Rohit is mentally very tough, says Nayar

MUMBAI: He himself has been enjoying a purple patch off late, and could soon be the highest run-scorer in Ranji Trophy this season (presently he has 940 runs@104.44 in 10 games and is placed third on the top Ranji run-getters charts), but it is best pal Rohit Sharma's success that seems to bring more cheer to Abhishek Nayar's face.

The talented Mumbai bat bounced back after being recalled to the XI, slamming 83 and shape India's victory in the fourth ODI at Mohali, that too on being asked to open the innings all of a sudden.

"I am extremely happy for Rohit. He's been working really hard in the nets while he was not playing. He got his chance and did well. It's really unfortunate he got out the way he did and hopefully in the coming game he will get a big hundred," Nayar, while preparing for Mumbai's Ranji Trophy final that begins from Saturday, said. According to him, a dry spell of runs doesn't faze Rohit much. "He is one of the mentally toughest people you will meet," says Nayar. Do the too share notes on batting.

"Never...our conversations revolve being fit and other things in life," Nayar says. Will he be comfortable in his new role as an opener from here? "He has opened before and the kind of batsman that he is, he can bat anywhere in the batting order, which he has done for India. When you talk about a flexible batting order, he is someone who can bat at any number. He's extremely talented and hard working," Nayar says.

At the same time, the left-hander feels sad for the off-colour Rahane, who was dropped in favour of Rohit on Wednesday. "He too will bounce back. He is a terrific batsman...such phases of bad form do come," says Nayar.

This all-rounder too has seen bad phases, which have been more about injuries than form. While a bad wrist hurt him for a long time, a leg injury, and then a fractured thumb all combined to ensure that just as his career picked up pace, an injury derailed it.

"I am happy with the way things have gone this season. Last year I had a good season as well but I got injured in the middle, had a fractured thumb. This year, touchwood, everything has been alright. I can't remember the last time I played the whole season," Nayar says.

Nayar has scored eight fifties, besides three tons, this season. Perhaps, more hundreds would strengthen his case. "Of course I wish I had eight hundreds. Everyone wants to get a hundred but sometimes it does not work out. But I am happy that I have been consistent, that's the key."

Having scored that many wickets apart from taking 16 wickets, does Nayar still harbour ambitions of a recall? "It's totally up to the selectors. I will try and replicate what I am doing here there. Hopefully, I can convert these performances if I get a chance and do well there as well," said the 29-year-old.

Despite enjoying productive Ranji seasons, Nayar's name doesn't even figure in the scheme of things for the Indian team. It must be frustrating. "Of course, playing for India is the ultimate goal but what is there in front of me is the Ranji Trophy (final) and that's what is important. I am sure if things work out well I will get what I deserve. I am a firm believer in destiny. If things are meant to be they will be. It's up to the selectors and up to what they think. I will try to do my best," he says.

Over the years, Nayar has had to mould his game from an attacking to a patient one. "Obviously I had to do it. If I had not done that, I would not have had a place in the team. That happens gradually with experience as you get to know what your game is. I still have to urge to go after the bowlers at times but I try and control it. I think it's about playing according to the situation," he says.

Summing up a season where Mumbai have made it to the yet another final despite recording just one outright win, Nayar said: "It has been an interesting season. It has kept us on our toes. It would be fairy-tale if we ended up winning. It's a season in which we have worked very hard as a unit. The team has been together through tough times and we have enjoyed it. We have had only one outright win but have been very consistent as a team."

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Problems mounting for Real & Mourinho

MADRID: Instead of celebrating their passage into the semifinals of the King's Cup this week, Real Madrid are counting the cost of a few turbulent days which could end up completely derailing their season.

Real's 3-1 aggregate win over Valencia in the quarterfinals has set up a mouth-watering clash with their great rivals and the holders Barcelona, who ousted Malaga in an absorbing 6-4 aggregate victory.

Leaders Barca already hold a seemingly unassailable 15-point advantage over Real in La Liga, and Jose Mourinho has written off his side's chances of retaining the title.

Mourinho has targeted the Cup and the Champions League instead and he has to negotiate what could be a pivotal week in the side's season and his Bernabeu future, at the beginning of March.

Real host Barca in the Cup first leg on Wednesday, and the return at the Nou Camp is scheduled for Feb 26-27, just before the league 'Clasico' at the Bernabeu on the weekend March 2-3.

Real play the Champions League last 16 second leg at Manchester United on March 5.

"A new storm of Clasicos: Three in a month," sports daily AS said on Friday, recalling the four clashes between the sides in 18 days in April and May 2011.

After two-and-half years at the helm, Mourinho's future at Real is under the spotlight more than ever before, and he enters a critical five weeks with problems mounting at the club.

First-choice goalkeeper Iker Casillas fractured a bone in his left hand against Valencia during the week, and media have reported he will be out of action for six to eight weeks.

"Casillas is the captain, he is Madrid's emblem," Barca defender Gerard Pique said after their win in Malaga.

"Although (reserve keeper Antonio) Adan is a great keeper, the fact they are without their captain could affect the team."

PLAYERS SUSPENDED

Real still have time to dip into the transfer market before the end of January to find extra cover for Casillas should they deem it necessary.

The 2011 Cup winners also head into the first leg without winger Angel Di Maria, and defenders Sergio Ramos and Fabio Coentrao who are all suspended, while Ramos's centre-back partner Pepe has yet to return after ankle surgery.

To add to their problems, Real have failed to put a lid on the constant media speculation over reported rifts within the dressing room.

Club president Florentino Perez took the unusual step of calling a news conference on Thursday to deny a newspaper story claiming a rift between Mourinho and club captains Casillas and Ramos.

The construction magnate branded sports daily Marca 'liars', and Ramos and Casillas, who are both reported to have had run ins with Mourinho this season, issued a statement backing both the president and their coach.

However, the daily has defended the piece saying it has text-message evidence supporting the story.

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MS Dhoni likely to play in final ODI

DHARAMSALA: The Indian team management has not yet sought a cover for skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who sustained a thumb injury before the fourth ODI against England at Mohali, increasing the possibility of his playing in the final match on Sunday.

In fact, the Indian skipper was seen actively participating in a soccer session at the picturesque stadium here dispelling doubts about his participation in the final one-dayer.

While the English team took a break from their training session, a relaxed Indian side enjoyed their soccer session in the afternoon.

Dhoni has sustained injuries in the past during the training sessions but has shown enough grit to come out and lead the side admirably.

There were doubts about the Indian captain's participation in the third one-dayer against Pakistan in New Delhi earlier this month and Dinesh Karthik was flown in as a cover. However, the skipper not only led the side but was also awarded man-of-the-match for his captaincy.

It was after a long time that the Indian players looked a happy bunch while playing their customary football match unlike some of the other times when it looked as if they are going through a routine drill.

Someone like Rohit Sharma, who tends to get lost easily when he goes through those prolonged bad patches, was seen enjoying the most and rightly so after his fine performance at the top of the order in Mohali.

Virat Kohli was hit by the football and he was out of action for a brief period before the match resumed again.

On the cricketing front, the pitch is expected to help the batsmen and with the sun beating down, it can become conducive for strokeplay.

However, the open nature of the ground and the cool morning breeze will also keep the seamers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar interested on a strip that curator Sunil Chauhan termed as "sporting wicket."

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Murray beats Federer to reach final

MELBOURNE: Andy Murray set up an enthralling Australian Open final against world number one Novak Djokovic after a high-quality victory against Roger Federer on Friday.

In Pics: Murray vs Federer

The 25-year-old Briton, who had never beaten Federer in a Grand Slam previously despite being one of the few players to hold a superior career record against the Swiss, advanced to the final with a 6-4, 6-7, 6-3, 6-7, 6-2 win in four hours.

Murray had looked the more likely to win the match from the outset with a superior service game and aggressive shotmaking, but the 17-time Grand Slam winner proved he was still a force to be reckoned with by forcing a fifth set.

The US Open champion, however, got off to a storming start in the fifth, racing out to a 3-0 lead and after being two points from the match in the fourth set was not prepared to let the opportunity slip again.

"It's always tough against him. Slams are when he plays his best tennis," Murray said in a courtside interview. "When I was serving for the match at 6-5 in the fourth, he came up with some unbelievable shots.

"I didn't play the best tiebreak, it's hard when you're serving for a place in the final and a few minutes later you are into a fifth set."

SUPERB SERVICE

Murray produced a superb service game in the first set, broke in the third game and gave Federer only one break opportunity to take the first set 6-4 in 45 minutes.

Neither player was prepared to give any quarter in the second set as they thrusted and parried, punched balls down the tramlines, produced delicate drop shots and running cross-court passing shots from amazing angles to force a tiebreak.

Murray was the first to blink when he allowed Federer to a 4-1 lead and while he battled back to 5-5, Federer seized the opportunity from a mistimed overhead from Murray to level.

Murray quickly dismissed the disappointment of dropping the set, picking up his serve again and increasing the accuracy and power on his forehand.

He set up three break points in the sixth game, sealing it on his second, to take a 4-2 lead and then blasted through the next game to love to ensure he closed out the set two games later when he served his 16th ace of the match.

Federer jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the fourth set when he finally broke Murray's serve for the first time in the fifth game, but the Scot stormed back, levelled at 5-5 and was two points away from the match while serving.

The Swiss, through sheer force of will, forced a tiebreak and deciding set, though Murray powered through it in just 30 minutes as he broke in the opening game and held his own serve to love twice to set up the final against the Serb.

"He (Djokovic) plays his best tennis here, it's his third final in a row and I'll have to play pretty well," Murray said.

"I hope it's a painful match because that will mean it's a good one."

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Murray beats Federer to reach final

MELBOURNE: Andy Murray set up an enthralling Australian Open final against world number one Novak Djokovic after a high-quality victory against Roger Federer on Friday.

In Pics: Murray vs Federer

The 25-year-old Briton, who had never beaten Federer in a Grand Slam previously despite being one of the few players to hold a superior career record against the Swiss, advanced to the final with a 6-4, 6-7, 6-3, 6-7, 6-2 win in four hours.

Murray had looked the more likely to win the match from the outset with a superior service game and aggressive shotmaking, but the 17-time Grand Slam winner proved he was still a force to be reckoned with by forcing a fifth set.

The US Open champion, however, got off to a storming start in the fifth, racing out to a 3-0 lead and after being two points from the match in the fourth set was not prepared to let the opportunity slip again.

"It's always tough against him. Slams are when he plays his best tennis," Murray said in a courtside interview. "When I was serving for the match at 6-5 in the fourth, he came up with some unbelievable shots.

"I didn't play the best tiebreak, it's hard when you're serving for a place in the final and a few minutes later you are into a fifth set."

SUPERB SERVICE

Murray produced a superb service game in the first set, broke in the third game and gave Federer only one break opportunity to take the first set 6-4 in 45 minutes.

Neither player was prepared to give any quarter in the second set as they thrusted and parried, punched balls down the tramlines, produced delicate drop shots and running cross-court passing shots from amazing angles to force a tiebreak.

Murray was the first to blink when he allowed Federer to a 4-1 lead and while he battled back to 5-5, Federer seized the opportunity from a mistimed overhead from Murray to level.

Murray quickly dismissed the disappointment of dropping the set, picking up his serve again and increasing the accuracy and power on his forehand.

He set up three break points in the sixth game, sealing it on his second, to take a 4-2 lead and then blasted through the next game to love to ensure he closed out the set two games later when he served his 16th ace of the match.

Federer jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the fourth set when he finally broke Murray's serve for the first time in the fifth game, but the Scot stormed back, levelled at 5-5 and was two points away from the match while serving.

The Swiss, through sheer force of will, forced a tiebreak and deciding set, though Murray powered through it in just 30 minutes as he broke in the opening game and held his own serve to love twice to set up the final against the Serb.

"He (Djokovic) plays his best tennis here, it's his third final in a row and I'll have to play pretty well," Murray said.

"I hope it's a painful match because that will mean it's a good one."

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Djokovic crushes Ferrer to enter final

MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic produced some of the best tennis of his career and wasted little time in advancing to his third successive Australian Open final with a 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 destruction of fourth seed David Ferrer in 89 minutes on Thursday.

The world number one was in no mood to allow Ferrer the opportunity to come back from a two-set deficit as the Spaniard did against compatriot Nicolas Almagro in the quarter-finals, and blasted him off court.

"I was aware of David's qualities; I wanted to be aggressive on the court and this was definitely one of the best matches of my career," said the 25-year-old Serbian, who is seeking to become the first man in the professional era to win three successive Australian Open titles.

"He is one of the most respected guys on the tour. He is such a great competitor and has been around for years

"He is experiencing some of the best form of his career but tonight I just played incredible." Ferrer will rise to fourth in the world after the tournament but the 30-year-old said before the semi-final that he was rising that high only due to a long-term injury to compatriot Rafa Nadal and that there was still a gap between himself and the 'Big Four' of Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Nadal.

Djokovic underlined that statement in emphatic fashion with his performance on Thursday, making it appear that he was playing the 400th-ranked player in the world rather than a man who won seven titles in 2012 and had been to four previous grand slam semi-finals.

He dominated when on serve, often rattling through games to love, and put immense pressure on the Spaniard by stepping in, taking the ball early and keeping him on the back foot.

In the fourth game of the third set, he battered Ferrer's serve and broke to love, with the game point coming when he blasted a backhand cross court and pumped his fist in the air.

"You need to focus on every point and even though I was two sets up I didn't want to give him any points," Djokovic added.

Djokovic will meet the winner of Friday's semi-final between second seed Roger Federer and third seed Andy Murray in Sunday's final.

"I wouldn't give the role of favourite to either of them," said Djokovic of the Federer-Murray semifinal. "Whoever I play I will be ready."

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Azarenka books Aus Open final berth

MELBOURNE: World number one Victoria Azarenka ended the dream run of American teenager Sloane Stephens in controversial fashion Thursday to set up an Australian Open final against China's Li Na.

Azarenka, who will retain top spot on the rankings if she defends her title at Melbourne Park, needed six match points to defeat Stephens 6-1, 6-4 in 1hr 41min and move into Saturday's championship decider against Li.

"I almost did the choke of the year," Azarenka said, after losing five match points while serving at 5-3 in the second set. "So many chances. I felt a little bit overwhelmed. Nerves got to me, for sure."

In a dramatic ending, in scorching heat on Rod Laver Arena, Azarenka let slip five match points when she was serving for the match, before being broken for 5-4.

The Belarusian then called a medical timeout and left the court for 10 minutes to receive treatment for rib and knee complaints. When play resumed, Stephens was unable to hold serve and Azarenka made it into the final.

"It was important to overcome this little bit of struggle," Azarenka said.

"I couldn't lose. I just couldn't. That was why I was so upset. I couldn't breathe out there. It's a tremendous achievement and I'm so happy I pulled it through."

Stephens was coming off her upset of world number three Serena Williams on Wednesday, and much depended on how she handled her new-found superstar status.

Losing her opening service game was a portent of the hardships to come in a match that Azarenka completely dominated until her attack of nerves.

Azarenka slipped to a 2-0 lead. A strong service game from Stephens put her on the scoreboard but the American's groundstrokes were failing to hit the mark and the world number 25 made 16 unforced errors in the opening five games as Azarenka went two breaks ahead.

When Azarenka landed a perfect half-volley, backhand lob to take the first set in 33 minutes, Stephens had already racked up 19 unforced errors.

Azarenka jumped to another 2-0 lead to begin the second set. At 0-30 in the following game, she pulled up quickly, and appeared to be favouring her left knee.

She showed no discomfort in subsequent rallies. Stephens temporarily stemmed the flow of errors and broke Azarenka for the first time in the match, keeping herself in the hunt at 1-2.

Azarenka was limping, but she went on a run of nine straight points while taking a 4-2 lead. She appeared certain to romp through the final games but errors and double faults gave Stephens an unexpected reprieve.

Serving at 3-4, with the crowd behind her, Stephens missed a routine smash on the way to being broken for the sixth time in the match.

Azarenka then passed up five match points in her anxiety-riddled attempt to serve out the clash, and called for the trainer at the changeover.

She took a 10-minute medical timeout and left the court. When she returned, Stephens was serving to stay in the match but Azarenka snuck through on match point number six.

The 23-year-old Azarenka must defeat Li in the final to retain her number one ranking. Otherwise, America's Williams will take top spot.

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Azarenka books Aus Open final berth

MELBOURNE: World number one Victoria Azarenka ended the dream run of American teenager Sloane Stephens in controversial fashion Thursday to set up an Australian Open final against China's Li Na.

Azarenka, who will retain top spot on the rankings if she defends her title at Melbourne Park, needed six match points to defeat Stephens 6-1, 6-4 in 1hr 41min and move into Saturday's championship decider against Li.

"I almost did the choke of the year," Azarenka said, after losing five match points while serving at 5-3 in the second set. "So many chances. I felt a little bit overwhelmed. Nerves got to me, for sure."

In a dramatic ending, in scorching heat on Rod Laver Arena, Azarenka let slip five match points when she was serving for the match, before being broken for 5-4.

The Belarusian then called a medical timeout and left the court for 10 minutes to receive treatment for rib and knee complaints. When play resumed, Stephens was unable to hold serve and Azarenka made it into the final.

"It was important to overcome this little bit of struggle," Azarenka said.

"I couldn't lose. I just couldn't. That was why I was so upset. I couldn't breathe out there. It's a tremendous achievement and I'm so happy I pulled it through."

Stephens was coming off her upset of world number three Serena Williams on Wednesday, and much depended on how she handled her new-found superstar status.

Losing her opening service game was a portent of the hardships to come in a match that Azarenka completely dominated until her attack of nerves.

Azarenka slipped to a 2-0 lead. A strong service game from Stephens put her on the scoreboard but the American's groundstrokes were failing to hit the mark and the world number 25 made 16 unforced errors in the opening five games as Azarenka went two breaks ahead.

When Azarenka landed a perfect half-volley, backhand lob to take the first set in 33 minutes, Stephens had already racked up 19 unforced errors.

Azarenka jumped to another 2-0 lead to begin the second set. At 0-30 in the following game, she pulled up quickly, and appeared to be favouring her left knee.

She showed no discomfort in subsequent rallies. Stephens temporarily stemmed the flow of errors and broke Azarenka for the first time in the match, keeping herself in the hunt at 1-2.

Azarenka was limping, but she went on a run of nine straight points while taking a 4-2 lead. She appeared certain to romp through the final games but errors and double faults gave Stephens an unexpected reprieve.

Serving at 3-4, with the crowd behind her, Stephens missed a routine smash on the way to being broken for the sixth time in the match.

Azarenka then passed up five match points in her anxiety-riddled attempt to serve out the clash, and called for the trainer at the changeover.

She took a 10-minute medical timeout and left the court. When she returned, Stephens was serving to stay in the match but Azarenka snuck through on match point number six.

The 23-year-old Azarenka must defeat Li in the final to retain her number one ranking. Otherwise, America's Williams will take top spot.

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India retain third spot in T20 rankings

DUBAI: At fifth, Virat Kohli is the highest placed Indian in the ICC rankings for Twenty20 batsmen, while India have managed to retain their third position in the team rankings issued on Thursday.

Team Rankings | Batting Rankings | Bowling Rankings | All-Rounder Rankings

With 730 points in his kitty, Kohli has equalled his highest rating points.

Apart from Kohli, the other Indian batsman to feature in the top-10 list for Twenty20 batsmen is Suresh Raina, who is placed ninth with 718 points.

Other Indians in the top-20 list includes Yuvraj Singh (13) and opener Gautam Gambhir at the 17 position.

Australia's Shane Watson leads the T20 batting chart with 798 points, followed by destructive West Indian opener Chris Gayle (792), Kiwi Brendon McCullum (787) and Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene (759).

Among T20 teams, India, despite losing one rating point, have maintained their third position with 119 points while leaders Sri Lanka stand firm at the top with 127 points, followed by reigning T20 World champions West Indies at 122 points.

Meanwhile, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, ranked 16, is the only Indian to have found out a place in the top-20 bowlers list.

Pakistan's Saeed Ajmal leads the bowlers' table with 756 points followed by Ajantha Mendis of Sri Lanka (746) and England's Graeme Swann (720).

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Armstrong's doping scandal sad: Rogge

LAUSANNE: Lance Armstrong's doping scandal was both disappointing and sad, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge said on Thursday.

Rogge - who steps down as president in September after 12 years in charge - added that if the American was truly contrite he could in future act as an example to younger cyclists.

Armstrong had already been stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and his 2000 Olympic bronze medal before making his personal confession to American talk show host Oprah Winfrey last week.

"Armstrong's is a sad story but one has to take this as an opportunity," Rogge said in an exclusive interview conducted at IOC headquarters in Lausanne.

"It is a pivotal moment for cycling.

"There is a new spirit within cycling. The fight should be intensified in terms of the role the entourage has played.

"The athletes are not the only ones implicated in doping.

"The entourage gives bad advice to the athletes."

Rogge, who has made the fight against doping one of his major policies during his presidency, said it would be important how Armstrong conducted himself in the aftermath of his guilt admission,

"If he shows remorse and contrition as he appeared to do in the interview it would be a good example for younger cyclists," he said.

Rogge, who refused to comment on senior IOC member and former WADA chief Dick Pound's remark that cycling could be excluded from the Games, said the doping by Armstrong and fallen athlete Marion Jones was easier to escape undetected then.

"I cannot condone the culture at the time but in those days there were flaws in the dope testing methodology," he said.

"There was not a very solid test for EPO nor a test for Human Growth Hormone, where the athletes were so they could be tested out of competition and no blood-doping test.

"All those are in place now. Most importantly we have the judicial authorities in foreign countries helping us and above all the biological passports which is a very powerful weapon against doping."

Rogge, who said he hoped cycling's governing body, the International Cycling Union (UCI), and WADA would mend the fences between each other, said it was premature for people to be looking at UCI president Pat McQuaid to resign over the Armstrong affair or for his predecessor Hein Verbruggen to step down from the IOC.

"Calls for resignation are only valid once guilt has been proven," he said.

"First the investigation then the judgment and then the punishment, not the reverse order."

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