p16 2_Layout 1 12/7/14 9:37 PM Page 1 MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2014 SPORTS Federer: IPTL ‘crazy but fun’ Hackett confirms comeback Dhoni under microscope NEW DELHI: World number two Roger Federer hailed the new International Premier MELBOURNE: Australian swimming great Grant Hackett has con- NEW DELHI: Tours of Australia have traditionally been tests of character for visiting Tennis League as “crazy but fun” after sauntering through his debut matches in the firmed his comeback to the pool after six years and has entered Indian cricketers and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will no doubt be put through Indian capital yesterday. A laughing and joking Federer downed Czech world num- next April’s national trials, local media reported. the wringer when the four-test series starts in Adelaide tomorrow. ber seven Tomas Berdych in the new team competition’s third leg in New Delhi, Hackett, who won 1,500 metres freestyle gold at the 2000 Dhoni, having recovered from a thumb injury, joined his team mates on Saturday where the Swiss veteran was playing for the first time. The normally composed and Sydney Olympics and defended the title four years later at Athens, and is expected to lead them in Adelaide after the series was pushed back following focused Federer was clearly enjoying himself during his three matches in front of had fuelled speculation of a return months ago after being spotted the tragic death of Australia batsman Phillip Hughes. Indian fans including Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan and cricketing great Sunil training on the Gold Coast with his old coach Denis Cotterell. Virat Kohli had been in line to lead the team in the first test but with the match Gavaskar. After winning his doubles and mixed doubles matches with Rated one of the greatest distance swimmers ever, 34-year-old being rescheduled Dhoni has had enough time to recover. Indian teammates Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna, Federer cele- Hackett has endured a torrid year, and flew to the United States in Dhoni took over the captaincy of the limited overs side in 2007 after Rahul Dravid brated with a courtside dance, before teammate February to spend time in rehab to treat a dependency to Stilnox, a cracked under the pressure of leading a team representing a country of 1.2 billion France’s Gael Monfils joined in. “It’s crazy but it’s sleeping medication. Hackett said his comeback was more about cricket fans, arguably the most difficult job in the game. Under good fun. I definitely think there’s a place for this,” personal well-being and he had set himself modest goals, with fresh Dhoni’s captaincy, India won the Twenty20 World Cup in 2007 Federer said, adding, “It’s competitive, it’s serious memories of compatriot Ian Thorpe’s failed bid to make Australia’s and the 50-over World Cup four years later and remained the but it’s still light-hearted.” Federer’s Indian Aces Olympic team for the London Games. “(Ian) didn’t make comebacks top ranked test team for a year and half in between. But India’s defeated the Singapore Slammers 26 points to 16 in look overly attractive, it was probably more of a deterrent,” Hackett most successful captain has also presided over a series of dis- the competition which has a quickfire format, said in comments published by News Ltd media yesterday. “That is mal away performances. When India beat England at Lord’s in including one-set matches hurried along by a 20- probably why I’m more reserved and more humble because of July, it was their first away test victory in over three years. Dravid second serve clock. Federer, who has never played watching that. “At the age of 34, which is extremely old for swim- is among those who have vouched for Kohli’s leadership in India before, said the experience “was big, it ming particularly after six years off, it becomes a challenge for me in qualities after the 26-year-old led India to a 5-0 ODI was loud, it was different”. —AFP my own mind of ‘how fast can you go at this age?’—Reuters whitewash of Sri Lanka last month.—Reuters Wasps back in the mix after bonus victory over Castres PARIS: Two-time European Cup winners far right hand corner to make it 12-7 after Wasps roared back into contention for a 14 minutes. quarter-final place with a bonus point 32- Kockott missed the chance to close the 17 win away at ailing French side Castres gap as he hit the bar with one penalty yesterday in the European Champions Cup. attempt and then dragged another wide- Wasps outscored Castres-who have won Goode by contrast slotted one over to just four games this season and are bottom extend the English side’s lead to 15-7. The of the Top 14 table just two years after home team, though, were right back in it being crowned French champions four tries when centre Remi Lamerat touched down to two. six minutes from half-time-Kockott con- Victory takes Wasps onto seven points, a verted for 15-14. point behind table-topping Pool 2 duo Castres took the lead for the first time in Harlequins and three-time champions the match 14 minutes from time as fullback Leinster, who play each other later. Julien Dumora converted a superb penalty Castres, who last reached the knockout from wide out on the right to go 17-15 up. stages in 2002 when they were beaten by However, Wasps regained the lead Munster in the semi-finals, are rooted to thanks to another penalty from Goode and the bottom with just one point after three the video referee all but assured the games. English club of victory with 10 minutes Wasps got off to a dream start as full- remaining. back Rob Miller touched down in the Instead of awarding a try to Varndell, fourth minute running onto an excellent when he went over in the corner, the offi- grubber kick by Tom Varndell-Andy Goode cial decided that Sitiveni Sivivatu had gone converted for 7-0. high in the tackle and told referee George Castres hit back almost immediately as Clancy to award a penalty try and give the hooker Mathieu Bonnello went over after former All Black a yellow card. Goode con- the ball was worked out wide to the left verted for 25-17 while the Castres coach and Rory Kockott converted for 7-7. spread his arms in disbelief and stared up Ashley Johnson’s quick hands set up at the TV official. Wasps poured on the mis- Wasps Kiwi No8 Nathan Hughes for anoth- ery for the French team adding another try er try in a breathless few minutes as he through Sailosi Tagicakibau which Goode UNIONDALE: Jake Allen No. 34 of the St. Louis Blues makes the first period save on Michael Grabner No. 40 of the New York Islanders at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. —AFP brushed off three tackles to go over in the converted. —AFP Blues rally to beat Islanders Vonn grabs 60th UNIONDALE: Paul Stastny scored twice — includ- Blackhawks took over the Central Division lead. 1996. Mikkel Boedker added a power-play goal ear- ing the go-ahead goal in the third period — and Colin Wilson had the lone goal for Nashville, which ly in the third period for the Coyotes. the Blues rallied to beat the New York Islanders 6-4, saw its seven-game home winning streak end. Saad World Cup win on Saturday giving relief goaltender Martin scored the game’s first goal at 14:53 of the opening DALLAS 4, CANADIENS 1 Brodeur his first win in a St. Louis uniform. period. Just outside the Nashville blue line, Hossa Dyler Seguin had two goals and an assist to LAKE LOVISE: B Lindsey Vonn put the 22 and pushing my limits,” she said. “I haven’t Stastny’s second goal of the game and his fifth and Duncan Keith forced a turnover by Nashville’s help Dallas beat slumping Montreal, ending a four- hardest months of her career behind her had that until today. It’s finally where it of the season at 13:26 of the third snapped a 4-4 tie Eric Nystrom. Saad carried the puck in on the left game losing streak. Cody Eakin and Ryan Garbutt with a 60th World Cup victory in a downhill should be.” and gave the Blues their first lead. St. Louis fell side and beat Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne also scored for the Stars, who had goals during a 5- at Lake Louise on Saturday and said she While warning not to expect too much behind 3-0 in the first period, then replaced starter with a wrist shot high to the far side. Hossa doubled on-4 power play, a 5-on-3 advantage, while skating had always believed in her ability to come just yet, the four-times World Cup champi- Jake Allen with Brodeur to start the second. the Chicago lead at 2:48 of the second. 4-on-4 and into an empty net. Kari Lehtonen fin- back The victory was her first in nearly two on is now only two victories short of Brodeur made 14 saves for career win No. 689 ished with 16 saves to earn his first victory since years. Austria’s Annemarie Moser-Proell’s record and his 52nd against the Islanders, the most for the BLUE JACKETS 3, LIGHTNING 1 Nov. 25. Seguin leads the NHL with 21 goals.