Indian Sports and Entertainment Industry

Asit P · Post by **Asit P** » 17 Jun 2012 18:37

Congratulations to Saina on her stupendous feat and may some sanity prevail in Tennis.

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 17 Jun 2012 22:09

tried to catch saina's match but no channel seems to be showing a re-run.

Suraj · Post by **Suraj** » 17 Jun 2012 23:52

I've been following the Tal Memorial chess event in Moscow, which stars all of Anand's would-be challengers in 2014, except Gelfand. There's no dominating performance going on. Even wunderboy Carlsen is scratching along with draws in all but one round, with one more round to go. His sole win had him being compared to Capablanca, though he hasn't even been a championship challenger, much less a winner

Aronian is somewhere near bottom. Kramnik faced successive defeats in the last two rounds. Morozevich has 3 wins and 3 losses. And these guys claim Anand doesn't deserve the world championship because it wasn't contested between the top two ranked players ? Carlsen even lost to 16-year old Anish Giri at Tata Chess tournament last year. It would be a pleasant sight to see Anand take apart one of these guys in full-length matchplay, hopefully in Chennai in the summer heat.

Bhupathi is right about his pairing with Paes in the Olympics - they've been a failure in that event, despite their being the most successful Asians at grand slams by a mile. If Bopanna and Bhupathi have been training together, they should pair up for men's doubles and hopefully Paes will parner Sania in mixed doubles.

nelson · Post by **nelson** » 18 Jun 2012 12:01

Why should merit be sacrificed for ego? Paes by the virtue of being in top 10 in Doubles ranking has earned a place for the country. It would be unfair to leave him out. If India gets a second slot in Men's doubles, may be Bhupati and Bopanna can play together.

Also, if Bhupati and Bopanna have been training together they should have earned their place instead of hoping for a wild card entry now.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Jun 2012 14:24

latest news is bopanna has been asked if he can pair with Paes. his reply is awaited. Paes has indicated he is fine with Bopanna.

Saina - unless she loses some bulk and gets leaner it will be tough for her in 3 set matches against the top chinese girls. this aspect seems missing (so far) in her armoury - she has great strength, placement, strokes, but not yet the stamina to go all out in a 3 setter and that is why there are still 3-4 chinese girls still sitting on the top. they know she is going to fade in 2nd half of a long 3 setter.

she should avoid the AC gyms and treadmills and go into rocky3/rocky4 mode - jungle gym, mud tracks, log huts mode....the black horse must rise again. I am sure indian army unit based in Hyd would be willing to provide some coaching if asked.

sum · Post by **sum** » 18 Jun 2012 15:04

^^ Yesterday's match seemed to show a different thing since she seemed to find some extreme strength and willpower to claw back right from the fag end of the 2nd set and carry on through a gruelling 3rd set also.

The Chinese player's power smashes even during the end of the match( when both were virtually on their last ounces of energy) were seen to be believed though!!

KJo · Post by **KJo** » 18 Jun 2012 17:19

Singha wrote:latest news is bopanna has been asked if he can pair with Paes. his reply is awaited. Paes has indicated he is fine with Bopanna.

Saina - unless she loses some bulk and gets leaner it will be tough for her in 3 set matches against the top chinese girls. this aspect seems missing (so far) in her armoury - she has great strength, placement, strokes, but not yet the stamina to go all out in a 3 setter and that is why there are still 3-4 chinese girls still sitting on the top. they know she is going to fade in 2nd half of a long 3 setter.

she should avoid the AC gyms and treadmills and go into rocky3/rocky4 mode - jungle gym, mud tracks, log huts mode....the black horse must rise again. I am sure indian army unit based in Hyd would be willing to provide some coaching if asked.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/sports-ne ... 74284.aspx

Looks like Paes is pretty unpopular among the other players. Wonder why.

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 18 Jun 2012 17:43

and how do you conclude that ? bopanna has been partnering bhupathi for a few years now and clearly wants to play with him. that has got nothing with paes' popularity.

one can hardly be the best doubles player of all time from his country by being an unpopular character. if anything, paes has as always put his country before self and not made any comment which would make a bad situation worse.

sum · Post by **sum** » 18 Jun 2012 17:55

If there is one person whom i feel deserves a Bharat-ratna, it has to be Leander.

The man has virtually worn his heart on his sleeve every time he plays for India and has toiled single-handedly for donkey years without any great public backing( unlike SRT who always had the Indian public behind him) and produced unbelievable upsets in Davis cups. Has been the sole reason for tennis coming up a bit in recent years after the slump in 90s when there was no future for Desi tennis.

truely a ratna if there was one.

nelson · Post by **nelson** » 18 Jun 2012 18:40

It requires grace and humility to be in the shadow of a greater contemporary in public perception, and at the same time strive to do their best for themselves, their sport and their country. Obviously Bhupati and Bopanna lack these qualities. Dravid and Laxman are stellar examples of such sports-persons.

nelson · Post by **nelson** » 18 Jun 2012 18:53

Sports Ministry seeks explanation from AITA

because they can not understand the rules in plain English.

Olympic Tennis Rules Announced For Singles and Doubles

Vikas · Post by **Vikas** » 18 Jun 2012 21:05

If Bhupathi feels that Paes stabbed him in the back and they have no chance of bringingt any medal together, then lets respect him and send Bhupahti and Bopanna for London'12. Anyways Paes and Bhupathi are past their sell by date as a couple and they are better off playing separately.
Bhbupathi is no spring chicken and knows what he is talking about. Why force Paes on him when he is unwilling to play with him.

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 18 Jun 2012 21:19

because paes is ranked in the top 10 in the world and bhupathi is not. neither bhupathi nor bopanna have automatically qualified yet. paes has. if they don't qualify then to send bhupathi paes would have to be axed. just because bhupathi is behaving like this you will punish the better player ? some logic that.

also paes won't be able to play mixed with sania either if he doesn't play doubles.

simply put, bhpathi bopanna are asking to be favoured over the better player just because they have formed a clique.

nelson · Post by **nelson** » 18 Jun 2012 21:33

Please read through the rules posted in the link above.

There are only 16 slots for Men's Lawn Tennis Doubles discipline in Olympics 2012. Of the 16, eight countries get to send a doubles team on the basis of their players being in top 10 in ATP doubles ranking as on 11 Jun 2012. This includes India courtesy Mr Leander Paes.

There are eight vacant slots which can be given for Wild Card entries from any of the countries. If India fields a team with Paes, a wild card for second team from the same country is unlikely.

Paes by virtue of being No #7 in Doubles ranking automataically qualifies for a place in the Olympics. He can carry any other player, a compatriot, with any ranking along with him. Bopanna No #12 and Bhupathi No #14 are obvious choice with the next Indian having a doubles ranking is Divij Sharan at #129.
Ideally Paes would want to pair with Bopanna.

nelson · Post by **nelson** » 18 Jun 2012 21:39

IMO, Bhupathi and Bopanna should be banned from representing the country in any future event including Davis Cup.

In the same breadth, whatever be the result of this imbroglio Paes should be awarded the next Padma award in the hierarchy.

Yayavar · Post by **Yayavar** » 18 Jun 2012 21:46

^^it looks like that. But what was the reason for the original split? I recall reading that Paes interefered in Bhupati's choice of coach for himself or something like that. Wonder if it is true or just a story. In any case they have only being playing together once in while and most recently split up again after joining together in preparation for the olympics. Bhupati claims that Leander thought he will do better with someone younger

-- Bhupati is 38, and Paes is 39.

Maybe Bhupati was smarter and decided to keep an Indian partner at all times (Bopanna) rather than partners one cannot play with in the olympics.
Either no one should go, or based on rankings Lee and Bopanna should. Lee is 7th, Bopanna is 13th, and Bhupati is 15th ranked.

KJo · Post by **KJo** » 18 Jun 2012 22:08

I read somewhere that back in 2000, they both were after the same girl - Anupama something.

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 18 Jun 2012 22:09

^^ it's been sometime and my memory is foggy but the split started with lee questioning bhupathi's commitment to representing India during an international tournament, davis cup or something else. lee felt that bhupathi spent far too much time on personal matters (could have been personal coach selection) on the eve of the match, which they lost.

I read somewhere that back in 2000, they both were after the same girl - Anupama something.

/shakes head

Yayavar · Post by **Yayavar** » 18 Jun 2012 23:01

^^ Ah! did not know that. Recalled reading some issue with Piperno and coach-choice etc. being involved.

Suraj · Post by **Suraj** » 18 Jun 2012 23:39

Why is a medal out of question ? When I checked last week, Paes was #7. Bopanna #12 and Bhupathi #14 . Paes-Bopanna isn't a bad combo on paper. Bhupathi clearly doesn't want to play with Paes, not the other way around. Paes/Bopanna seems the best bet on paper under the circumstances - old warrior and young tyke. Bhupathi can play mixeds with Sania if they qualify - they just won the French Open after all, and have a real shot at a medal.

nelson · Post by **nelson** » 18 Jun 2012 23:57

It is out of question because the Olympic doubles event is usually won by unusual teams that get together for that particular event only. You may want to check the records on this one.

Suraj · Post by **Suraj** » 19 Jun 2012 00:07

2008 Mens Doubles was won by Federer and Wawrinka (Swi), who beat Aspelin and Johanssen (Swe). Bronze went to the Bryan bros, who are are 'regular' team; neither of the finalists were. 2004 men's doubles was won by a Chilean pair who beat a German one - I've never heard of any of them much since.

Paes has won Grand Slams with Bhupathi, Martin Damm, Lukas Dlouhy and Radek Stepanek. Yes, a settled team has its pluses, but a lot of settled teams are not single country and therefore they are not playing as a team at the Olympics. A look at the ATP rankings shows half the top 10 teams being multi-country. Skip Bhupathi/Bopanna (who will probably not team up at Olympics) and there numbers skew further. Among the doubles individual rankings, only the Bryans and the Polish pair rank in the top 10 together.

A lot of teams will do no better than Paes/Bopanna, and will lack Paes' extraordinary experience. With Paes all fired up after this incident, there's no reason a Paes/Bopanna pair cannot get a medal. Paes is the kind of streetfigher I'd want playing, regardless of who he's paired with.

KJo · Post by **KJo** » 19 Jun 2012 01:49

I think MB and LP should retire from the Olys.
Get in new khoon.

SBajwa · Post by **SBajwa** » 19 Jun 2012 04:54

I would pair Leander Paes with Somdev Devvarman

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somdev_Devvarman

negi · Post by **negi** » 19 Jun 2012 05:56

Well to be honest in the recent past India has not had a stable doubles pair in the men's event, in 2011 we saw Bopanna-Somdev and Bhupati-Bopanna pairs in Davis cup fixtures, while this year Paes teamed up with Bopanna against Uzbekistan a couple of months back. Looks like Bopanna is the only one who has been a regular as far as men's doubles events is concerned. Between Paes and Bhupathi unless Bopanna is more comfortable playing with Bhupathi , Paes makes the cut from which ever angle one wishes to look at it (be it doubles ranking or even completeness of play Paes is better than Bhuptahi in fact many on the international circuit say he is right up there with amongst the best when it comes to net play , Bhupathi is a better server than Paes however given the std. of International tennis when it comes to serving department the difference is negligible).

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 19 Jun 2012 07:39

bopanna has declined to play with paes per reports.

nelson · Post by **nelson** » 19 Jun 2012 19:04

Maken backs off, AITA to decide on team

sum · Post by **sum** » 20 Jun 2012 14:58

The IPL stars of India A fail the Test

India’s young stars — its second rung — made the trip to West Indies to take on the ‘A’ team of the Caribbean nation.

It was a team filled with talent — as most Indian teams are — and it failed in such an alarming manner that the Board of Control for Cricket in India should really be worried. Last night, the Cheteshwar Pujara-led team lost the third ‘Test’ against their West Indian counterparts by 10 wickets to lose the series 2-1.

The scoreline could have easily been 3-0 but for an exceptional 96 not out by Pujara in the first ‘Test’ which led the team to narrow two-wicket win. In the other two matches though West India ‘A’ thoroughly dominated India — winning the second match by 125 runs before clinching the third with a 10-wicket margin.

So what causes a team filled with talents such as Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Manoj Tiwary, Abhinav Mukund, Shikhar Dhawan and more to go down so meekly?

Grim future onlee..

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 20 Jun 2012 21:20

Leander Paes threatens to withdraw from London Olympics

NEW DELHI: India's tennis ace Leander Paes on Wednesday served notice to the All India Tennis Association (AITA) saying he would pull out of the London Olympics if he was asked to pair up with a player ranked 207/306 in the world.

Paes, in his letter to AITA secretary general Bharat Oza, reiterated that he was ready to pair with either Mahesh Bhupathi or Rohan Bopanna.

"I am comfortable to partner Mahesh or Rohan for the forthcoming Olympics. If Mahesh or Rohan refuse to play with me for our country, then I am happy to play with the next best player that the AITA decides on.

"However, it would not be acceptable, if with my ranking as the best Indian tennis player, I give up the best option of partner for winning a medal for my country and am made to play the Olympics with a player ranked 207/306 in the world while the No. 13 and No. 15 ranked players form another team together based on their refusal to play with me," Paes said in the letter.

Last week, the AITA announced that Bhupathi would partner Paes at the London Games. But both Bhupathi and Bopanna, who qualify for the Olympics as a team, have refused to pair with Paes.

Paes, who has earned direct qualification, being World No. 7, has the right to choose his partner while Bhupathi and Bopanna can only play as a team at the Olympics.

Bhupathi also wants to pair with Sania Mirza for the mixed doubles event at the Games but that can happen only if Mirza gets a wild card entry. They recently won the French Open mixed doubles title.

Paes, however, said that he and Mirza have gained a direct entry into the mixed doubles event.

"I have been ATP ranked at No. 1 in the world as a team and No. 7 in the world individually, for the first six months of 2012. By virtue of this, I have got a direct entry into the men's doubles at the Olympics with the right to choose my partner. I would also bring to your notice that Sania and I, by virtue of our combined ranking of No. 19 on the ATP Tour have got a direct entry in the mixed doubles at the Olympics," said Paes.

Paes also said that allowing Bhupathi and Bopanna to call the shots and defy the decision of the selection committee would set a bad example.

"If this is the case, then for the sake of Indian Tennis and to relieve the AITA in regards to the selection of the team, I have no other option but to withdraw from the Olympics," Paes said adding that "this decision is not taken lightly and with any rancour".

"We cannot be condoning or rewarding the drama enacted by Mahesh and Rohan. This would be a bad precedent for current and future sports persons (particularly tennis players) in our country," said Paes.

Yayavar · Post by **Yayavar** » 20 Jun 2012 21:26

sum wrote:The IPL stars of India A fail the Test

India’s young stars — its second rung — made the trip to West Indies to take on the ‘A’ team of the Caribbean nation.

It was a team filled with talent — as most Indian teams are — and it failed in such an alarming manner that the Board of Control for Cricket in India should really be worried. Last night, the Cheteshwar Pujara-led team lost the third ‘Test’ against their West Indian counterparts by 10 wickets to lose the series 2-1.

The scoreline could have easily been 3-0 but for an exceptional 96 not out by Pujara in the first ‘Test’ which led the team to narrow two-wicket win. In the other two matches though West India ‘A’ thoroughly dominated India — winning the second match by 125 runs before clinching the third with a 10-wicket margin.

So what causes a team filled with talents such as Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Manoj Tiwary, Abhinav Mukund, Shikhar Dhawan and more to go down so meekly?
Grim future onlee..

Not a very different show from the post world-cup Team India.

Yayavar · Post by **Yayavar** » 20 Jun 2012 21:28

chaanakya wrote:Leander Paes threatens to withdraw from London Olympics

NEW DELHI: India's tennis ace Leander Paes on Wednesday served notice to the All India Tennis Association (AITA) saying he would pull out of the London Olympics if he was asked to pair up with a player ranked 207/306 in the world.

Paes, in his letter to AITA secretary general Bharat Oza, reiterated that he was ready to pair with either Mahesh Bhupathi or Rohan Bopanna.

"I am comfortable to partner Mahesh or Rohan for the forthcoming Olympics. If Mahesh or Rohan refuse to play with me for our country, then I am happy to play with the next best player that the AITA decides on.

"However, it would not be acceptable, if with my ranking as the best Indian tennis player, I give up the best option of partner for winning a medal for my country and am made to play the Olympics with a player ranked 207/306 in the world while the No. 13 and No. 15 ranked players form another team together based on their refusal to play with me," Paes said in the letter.

Last week, the AITA announced that Bhupathi would partner Paes at the London Games. But both Bhupathi and Bopanna, who qualify for the Olympics as a team, have refused to pair with Paes.

Paes, who has earned direct qualification, being World No. 7, has the right to choose his partner while Bhupathi and Bopanna can only play as a team at the Olympics.

Bhupathi also wants to pair with Sania Mirza for the mixed doubles event at the Games but that can happen only if Mirza gets a wild card entry. They recently won the French Open mixed doubles title.

Paes, however, said that he and Mirza have gained a direct entry into the mixed doubles event.

"I have been ATP ranked at No. 1 in the world as a team and No. 7 in the world individually, for the first six months of 2012. By virtue of this, I have got a direct entry into the men's doubles at the Olympics with the right to choose my partner. I would also bring to your notice that Sania and I, by virtue of our combined ranking of No. 19 on the ATP Tour have got a direct entry in the mixed doubles at the Olympics," said Paes.

Paes also said that allowing Bhupathi and Bopanna to call the shots and defy the decision of the selection committee would set a bad example.

"If this is the case, then for the sake of Indian Tennis and to relieve the AITA in regards to the selection of the team, I have no other option but to withdraw from the Olympics," Paes said adding that "this decision is not taken lightly and with any rancour".

"We cannot be condoning or rewarding the drama enacted by Mahesh and Rohan. This would be a bad precedent for current and future sports persons (particularly tennis players) in our country," said Paes.

Bhupati should be shown the door. Bopanna is ranked higher and can play with Leander. And if Mirza and Paes qualify then hopefully that is that.

KJo · Post by **KJo** » 21 Jun 2012 09:04

Rahul M wrote:^^ it's been sometime and my memory is foggy but the split started with lee questioning bhupathi's commitment to representing India during an international tournament, davis cup or something else. lee felt that bhupathi spent far too much time on personal matters (could have been personal coach selection) on the eve of the match, which they lost.
I read somewhere that back in 2000, they both were after the same girl - Anupama something.
/shakes head

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anupama_Verma

It was rumored that she was the reason for the split between Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi.

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 21 Jun 2012 11:55

just one unsourced sentence in wiki and that becomes a fact ?

both were involved with other women at that point.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 21 Jun 2012 14:36

well a bunch of us in high school had the hots for her in the late 80s/early 90s timeframe... quite popular in the torn magazine sheets that boys used to bring inside textbooks to pass around in the back benches...mehr jessia was another one.

ASPuar · Post by **ASPuar** » 21 Jun 2012 15:45

I dont see any travesty. The travesty would be forcing someone to partner with a player that he cannot abide at a personal level. The idea of a team is that the players should gel well together. What is the point of a team where the players cannot stand each other?

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 21 Jun 2012 17:54

ASP, this isn't professional tennis where the individual is a team of 1 and makes all the decisions. while representing the country the team is selected by AITA in the best interests of the country and that's it.
doubles, unlike what it seems is not a team game as such. it is just 2 tennis players playing together. that is why most international doubles tournaments are won by top singles players paired with someone else just for that tournament and not by the usual big names in the doubles circuit.

lee and hesh have won tournaments even when they have not been on talking terms.

next we will see 5-6 cricketers get together to drop the best players because they don't 'gel together'.

it's sad that we gave in to lowly groupism and left out the best doubles player in the country.

sunnyP · Post by **sunnyP** » 21 Jun 2012 18:23

The embattled All India Tennis Association (AITA) on Thursday claimed to have worked out a compromise formula to resolve the selection crisis for the Olympics by deciding to send two men’s doubles teams for the event, pairing Leander Paes with a lower-ranked Vishnu Vardhan.

http://www.thehindu.com/sport/tennis/article3554264.ece

suryag · Post by **suryag** » 21 Jun 2012 20:20

DEepika Kumari becomes World No 1 in recurve archery
http://sports.ndtv.com/othersports/othe ... herstories

KJo · Post by **KJo** » 22 Jun 2012 00:09

Singha wrote:well a bunch of us in high school had the hots for her in the late 80s/early 90s timeframe... quite popular in the torn magazine sheets that boys used to bring inside textbooks to pass around in the back benches...mehr jessia was another one.

Mehr Jessia was my cousin's classmate in high school.

A hottie back then.

member_23370 · Post by **member_23370** » 22 Jun 2012 02:06

As expected
http://www.sify.com/sports/leander-paes ... jbabd.html

and new twist
http://www.sify.com/sports/i-am-fit-to- ... giefh.html

http://www.sify.com/sports/krishnan-sho ... gdbdb.html