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Sampras saunters into quarters
Pete Sampras reached the Australian Open quarter-final yesterday without losing a set, while the battle intensified for the women's title. The world number one fought his first tie-break of the week in his fourth round against Hicham Arazi of Morocco. With rain restricting play to the covered Centre Court, Sampras still managed to come through 7-6 (11-9), 6-4, 6-4.
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Tiger comes out roaring from the woods
Tiger Woods celebrated the onset of the Year of the Tiger by pulling off one of the most improbable comebacks Asian golf has ever seen to win the $800,000 pounds Johnnine Walker Classic. Eight shots off the pace at the start of the final round, Woods filed a closing seven-under-par 65 at the Blue Canyon Country Club and then defeated defending champion and overnight leader Emie Els at the second hole of a sudden-death play-off.
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Aussie cricketers' strike may mar India series
Australia's Test tour to India next month could be in jeopardy with leading Australian cricketers considering a boycott unless their stalled talks with the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) on pay and conditions resume soon. The ACB and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) have exchanged correspondence but have not met formally since December 26, 1997 and no further meetings are scheduled.
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Nirupama lands Rs 4 lakh grant
Nirupama Vaidyanathan who made Indian history in the Australian Open last week yesterday is currently in New Delhi to land a sponsorship deal to cover the costs involved in playing the WTA Tour. Towards that end Anil Khanna, honorary secretary, Delhi Tennis Association, announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh for the current year. A similar amount has also been committed by the All India Tennis Association (AITA). It is expected that the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA) will also chip in with Rs 2 lakh taking the total to Rs 6 lakh.
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