India face UAE challenge in Asian Games football today
Incheon: Hassled by delayed clearance by the government, Indian men’s football team will open their campaign in the Asian Games with a potentially tough match against United Arab Emirates here on Monday.
The Under-23 team faced enormous problems due to the delayed clearance for the Games and were left stranded for a few days in Shanghai where they had gone for an exposure tour.
They were to take a flight to Incheon from Shanghai much before the football competition begins but after cancellation of their tickets thrice, they reached only two days prior to tomorrow’s opening game at the Hwaseong Sports Complex Main Stadium.
Having weathered all these problems, they will be now up against the UAE, who had finished runners-up in the 2010 Asian Games in China.
The Indian team also did have a mixed build-up to the Games as they won one friendly and lost another against Pakistan though they had beaten two Chinese Super League sides in Shanghai (one club fielding a second string team). (PTI)
Federer fires Switzerland into Davis Cup final
GENEVA: Roger Federer secured Switzerland’s place in the final of the Davis Cup for the first time since 1992 by comfortably beating Fabio Fognini in Geneva on Sunday.
Roared on by a capacity crowd in the Palexpo Arena, Federer dismantled the world number 17 Fognini 6-2, 6-3, 7-6 (4) in just under two hours.
Switzerland, who lost to the United States in their only other Davis Cup final appearance in 1992, set up a title round with France, who beat holders Czech Republic at Roland Garros.
“It’s really nice to share it (victory) with my team members,” Federer said. “I think I really struggled today. I think Fabio struggled all weekend.
“It’s tough conditions, pretty quick court, so it’s always going to happen especially if you are not serving so well,” he said.
Federer gave the Swiss the first point on Friday by easing past Simone Bolelli before Stanislas Wawrinka doubled their advantage with a straight-sets victory over Fognini. (Reuters)