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DELHI THE HINDU 20 SPORT WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Final phobia a thing of the past: Sindhu Here to produce champions: Kim Bonding has helped get good results, reveals the Korean The World champion calls triumph a collective effort, says she will start preparing for Tokyo 2020 V. V. SUBRAHMANYAM skills for the good,” she HYDERABAD added. “I am not here to make mo­ “Before the final, I just re­ ney, but to produce cham­ minded Sindhu that she had pions”, says Korean Kim Ji­ beaten Okuhara in the re­ Hyun, former Asian Games cent past and all that she gold medallist and now cre­ needed was to stay focussed dited for playing a key role in and not think too what is go­ P.V. Sindhu winning the 2019 ing to happen in the final,” World championship bad­ the Korean coach recalled. minton gold in Basel (Swit­ zerland) last Sunday. Pleasure to work “I would have left my job “It is a pleasure to work with here (with Sports Authority these Indian players who are of India at the Gopi Chand all responding to my training Badminton Academy here) if method. It is sometimes bor­ I were not enjoying it. And, Korean coach Kim Ji­Hyun ing, like any other job. So, I also I make it a point that ev­ with P.V. Sindhu. try different things to keep

ery one of my trainees en­ * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT them relaxed and be mental­ joys their role,” she told The ly fresh for the challenges Golden girl: P.V. Sindhu with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, Joy unlimited: Sai Praneeth and Sindhu with their bronze and Hindu in an exclusive chat “I am over the moon defi­ ahead,” Kim said. coaches Gopi Chand and Kim Ji­Hyun, and her father P.V. Ramana.* SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT gold medals. * NAGARA GOPAL on return her return on nitely after the World cham­ “Definitely, it is important Tuesday. pionship gold. Now the em­ to maintain the kind of fit­ BADMINTON “I have been waiting for “Some meditation classes prepared for the bigger chal­ ed this, especially after Sind­ “Yes, I believe Sindhu phasis will continue on ness, form and consistency this gold for long and it was recently helped me stay lenges,” added Sindhu. hu lost two finals. It was a played the perfect and best improving on every aspect — Sindhu showed in the World V.V. Subrahmanyam the result of the collective ef­ calm in crunch situations,” Sindhu also lauded Pra­ classy victory,” said Gopi. match of the championship physical, mental and skills as championship. And it is a Hyderabad fort of everyone, including revealed Sindhu. neeth for his stupendous He felt that Tokyo 2020 in the final. We were specific always — for you cannot af­ long, long way still to go be­ P.V. Sindhu, fresh from her Gopi sir, Kim Ji­Hyun and show. She said he played will be different for Sindhu that she should attack from ford to relax in the run­up to fore the next Olympics,” she World championship tri­ others at the Academy. This Confidence really well, terming the per­ compared to the 2016 Rio the word go against Nozomi Olympics,” she said. cautioned. umph, said her ultimate tar­ performance is not because “When I look at the Olym­ formance a “big feat.” Games as she will be a more Okuhara, and not let the op­ “We have a very good On working with Gopi, get is the 2020 Tokyo Olym­ of my efforts only,” said pics, this means a lot in She wished Praneeth marked player and needs to ponent any freedom given bonding that is really help­ Kim said she was pleased pics gold next year. Sindhu. terms of confidence and to would go on to win more keep improving,” he said. her reputation to engage in ing me to get real good re­ with his style of functioning. Speaking at the Gopi Aca­ be moving forward even as I laurels. long rallies,” she said. sults,” she said. “When there is scope for demy here on Tuesday, Sind­ Felt no pressure am conscious of the very Inspirational “One thing I can say is creating ideas, you will en­ hu said she was relieved to “I believed in myself before tough competition in the cir­ Biggest dream “It was also a pleasure to Emphasis that Sindhu is made to be­ joy your job more and that’s go all the way after losing the final, came back stron­ cuit where you have to keep Chief National coach P. Gopi watch Manasi Joshi win gold “We worked on a lot of lieve in herself more, even what I am doing now,” she two consecutive finals. ger, took it like any other strategising every two mi­ Chand said Sindhu winning in the Para Worlds at the things for sure and the em­ while she works on the need said with a big smile. “Yes, many talked about match and learnt from my nutes on the court because the gold at the World Cham­ same venue and other In­ phasis was on all­round im­ to cut down on the nega­ “There will be pressure the final phobia, but now mistakes. I am glad I played you will be up against diffe­ pionships was his “biggest dians bag medals in this cate­ provement of Sindhu’s game tives. She is a champion on me too as coach because that is a thing of the past and really well, didn’t think of rent players with different dream” and he was delight­ gory. because we all know that she player and all that she need­ of the expectations but like I will start preparing for the the losses in the past, and styles,” she explained. ed that she pulled it off on “Very inspirational perfor­ is a big player with the Olym­ ed is some fine­tuning,” Kim the players themselves, I Olympics in right earnest,” felt no pressure at all,” she “I will be acquiring new the biggest stage. mances from them indeed,” pics around next year,” Kim said. “There is definite have to be ready for any she said. said. skills and be much better “I must say we badly need­ he said. said. change in her attitude and task,” she concluded. There was no extra pressure and I played like in any other championship, says Sai Praneeth V.V. SUBRHAMANYAM “Obviously, it (bronze) result,” he said on Tuesday. On P.V. Sindhu winning from Indian point of view,” said with a smile. proving my all­round game focus only one event for you HYDERABAD means great to me,” he said “Definitely the Arjuna gold, Praneeth felt that once he said. “This time I got enough and fitness levels,” Praneeth have to keep an eye on the B. Sai Praneeth, who won the at the Gopi Chand Academy Award gave me that extra she beat Tai Tzu the confi­ “From India in men’s sin­ time to prepare for the Super said. “It is more of endu­ World rankings to stay in the men’s singles bronze medal where he trains. motivation in the Worlds but dence was up not only for gles only two will be selected Series events and also for this rance and intensity training race. You have to be consis­ in the recent World cham­ “There was no extra pres­ again it is never easy to com­ her but for the entire contin­ from India for Olympics if World championship and so now and this is good for us,” tent to be in the race for an pionship in Basel, says it sure and I entered this event pete at that level. But beating gent that she could just pull it your are in the top 16 and so the training sessions have he added. Olympic medal which is the could be the beginning of a like any other championship. Christie was something spe­ off. the competition is really really helped me,” he said. “There are so many tour­ biggest goal I am chasing new chapter in his career. But, I am happy with the end cial which I cherish,” he said. “It was a fantastic finally tough among ourselves,” he “Now, the focus is on im­ naments and you just can't now,” he concluded. PASSING SHOTS Nagal rattles Federer with a gutsy display IMPORTANT RESULTS Men: Mikhail Kukushkin (Kaz) (5), 6­2; 26­Julia Goerges (Ger) bt 10­Roberto Bautista Agut bt Natalia Vikhlyantseva (Rus) Takes a set before succumbing in four; Serena routs Sharapova; Djokovic cruises (Esp) 3­6, 6­1, 6­4, 3­6, 6­3; 1­6, 6­1, 7­6(1); 13­Belinda 22­Marin Cilic (Cro) bt Martin Bencic (Sui) bt Mandy Minella US OPEN the fourth when he went Klizan (Svk) 6­3, 6­2, 7­6(6); 1­ (Lux) 6­3, 6­2; 7­Kiki Bertens down 0­40 with Nagal mak­ Novak Djokovic (Srb) bt (Ned) bt Paula Badosa (Esp) PTI, Reuters ing some solid returns. After Roberto Carballes Baena (Esp) 6­4, 6­2; 6­Petra Kvitova (Cze) NEW YORK saving five breakpoints, Fe­ 6­4, 6­1, 6­4; 23­Stan bt Denisa Allertova (Cze) 6­2, The fighting spirit shone derer closed the match with Wawrinka (Sui) bt Jannik Sinner 6­4;5­Elina Svitolina (Ukr) bt through in Sumit Nagal’s a strong serve on Nagal’s (Ita) 6­3, 7­6(5), 4­6, 6­3; Re­ Whitney Osuigwe (USA) 6­1, dream Grand Slam debut as backhand. illy Opelka (USA) bt 11­Fabio 7­5. I don’t know who that is, he took a set off the iconic There were no problems Fognini (Ita) 6­3, 6­4, 6­7(6), 6­3; 3­Roger Federer (Sui) bt Venus Williams (USA) bt says Serena of Ramos Roger Federer before fizzling for Novak Djokovic, who be­ Sumit Nagal (Ind) 4­6, 6­1, 6­2, Zheng Saisai (Chn) 6­1, 6­0; NEW YORK out at the US Open, here on gan his title defence in style 20­Sofia Kenin (USA) bt Coco Serena Williams is trying hard 6­4; 25­Lucas Pouille (Fra) bt Monday. with a 6­4, 6­1, 6­4 win over Philipp Kohlschreiber (Ger) Vandeweghe (USA) 7­6 (4), to move past last year’s US In a much­anticipated Spaniard Roberto Carballes 6­3; 10­Madison Keys (USA) bt Open final meltdown, 6­3, 4­6, 6­4, 6­4; 15­David clash, the 22­year old lost Baena. Goffin (Bel) bt Corentin Misaki Doi (Jpn) 7­5, 6­0; 8­ preferring to forget the 4­6, 6­1, 6­2, 6­4 after giving a Moutet (Fra) 6­3, 3­6, 6­4, Serena Williams (USA) bt Maria umpire Carlos Ramos she 6­0; 12­Borna Coric (Cro) bt Sharapova (Rus) 6­1, 6­1; 29­ called a “liar” and “thief” and glimpse of his talent at the Osaka battles hard Evgeny Donskoy (Rus) 7­6(7), Hsieh Su­Wei (Tpe) bt Jana fans booing a controversial Arthur Ashe Stadium. Meanwhile in the women’s 6­3, 6­0. Cepelova (Svk) 6­4, 5­7, 6­3; ending. When asked about Nagal became only the draw, top seed and defend­ 22­Petra Martic (Cro) bt Ramos, who will not officiate fourth Indian — after Somdev ing champion Naomi Osaka Women: 1­Naomi Osaka (Jpn) Tamara Zidansek (Slo) 6­4, any Serena or Venus Williams Devvarman, Yuki Bhambri Showcasing his talent: Not overawed by the occasion, Sumit Nagal uncorked some fine shots of Japan had to battle hard to bt Anna Blinkova (Rus) 6­4, 6­7 4­6, 6­1. match this year, Serena and Saketh Myneni — to win against Roger Federer on Monday. * AP beat the unseeded Russian replied, “I don’t know who a set in the main draw of a Anna Blinkova 6­4, 6­7(5), 6­2 that is.” AFP Grand Slam in the last 20 crowd by breaking Federer’s crowd when he broke Feder­ forced errors to nine of Nagal and reach the second round. years. serve in the third game with er for the second time and in the opener. Osaka hit eight aces and 44 No confusion! Svajda, 16, revels in Nagal, who made the the Swiss committing a dou­ served out the set after being The anticipation grew but winners but also made 50 Grand Slam debut main draw through qualify­ ble fault on the second down 0­30. Federer shook off the rusti­ unforced errors. Sports Bureau scoreboard, we change Sixteen­year­old Zachary ing, returns from the Open breakpoint. ness to dismantle Nagal’s In another highly antici­ NEW YORK the ‘G’ and add a ‘D’, did Svajda cherished an “awesome” professional not only richer by $58,000 While a “rusty” Federer Fearless play game after that. He began pated match, eighth Serena The on­court interview you think for a second that debut in the US Open first but also with the experience was still measuring up his Hitting deep returns and go­ serving well, if not his best, Williams trounced old foe following the match it was Nadal,” asked round Monday as he became of what it takes to compete at newest rival, Nagal, with his ing for his shots fearlessly and dictated the play with Maria Sharapova 6­1, 6­1 in witnessed a funny Gilbert. the youngest player to the biggest stage. deep returns, was setting up and not allowing Federer to his strong returns, killing the first New York meeting moment when Brad “No,” said a smiling feature in the men’s draw Federer endured a shaky winners — some eye­catch­ come on to the net were key points at will at the net. between two of the sport’s Gilbert asked Federer if he Federer. “But may be for since Donald Young in 2005. start to the match but for Na­ ing inside­out forehands. to Nagal’s first­set exploits After taking the second biggest names to get her had imagined Rafael Nadal you guys and the social Svajda looked on course to gal it was the best he would While many would not even as the Swiss struggled and third set with ease, the quest for a record­tying 24th instead of Sumit Nagal. media it is,” he added with become the youngest winner have felt on a tennis court. have expected such a sight, to contain his unforced er­ Swiss was serving for the Grand Slam title off to a fly­ “If you look up at the a laugh. of a singles match in New The Indian stunned the Nagal further shocked the rors. Federer had 19 un­ match in the 10th game of ing start. York since Michael Chang reached the fourth round of the 1988 tournament at age 16. However he struggled ‘I try not to get affected by criticism’ with cramp after claiming the Nagal will have a solid career: Federer first two sets against 37­year­ old Paolo Lorenzi of Italy. ollowing his scratchy did well, I started thinking It was satisfying as I had to grind a lot, says Rahane on his century Fopening round victory too much. Things change in over Sumit Nagal, Roger Fe­ a matter of seconds and INDIA IN WI told fellow­Mumbaikar Rohit derer predicted “a very solid that’s what happened. Sharma in a chat aired on career” for the Indian “He [Federer] is always Press Trust of India ‘bcci.tv’ youngster. making you think. You have North Sound “It was satisfying as I had “[It’s] never easy to come no idea where the next ball India’s Test vice­captain to grind a lot. Needed to put out and play your best,” said is going to come. I have nev­ Ajinkya Rahane, who with­ the team in a good position Federer about Nagal. “Even er had that feeling with any­ stood intense pressure to before getting to the though it’s kind of what you body else I have played,” Na­ score match­winning knocks hundred,” he added. live for, you dream about, gal added. in the first Test against the Statue for barrier-breaker playing on the big stage. I After the promising effort, West Indies, said he made a Persistence pays off Althea Gibson unveiled think he did that very well.” Nagal, ranked 190 now, stat­ conscious effort to ignore Despite the dip in his perfor­ NEW YORK “He moves well, moves <> “I thought I played ed that he was aiming to criticism directed at him for mance, the Indian team A granite statue honouring the ball around well. Sort of like my beard, rusty” crack the top­100 in order to not reaching three figures in management persisted with African American tennis very much a clay­courter. He play the ATP Tour level the last two years. Rahane and it paid off. trailblazer Althea Gibson was Roger Federer knows what he can bring. on his show against Sumit Nagal events more regularly. Skipper Virat Kohli has al­ unveiled outside Arthur Ashe It’s not the game that comes Subject of debate so backed him to do well for Stadium on the opening day out with the biggest surpris­ ment being there,” he said. Challengers for now Coming into the Test series, the team and defended the of the U.S. Open on Monday. es. [But] it’s really consis­ “Tennis­wise, it was a bit “Challengers is not the place Rahane’s form was a subject batsman’s credentials in the In 1950, at 23 years old, she tent. He did it very well.” up and down. I was a bit ner­ you want to be for the rest of of widespread debate but he face of questions over his was the first African For Nagal, playing Feder­ vous as it was my first time. your life,” he said. “You just silenced his critics with form. American allowed to compete at the U.S. er at the Arthur Ashe stadi­ In the second and third sets want to do your job and get scores of 81 and 102 in India’s The second and final Test Nationals, the precursor to um under lights was unlike my energy levels went really out as soon as you can. But 318­run win over the West In­ between the two sides be­ the U.S. Open. In 1956, she any other experience be­ down and I started missing a it’s just going to be Challen­ dies here on Sunday. gins in Jamaica on Friday. became the first black player fore. lot of first serves. gers until I break into the “I try not to get affected by The series is part of the in­ to win the French Open and “It was my first time in top­100. I want to do it this criticism as it is unwanted augural World Test Cham­ the following year the first to such a big stadium and play­ Thinking too much year. I have a few clay chal­ and I can’t control it. You are pionships, in which India is win Wimbledon and the U.S. ing one of the best tennis “After I won the first set, in­ lengers lined up. That’s what always happy when you currently on top in the Back with a bang: Ajinkya Rahane repaid the faith the Nationals. REUTERS players. I enjoyed every mo­ stead of focusing on what I I am chasing.” make a hundred,” Rahane points table. team management had in him. * AP

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