Connors to coach Sharapova
los Angeles: Ending speculations over who her new coach would be, Maria Sharapova on Saturday announced Jimmy Connors as her new coach. Maria confirmed the news on her website, “I am happy to announce that Jimmy Connors will be my new coach. I have known Jimmy for many years and we briefly worked together in 2008 just before the Australian Open. I am really excited about our new partnership and looking forward to the upcoming tournaments.” It will be interesting to see how the eight-time Grand Slam winner Jimmy Connors shapes up Sharapova’s career now. Sharapova won her last grand slam, the French Open, in 2012. After Sharapova crashed out of the second round at the 2013 Wimbledon Championships last week, she announced ending ties with her Swedish coach Thomas Hogstedt on Friday. She stated that due to personal issues, Hogstedt will not be able to travel in the near future and they both agreed it was the right time to go their separate ways. “I am very thankful for all his work, and wish him much success in the future,” Sharapova said.
Pak Cricket Board drops Rauf
Karachi: The international career of tainted umpire Asad Rauf appears to be over after the Pakistan Cricket Board refused to nominate his name for the ICC’s international and elite panels of officials. The ICC is set to decide on July 15, in a meeting in Nagpur, the fresh list of international umpires with member countries sending in their nominations. “Rauf’s name has not been included in the list sent by the PCB which has forwarded the names of Shozaib Raza, Zameer Haider and Ehsan Raza to the ICC,” one official source in the board said. Rauf, who was a member of the ICC elite panel of umpires, became a controversial figure during the IPl when he was named in a Mumbai police investigation into spot-fixing in the league. The ICC later dropped him from the Champions Trophy umpires panel. The final cut for Rauf came when the ICC replaced him on the elite panel insisting that the decision was based solely on his performance in the last one year. But well-informed sources said the decision to replace Rauf came when despite several warnings from the ICC and PCB, he persisted with activities contrary to his position on the elite panel.
Sania hopes to win more Slams
New Delhi: Her career ravaged by injuries, Sania Mirza reckons that age is fast catching up with her but hopes to add a few more Grand Slams trophies to her cabinet before bidding adieu to the game. From wrist pain, hip strain to knee trouble, it has been a “rough ride” for the 26-year-old Hyderabadi ever since she vaulted into the international scene and, in her own admission, it takes her “longer to recover from injuries now”. “As you grow older, it’s harder to stay fit. Every day you wake up with pain, muscle aches which you don’t know you had. I have to work harder on me than I used to when I was 18 years old. It takes me longer to recover now,” Sania said. “I have had three surgeries (two knee and a wrist surgery). I had a rough time with my body as tennis takes a lot of toll. It’s one of the toughest sports in the world. I have been fortunate enough to win the two slams till now. Hopefully, I can win a few more slams before I stop my career,” she added.
Kerala to host Duleep finals
Kochi: Kerala will for the first time host the finals of the All India Duleep trophy at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here from October 17 to 21. The semi-finals will be held here from October 10-13. The decision in this regard was taken at the South Zone fixture committee meeting held in Chennai, a KCA press release said on Saturday. Most of the Indian senior and junior players will be participating in the prestigious tourney. Kerala hosted this tournament on three occasions earlier — 1981, 1985 and 2003.
Illarramendi signs 6-year deal
Madrid: Holding midfielder Asier Illarramendi became Real Madrid’s sixth most-expensive transfer in club history on Saturday after signing a six-year contract with the Spanish powerhouse. Madrid paid Illarramendi’s buyout clause of 32 million euros ($42 million) and another 6 million euros ($8 million) in taxes on Friday to secure his release from Real Sociedad, making the relatively unknown player the club’s most costly Spanish acquisition. Only Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Kaka, luis Figo and Ronaldo have cost Madrid more.
Fulham goes to Jaguars’ owners
london: Fulham was sold to Jacksonville Jaguars billionaire owner Shad Khan on Friday, making the west london club the sixth in the Premier league to now be under American ownership. Khan bought the london club from longtime owner Mohamed Al Fayed in a deal that strengthens his links with the British capital, having already arranged for his American football team to play matches here. The Jaguars have a deal to play one home game in london for four consecutive seasons, starting in October at Wembley Stadium against the San Francisco 49ers.
Narain grabs pole in Mugello
Mugello (Italy): Continuing with his stupendous Auto GP run, Indian racer Narain Karthikeyan on Saturday claimed his second successive pole for the Italian round of the championship. Karthikeyan, who had won Race 1 at Silverstone from pole position last month, set a scorching lap time of 1:34.583 to claim pole yet again for his side, Super Nova International. The Indian pipped Kevin Giovesi of team Ghinzani Motorsport by 0.035 seconds. Karthikeyan’s Super Nova teammate Vittorio Ghirelli was third fastest with 1:34.757. Race one will be held later on Saturday while race two will be held on Sunday.
Rooney not for sale: Moyes
london: Manchester United manager David Moyes stressed that Wayne Rooney is “not for sale”. “It’s hard to keep repeating myself. But I will do. Wayne is a Manchester United player and will remain that. Unless I was speaking double Dutch I think we said Wayne Rooney is not for sale,” he said on Friday, reports Xinhua. “I can’t speak about players from other teams but you know me. I have always said what I think and I like the player very much.”
PNS/Agencies