Indian sideshow targets top Aussies

Top attraction ... Lleyton Hewitt has held preliminary discussions about the concept. Source: Jeff Chiu / AAP

Australia's most recent grand slam winners are among champions being targeted in a Twenty20-style team tennis league set to begin in Asia at the end of this year.

Davis Cup captain Pat Rafter, Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Stosur have held preliminary discussions with organisers of the International Premier Tennis League, with the made-for-television concept having the backing of Tennis Australia officials.

The brainchild of former Indian doubles star Mahesh Bhupati, it would see franchises based in cities across Asia and the Middle East and comprise five matches of one set only - a men's singles, a women's singles, a men's doubles, a mixed doubles and a legends singles, hence the attractiveness of former champions like Rafter and John McEnroe, who are still active on the Legends Tour.

Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Serena Williams loom as marquee players, with Roger Federer unlikely to be available this year as he is committed to a string of exhibitions in South America. Franchises could spend up to $10 million on players.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley, who is travelling to Uzbekistan for this weekend's Davis Cup tie, said he had been kept informed by Bhupati.

"We are aware of it. He has kept us up to date with what is going on," said Tiley.

"I think he has been talking to all of the top players. Sam and Lleyton, in particular ... and I know Pat Rafter will be a target. It is good for them and their profile in the Asia region."

That the event, which has similarities to the Team Tennis concept that works successfully in the US during their summer, would be played across Asia is not surprising. There is a strong demand for tennis in the region. India and China have expressed an interest in eventually hosting a grand slam event.

As the Australian Open is billed as the grand slam of the Asia-Pacific, it is understandable TA also has an interest in the event.

"There would be some cross promotion, some partner opportunities. We have already sat down with Mahesh and we are in the process of exploring what (those opportunities) can be," Tiley said.

At a time where the demands of players for greater financial reward has forced the organisers of grand slam events to drastically increase prizemoney, it is an avenue to an untapped revenue stream.

Tiley said there is good reason to support an innovative event that is shorter and more explosive given its potential to boost the tennis audience globally, particularly attracting younger fans.

"As an organisation, we support anything that will put more money into the back pockets of players," Tiley said.

"It will create more global interest in the sport beyond the traditional tennis fan.

"Tennis needs a big uplift in compensating players beyond the grand slams. Anything ... that brings investment and funding, we support that."

It is not the first time a Twenty20 style tennis format has been floated, as Essendon coach James Hird is a key player in the Gemba group's bid to host a national-based event held over 10 days.

Murray and Djokovic were among the proponents when it was raised three years ago.

"Well, we proposed it. We will have some talks here in Australia that will be crucial, I think, for upcoming years," Djokovic said at the time.

"I'm happy that all the top players are willing to participate in these talks and try to contribute and fight for their rights."

It does raise questions about the legitimacy, though, of the regular complaints from players about the length of the tennis season.

Given the end-of-season championships occur in late November and the Davis Cup final is held on the opening weekend of December, it would mean competing players would have only a minimal break before arriving in Australia for the season's first grand slam.

View the original article here

Indian sideshow targets top Aussies

Top attraction ... Lleyton Hewitt has held preliminary discussions about the concept. Source: Jeff Chiu / AAP

Australia's most recent grand slam winners are among champions being targeted in a Twenty20-style team tennis league set to begin in Asia at the end of this year.

Davis Cup captain Pat Rafter, Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Stosur have held preliminary discussions with organisers of the International Premier Tennis League, with the made-for-television concept having the backing of Tennis Australia officials.

The brainchild of former Indian doubles star Mahesh Bhupati, it would see franchises based in cities across Asia and the Middle East and comprise five matches of one set only - a men's singles, a women's singles, a men's doubles, a mixed doubles and a legends singles, hence the attractiveness of former champions like Rafter and John McEnroe, who are still active on the Legends Tour.

Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Serena Williams loom as marquee players, with Roger Federer unlikely to be available this year as he is committed to a string of exhibitions in South America. Franchises could spend up to $10 million on players.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley, who is travelling to Uzbekistan for this weekend's Davis Cup tie, said he had been kept informed by Bhupati.

"We are aware of it. He has kept us up to date with what is going on," said Tiley.

"I think he has been talking to all of the top players. Sam and Lleyton, in particular ... and I know Pat Rafter will be a target. It is good for them and their profile in the Asia region."

That the event, which has similarities to the Team Tennis concept that works successfully in the US during their summer, would be played across Asia is not surprising. There is a strong demand for tennis in the region. India and China have expressed an interest in eventually hosting a grand slam event.

As the Australian Open is billed as the grand slam of the Asia-Pacific, it is understandable TA also has an interest in the event.

"There would be some cross promotion, some partner opportunities. We have already sat down with Mahesh and we are in the process of exploring what (those opportunities) can be," Tiley said.

At a time where the demands of players for greater financial reward has forced the organisers of grand slam events to drastically increase prizemoney, it is an avenue to an untapped revenue stream.

Tiley said there is good reason to support an innovative event that is shorter and more explosive given its potential to boost the tennis audience globally, particularly attracting younger fans.

"As an organisation, we support anything that will put more money into the back pockets of players," Tiley said.

"It will create more global interest in the sport beyond the traditional tennis fan.

"Tennis needs a big uplift in compensating players beyond the grand slams. Anything ... that brings investment and funding, we support that."

It is not the first time a Twenty20 style tennis format has been floated, as Essendon coach James Hird is a key player in the Gemba group's bid to host a national-based event held over 10 days.

Murray and Djokovic were among the proponents when it was raised three years ago.

"Well, we proposed it. We will have some talks here in Australia that will be crucial, I think, for upcoming years," Djokovic said at the time.

"I'm happy that all the top players are willing to participate in these talks and try to contribute and fight for their rights."

It does raise questions about the legitimacy, though, of the regular complaints from players about the length of the tennis season.

Given the end-of-season championships occur in late November and the Davis Cup final is held on the opening weekend of December, it would mean competing players would have only a minimal break before arriving in Australia for the season's first grand slam.

View the original article here

Nadal grabs Indian Wells title

Back to best ... Rafael Nadal powers to his third Indian Wells title. Source: FREDERIC J. BROWN / AAP

Rafael Nadal overcame a tough three-set challenge from Juan Martin del Potro to win his third Indian Wells ATP Masters title 4-6 6-3 6-4.

Nadal cemented his return from a seven-month injury layoff with his first hard court title since 2010 and a record 22nd title in an elite Masters event. He had previously shared the record of 21 with Roger Federer.

The 26-year-old hadn't played a hard court tournament since pulling out of the Miami Masters last March with tendinitis in his left knee -- the same sort of knee trouble that would sideline him from his second-round Wimbledon exit in late June until February.

He came back in February to post a runner-up finish in Vina del Mar, followed by victories at Sao Paulo and Acapulco.

But none of those modest clay court tournaments posed the challenge he faced at Indian Wells, where the field featured 49 of the top 50 players in the world.

Seeded fifth, his route to the final included a quarter-final clash with defending champion Federer.

In the final, Nadal halted the giant-killing run of seventh-seeded Argentinian del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion who defeated world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and world No. 3 Andy Murray en route to the final.

View the original article here

Nadal grabs Indian Wells title

Back to best ... Rafael Nadal powers to his third Indian Wells title. Source: FREDERIC J. BROWN / AAP

Rafael Nadal overcame a tough three-set challenge from Juan Martin del Potro to win his third Indian Wells ATP Masters title 4-6 6-3 6-4.

Nadal cemented his return from a seven-month injury layoff with his first hard court title since 2010 and a record 22nd title in an elite Masters event. He had previously shared the record of 21 with Roger Federer.

The 26-year-old hadn't played a hard court tournament since pulling out of the Miami Masters last March with tendinitis in his left knee -- the same sort of knee trouble that would sideline him from his second-round Wimbledon exit in late June until February.

He came back in February to post a runner-up finish in Vina del Mar, followed by victories at Sao Paulo and Acapulco.

But none of those modest clay court tournaments posed the challenge he faced at Indian Wells, where the field featured 49 of the top 50 players in the world.

Seeded fifth, his route to the final included a quarter-final clash with defending champion Federer.

In the final, Nadal halted the giant-killing run of seventh-seeded Argentinian del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion who defeated world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and world No. 3 Andy Murray en route to the final.

View the original article here

Nadal grabs Indian Wells title

Back to best ... Rafael Nadal powers to his third Indian Wells title. Source: FREDERIC J. BROWN / AAP

Rafael Nadal overcame a tough three-set challenge from Juan Martin del Potro to win his third Indian Wells ATP Masters title 4-6 6-3 6-4.

Nadal cemented his return from a seven-month injury layoff with his first hard court title since 2010 and a record 22nd title in an elite Masters event. He had previously shared the record of 21 with Roger Federer.

The 26-year-old hadn't played a hard court tournament since pulling out of the Miami Masters last March with tendinitis in his left knee -- the same sort of knee trouble that would sideline him from his second-round Wimbledon exit in late June until February.

He came back in February to post a runner-up finish in Vina del Mar, followed by victories at Sao Paulo and Acapulco.

But none of those modest clay court tournaments posed the challenge he faced at Indian Wells, where the field featured 49 of the top 50 players in the world.

Seeded fifth, his route to the final included a quarter-final clash with defending champion Federer.

In the final, Nadal halted the giant-killing run of seventh-seeded Argentinian del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion who defeated world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and world No. 3 Andy Murray en route to the final.

View the original article here

Nadal grabs Indian Wells title

Back to best ... Rafael Nadal powers to his third Indian Wells title. Source: FREDERIC J. BROWN / AAP

Rafael Nadal overcame a tough three-set challenge from Juan Martin del Potro to win his third Indian Wells ATP Masters title 4-6 6-3 6-4.

Nadal cemented his return from a seven-month injury layoff with his first hard court title since 2010 and a record 22nd title in an elite Masters event. He had previously shared the record of 21 with Roger Federer.

The 26-year-old hadn't played a hard court tournament since pulling out of the Miami Masters last March with tendinitis in his left knee -- the same sort of knee trouble that would sideline him from his second-round Wimbledon exit in late June until February.

He came back in February to post a runner-up finish in Vina del Mar, followed by victories at Sao Paulo and Acapulco.

But none of those modest clay court tournaments posed the challenge he faced at Indian Wells, where the field featured 49 of the top 50 players in the world.

Seeded fifth, his route to the final included a quarter-final clash with defending champion Federer.

In the final, Nadal halted the giant-killing run of seventh-seeded Argentinian del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion who defeated world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and world No. 3 Andy Murray en route to the final.

View the original article here

HISTORIC DISCOVERY: 'Lost' Continent Found Beneath Indian Ocean

Hidden beneath the brilliant blue waters of the Indian Ocean lies a secret, scientists say: an entire micro-continent that detached itself some 60 million years ago.

And they found it through a few handfuls of sand.

The islands Reunion and Mauritius, both well-known tourist destinations off the southeastern coast of Africa, are hiding the micro-continent, a fragment known as Mauritia that detached while Madagascar and India drifted apart during the Precambrian era, scientists said.

It had been hidden under huge masses of lava. A group of geoscientists from Norway, South Africa, Britain and Germany published a study that suggests, based on the study of lava sand grains from the beach of Mauritius, the existence of further fragments.

The sand grains contain semi-precious zircons aged between 660 million and 1.9 billion years, which is explained by the fact that the zircons were carried by the lava as it pushed through subjacent continental crust of this age.

"We found zircons that we extracted from the beach sands, and these are something you typically find in a continental crust. They are very old in age,” Prof. Trond Torsvik, from the University of Oslo, Norway, told the BBC.

Three-quarters of a billion years ago, the surface of the Earth looked very different than it does today; the planet’s continents were joined in a vast supercontinent called Rodinia. And at the time, India nestled up against the island of Madagascar.

It seems Mauritia was sandwiched between the two.

And it may not have been alone: Such micro-continents in the oceans seem to occur more frequently than previously thought, according to Torsvik’s study.

The break-up of continents is often associated with mantle plumes: giant bubbles of hot rock that rise from the deep mantle and soften the tectonic plates from below, until the plates break apart at the hotspots.

Eastern Gondwana -- another early supercontinent -- broke apart about 170 million years ago in just such a process, the scientists say. At first, one part was separated, which in turn fragmented into Madagascar, India, Australia and Antarctica, which then migrated to their present position.

Plumes currently situated underneath the islands Marion and Reunion appear to have played a role in the emergence of the Indian Ocean.

This dating method was supplemented by a recalculation of plate tectonics, which explains exactly how and where the fragments ended up in the Indian Ocean. Bernhard Steinberger of the GFZ German Research Centre helped calculate the hotspot trail.

"The continent fragments continued to wander almost exactly over the Reunion plume, which explains how they were covered by volcanic rock," he said.

View the original article here