‘F1 needs 10 years to make Indian impact’
New Delhi: Formula One needs at least another decade in India to create a racing culture in the country, believes Force India driver Adrian Sutil. The German said the first two races have shown that F1 and motor racing could be big in India. “I have come to India many times and I see racing is not so big here. One way we can make it big here is by keep coming back year after year. In the 1930s, people in Europe used to race with whatever car they had. Now motor racing has become a high-tech sport, after so many decades,” said Sutil ahead of the Indian Grand Prix this weekend. “Apparently, your country is improving all the time. The roads are better than what they were two years ago. I hope people start buying sports car. When you have that, the first instinct is to race,” said the German. He hopes F1 returns to India after the one-year break in 2014. “It would be sad if it didn’t happen,” said Sutil. The race is off the calendar next year owing to ‘logistical’ reasons and doubts loom over its return in 2015. While teams have praised the event, they have also expressed reservations about the tax policies in the country. (IANS)
Jayaram advances, Kashyap out in France
Paris: While Indian shuttler Ajay Jayaram advanced to the second round, it was the end of the road for Parupalli Kashyap in the first round of men’s singles at the French Open Super Series here on Tuesday. Mumbai’s Jayaram beat Japanese Kazumasa Sakai with relative ease in 37 minutes. The World No. 25 Indian won 21-16, 21-11 in their first-ever encounter. Meanwhile, Kashyap’s bad run continued as he lost his opener against World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia. The World No. 13 fought well in the first game, dragging the top seed to the end but eventually lost out. In the second game, Kashyap was drained of his energy and lost against the Malaysian 20-22, 12-21 in 38 minutes. The duo was playing their first match against each other since a quarterfinal meeting at the London Olympics, where Kashyap suffered a similar story. Jayaram will take on Lee in the next round. It will be their third career meeting, the first two going in favour of the Malaysian top seed. (IANS)
Serena makes speedy start in Istanbul
Istanbul: Serena Williams crushed one of the few women to have beaten her in the last 15 months as she began her defence of the WTA Championships in Istanbul with a speedily impressive win on Tuesday. The world number one from the United States took little more than an hour and allowed only four games to Angelique Kerber, who beat her in Cincinnati last year but who was now outplayed almost from the moment she dropped serve in her opening service game. As usual it was Williams’ superbly produced serve and withering power off the ground which overwhelmed her opponent, and the 6-3, 6-1 success suggested she is as far ahead of the field as she has ever been. Her main rival, Victoria Azarenka, looked care-worn and uncertain by comparison, beating sixth seed Sara Errani 7-6 (4), 6-2. (Reuters)
Leave Bale alone and let him settle: Ronaldo
MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo knows a thing or two about high expectations and the Portuguese forward has urged people not to put excessive pressure on his new Real Madrid team mate Gareth Bale and allow him time to settle in. Bale has barely featured after being sidelined with a thigh strain. The Wales winger was a second-half substitute in Saturday’s 2-0 La Liga win at home to Malaga, winning a late penalty converted by Ronaldo, and could play in Wednesday’s Champions League Group B clash against Juventus at the Bernabeu. Lining up against the Italian champions would be the first genuine test as a Real player for the 24-year-old Bale, who scored on his debut in a 2-2 La Liga draw at Villarreal. “People are putting a lot of pressure on him because of what he cost and all that but I don’t think it’s good for him,” Ronaldo said at a news conference on Tuesday. “If you want to try to help him don’t put too much pressure on him… leave him alone,” added the 28-year-old, top scorer in Europe’s elite club competition this term with five goals in two appearances. (Reuters)