Jab Khuda Meherbaan...

...To Gadha Pehelwaan!

Virendra Sehwag has been declared the captain of India. Nothing personal, but it really pains no end.

I bet if Leander Paes starts playing Cricket, he will do it better than the fatso. A game is not merely about the skill, it is also about the attitude and passion.

A passion, a resolve for anything can overcome any hurdle, be it hurdle of technique, or injury, and if this passion is about winning for the country, then almost everything is possible.

This is just what Leander Paes did yet another time for the country. Down with the cramps and fatigue, he still pounced at the Pakistani in the final set. Of course, he used his brains too, to conserve his energy. This match was for me one of the most cherished ones I have ever seen.

Why only this, I have grown up on the abundant doses of the marathon career of Leander Paes. Each match he won or lose is a cherished one. His passion on the court would ooze out of the television screen. A shout of "Leander" had almost become a second national anthem.

No other sports person in this country shows such fighting skills, when the chips are down, as Leander does. He is always ready to fight his guts out, when it comes to country. Medals at the olympic vouch that. Only Rahul Dravid comes close in terms of commitment.

His passion for the country made him a giant killer in Davis Cups. The first match he played, way back in 1990, was a doubles one, partnering with seasoned Zeeshan Ali. It was against Japan in Chandigarh and we won it despite loosing the first set, and believe it or not the last and the fifth set was won 18-16.

I still remember that match vividly, and this young man was a revelation. Zeeshan, I heard switched to golf, and this man hasn't looked behind since then. That started the era of giant killing of higher seeds which took some time to end.

His first humiliation was of a more-gas-less-substance Jeremy Bates of Great Britain. It was followed by crushing of Jakob Hlasek of Switzerland in singles, and then defeat of Marc Rosset in doubles. Multiple Davis Cup winner Switzerland was defeated in the first round of World Group!

Then came the big one. In the quarter finals, India defeated France. It was my most memorable Davis Cup tie. He defeated much celebrated Henri Leconte, and then went to annihilate higher seed Arnaud Boetsch. Even in defeats against United States, Leander took one set against both Todd Martin, and Jim Courier.

Then came the match of his life, when he took the winds out of Goran Ivanisevic, after being two sets down. That's Leander for you. Croatia was ousted. But story was not over. Now it was the turn of Netherlands to bite the dust. Leander swept past Jan Siemerink.

India did lose to Sweden, but Jonas Bjorkman had to battle for five sets against our hero. Nicholas Kulti could also escape by just a whisker. Against Czech republic, Jiri Novak was defeated, while Petr Korda was given a run for his money.

His other memorable battles includes overcoming of Gabriel Silberstein of Chile, and stretching Marcelo Rios to four sets. Then there was a five setter cliff hangers against Greg Rusedeski, and Tim Henman. What more, even Andy Roddik was made to lose the trademark first set.

Unfortunately, Virendra Sehwag neither has brains, nor passion. And he has been declared the captain of India, when he should have been kicked out. Kudos selectors.

I just remember the song of film Gopi-

Ram Chandra Keh Gaye Siya Se
Aisa Kaljug Aeyga
Hans ChugeGa Dana Ghun Ka
Kauwa Moti Khaiga

So apt. We all know who is Hansa, and who is Kauwa.

The 37 years old, never-say-die Agassi Express chugs on. The moment you write him off, he returns back like never before. His service returns are still the best, back hand has the same old spunk, while the baseline play holds itself in it's good old stead.

While I left for the office after watching him lose first two sets during his quarter final match against Blake, I thought the match was over. Luckily, Agassi did not believe on same lines. He won the last three sets, and the match. Even Blake sportingly acknowledged - "What a match too lose!".

But his opponent in finals- Roger Federer, is fifteen years younger, and one up on most of the aspects of his game. Still, what a final it was. Every point was well fought. Federer eventually won in four sets. Perhaps, to view the match set wise would be unfair. This match should have been enjoyed point by point, game by game. What a display!

As far as Federer is concerned, if he continues the way he has been doing right now, the exploits of Pistol Pete Sampras would soon be distant history because he plays those shots in reality which other mortals only play in mind, and dreams. Ask Leyton Hewitt.

After A Long Gap

Those who thought I am busy are right - I am giving a small training. Those who reckoned I am not well, then they are partially right - I am not exactly in the pink of my health. And yes, as "the thief" suggested - I am left a trifle "speechless" with the Wimbledon Final & Semi-Final.

My last post evoked an effusive response - and that's the way I had expected to be. But this is an unfair world, where crooks rule the roost. Only the other day, I read that All India Muslim Personal Law Board chief Farooq Kureshi took it upon himself to investigate the Imrana affair.

His team has found that Imrana might have never been raped, and that she might have cooked up the whole controversy. So in other words, fatwa is justifiable now. I have reached to the level where such things cease to shock me, and perhaps you wouldn't be shocked either when on the suggestion of the AIMPLB the rapist is set free.

Coming back to Wimbledon. I have been following tennis for last 16 years or so, and have also seen the highlights of the matches played before my time. This is no statement, but frankly, I have not seen a greater player of the tennis racket & ball as Roger Federer.

Leyton Hewitt played his best tennis, and yet lost in straight sets. He looked rattled, but fought on. But Fighting is not enough to win a battle.

On the contrary, Andy Roddic was minced like the meat, beaten to pulp. The way he looked and conducted during the whole match, anyone could see the fear in his eyes. He was hesitant in his big serve. He was hesitant like hell on the net. Federer didn't let him touch anything there. Trust me, his confidence is shattered. He would never beat Federer, not in this life.

I have said this before, and I can say that innumerable times further more. Roger Federer is the greatest.

Ok, off to impart the training again. Will catch you all soon!

Grand Finale

Ok, it's just a semifinal. Game for Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal match on Friday at Roland Garros? Last time Nadal lost, it was against this mesmerising opponent only. And that was 22 matches before.

Ok, ok, it's all there in The Times Of India, but still, this is going to be, hopefully, a good match. Don't miss it live on Ten Sports.

Finally A Battle

Only yesterday, I and Hemant were discussing about the possibilities of defeating Federer.

Andy Roddic had been steam rolled by him on many occasions. Leyton Hewitt, it is normally believed, can easily knock out the players ranked below him, and at the same time finds extremely difficult to prevail upon those who are ranked above him. Certainly against Federer, he stands no chance. Neither on form, nor on class.

Marat Safin turned out to be the only guy who on his day can match, if not outclass him. The fact he has lost seven matches against Federer not withstanding. He is erratic, and can lose miserably if his wits manage to get on him, which is pretty often the case. That's the reason why he hasn't won another grandslam since US Open two years before.

But what a semi-final at Melbourne Park. An edge-of-the-seat thriller till the very end. Final set mostly dominated by Safin, with Federer trying to save his skin. But still, saving six match points talks tall about his resolve. He looked rattled, but never gave up.

This epic game reminded me of the treat of a match, which was even more hard fought, between Croatian pair and Lee-Hesh with Olympic bronze medal at stake.

I sincerely pray such matches become norm, rather than exception and golden era of eighties returns in Men's tennis again. Who can forget the mercurial troika of Connors-Borg-Mckenroe and the classy trio of Lendl-Edberg-Becker !

For this Safin has to be consistent, and Roddic has to raise his bar. Of course, Federer has to do nothing. A shade more and a trifle less would spoil his magic.

Post Script: Those cricket junkies who miss Lara of the yore had an opportunity knocking at their doors this morning. The world series match between WI & Pak from 45th over in WI innings turned in to a Lara mayhem. In a partnership of 84 in 37 balls, Wavell Hinds hardly scored 10. I loved it, and you missed it. Some benefits of getting up early.

My Previous Post On Roger Federe - Artist On The Court

Artist On The Court

At the risk of being repetitive - here is another post on Roger Federer . The other one was almost three months back. At that time he had just won the Wimbledon . If it sounds like a statement, so be it - for Federer, Tennis is not a game - it's a canvas, where he magnificently performs his art.

Leytton Hewitt had come to the finals without loosing a set, and the man lost the first set 0-6 . The third and final set also went away with similar score. Those who have missed the finals have missed something. How much Hewitt would have wished to admire and applaud each and every shot played by the artist; but he hardly had the time for he was at the receiving end. But he didn't let the opportunity go when the game ended.

They all have played Tennis, but to have played this way - I haven't ever seen. Not since 1987, when I had started following the game. Not even since 1974, since when the recordings are available. I am not sure whether he is the all time greatest, but if he continues this way - the day is not far when he achieves that feat.

The only competition he faces is with himself. This is a trifle disappointing that presently, there is no one to rival him. It creates a bit of complacency in him and his game becomes a bit shaky. But even half a good Roger Federer is more than full against the best of the rest. Andy Roddic will vouch that as, this is precisely what happened to him at Wimbledon finals. Roddic was at his best while Federer was at his worst, still the latter won in straight sets.

This way he still wins his game, but audience is at loss. We need a good rival to keep the spark, motivation alive and who knows - we might be in for another Monalisa.

The Gold Hunt - Tennis

Ask me one player whom I could bet my life on and my answer would be Leander Paes. He does not give his 100 % percent when playing for the country, rather he gives 300%. What else one could explain the reason behind his phenomenal success in Davis Cups? He plays the game with passion and when plays for the country, this passion manifolds. ATP rankings don't daunt him as he has felled many an aces in his career. The kind of respect he generates in the circuit is awesome, ask Martina Navratilova for the confirmation.

Paes is the sheer reason why I would hope a medal in Tennis and to add to that, we have Bhupathi back. The former world champions, nicknamed the Indian Express, showed they meant business by winning the Toronto Masters title on August 1 in their first tournament appearance together in more than a year. It was a dream comeback for the three Grand Slam winners who split in 1999. These are the good signs for the Athens. Hope their form continues. It would have been much better, had they practiced for some tournaments more.

Between 2002 and Toronto event this month , the duo have played together in 17 matches and won all, including the Asian Games final in Busan and five Davis Cup rubbers.

This is Leander's 4th and probably the last Olympics. Though he has already won a Bronze in Atlanta in 1996, defeating Fernando Meligeni of Brazil, I think he is capable of Gold together with Mahesh. The Olympics are quite literally in Paes' genes. He was conceived during the 1972 Munich Games which his parents attended: father Vece representing India in field hockey and mother Jennifer in basketball.

Destiny's child, both my money and hopes are on him.

Done it!!!!!

He has done it again, She has done it for the first time and They have created history!!!Here "He" is Roger Federer, "She" is Maria Sharapova and "They" are Greeks.

While defending champion Federer had to fight off stiff challenge from 2nd seed, Andy Roddick, Sharapova to my pleasant surprise simply blew Serena away. She very tactically exploited Serena's weak forehand and drew the American to submission. She, now becomes the second successive Russian to win a Grand Slam final after Anastasia Myskina in French Open. Czarinas have arrived!

Men's Final , in contrast was fought for every tooth and nail . Federer was completely shell-shocked by Roddick in first set. Second set virtually resembled a see-saw and eventually went Federer's way. Next two sets were also very evenly fought, but Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikandar, and Federer was Sikandar this time.

There is not much to really say about the Euro Finals. Completely lackluster. Greeks did what they know best. They simply choked Portuguese while sneaking yet another header. This victory means to them what 1983 Prudential Cup victory means to India.

It's party time for sport lunatics like me. Euro and Wimbledon has just completed and Tour De France has just started. Let's see whether Armstrong creates history or not. Asia Cricket Cup and Olympics are due to start. I would be sporty fun!!

Another Russian Sensation!

Moveover Anna , Welcome Sharapova!
Here comes a new Russian tennis sensation from Siberia, who is just 17 years old. Unlike Anna , Maria Sharapova can actually play Tennis. While Anna never reached the semi-finals of any Grand Slam event, Sharapova is set to meet Serena Williams at Wimbledon Finals, 2004. Hope she maintains her form for coming years as women tennis has lacked glamour since Steffis and Sabatinis have left the scene.
Meanwhile, don't miss the finals guys for sheer oomph.

Roger!

That's Roger Federer for you. His game is oh-so mesmerizing. Just saw his Wimbledon match yesterday. Memories of last year's Semi-Final and Final came flooding back. Just how he had demolished big servers Andy Roddick and Mark Philippoussis (they call him SCUD for his missile serves ), it can only be seen to be believed.

He has the grace of Stefan Edberg, which no body could fill since he departed Tennis scene. But unlike Edberg , he also has a controlled aggression . He is not wooden-face like Bjorn Borg . His service return and baseline game is Aggasique; on the net he has the same reach and reflexes as that of Pete Sampras. Despite all these qualities, he is very down-to-earth . He always looks in control of himself and his game. That's what you call a real champion. Hail the champion Roger!