Tomic seals Aussie Davis Cup win

Sealer ... Bernard Tomic beats Denis Istomin in Namangan. Source: Clive Brunskill / AFP

Bernard Tomic completed his Davis Cup redemption as he clinched victory over Uzbekistan to earn Australia another shot at returning to the competition's top tier.

Tomic defeated Uzbek No.1 Denis Istomin in the opening reverse singles match on clay in Namangan to give Australia a 3-1 victory in the best-of-five Asia/Oceania second round tie.

It capped a strong team effort and a happy to return to the team for Tomic, who also beat Farrukh Dustov on Friday to get Australia off to a strong start.

After being dropped by Australian captain Pat Rafter from the last tie due to attitude problems, Tomic indicated in January he would not be available against Uzbekistan.

But, after the pair buried the hatchet, he was recalled and showed plenty of commitment to Australia's cause under tough conditions in Uzbekistan.

"It's a huge thing for me to get back in the team,'' Tomic said.

"I told Pat thanks very much for picking me again and I think did really well this time.\

"To win today and on Friday is huge and I'm happy I played the way I did.''

"We worked hard the week before with the boys as a team and I think that's what got the best out of me here.''

Tomic was able to take advantage of a tiring Istomin, who was playing for the third straight day and spent four hours on court in Saturday's gruelling five-set doubles loss to Lleyton Hewitt and Matt Edben.

The tough Uzbek claimed a tight first set but from there it was all Tomic as he stamped his authority on the choppy Pahlavon Sport Complex court.

Rafter described it as some of Tomic's best tennis and urged him to continue heading in the right direction with his attitude and commitment.

"He's still got a way to go and he knows it too but he's made inroads and that's the important thing,'' Rafter said.

"He tried hard and we've got to make sure he keeps on improving.''

Rafter admitted Australia's tactics worked perfectly, with the decision to leave regular spearhead Hewitt out of Friday's opening singles paying off.

The fresh pairing of Hewitt and Ebden combined for a crucial doubles win over Dustov and Istomin, who also expended plenty of energy in a tough four-set win over Marinko Matosevic on Friday.

Australia should next week learn who they will face in the World Group playoffs from September 13-15, where a win would return them to the top 16 for the first time since 2007.

Rafter said the draw would be crucial, with possible opponents including powerhouse Spain.

But, after four consecutive failed attempts to win a World Group playoff, he insisted motivation was not an issue for the 28-time champions.

"No-one wants to be here (in this group),'' he said.

"We want to get out.''

View the original article here

Tomic seals Aussie Davis Cup win

Sealer ... Bernard Tomic beats Denis Istomin in Namangan. Source: Clive Brunskill / AFP

Bernard Tomic completed his Davis Cup redemption as he clinched victory over Uzbekistan to earn Australia another shot at returning to the competition's top tier.

Tomic defeated Uzbek No.1 Denis Istomin in the opening reverse singles match on clay in Namangan to give Australia a 3-1 victory in the best-of-five Asia/Oceania second round tie.

It capped a strong team effort and a happy to return to the team for Tomic, who also beat Farrukh Dustov on Friday to get Australia off to a strong start.

After being dropped by Australian captain Pat Rafter from the last tie due to attitude problems, Tomic indicated in January he would not be available against Uzbekistan.

But, after the pair buried the hatchet, he was recalled and showed plenty of commitment to Australia's cause under tough conditions in Uzbekistan.

"It's a huge thing for me to get back in the team,'' Tomic said.

"I told Pat thanks very much for picking me again and I think did really well this time.\

"To win today and on Friday is huge and I'm happy I played the way I did.''

"We worked hard the week before with the boys as a team and I think that's what got the best out of me here.''

Tomic was able to take advantage of a tiring Istomin, who was playing for the third straight day and spent four hours on court in Saturday's gruelling five-set doubles loss to Lleyton Hewitt and Matt Edben.

The tough Uzbek claimed a tight first set but from there it was all Tomic as he stamped his authority on the choppy Pahlavon Sport Complex court.

Rafter described it as some of Tomic's best tennis and urged him to continue heading in the right direction with his attitude and commitment.

"He's still got a way to go and he knows it too but he's made inroads and that's the important thing,'' Rafter said.

"He tried hard and we've got to make sure he keeps on improving.''

Rafter admitted Australia's tactics worked perfectly, with the decision to leave regular spearhead Hewitt out of Friday's opening singles paying off.

The fresh pairing of Hewitt and Ebden combined for a crucial doubles win over Dustov and Istomin, who also expended plenty of energy in a tough four-set win over Marinko Matosevic on Friday.

Australia should next week learn who they will face in the World Group playoffs from September 13-15, where a win would return them to the top 16 for the first time since 2007.

Rafter said the draw would be crucial, with possible opponents including powerhouse Spain.

But, after four consecutive failed attempts to win a World Group playoff, he insisted motivation was not an issue for the 28-time champions.

"No-one wants to be here (in this group),'' he said.

"We want to get out.''

View the original article here

Tomic seals Aussie Davis Cup win

Sealer ... Bernard Tomic beats Denis Istomin in Namangan. Source: Clive Brunskill / AFP

Bernard Tomic completed his Davis Cup redemption as he clinched victory over Uzbekistan to earn Australia another shot at returning to the competition's top tier.

Tomic defeated Uzbek No.1 Denis Istomin in the opening reverse singles match on clay in Namangan to give Australia a 3-1 victory in the best-of-five Asia/Oceania second round tie.

It capped a strong team effort and a happy to return to the team for Tomic, who also beat Farrukh Dustov on Friday to get Australia off to a strong start.

After being dropped by Australian captain Pat Rafter from the last tie due to attitude problems, Tomic indicated in January he would not be available against Uzbekistan.

But, after the pair buried the hatchet, he was recalled and showed plenty of commitment to Australia's cause under tough conditions in Uzbekistan.

"It's a huge thing for me to get back in the team,'' Tomic said.

"I told Pat thanks very much for picking me again and I think did really well this time.\

"To win today and on Friday is huge and I'm happy I played the way I did.''

"We worked hard the week before with the boys as a team and I think that's what got the best out of me here.''

Tomic was able to take advantage of a tiring Istomin, who was playing for the third straight day and spent four hours on court in Saturday's gruelling five-set doubles loss to Lleyton Hewitt and Matt Edben.

The tough Uzbek claimed a tight first set but from there it was all Tomic as he stamped his authority on the choppy Pahlavon Sport Complex court.

Rafter described it as some of Tomic's best tennis and urged him to continue heading in the right direction with his attitude and commitment.

"He's still got a way to go and he knows it too but he's made inroads and that's the important thing,'' Rafter said.

"He tried hard and we've got to make sure he keeps on improving.''

Rafter admitted Australia's tactics worked perfectly, with the decision to leave regular spearhead Hewitt out of Friday's opening singles paying off.

The fresh pairing of Hewitt and Ebden combined for a crucial doubles win over Dustov and Istomin, who also expended plenty of energy in a tough four-set win over Marinko Matosevic on Friday.

Australia should next week learn who they will face in the World Group playoffs from September 13-15, where a win would return them to the top 16 for the first time since 2007.

Rafter said the draw would be crucial, with possible opponents including powerhouse Spain.

But, after four consecutive failed attempts to win a World Group playoff, he insisted motivation was not an issue for the 28-time champions.

"No-one wants to be here (in this group),'' he said.

"We want to get out.''

View the original article here

Tomic seals Aussie Davis Cup win

Sealer ... Bernard Tomic beats Denis Istomin in Namangan. Source: Clive Brunskill / AFP

Bernard Tomic completed his Davis Cup redemption as he clinched victory over Uzbekistan to earn Australia another shot at returning to the competition's top tier.

Tomic defeated Uzbek No.1 Denis Istomin in the opening reverse singles match on clay in Namangan to give Australia a 3-1 victory in the best-of-five Asia/Oceania second round tie.

It capped a strong team effort and a happy to return to the team for Tomic, who also beat Farrukh Dustov on Friday to get Australia off to a strong start.

After being dropped by Australian captain Pat Rafter from the last tie due to attitude problems, Tomic indicated in January he would not be available against Uzbekistan.

But, after the pair buried the hatchet, he was recalled and showed plenty of commitment to Australia's cause under tough conditions in Uzbekistan.

"It's a huge thing for me to get back in the team,'' Tomic said.

"I told Pat thanks very much for picking me again and I think did really well this time.\

"To win today and on Friday is huge and I'm happy I played the way I did.''

"We worked hard the week before with the boys as a team and I think that's what got the best out of me here.''

Tomic was able to take advantage of a tiring Istomin, who was playing for the third straight day and spent four hours on court in Saturday's gruelling five-set doubles loss to Lleyton Hewitt and Matt Edben.

The tough Uzbek claimed a tight first set but from there it was all Tomic as he stamped his authority on the choppy Pahlavon Sport Complex court.

Rafter described it as some of Tomic's best tennis and urged him to continue heading in the right direction with his attitude and commitment.

"He's still got a way to go and he knows it too but he's made inroads and that's the important thing,'' Rafter said.

"He tried hard and we've got to make sure he keeps on improving.''

Rafter admitted Australia's tactics worked perfectly, with the decision to leave regular spearhead Hewitt out of Friday's opening singles paying off.

The fresh pairing of Hewitt and Ebden combined for a crucial doubles win over Dustov and Istomin, who also expended plenty of energy in a tough four-set win over Marinko Matosevic on Friday.

Australia should next week learn who they will face in the World Group playoffs from September 13-15, where a win would return them to the top 16 for the first time since 2007.

Rafter said the draw would be crucial, with possible opponents including powerhouse Spain.

But, after four consecutive failed attempts to win a World Group playoff, he insisted motivation was not an issue for the 28-time champions.

"No-one wants to be here (in this group),'' he said.

"We want to get out.''

View the original article here

HOW'D THEY GET THAT? Syrian Rebels Appear to Have SEALs' Favorite Rifle

• 

  A British special forces member used the AS-50 to kill to Taliban fighters from more than a mile and a half away.

New YouTube video from the Syrian battlefield shows rebels firing what appears to be the same high-powered sniper rifle favored by U.S. Navy SEALs, leaving some experts wondering who the ragtag army of insurgents might train the guns on in the future.

The British-made AS-50, accurate from a distance of 20 football fields, is made for British Special Forces and has been used by Navy SEALs. The video shows Syrian rebels, who are aligned with Al Qaeda, firing guns that look like the AS-50 and shouting “Alahu akbar.” Even if the rifle is a cheap knock-off of the AS-50, it has raised questions about who is supplying such devastating hardware.

“The video, showing jihadist rebels of the 'Descendents of the Prophet Brigade' firing one of the world's most effective sniper rifles, should be cause for alarm," said David Reaboi, of the Washington-based Center for Security Policy. "We don't know who has been supplying this group (or the myriad others) with these weapons but, given the jihadist ideology of these groups, it's only a matter of time until they're turned on Americans or our allies and interests.”

The AS-50 set a reported world record when a member of the British Household Cavalry in Afghanistan’s Helmand province killed two members of the Taliban with successive bullets over a recorded distance of more than 1.5 miles, though the record is disputed.

The Free Syrian Army has been receiving weapons from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey - all close allies of the U.S. But the U.S. has repeatedly stated that it has sent no weapons to the opposition forces.

"... given the jihadist ideology of these groups, it's only a matter of time until they're turned on Americans or our allies and interests.”

- David Reaboi, Center for Security Policy

The U.S. State Department has acknowledged directly providing $385 million support to the Syrian people, including “emergency medical care and medical supplies, food aid, and winterization supplies like blankets and heaters for those affected by the crisis.” The site also reports that “over 4,000 major pieces of equipment have been provided, mostly to Damascus, Aleppo, and other areas with significant opposition presence, including communications and computer equipment, as well as generators.”

If the rebels were able to get AS-50s, experts say it could prove impossible to determine where and how many.

The sniper rifle, manufactured by Accuracy International – which sells arms to the Turkish and Saudi Arabian militaries - has a fearsome reputation. It has been used in various theaters of war in recent years by many elite forces, including both the SEALs and British Special Forces.

“I know from first-hand experience how revered the AI product is, even in the States, where traditionally U.S. producers are favored,” a British Army sniping instructor told Wired in 2011.

Call of Duty, a warfare game that in 2009 sold more than 7 million copies in just one day, seemingly endorsed the already lofty reputation of the AS-50 by featuring the weapon in one of its many urban combat simulations, giving the sniper rifle something of an iconic following amongst players of the record-breaking video feature.

The Free Syrian Army has recently made significant territorial gains against government forces in the two-year-old bloody civil war that in March saw its worst ever body count, with independent monitors determining at least 6,000 people were killed.

The AS-50 costs about $10,000, according to Reaboi. Even if the rebels are toting cheap knock-offs, the weapons could be around long after the war in Syria ends.

"We're unsure of how many they have," Reaboi said. "Equally troubling, of course, is the training ground of the Syrian civil war itself; like the conflict in the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan, we will be facing tested veteran jihadist fighters who don't just leave the war when the one battle is over. I'm afraid we or our allies will have to face them shortly, and with exceedingly lethal weapons."

Especially concerned is Israel, which shares an increasingly uneasy border with Syria in the Golan Heights.

With the Free Syrian Army increasingly dominated by more radical Jihadist elements such as the Al Qaeda-associated Al Nusra Front (Jabhat al-Nusra), concern is growing that it won’t be too long before battle-hardened Islamist fighters as well as mercenaries from around the globe who have joined the fight against Assad, turn their attentions towards Israel. In their experienced hands even a far from easy-to-use weapon such as the AS-50 would be indeed be lethal.

Israel Defense Forces spokesman Capt. Eytan Buchman told FoxNews.com that the IDF is keeping a close eye on all forms of weaponry being used in the neighboring conflict.

“The Israeli security forces are very closely tracking developments inside of Syria in order to isolate and identify any potential threat to Israeli security” Buchman said.

Paul Alster is an Israel-based journalist who blogs at www.paulalster.com and can be followed on Twitter @paul_alster

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