Sports : life magnified

After facing trouble in her 2nd round matchup, news is coming in that Sania Mirza has opted out of the doubles but will play in the 3rd round in singles despite not being fully fit. This is a big concern as she cannot be expected to perform to potential carrying an injury.

I cannot find any news regarding the same on google news or any where else but a TV station was carrying the same.

Here is hoping the doubles lay off will help Mirza recover to put a good performance in Round 3.

Tendulkar is out of the tests to be played in Zimbabwe as well and early optimism based on the return of Tendulkar hinging on hid selection into the 13 man squad has been dashed. The maestro, once regarded as God in India is now being treated with disdain by many fans which is infuriating. If Tendulkar would have played in the series, and scored a century, they would have chanted ‘Tendulkar can score runs only against the weak teams.’ Now they will chant ‘he is injured and past his best.’

Tendulkar, it seems, can never satisfy the unearthly expectations of his fans. I am glad Tendulkar is taking as much time as he deems fit before making a proper come back. As fans, there should be as much support as possible for the player in what is the most difficult phase in his career. Sadly the fans are doing the opposite.

Ahead of the historic Ashes test which marks the last test in which Benaud will commentate from England, the legendary leg spinner and comemntator spoke to cricinfo.

Some Benaud talk:

On the historic relevance of the series

Now, it’s my view - and people may disagree with it - but I think this series shades the 1981 tour. And that’s saying something, because a long time has passed since then. I’ve always held the view that `81 was the best but now I think that this series has just gone ahead of it in my mind.

Who will win?

Anyone even half-thinking of making a prediction would be out of his mind, when you take into account what happened at Edgbaston, Old Trafford and Trent Bridge.

And finally, on the future of Australian cricket

Warne has been talking about going on till 2007, while McGrath - as we’ve already seen this summer - bowls quite magnificently when he’s fit. There will be changes, but one thing you can be sure of, there won’t be any panic.

Ronaldinho has signed a contract till 2010 after team mates Eto’o, Xavi, Deco and Valdes had done the same. This is huge news for a Barcelona fan like me. The best news I have heard in days. What it means is that Barca will have a strong core group which can make it a champion side with pedigree history can refer back to. Barcelona showed immense skills last season. People who watchthe English Premiere League will vouch that Chelsea is the best team in the world but I would vouch that Barca is the best.

With a lengthy contract, Barcelona has a chance to show every one their true potential and silence the doubters. Best of all, ronaldinho is saying what every Barca fan would want him to say:

I am very happy in this side and this type of contentment doesn’t have a price. I want for nothing here and look forward to staying for many years

Mirza has become the first Indian to reach round 3 of the US Open. Here forehands were exquiite as usual and the strategy of going for winners in windy conditions paid off. One of the trademarks of Mirza is the cool calculated approach she displays on court.

In round 3 she faces Marion Bartiolo. Can she reach the pre quarters now? Whatever happens, Mirza has already done India proud.