury during Australia’s two-day training camp in Brisbane without any dramas.

“I got the cast off last week, the results were good. The fracture is stable and I’m right to get back into cricket,” Haddin said.

“It was frustrating for a while because it took a little bit longer to get right.

“Over the last two days I’ve had a great chance to test it out and I’ve had no problems.”

With veteran opener Matthew Hayden (achilles) ruled out of the series, the free-scoring Haddin could also find himself promoted up the order.

“I’ve been lucky I’ve batted from one to seven,” he said.

“In the early days it was a little difficult getting used to that. But I think as you get older and you mature more for a personal point of view, I’m not really fussed these days.

“I’m pretty comfortable in the role I’ve been playing at six and seven in the middle order."

Bradman's century honoured in Australia

AFP, Sydney

Australia will celebrate the centenary of their greatest sporting legend Donald Bradman on Wednesday by naming the star batsman’s sleepy boyhood hometown “the world’s spiritual home of cricket.”

Schoolchildren, Hollywood stars, cricketers and Australians of all walks of life were expected to mark what would have been the 100th birthday of the famed cricketer on August 27. Bradman died in 2001 aged 92.

The accolades were already pouring in Tuesday, with Australia’s current cricket captain Ricky Ponting praising the man known here simply as “The Don” as the game’s untouchable superhero.

“It’s almost like he’s separate from the game,” Ponting said.

“His name and what he achieved, it’s so far out of any player’s reach, in his time or any player who has played since, it’s almost like he played a different game to what we’re playing.

“He would have been the stand-out player whatever generation he played in.”

The chairman of the Bradman Foundation, Michael Ball, said excitement was building west of Sydney in Bowral, population 11,500, where Bradman spent his early years and where a cricketing museum bears his name.

Ball said that among the celebrations, the Bradman Museum would announce that it would be expanded to include an international cricket Hall of Fame.

It would become “the world’s spiritual home of cricket-

Don being by far the best cricketer of all time,” Ball told AFP.

“It will not only be the Bradman Museum but it will be the international cricket Hall of Fame whose captain will be Don Bradman and the team will be obviously the best,” Ball said.

“The initial team of 12 people will be from all over the world-I don’t know exactly who they will be but they will include people like (Sachin) Tendulkar from India.”

The first 12 would be chosen by a panel of selectors headed by former Australian captain and long-time commentator Richie Benaud.

Among those likely to feature on the list would be West Indian allrounder Garfield Sobers and Britain’s Leonard Hutton and Wally Hammond, Ball said.

Premier Handball: Surjodoy hold Mariner

Sports Reporter

Dhaka Mariner Youngs Club draw with Surjodoy KC 22-22 goals in the day's first match of the Cute Premier Division Handball League at the Handball Ground in Paltan Maidan on Tuesday.

Surjodoy led the first half 10-8.

Liakot of Surjodoy scored seven goals.

On the other hand, Faruk of Mariner netted six.

In the day's other match, Old Ideals outplayed Victoria Sporting Club by 27-14 goals at the same venue.

The victorious team had a 14-9 goals lead in the first session.

Mamun of Old Ideals top-scored with 13 goals while Humayun of Victoria pulled off five.

Today Surjodoy KC will face Menzis KC at 3.00 PM while Natinda Progoti Boys Club will meet Dhaka Mariner Youngs Club at 4.00 PM at the same venue.

School Rugby: Saint Gregory's draw with Rahmatullah Model in opener

Sports Reporter

Saint Gregory's High School made a goalless draw with Rahmatullah Model High School in the opening match of the Diamond Melamine First School Rugby Tournament at the Paltan Maidan on Tuesday.

Earlier, Senior Vice-President of Bangladesh Football Federation Abdus Salam Murshedi inaugurated the rugby meet as the chief guest. President of Bangladesh Rugby Association Khondker Jamil Uddin, Managing Director of Diamond Melamine Md Mokhter Hossain, General Secretary of Bangladesh Rugby Association were present, among others.

In the day's other match,Nababpur Government High School drew with Heart to Reach School 0-0 at the same venue.

Today Narinda Government High School will take on Islambagh Ashraf Ali High School at 3.00 PM while West End High School will face Hammadia School at 3.45 PM and Narinda Government High School will meet Heart to Reach School at 4.30 PM at the same venue.

Open Badminton: Shapla wins women's singles

Sports Reporter

Shapla of Knit Concern won the women's singles title of the Sadot Smriti Summer Open (Ranking) Badminton Tournament when she beat her teammate Nabila by 21-14, 21-15 points in the final at the Mirpur Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium on Tuesday.

In the women's doubles, Shapla-Dola duo of Knit Concern emerged as the champions when they defeated Konika-Dulali duo of Biman Bangladesh Airlines by 21-16, 21-21-16 points in the final at the same venue on the same day.

In the men's singles, Jabed of Knit Concern clinched the championship title when he outplayed Rais of Biman Bangladesh Airlines by 21-16, 24-22 in the final at the same venue on the same day.

Meanwuile, Rais-Mahbub duo of Biman Bangladesh Airlines became champions in the men's doubles when they defeated Enam-Jamil duo of Maha Sporting Club by 21-19, 21-12 points in the final at the same venue on the same day.

After the final matches Secretary General of Bangldesh Olympic Association Kutubuddin Ahmed distributed the prizes among the winners as the chief guest. President of Bangladesh Badminton Federation and Executive Chairman of Board of Investment Kamaluddin Ahmed present with him at the time.

'Invitational' Table Tennis Tournament begins Aug 28 in city

UNB, Dhaka

This year's Invitational Table Tennis Tournament, organised by Bangladesh Tennis Federation, will be held at the Wooden Floor Gymnasium in August 28-31.

Bangladesh Tennis Federation president Abu Solaiman Chowdhury will formally inaugurate the meet as chief guest at 4:30 pm on August 28.

A total of 17 teams, including 99 participants from different events, so far confirmed their participation in the tournament.

China gold-medal winners get 50,000 dollars

AFP, Beijing

China's Olympic gold medallists will get cash rewards of 350,000 yuan (51,000 dollars), nearly twice the amount given for the Athens 2004 Games, state media reported on Tuesday.

The figure was given by Xiao Shan, deputy head of the country's sports ministry, the Beijing News reported.

Chinese gold-medal winners at the 2004 Games were given 200,000 yuan, Xiao said.

China displaced the United States as the world's premier sporting nation by winning 51 gold medals, its best Olympic showing ever, at the just-completed Beijing Games.

Semifinal line up of National Basketball Competition completed

UNB, Rajshahi

Bangladesh Rifles, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Army and Khulna DSA ensured the semifinal berths in the Premier Bank 23rd National Basketball Championship winning their respective quarterfinal matches at the Rajshahi Divisional Sports Complex and District Gymnasium Tuesday.

In the quarterfinals, Bangladesh Navy crushed hosts Rajshahi by 109-58 points, Bangladesh Rifles outclassed Chandpur DSA by 83-55 points, Bangladesh Army beat BKSP by 91-47 points and Khulna DSA defeated Bangladesh Police by 96-81 points.

Today’s semis: Bangladesh Navy vs Khulna DSA, Bangladesh Army vs Bangladesh Rifles.

Bangladesh face NT Chief Minister’s XI in 5th practice match today

UNB, Dhaka

Visiting Bangladesh national cricket team face Northern Territory Chief Minister XI in the 5th one-day practice match Wednesday at the Garden’s Oval in Darwin.

The Chief Minister’s XI is coached by former Bangladesh and GP-BCB National Cricket Academy trainer Shane McDermott, who will also play in the match.

Earlier, in the four practice matches against Australian Institute of Sports (AIS), the visiting side conceded three defeats against a win.

The Tigers earned a three-wicket victory over AIS in the 2nd practice match after suffering a 14-run defeat in the first match against the same team. They then conceded a five-wicket defeat in the 3rd match and suffered a nine-wicket defeat in the 4th match.