And that's my exit cue. Athlete and sports buff Raoul just arrived, and he's raring to take over the >updates for the rest of a promising day. Until next time, this is adios from Anand Venkateswaran
14:10: Brilliant rally, but Somdev loses control of his forehand, its deuce. Reflex shot from Sanam, advantage. And India takes the game, up 3-2 in the second set.
14:08: Somdev serves, anticipates the return, gives back a great volley. Encore, and it's game point
14:07: Back to the tennis court, Somdev Devvarman and Sanam Singh in a doubles match against Chinese Taipei. The Indians are one set down, and two games up in the second set.
14:00: Uzbekistan's Anton Fokin takes the rings now. Strong technique, straightforward finish with a double pike. Awesome landing. 15.200 for his efforts. He's jumped from 10th place to 6th.
13:59: Japanese Nakase turn, and it turns out to be the best of the three routines he's taken on. He scores a 15.100
13:55: The South Korean's on now. Not as strong as the Chinese, but better disciplined. He was a little shaky on the handstand. Full twist and a double tuck on landing. Textbook finish. Only a 14.00. This is the lowest score for him, puts him in third place. China take first and second places
13:53: Chinese gymnast Hai Bin comes in. As in pommel, Bin makes a couple of errors here too, but that double twist and double tuck landing looks redeeming. And it was, he gets a 14.95.
13:50: japan's Mizutori comes in, will look for a score very close to 15. Strong routine, but an effort that belongs in the 14s. But he gets a 15, taking him up into third place.
13:47: China's Lu Bo comes in on the rings. Strong, conventional routine, with a full twist and a double straight on landing. Obvious strength from the Chinese. And a 15.5 on rings.
13:45: In the overall rankings, India's Ashish stands 23, thanks to that unfortunate 0 he scored because of a botched vault landing.
13:44: Chinese Taipei on rings now. Brilliant work, Chen Chi Yu, 15.3 for his efforts.
13:42: Another Japanese attempt, but this one was blighted. The gymnast lands hard and had to mount again. Makes a couple of serious errors on his second attempt as well.
13:37: South Korea's Kim Soo Myun executes a quick, comfortable routine. He clouts the apparatus during one change-over, but finished like a dream. He scores 15.1, ties with Haibin
13:33: China took another shot at it, Teng Haibin, who got a great score on floor, followed it up with a 15.3 on pommel
13:30: The Japanese comes in. Good routine, but chose a simpler finish, which will mean a .2 point deduction.
13:29: China's Lu Bo comes in to take the pommel. He qualified in third position. And has shown class. He hit all the elements of the routine, and finished well, if only for a little hesitation on the hand stand. He's given a 14.35 for his efforts. His best was 14.6
13:26: Incidentally, the Indian gymnastics team doesn't have a coach on board in Guangzhou, because he left right after the opening ceremony because of a tiff with the management. Obviously, it has proved disastrous for the Indian side. >Here's why he left.
13:25: Uzbekistan's Anton does an impressive pommel routine. The judges were impressed by his speed.
13:24: India's Ashish Kumar on the vault now, won silver in the Commonwealth Games. Oh, he under-rotates it, lands on his knees. He gets a 0 for his efforts
13:21: The top seeded group have gone to the pommel horse, the second seeded, to the parallel bars
13:17: Korea's Sum Kim - clean twist, but falters on the landing. Impressive handstand, a high tuck, a one-and-half twist, and more competition for the Japanese - scores a 14.7 as well.
13:14: But China's Teng Haibin giving his a run for his money. Solid line, strong landing, varied routine, and an absolutely brilliant final landing.
13:13: Men's gymnastics, floor exercises under way now. Japan's Mizutori has scored 14.7, the top score so far in this group. Great routine from him, except for one weak landing
13:10: You can catch that report on our snooker fortunes today >here
13:05: The water polo agony is finally over. Khazakhstan win 36-2. Even with Uzbekistan and China the only ohter teams in contention, India will have to work hard for a medal
13:00: Our cueists had a good second day as well. Here's a PTI report -
India’s good run in cue sports continued for the second day in a row as it thrashed arch—rival Pakistan in the men’s snooker team semifinals to be assured of at least a silver medal in the 16th Asian Games here today.
The trio of veteran Yasin Merchant, Sneh Aditya Mehta and Brijesh Damani proved too strong for Pakistan as they demolished their neighbours 3—0 to set up a gold medal clash against hosts China.
12:53: The Indian women, in the fourth quarter, have managed to score again. That's 2 against Kazkhstan's 35
12:46: As you digest that tennis victory and contend with the water polo disaster, here's some news about the Indian paddlers. Mixed fortunes, they've had, according to this >report
12:41: In the pool, Indian women are being given a royal drubbing by Kazakhstan. They're up 30 goals to India's 1 goal. But all is not lost. India still have a chance at medal, because there are only four teams in contention in this event. That's 32 goals even as I write this.
12:31: Match point to Somdev - and he does it with an ace! Somdev wins the men's tennis team semifinal against Chen Ti.
12:30: Chen serves - Somdev makes the same mistake, scores level. But Somdev forces an error from Chen on the next one. Gets this mini-break. Two points to match
12:29: Somdev serves, is lured away from the net, but Chen misjudges, hits it into the net. 4-3
12:28: Somdev serves, hits over the baseline, 3-3 in the tie-breaker
12:27: Scuffle close to the net - overhead shots. Somdev wins the first mini break
12:26: Chen responds, again with a cross court shot away from Somdev. He serves now
12:25: Somdev prevails in the second rally as well. Chen hits wide. Somdev still serving
12:24: Chen serves first, a rally follows, Chen hits it to the net. First point to Somdev
12:23: Brilliant, a smooth backhand hit a centimetre away from the line. Somdev takes this game. And yes, you can say it. I was right. It's going to be a tie breaker.
12:22: The next round goes to Somdev. Chen hit his return over the baseline
12:21: But the second belongs to Chen, who takes it with a brilliant shot right on the line. Somdev applauds.
12:20: Somdev serves, makes Chen run for the ball, takes the fist point
12:18: And takes the game. It's now 6-5 in the second set. Is that a tie breaker I smell?
12:17: Chen Ti takes control again, htis at Somdev's weak spots with a drop shot and cross court forehands
12:16: Devvarman levels that set with a blitzkrieg. 5-5
12:13: Somdev 4-5 in the second set
12:11: Well left by Somdev, judged it early, takes the advantage. Devvarman anticipates Chen's serves, strikes a sharp return, breaks the serve, takes the game.
12:10: Devvarman hits a beautiful shot straight down the line, 40-30. Chen retaliates with a clever cross court volley. Deuce
12:09: Wild swing from Chen, Somdev 15-30 Somdev. Chen forces an error, he's now two points from taking the set
12:08: Chen serves, Somdev scores. The second serve was much better, Chen levels it 15-15, with a lead of 5-3 in the second set
12:07: Brilliant back hand from Chen Ti, clinches that game and breaks the serve
12:06: Somdev scores, two overhead shots. 15-40
12:05: A rally, but Chen prevails. Somdev hits it wide. A break point for Chen.
12:04: Chen uses his volley to good effect again, scores early, in Somdev's serve
12:02: And Devvarman takes the point. Brings it to 3-4 in the second set. Can he hold his serve?
12:01: Devvarman forces an error with a long rally. A break point now for India.
12:00: Lays another clever trap, Chen, lures Devvarman away, and drops a shot just over the net.
11:59: Chen responds with a serve straight down the middle of the court, and follows it up with a sharp overhand. Scores.
11:58: Strong beginning from Somdev, 30-0.
11:56: Deuce again. Somdev serves, and Chen hits it to the net. Advantage again. and come through in the end, with a strong serve to the body. Somdev 2-4 in the second set.
11:54: Fightback from Somdev in the sixth game. Takes the advantage.
11:50: And Chen Ti takes the game. He's up 4-1 in the second set
11:48: Similar shot again, same effect. Third time unlucky. That one went wide
11:47: Somdev responds with a bautiful shot that just kisses the line
11:45: Chen serves - A rally follows, again, Chen in control of the net, hits a volley to Somdev's rioght, scores.
11:42: Bad line call against Somdev, who argues with the line judge. the call stays. Chen makes use of the opportunity. And takes the game without Somdev scoring a point.
11:41: Back to the tennis court. One game each in the second set, Chen Ti fighting for a hold, and gets it. Finishes the third game with a volley over Somdev's head
11:3 9 : Wang responds in kind, perfectly set up net shot, 20-12. And takes the game. Flashes of class from Thailand, but this is clearly China's turf
11:38: The Thai inches up a little, with come clever net-work.
11:37: No match for the Chinese though. Successive cross-court smashes - score's 18-9
11:35: It's 15-8 now after a long rally. Thailand shuttlers quite impressive today.
11:33: China's taken the first set, and is leading 14-8 in the second
11:32: Badminton, women - China takes on Thailand in another team event. Wang Vs Nitchaon. Not to be confused with world champion Wang X.
11:29: Second set point for Somdev, and takes the set in this second rubber.
11:28: Chen had no answer that serve, set point Devvarman. But the next return goes outside the line. deuce.
11:27: Devvarman concedes another to Chen, but a sharp forehand straight down the line later, it's 30-30
11:26: Somdev serves, draws first blood. Hits one close to the baseline, and a subsequent return outside it. Scores level
11:23: Chen Ti puts up a fight, takes his second game. Still trailing 2-5 against Somdev
11:22: In women's tennis, world no.11 Li Na defeated Thailand's Tamarine for a place in the finals
11:21: Chen serves, a long rally ensues, and the drop works again in Chen's favour, with Somdev lured to the baseline, far away from the ball
11:20: Meanwhile, but Somdev takes the game, and a 5-1 lead in the first set.
11:19: Food for thought for the Indian cricket organisers. Pakistan women have just routed China in a 9-wicket victory for a place in the semi-finals.
11:17: First ace of the match from Devvarman, 40-30
11:15: Devvarman serves now, having won the tie break. An unforced error, point to Chinese Taipei
11:10: Chen strikes first in the fifth game, but Somdev takes this game as well.
11:09: Devvarman brings it back to deuce, and two stinging serves later, takes this game as well, taking a 3-1 lead in the first set.
11:07: Strong return from Devvarman, deuce. Briliant rally, both players showing a lot of patience, but Chen places one right over the net, and Chen carves out another break point
11:05: Unforced error from Somdev and Chen on equal footing again. Another error, break point for Chen Ti now.
11:03: Forced error from Chen, Somdev scores first in this fourth game. A good rally, Somdev had to work hard to get at the ball, but Chen places a volley outside the court.
11:01: Line error from Devvarman. 30-30, Chen serves - Another long rally, Somdev comes on top. The first break of the match and it's India's
11:00: Devvarman takes the next point. A long rally now, Chen folds first, hits it into the net. 15-30 to Devvarman
10:58: Devvarman levels the stage, takes the second game. Chen serving now. Strong serve, Somdev struggles to send back a return, promptly volleyed away by Chen.
10:56: Confident start form Devvarman in the second game, up 30 to love. Chen suddenly steps up speed, forces an error from Devvarman
10:55: Ti is actually a last minute replacement, after the Taipei champion pulled out because of injury. Somdev has beaten him in a previous encounter
10:54: Chen forcing an error from Somdev, 40-30 in the first game, and wraps up that first game
10:50: We must kip back onto the tennsi court now, another India-Chinese Taipei encounter in progress. Somdev Devvarman takes on Chen Ti
India were all out for 472, Harbhajan remained unbeated at 111 against New Zealand. >Here's that report.
10:41: But Ratchanok of Thailand, barely 16, put up a real fight with the world champion. Watch out for more of this youngster
10:39: Match point to world champion Wang X. She serves, the return is wide, and Wang wins. And China has won this encounter of the team event
10:38: And another one. Unforced errors from Thailand, pressure getting to her. Brilliant return from the net, flashed the shot cross court over Thailand's head.
10:37: 16-14 China in the lead now, serves, takes another point, that's three in a row.
10:36: A fiesty badminton match on between Thailand and China. A nail-biter - final of three games, 14-14.
10:33: The Indian team is out of the men's cycling team pursuit, having to settle for 9th place.
10:30: After the second lap, they're in 8th position, enough for qualification, but there's another 14 laps to go
10:29: About 1 minute 11 seconds after the first lap, a good five seconds behind Hong Kong, who set the bar in this event
10:27: The Indian cycling quadrant has just set off, in the 16-lap, 4,000 metre event. Very slow off the block, the Indian team.
It was a well-fought 2 hour 45 minute match. Sanam will be disappointed by the outcome, but the contest was thrilling
10:25: And Chinese Teipei win the team semi finals. 6-7, 6-2, 7-6.
10:24: Sanam hits it to the net. Pressure. Serves again, straight return from Tsung, Sanam hits it wide.
10:23: Ace no. 11 from Tsung, 6-4. Hits the next one outside the baseline. 6-5. Opportunity for Sanam
10:22: Sanam serves, Tsung crowds him, Sanam hits the next one wide, 5-4 Tsung
10:21: Tsung serves now - powerpacked serve, no answers from Sanam, 4-3 Tsung
10:20: Sanam lofts one over Tsung's head, just inside the baseilne, 2-3. Another brilliant return, 3-3
10:19: Double fault from Sanam, bad timing. First mini break goes Tsung's way.
10:18: Tsung takes a point himself with a brilliant volley. And another. Sanam serves now.
10:17: Sanam takes the first point. The crowd thinks Tsung's return was in, and cheer. It was wide
10:15: Smashed it in again, gamepoint Tsung. Will this have to be settled in a breaker? Looks like it does. 6 games all.
10:14: Bad call, wide serve from Tsung, clear in the replay. But the call stays. And Tsung makes the most of the frustration, 30-30. Move on, Sanam
10:12: Great cross-court pass, Tsung hits it into the net, 0-30.
10:11: Tsung will have to serve hard to save this set. First point goes to Sanam
10:10: Drop volley from Sanam to win the third point. Gamepoint Sanam. Huge forehand, 6-5 lead to Sanam
10:09: Terrific back-hand from Sanam, who takes the first point. He gives it away in the second serve
10:08: And love game it is. Tsung levels the set 5-5 with Sanam, who will serve the next game
10:07: Tsung using his serve to full effect. Stage set for another love service game. Sanam losing focus.
10:02: Sanam and Tsung taking a well-deserved rest now, after over two hours of play. Sanam's leading 5-4 in the third set. He's taken a medical time-out
Harbhajan's on 99, by the way. Straight to point on his 104th ball. And he's got it. Back-to-back centuries for Bhajji. The second one off 105 balls
09:58: No he doesn't, not yet. Unforced error, lazy volley straight to the net. But he forces Tsung to hit the next one out of the court. 5-4 lead to Sanam
09:57: Sanam in control now, 40-15, will he take it all the way?
09:55: Tsung levels the set again, 3 games all.
09:54: Unforced error from Sanam, two of them in a row, Tsung comes up from under, takes the advantage
09:52: Back to the court. It's 30-40, Tsung serving, in the sixth game of the third set.
Some cricket to spice it up - India has a 100-run lead in the first innings against New Zealand, Harbhajan and Sreesanth on strike. That's after Harbhajan's six off Vettori. He's on 97 now.
09:47: Tsung takes a chance, hits it long. Adv Sanam. And converts it, takes a 4-3 lead. A scuffle at the net, Sanam proved wilier.
09:46: Makes use of his serve, Sanam, advantage. But an unforced error, and it's deuce no.3
09:45: Gamepoint for 4-3 lead in the third set - Brilliant return from Tsung, right on the line, away from Sanam. Deuce again
09:44: A touch volley from Sanam, deuce. Tsung hits it wide, advantage Sanam
09:42: Another long rally, but Tsung pulls through, hits an overhead shot, brings up another break point
09:41: A long rally, unforced error from Sanam
09:40: Moment of frustration for Sanam, a baseline call he's unhappy with. 15-15 in the 7th game
09:39: Not for long. Tsung wins the game, levels the set. 3 games all
09:38: Looks set for another love service game. But Sanam breaks the streak
09:37: But Tsung's serving, and takes the first two points
09:35: Sanam leading 3-2 in this third set.
09:33: Deuce no.2. Baseline error from Tsung, gamepoint Sanam. Another unforced error from Tsung, and the game belongs to Sanam
09:32: Some risk-taking from Sanam, he runs into the net, anticipates Tsung's play, advantage to him.
09:30: The fifth game going Sanam's way, two unforced errors from Tsung. 40-30. Good rally, Sanam hits a cross-court shot wide. Deuce
09:28: Poor effort on the second serve, Tsung takes this point. And the next, after Sanam hits the ball straight to the net.
09:27: Good start by Sanam, strong serve returned weakly by Tsung, Sanam smashes a forehand.
09:26: Tsung hits it wide, deuce. Double fault from Tsung, break point for Sanam, who makes full use of it. It's two games all in the third set.
09:25: Series of volleys, close to the net, Tsung's territory. But it's Sanam who wins this encounter. A reflex volley saves him, 30-40
09:24: Tsung in control of the fourth game. Perfect cross court shot, 40-15.
09:19: Play at the net, Tsung at home here, as Sanam looks predictable. Break point. And Tsung takes it
09:17: Sanam lofts one above Tsung, who returns it wide. Sanam tries it again, it goes long. 30-30
09:16: Back to the tennis court. One game each to Tsung and Sanam. 15-15 in the third game
09:12: China's lead is now over 10 metres and they win the relay heats
09:10: 4x200 m freestyle in the pool. China has a 5 metre lead. And it's growing. The Koreans are clearly in second place
09:07: And Tsung has taken the second set 6-2. He won that set with an ace. The coach looks happy.
09:05: In other sports, South Korea giving China a run for their Gold. They've just won the men's 50m prone rifle event.
09:02: Lack of control over his shots, Sanam, adv Tsung. And Tsung moves to a 5-2 lead with a brilliant return
09:01: A good rally, Sanam holding his own, Tsung makes an unforced error, 30 all. Baseline error by Sanam, chance of a break point. But Sanam levels the score again, 40-40
09:00: Good first serve from Sanam, 15-0, a wide return to Tsung's backhand on the second. 15 all. Double fault from Sanam,.
08:58: Sanam misreads that second serve. Tsung 40-15. Not the next one, comes up 30-40. But a baseline error hands Tsung this game. 4-2 in the second set.
08:53: Tsung leads in the second set now, 3 games to Sanam's two. And doing well in this sixth game too.
It's a hard game of tennis we've been following so far. Sanam's chances seem even. Not so with soft tennis. Here's what a PTI report says -
Indian challenge in soft tennis came to an end after both the mixed doubles pairs failed to cross the first hurdle, losing to higher—ranked opponents in the Asian Games here today.
Mixed doubles pair of Jitender Mehlda and Monica Murali Menon became a first round casualty after losing the opening round 5—0 to Mai Sasaki and Hidenori Shinohara of Japan.
08:47: The fourth game on now. 30-30, Tsung serves
08:44: Sanam took the second and the third. The third game was payback for Tsung's first game. Tsung didn't score a point
08:40: This is what happens when you blink. After Sanam took the first set, Tsung took the first game in the second set.
08:34: Two more points to Tsung, but Sanam comes through, wins the first set 7-5.
08:31: And another point to Sanam, who's shifted gears in the tie-breaker. 5-0. Sanam serves. Into the net. Tsung makes him work, Sanam almost gets to it, but the volley was too good. 5-1
08:29: Sanam serves, takes the first point. And the second. Great shot, takes the third point as well. Tsung serves now.
08:28: Gamepoint Sanam. Rocket of a backhand to win that game. Tie breaker.
08:27: Brilliant volley from Sanam, Tsung missed that by a whisker. 15-30 Sanam. Tsung misreads the next one, 30-30.
08:25: Sanam to serve now, vital game for him. A good serve, textbook return from Tsung, Sanam hits it into the net. Second serve pushing Tsung back, but a backhand straight down the line from Tsung. 30-0
08:22: Tsung serves now, strikes early. Rocket of a return from Sanam. But Tsung takes this game.
08:21: A close one, Sanam hits it just inside, 40-30. Error from Tsung, and Sanam takes the game.
08:20: Tsung takes one more point, after Sanam returns a powerful forehand with a shot outside baseline.
08:18: Sanam serving now, 15-0. Attempted ace, goes wide. Tsung crowd the net again, Sanam tries to hit it to the baseline, misjudges. 15-15
08:16: 30-30 now, oh, both players bounce the ball off the net, which lands in Sanam's favour. But Tsung takes the game eventually.
08:15: Tsung powers it up, great serves, 30-0. Hits the next one wide, Sanam slips in.
08:14: Powerful return from Tsung, comes up to 30-40. Not enough, powerful forehand from Singh, levels the set, 4 games all
08:13: Looks like Sanam's using his serve to great effect. Serving 30-15. Brilliant half volley, as he walks back from his serve. 40-15
08:09: Good return again. And a wide forehand from Tsung, serving at 15-40. Baseline error from Tsung, Sanam exults, takes his third game. Tsung still leading by one game, but this one's finally turning out to be a proper bout
08:08: Tsung remains in control of his serve, though. Starts the game with a second ace. An impressibve return in the second serve. 15 all.
08:06: Tsung comes in to crowd the net, Sanam replies with a fiery backhand, takes the advantage. Tsung hits it wide, Sanam takes this game. 4-2, Taipei in the lead.
08:05: That was a good rally, perfect backhand cross court from Tsung, Advantage to him. Sanam rallies, deuce no.3
08:04: Sanam miscalculates the next one, baseline error, advantage Tsung. Double fault, deuce.
08:02: Back to the tennis court, semblance of a fight. Sanam serving now, 30-40. Good volley from Sanam, puts one close to the net, Tsung too far to get to it in time
08:00: Korea's Kim clearly in the lead, and he takes this race. Comes through on technique alone, saving his strength for bigger races
07:59: Men's 200m backstroke heats meanwhile. India's havildar trailing in 7th place, but it's still early in the race.
07:58: Not for long. After a bit of confusion, the umpire overrules herself over a baseline decision, Tsung takes the fourth game comfortably.
07:56: Tsung serves hot. Gets the game point on the fourth game early, forcing errors from Sanam. An unforced error from Tsung, takes Sanam to 15.
07:55: And Sanam takes his first game. First a shot across court, then a bullet straight down the line.
07:54: More spirited action, forehands another one across Tsung, earns two game points
07:52: Much better. A smooth rally, Sanam in control, forces an error out of Tsung.
07:50: Short rally, Sanam hits one across to Tsung - it's the right shot, but Sanam misjudges the distance, hits it wide. Tsung takes the third game as well in the first set.
07:48: Tsung looking strong now, forcing an error out of Sanam. 40-15 in the third game. The Indian talking to himself, no points for guessing what he's saying. It seems to work, it's 40-30 now
07:46: Deuce. Advantage Tsung. That's the first break point of the semi-final. And Sanam hits it long. A late call at the base-line, but Tsung wins game 2, gets the serve
07:43: Sanam lost the first game without scoring. Better start to the second game. 15-15. Sanam taking a while to get his rhythm. Tsung hitting one way past the baseline, giving Sanam one more point.
07:40: Oh, there's a semi-final tennis match on, between Chinese Taipei's Yang Tsung and India's Sanam Krishan Singh. They're warming up now.
Day 2 also saw Indian women shooters win two silvers in the 10m air pistol event, and Vijay Kumar bag a bronze in the men's version of the sport.
07:31: Vikram Khare of India just clocked an impressive 22.9 on the men's 50m heats. Yes, in the pool.
A very good morning to all you sports buffs. Some strong Indian presence early on Day 3 of the Asiad. India stands fifth in medal tally at this stage, with 6 medals in all, one Gold. No real chance of holding a candle to China's 37 Golds, but then, they're not really competition. In case you didn't know how we got that Gold, >Pankaj Advani won it for us with his cue.
