No Djokovic, no problem as Serbia eye Spain’s Davis Cup title

PARIS: Serbia shrugged off the absence of Novak Djokovic to reach the Davis Cup last eight with the 2010 champions confidently setting their sights on dethroning Spain in November’s final.

Janko Tipsarevic secured an unassailable 3-1 lead over Sweden in the World Group first round tie in Nis with a 6-2, 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 win over Michael Ryderstedt.

Victory gave Serbia a quarter-final tie in April against the Czech Republic, but captain Bogdan Obradovic believes that with world number one Djokovic back in the side for that clash, his country can start dreaming of a second title.

“It’s never easy to play matches in which you are the odds-on favourite but the players dealt with the pressure really well against Sweden,” Obradovic told www.daviscup.com.

“With a bit of luck, we will reach this year’s final and hopefully take on Spain because we are confident that we can beat them on home soil.”

Tipsarevic had beaten Filip Prpic in straight sets in Friday’s opening rubber and had then played doubles on Saturday when Sweden had clawed their way back into the tie.

But despite those efforts, he had no problem in disposing of Ryderstedt.

“I want to thank my team for standing by me through the thick and thin and this is also the best home crowd we have ever played for,” said Tipsarevic.

“I hope some of these fans will be ale to make the trip with us to the Czech Republic because it will be a very open match.”

The United States, the 32-time champions, completed a 5-0 whitewash over Switzerland in Fribourg.

Ryan Harrison beat Michael Lammer 7-6 (7/0), 7-6 (7/4) and John Isner, who condemned Roger Federer to his first defeat in the tournament in nine years on Friday, saw off Marco Chiudinelli 6-3, 6-4.

The US will travel to France in the last eight. The French beat host Canada 4-1 with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga downing injury substitute Frank Dancevic 6-4, 6-4, 6-1 to clinch the tie and Gael Monfils then defeating Vasek Pospisil 6-4, 6-4.

Austria made the quarter-finals — where they will tackle Spain — for the first time in 17 years with a 3-2 win over two-time champions Russia in Wiener Neustadt.

Jurgen Melzer secured the vital point, beating debutant Alex Bogomolov 6-2, 6-4, 6-1.

“I think it was one-way traffic,” said Melzer.

“Giving Austria the chance to play a quarter-final against Spain, that was our goal.”

Spain, playing without Rafael Nadal, who is skipping the tournament this year, had already made sure of their sixth successive appearance in the quarter-finals by taking an unassailable 3-0 lead on Saturday against Kazakhstan in Oviedo.

On Sunday, they completed a 5-0 rout with singles wins for Nicolas Almagro and Marcel Granollers.

The Czech Republic wrapped up a 4-1 win over Italy in Ostrava while last year’s runners-up Argentina were also 4-1 winners over Germany in Bamberg.

Argentina will have a home tie against Croatia, who beat Japan 3-2.

Ivo Karlovic pulled off his third win of the week to beat Go Soeda and give Croatia victory in Hyogo.

Croatia’s number three, who defeated Japanese number one Kei Nishikori on the first day, notched a 7-6 (7/4), 6-1, 6-4 victory in the last of the best-of-five contest.

Earlier in the day, Australian Open quarter-finalist Nishikori evened the tie 2-2 beating Ivan Dodig 7-5, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3. AGENCIES

Canada, China duos win figure skating titles

COLORADO SPRINGS: Reigning Olympic ice dance champions Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir and two-time world junior pairs champions Sui Wenjing and Han Cong of China took titles at the Four Continents Championships.

Canadians Virtue and Moir, who won Olympic gold on home ice in Vancouver in 2010, edged Americans Meryl Davis and Charlie White — reigning world champions and 2010 Olympic runners-up — in the free dance to claim the overall title.

Virtue and Moir won the free dance 111.24-107.25 over the US duo, defending Four Continents champions and winners of Saturday’s short dance, to claim the overall title by 182.84-179.40 in the high-altitude mountain venue.

“It was a great performance,” Moir said. “We felt really strong. It was kind of a test for us up here with the altitude, and we were definitely feeling it.”

Americans Davis and White were pleased with their effort if not their result.

“I could not be prouder of the way we fought through both programs. We really worked through it,” White said. “We wanted to work on expression, and we did that. I felt like our elements were pretty good.”

Sui and Han captured their first international senior-level pairs title by winning Sunday’s free skate final after taking the short programme on Saturday.

The Chinese couple scored 135.08 points in the free skate to win the overall crown with 201.83 points to 185.42 for US champions Caydee Denney and John Coughlin. Americans Mary Beth Marley and Rockne Brubaker were third on 116.47.

“This is our first time to win a senior competition and we’re happy and excited. Maybe tonight we can’t sleep,” Han said.

“Late in the program there were a little nerves, but we adjusted. The throws were successful and we’re very pleased.”

Sui and Han plan to defend their world junior crowns as well as compete in next month’s World Championships at Nice, France.

“We’re excited for this chance,” Han said. AGENCIES

Karachi: abducted student’s body recovered

The Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC) has arrested four accused. The victim Zaeem was son of slain DSP Nawaz Ranjha.

 

As per details, the victim was abducted on February 8 when Shahrah-e-Faisal police started conducting inquiry and succeeded in tracing mobile phone of abductors who were demanding Rs 20 million.

 

Later, the force raided near the Metrological Office and arrested three accused and recovered the body after hectic struggle of two hours.

 

According to police, Zaeem was conscious of the tactics and machinations of the accused; that is why they unscrupulously killed him.
 

Faisalabad: SNGPL engineer to be released on bail

According to resources, Advisor for Petroleum Dr Asim Hussain held a dialogue with the plaintiff party and the Managing Director Sui Gas in which it was settled that the applicants of the case and the FIA officials would not contest the bail matter of arrested Engineer Shahid Shoukat in the court on Monday.

 

After acceptance of bail from the court, the gas employees in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would end their strike.

 

It is worthy of note that Engineer Shahid Shoukat had been arrested five days back over allegation of providing gas supply to a factory despite government ban.
 

Imran meets MQM delegation

 

Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan met the delegation of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) delegation during the marriage ceremony of daughter of PTI leader Arif Alvi in Karachi.

 

The leaders of PTI and MQM attended the ceremony. The MQM delegation included Waseem Aftab, Dr Saqhir, Waseem Akhtar and Kunwar Naved Jameel. The delegation also conveyed a message of good wishes from MQM chief Altaf Hussain to Imran Khan.
 

BCCI attempts to win back angry sponsor

 

India s cricket chiefs on Sunday met Sahara group bosses on Sunday in a bid to woo back their disgruntled long-time sponsor, amid speculation a truce was on the cards.

 

Sahara had severed ties with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on February 4 for what it said was a “one-sided emotional relationship” with the governing body.

 

Sahara is not only the national team s sponsor since 2000, but also owns the Pune Warriors franchise in the Indian Premier League which the group had bought last year for $370 million.

 

BCCI president Narayanaswamy Srinivasan met Sahara chief Subrata Roy in Mumbai at a high-level meeting on Sunday which was also attended by senior officials from both sides.

 

A joint-statement issued after the 90-minute meeting said “all outstanding issues” were discussed and the matter will now be taken up by the BCCI s working committee in Chennai on Tuesday.

 

“Sahara and the BCCI met today and discussed all outstanding issues,” the statement read. “It was agreed that the subject will be further discussed in the BCCI working committee meeting.

 

“The interaction was focused on the interest of Indian cricket, including the IPL.”

 

Local media have speculated over the last few days that Sahara may allow Pune Warriors to rejoin the IPL for the fifth edition of the glitzy Twenty20 event starting on April 4.

 

But reports said Sahara are unlikely to continue the sponsorship of the Indian team, which was renewed for a four-year term in 2010 for an estimated $115 million.

 

Sahara s withdrawal was sparked by the BCCI s refusal to allow the $1.80 million salary of cancer-stricken Pune skipper Yuvraj Singh to be added to the franchise s $two million cap for the IPL auction in Bangalore on February 4.

 

Yuvraj, man of the tournament in India s victorious World Cup campaign last year, is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment for a tumour between his lungs and has been ruled out of this year s IPL.

 

Sahara did not take part in the auction, meant only for players not already aligned to any team, where 25 foreign and Indian cricketers were picked up by the eight remaining franchises.

 

The Lucknow-based Sahara group, which operates in various fields like finance, infrastructure, housing, media and consumer goods, also sponsors the Indian field hockey team.
 

Twenty-two wickets fall in one day in Kenya

 

Twenty-two wickets fell in just one day on Sunday as Kenya and Ireland clashed in a four-day ICC Intercontinental Cup game.

 

Ireland were dismissed in their first innings for 75 before the home side were bowled out for 109.

 

The Irish then steadied the ship by reaching 81 for two by stumps in their second knock.

 

Left-arm spinners Hiren Varaiya took a career-best 6 for 22 and Shem Ngoche   claimed 3 for 11 as Ireland were bowled out first time around in the 34th over.

 

In reply, Kenya were undone by Irish slow bowlers Albert van der Merwe and George Dockrell who took five wickets each.

 

In Ireland s second innings, Varaiya and Ngoche claimed a scalp each but experienced opener Ed Joyce finished the day on 51 not out to give the batsmen hope of avoiding further embarrassment.
 

PM Gilani hints he’ll step down if convicted

 

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani who is scheduled to appear before the Supreme Court to face contempt of court charges tomorrow, hinted that he will step down if the court found him guilty.

 

The Supreme Court on February 10 rejected PM Gilani’s appeal, seeking to withdraw contempt of court charges, which the apex court leveled against him.

 

During an interview with Al Jazeera, Gilani said government is following the constitution and he will no longer be the member of the parliament if the court convicted him.

 

The prime minister and his ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have so far refused to write to Swiss authorities to reopen corruption case against President Asif Zardari in spite of several court orders.

 

On Monday, the Supreme Court is poised to frame contempt of court charges against Gilani. If convicted, he may face disqualification from his office and a jail sentence.

 

Giving his remarks to a question regarding relations with Pakistan army, PM Gilani reiterated that there is no rift between military and the government.

 

The prime minister also clarified that government had no information regarding Osama Bin Laden’s whereabouts.

 

“Many high-value targets have been achieved with collaboration between the ISI and CIA, but US conducted unilateral action against Osama Bin Laden, which was against the sovereignty of the country.”

 

Also giving his views regarding reopening of NATO supply route, parliament would soon give its decision over the issue.

 

He also added that Pakistan is ready to support any Afghan-led reconciliation in peace process as both countries have suffered most in the war against terrorism.

Jails not new for PPP ‘Jialas’, says Firdous

While addressing the inauguration ceremony of NADRA office and the passport office at a village Kobey in the suburb of Sialkot, Minister for Information Firdous Ashiq Awan said that accountability, penalty and prize are the rights of the masses. The PPP stands first among giving sacrifices for the sake of democracy, she said.

 

She expressed that the government is taking concrete steps to overcome energy and gas crisis. She also has had a meeting with delegation comprising members from Chamber of Commerce, Dry Port Association and Surgical Association of Sialkot who called on Information Minister and Governor Punjab Sardar Muhammad Latif Khosa today.

 

The delegation was led by Chairman Chamber of Commerce Naeem Anwaar Qureshi and Chairman Dry Port Association Saddique Ishaq Butt.She announced that one more gas pipeline is being laid down from Wazirabad to Sialkot to resolve the problem of gas shortage in the city.

 

“We are focusing to generate electricity from hydel power which is cheaper and also directed provinces to initiate small projects to overcome the energy crisis”, she said.

 

Around 2000 megawatt electricity would be produced through the factories’ wastes which would also help resolve the issue.

 

Keeping in view the energy crisis, she informed that an energy conference would be arranged in Lahore soon.
Governor Punjab Sardar Latif Ahmad Khosa said that some people were hatching conspiracies to derail the system of democracy but such tactics would be foiled.

 

He said that the people claiming for change were actually committing forgery and fraud in the name of rule of law.
Commenting on next budget, he said the delegation that the upcoming budget would be people and business friendly.
The suggestions would be sought from Chamber of Commerce, Dry Port Association and Surgical Association in this regard which would be incorporated while planning the budget.

 

Latif Khosa said the country cannot progress until the government extend the tax net.

 

The government is taking concrete steps to overcome prevailing energy crisis in the country.

 

The delegation said 251 million dollars export is being made from Sialkot annually while the local industry is providing job opportunities to 0.4 million people.

 

PPP’s real court is masses and some elements are trying to halt the Senate polls with their threats, she said.

DPC to protest outside parliament on Feb 20

Defence of Pakistan Council, in its Karachi rally on Sunday, passed resolutions of immediate recovery of missing persons, ending target killing in Karachi, instantaneous arrest of criminals involved in target killings and decrease in petrol prices.

 

The Council also announced to hold a protest rally outside parliament in Islamabad on February 20 against government policies.

 

Addressing the Defence of Pakistan Conference in Karachi, Jamaat ud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed said that NATO forces have been violating our integrity in the name of so-called war on terror.

 

Capitalistic system is fading away from the world panorama replaced by the Islamic system, Saeed said.  

 

He said that the US wanted to establish the supremacy of India in the region but it would not be tolerable for Pakistan at any cost, adding that any endeavour done at any stage or any sense would be foiled.

 

He appealed that rulers should stop unconditional favour of the US that has crushed the Muslim World under the guise of war on terror.

 

Throwing light on current situation of Balochistan, he said that the US wanted to ignite chaotic conditions in war-torn province for her vested interests.

 

Actually, the US has nothing to do with the progress and prosperity of the Balochis; rather its first and foremost ‘mission’ to disintegrate the province endowed with natural resources, he added.

 

Hafiz Saeed said that the US wants to intrude in Balochistan after its failure in Afghanistan and India is using Kashmir as a puppet to watch its interests in the region.

 

All kinds of resources would be utilised to halt NATO supply, he emphasised.

 

Jamaat Islami chief Syed Munawar Hassan said that the Pakistan Defence Council has been formed to secure the integrity and sovereignty of motherland.

 

At the end of the conference, religious scholars passed a 10-points resolution, emphasising that the rulers should take the resolution seriously; otherwise, revolutionary steps would be taken for security and survival of the motherland.
 

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