Australian Open: Serena needs to play good tennis to beat me, says Kerber

January 28, 2016

Melbourne, Jan 28: Angelique Kerber said Thursday she feels a responsibility to protect her fellow German Steffi Graf's Grand Slam record from Serena Williams, but admits the job in front of her is formidable.

KerberThe 28-year-old powered into her first Grand Slam final by beating Briton Johanna Konta 7-5, 6-2 at the Australian Open, and revealed she received a text from her veteran compatriot after the match.

Seventh seed Kerber this week credited 22-time major winner Graf with giving her the self-belief to put together her career-best season after hitting with the former great early last year.

Asked by a courtside interviewer if she would be seeking Graf's advice ahead of her showdown with the American world number one, she laughed: "Steffi, write me please!"

Graf must have been watching as Kerber revealed a text landed for her soon after, without revealing what it said.

"I think she wrote me, but I was not able to check it right now. I just saw that," Kerber said in her post-match press conference.

"I think she sent me a text message, but I don't know what she wrote me yet. I think she heard what I said on the centre court."

Kerber is going to need all the help and advice she can get against the imposing Williams who is in her 26th Grand Slam final after sweeping aside fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska with ease.

The win set her up for a tilt at Graf's Open-era record of 22 Grand Slam titles, with the American on 21 after winning the Australian and French Opens and Wimbledon last year.

Asked if she felt any duty to protect Graf's record as a fellow German, Kerber said, while smiling: "I think so. I think so. The Germans must be together."

Despite the huge task facing her, Kerber is taking a crumb of comfort from having beaten Williams once before, at Cincinnati in 2012. The American has won all five other encounters between the pair.

"I think she is going out there to try to win again another Grand Slam, making history. This is her goal," she said.

"My goal is to maybe win my first Grand Slam. You know, I think she will have respect. I think she will go out there and she knows that she must play also good tennis to beat me.

"I'm feeling good. I'm healthy. I'm fit. I will try to win against her. That's for sure. I know it will be not easy."

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News Network
July 5,2020

Colombo, Jul 5: Sri Lanka batsman Kusal Mendis was on Sunday arrested for knocking down a pedestrian while driving, police said.

Mendis hit a 74-year-old man, killing him in the wee hours, in the Colombo suburb of Panadura.

He is to be produced before a magistrate later today, police said.

The 25-year-old wicket-keeper batsman has represented Sri Lanka in 44 Tests and 76 ODIs. Mendis was part of the national squad which had resumed training after the Covid-19 lockdown.

Sri Lanka's international assignments, including a tour by India, have been cancelled due to the pandemic.

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News Network
March 3,2020

Sydney, Mar 3: Former Australia pacer Brett Lee foresees a "different" looking India making their maiden T20 Women's World Cup final and attributed their rise to the emergence of star players like 16-year-old Shafali Verma.

Besides opener Shafali, experienced leg-spinner Poonam Yadav has been the other match-winner for India in the competition. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side topped the group stage with four wins in as many games and play their semifinal here on Thursday.

"They've never reached the final but this is a different India team from the one they’ve seen before. They've combined match-winners in Shafali Verma and Poonam Yadav with consistent players with both bat and ball," Lee was quoted as saying by ICC.

"We've always known they have some of the best players in the world but now Harmanpreet Kaur has a team around her that can support the big players, and fill in the gaps when they have an off day."

Only a special effort from their opponents can stop India from reaching their maiden final, feels Lee.

They'll go into the semi-finals full of confidence and it will take an excellent team to stop them from reaching the Final."

Talking more about Shafali, who has got 47, 46, 39, and 29 so far, Lee backed the teen sensation to make a bigger score in the semifinal.

"Shafali Verma has been excellent at the top of the order, she’s brought a fearless energy to India’s batting and been brilliant to watch.

"You feel she can go even bigger as well – she hasn't reached 50 yet, which is both exciting for those watching and worrying for the bowlers.

"We saw from the opener against Australia just how good India can be, and it’s no surprise they’ve continued that form to top Group A," he added.

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News Network
May 18,2020

Karachi, May 18: Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan believes it is at least five years too early to compare Virat Kohli and Babar Azam as the Indian skipper has proven himself in "every kind of situation" and the latter has not.

"Virat Kohli is far more experienced than Babar. He has at least five years more experience of top cricket and he is at the peak of his career," said Younis, Pakistan's leading run-getter in Tests.

"Kohli has far more exposure than Babar and he has been in every kind of situation and proven himself. No one gets 70 international centuries like that and this are proof of his class and abilities. He has scored runs in every situation and all opposition."

Younis said said Babar still has a long way to go.

"Babar has been in top cricket for just around five years. He has got a very impressive batting average across all three formats and he is getting better by the day.

"You see him batting and you can see he has got the same qualities that Kohli had at the start of his career."

Besides amassing 70 international hundreds, 31-year-old Kohli averages more than 50 in all three formats. The India skipper has scored more than 20,000 runs while 25-year-old Babar has 6680 runs across formats though the Pakistan limited overs skipper has played significantly lesser number of games.

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