Jarkko Nieminen beats Benjamin Becker and cruises into Thailand Open final

Nieminen reaches Thailand Open final
NONTHABURI, Thailand – Jarkko Nieminen of Finland reached his first final of the year with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Germany’s Benjamin Becker at the Thailand Open on Saturday.

The unseeded Nieminen, ranked 60th, took charge against his 65th-ranked opponent and cruised through their match in 1 hour, 5 minutes.
Seeking his second …. Original source  : Jarkko Nieminen beats Benjamin Becker and cruises into Thailand Open final.

Kochi IPL needs to register under as company in 15 days

KOCHI – Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) secretary T.C. Mathew said Saturday that if the Kochi Indian Premier League (IPL) team is not registered as per the Companies Act in 15 days, it would be difficult for it to take part in the next edition of the Twenty20 league.

Mathew said time is fast …. Original source  : Kochi IPL needs to register under as company in 15 days.

Queen’s absence from Delhi CWG was her wish: Organizer

NEW DELHI – Queen Elizabeth’s non-attendance at the Delhi Commonwealth Games was her wish, and too much should not be read into it.

S P S Dhillon, the deputy director general of the Commonwealth Organizing Committee, told Sky News the Queen’s decision not to attend was “her wish” and …. Read the original article  : Queen’s absence from Delhi CWG was her wish: Organizer.

Snubbed Younus opens photo studio to “divert mind, utilise time”

KARACHI – Dejected after repeatedly being sidelined by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the national selectors, former skipper Younus Khan has opened a photo studio in order to “divert his mind” away from the game and make productive use of his time.

Younus, who has not been selected in … Original article on : Snubbed Younus opens photo studio to “divert mind, utilise time”.

Ponting would do well to spend time in the middle: Roebuck

SYDNEY – Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting looked in fine fettle on the first day of the first test played against India in Chandigarh’s Mohali Stadium, and according to columnist Peter Roebuck, he would do himself a world of good by spending as much time as …. Source  : Ponting would do well to spend time in the middle: Roebuck.

CA’s split innings one-day format will be bit weird to start off with: Hopes

SYDNEY – Cricket Australia’s new domestic one-day format which kicks off next week, is likely to be “bit weird” to start off with, Queensland captain James Hopes has said.

In a bid to rejuvenate the dying one-day game, CA has abandoned 50-over cricket in favour of the National One-Day Cup, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : CA’s split innings one-day format will be bit weird to start off with: Hopes.

ICC CEO Lorgat sinks Cricket Australia’s 45-over ODI plan

MELBOURNE – Cricket Australia’s plan to overhaul 50-over cricket with its radical split-innings 45-over version for the 2015 World Cup could be over before it starts, with ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat certain a one-day international league will save the game.

The ICC chief … Read this article on Gaea Times at : ICC CEO Lorgat sinks Cricket Australia’s 45-over ODI plan.

WADA’s David Howman: Contador’s positive test should be taken seriously

WADA executive: Contador case is serious
NEW DELHI – World Anti-Doping Agency director-general David Howman says Tour de France champion Alberto Contador’s positive doping test should not be taken any less seriously because only trace amounts were found.

Howman, while not commenting specifically on the Contador case Saturday during a news conference at the Commonwealth Games, says …. Original source  : WADA’s David Howman: Contador’s positive test should be taken seriously.

Biggest games, heaviest security; New Delhi prepares for Commonwealth Games lockdown

New Delhi goes into lockdown for Comm Games opener

NEW DELHI – New Delhi will go into a security lockdown Sunday for the opening of the biggest and most trouble-plagued Commonwealth Games ever.
With an estimated 100,000 police and military personnel dedicated to keeping the athletes, visitors and games venues safe, and with foreign governments issuing travel …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Sun comes out and Europe claims 1st point at Ryder Cup, but Americans leading 3 other matches

Kaymer-Westwood give Europe first Ryder Cup point

NEWPORT, Wales – Lee Westwood and PGA champion Martin Kaymer have given Europe the first point of the Ryder Cup with a 3-and-2 victory over Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson.
Mickelson and Johnson appeared to have the momentum at the end of the water-logged opening day, down only one hole, …. Source  : Sun comes out and Europe claims 1st point at Ryder Cup, but Americans leading 3 other matches.

Sun comes out, but which side will be all brightened up after a pivotal day at the Ryder Cup?

Sun comes out on a pivotal day at the Ryder cup

NEWPORT, Wales – The sun came out at Celtic Manor. Time for a very busy day at the Ryder Cup.
After drenching rain put the schedule in disarray, the players returned to the course on a chilly – but, more important, sunny – Saturday morning to … Read more : Sun comes out, but which side will be all brightened up after a pivotal day at the Ryder Cup?.

Top-seeded Wozniacki recovers to defeat Dementieva in Pan Pacific final

Wozniacki defeats Dementieva in Pan Pacific final

TOKYO – Top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki recovered from a slow start to beat Elena Dementieva 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 in Saturday’s final of the Pan Pacific Open.
Dementieva, who won here in 2006, raced to a 4-0 lead and won the first set when Wozniacki double-faulted. But the world No. 2 found …. Source article  : Top-seeded Wozniacki recovers to defeat Dementieva in Pan Pacific final.

Asif hopes for luck to change after getting hitched to childhood friend

LAHORE – Test cricketer Mohammad Asif, one of the Pakistani players implicated in spot fixing scandal, celebrated his wedding to childhood friend Sana Hilal.

Though his nikah with Sana was solemnised some four months ago, the celebrations were held after Asif’s return from England last month, the Daily Times …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Asif hopes for luck to change after getting hitched to childhood friend.

Australians amazed by CWG security, sports facilities

NEW DELHI – On the eve of the Commonwealth Games praise for the security arrangments and sports facilties are coming from the most unexpected quarters.

Harelle Mcmohan, the flag bearer of the Australian contingent in the Commonwealth Games, was full of praise for the arrangements at the Games … Read more »».

Bright day, no rain is the forecast for CWG opening

NEW DELHI – It will be a bright and clear sky with no chance of rain when the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games takes place in the capital Sunday, the Met Office predicted Saturday.

There is no chance of rainfall tomorrow (Sunday) and the skies will remain clear. It will be a bright and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Bright day, no rain is the forecast for CWG opening.

India real force to reckon with during Delhi CWG: England chef de mission

NEW DELHI – England’s chef de mission Craig Hunter reckons that India would be a real force to be reckoned with during the Delhi Commonwealth Games.

When asked which nation Team England would be competing against for honours on the Commonwealth Games medal table, Hunter … Read more >>>.

Packers WR Jones wants to make up for costly fumble, hopes to remain target for QB Rodgers

Packers WR Jones wants to atone for fumble

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones knows the importance of making the most of his opportunities in the team’s high-powered passing game.
After his fourth-quarter fumble led to Green Bay’s 20-17 loss at Chicago on Monday night, the fourth-year player knew he’d let a …. Source article  : Packers WR Jones wants to make up for costly fumble, hopes to remain target for QB Rodgers.

Woods sex scandal would disappoint Dad, says brother

WASHINGTON – Tiger Woods’ brother has revealed that the golfer’s infamous sex scandals would have left his late father Earl Woods very disappointed.

Earl Jr., the oldest half-brother of the golf champ, says that his father would not approve of his son’s behaviour.

“I think my dad would be very disappointed with him,” People quoted Earl Jr. … Original source on Gaea Times at : Woods sex scandal would disappoint Dad, says brother.

Freshly unmasked swanky Kiwi athletes CWG village tower ‘anything but unlivable’

NEW DELHI – The New Zealand team’s ‘unmasked’ Delhi Commonwealth Games accommodation tower at the athletes’ village has made the earlier reports of “unlivable” conditions hard to fathom.

According to Stuff.co.nz, the feature is the main living area, which is carpeted with fake grass and … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Freshly unmasked swanky Kiwi athletes CWG village tower ‘anything but unlivable’.

Oz hockey stars battle Delhi heat, humidity, missing equipment ahead of CWG

NEW DELHI – Australian Kookaburras captain Jamie Dwyer’s bid for victory at the XIXth Commonwealth Games in Delhi could come unstuck because of the non-arrival of his equipment, which is stranded in Singapore.

Dwyer, who has led the Kookaburras to victory at the World …. Original article  : Oz hockey stars battle Delhi heat, humidity, missing equipment ahead of CWG.