Somdev wins first Gold for India in tennis

Somdev Devvarman ended India's week-long wait for a gold in tennis by outclassing Australia's Greg Jones 6-4, 6-2 in the men's singles competition of the Commonwealth Games before a deafening home crowd here Sunday.

The 25-year-old Indian also became the first player to win the men's singles gold in Commonwealth Games tennis, which made its debut in this edition. Australia's Matt Ebden won the bronze.

The US-based Somdev went sprawling on the ground after Jones' forehand sailed through on the match point and a packed stadium rose to give him a standing ovation. Cries of 'Somdev' reverberated in the air. The young Indian thanked the adulating crowd by bowing round the court with a namaste during the prize distribution ceremony.

The stakes were high for Somdev and he did it is style after India's gold medal hopes were quashed in the men's doubles with the loss of leading lights Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes in the semifinal, who had to settle for a bronze.

Sania Mirza, despite putting up a brave fight, could not stop Australia's Anastasia Rodionova from clinching the gold in the women's singles. Later Sania, partnering Rushmi Chakravarthi claimed the women's doubles bronze with a 6-4, 6-2 win over compatriots Nirupama Sanjeev and Poojashree Venkatesha here Sunday.

Somdev did not disaapoint the tennis fans.

'I took my chances. I am happy to win a gold for my country. It is a great honour for me to represent my country in international events. I will be happy to do it again,' Somdev said.

'People underestimate how tough it is to get a gold medal. I worked really hard this week. It is one of the best things in my career for sure, to win a gold medal in front of this kind of crowd.'

Jones, 21, was gracious in defeat. 'Somdev is a good player. He serves well. The accumulated pressure didn't let me play well. I don't think I was really that comfortable out there,' he said.

The 97th-ranked Indian made a quiet start and cleverly kept the ball in play as the towering Australian, ranked 234, went for ambitious hitting in trying to be aggressive. The Indian also muffled Jones' strategy to bring him to the net with some delectable passing shots as he dictated from the baseline.

After failing to convert three break points in the fifth game and saving one on his serve immediately, the 25-year-old Indian effected the decisive break in the seventh game. A whipping backhand pass set up the breakpoint and an erratic forehand crosscourt from Jones gifted the break to the Indian, who then served out the set with an easy put away to a deafening roar from the stands.

Jones after stretching for a forehand volley at 15-30 in the first game of the second set felt some discomfort in his knee and called for a trainer. He was soon back only to meet a belligerent Indian, who gave away nothing, and the Australian could do little but go through the motions.

However, serving for the match at 5-0, the nerves got the better of Somdev, and he dropped it.

'When you are serving a match out for your country it is not the easiest thing to do. I got a little bit nervous but I think I did well to hold back and hold serve at 5-2,' he said.

He served out the set in his next service game when Jones smacked a forehand long, exulting amidst a wildly cheering crowd.

Bopanna, Sanjeev defeated by Aussie pair

Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna had to face defeat with his partner Nirupama Sanjeev against the Australian pair of Anastasia Rodionova and Paul Hanley in the mixed doubles at the Commonwealth Games here on Monday.

They lost the match by 3-6,6-3,3-6 score.

Earlier, Bopanna defeated Robert Buyinza of Uganda with 6-1,6-4 in the men's singles tennis event.

On Sunday, President Pratibha Devisingh Patil and Prince Charles jointly inaugurated the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the national capital.

The opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games was marked by a multicrore cultural extravaganza, dance, music and fireworks.

It was a magnificent opening that offered a glimpse of India's great heritage and tradition through a light, music and dance show, which led to the opening of the 11-day sporting extravaganza.

CWG: Sania Mirza hoping for good performance

Recuperating from the wrist injury, Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza has said that her next big goal is to make a strong comeback at the Commonwealth Games, scheduled in October 2010 in the national capital.

"My main goal now is probably going to be the Commonwealth and the Asian Games because these events are the most important thing at the moment. Especially with Commonwealth Games being in India, it makes it all the more important", said Mirza on the sidelines of the inauguration of a residential tennis academy, headed by former Davis Cupper Jaidip Mukerjea, in Kolkata city on Tuesday

Mirza has ruled herself out of the game for the next six weeks due to a career-threatening wrist injury in her right hand that she incurred at the Dubai Open in February 2010. “I have been struggling with my wrist a little bit. I got some MRIs done yesterday. So, I need about six weeks off as of now. That is the condition at the moment. I have been struggling with this injury since the Fed Cup. But I played on with it a little bit, just to try out if I could. But right now I need six weeks off and then we will take a re-evaluation of the situation”, Mirza added.

Bhupathi: Paes and I are still good for Commonwealth Gold

Doubles ace Mahesh Bhupathi firmly believes that the combination of him and Leander Paes still remains India’s best chance for a Gold in the doubles of the Commonwealth Games that is to be held in New Delhi later this year.

After pairing up with Rohan Bopanna to outclass the Americans James Cerretani and Travis Rettenmaier 6-3, 7-6 in a first round doubles match at the Nungambakkam tennis stadium, Bhupathi sounded excited about the Commonwealth Games.

“It has become big for us because it is being played in our backyard for the first time. Personally, I feel India have a huge chance of winning quite a few medals at the Commonwealth Games,” said Bhupathi.

“Actually, we can sweep all the medals at stake (in tennis), but for that we have to play well and plan properly,” he said.

Asked whether he would partner Bopanna instead of Paes, Bhupathi said: “I don’t think so. It is still me and Leander who have the best chance of winning gold.”

But then, what about the controversy they generate whenever they play together? Bhupathi smiled and pointed out that there has been no controversy in the past two years, and urged not start one now. We all will be playing for the nation in the Commonwealth Games.

Bhupathi said he was focusing on the new season and that his aim was to win the Australian Open doubles, a trophy missing from his cabinet.

Bhupathi said Bopanna had a bright future and should soon emerge as a top doubles player. As to whether doubles was hampering Bopanna’s chances in singles, Bhupathi said it was part of the game and a player should be able to balance the two.

“I know he (Bopanna) is playing both singles and doubles and trying to find a balance between the two. He is a good player and needs to take care of his singles as well. I understand it sometimes becomes difficult to maintain the singles ranking, but that’s part of the game. One has to live with it in tennis,” said the seasoned campaigner.

For the ongoing meet, he and Bopanna are taking things match by match. “We have just started playing together, so far we have a hundred per cent record from one match (laughs). We are at the moment taking it match by match. At the same time, we are careful as well. We can’t take anything for granted. It’s a tough tournament.”

Bhupathi said it was wrong to suggest that the absence of qualifiers in the doubles event of ATP tournaments had made it difficult for youngsters to play at top meets.

“It is not exactly like that,” he said. “One can still make it to bigger events by doing well in the Challengers. Look at the pair we play next (Colin Fleming and Ker Skupski). Last year they played in Challengers and, I believe, won a couple of them. And now they are playing here. If one starts playing well, he will definitely get a chance.”

On Yuki Bhambri, Mahesh said: “He has been doing well. Everybody around is impressed with him. He is still young and by the time he is 21, I am sure he would have grown as an athlete. Hopefully, he will be a strong player for India.”

Commonwealth Games' baton scales Rock of Gibraltar

The Queen's Baton 2010 Delhi added the cable car to the different modes of transport on its journey across the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Games baton took a ride to ascend the famous Rock of Gibraltar on Thursday during its visit to the self-governing territory.

The relay started with Gibraltar's school children and athletes taking it on a relay walk. Minister for Sport Mr Edwin Reyes launched the walk at Victoria Stadium. Commonwealth Games Federation Vice President Mr. Ian Emmerson and Mr. Flower were also present.

Mr. Reyes emphasized the significance of the Queen's Baton's presence in Gibraltar. "We are a part of the Commonwealth family and the fact that it is here is hugely important. The fact that the baton relay comes to Gibraltar means she is playing her part as part of this large family," he said.

Mr Flower spoke of the importance of having the baton in Gibraltar. "It goes to all the countries of the Commonwealth, and it means that we are living the Commonwealth which is very important in this day and age. It is also important to make young people aware of the Commonwealth so that they now that we are involved too as members," he said.

Prospective Delhi 2010 athletes from swimming, athletics, shooting, tennis and hockey came together on the relay that was met at Casemates Square by the Gibraltar Re-enactment Society Group. The relay concluded at the House of Assembly where it was met by the Mayor of Gibraltar, Ms. Olga Zammit.

Zammitt spoke on behalf of the citizens of Gibraltar emphasizing that they are proud to be a part of the Commonwealth Games. "I hope all the participants enjoy the Games in the spirit of friendship, peace and harmony," she said. "These are the qualities that we cherish here in Gibraltar and they are prominent among the aims of the vibrant community of nations that make up the Commonwealth."