st time. The second-seeded Vinci was broken in the first game but she broke back twice before serving out the opening set. Errani,

The world chess body, FIDE, has ruled out moving next years womens World Championship out of Iran. While the two Indian players - Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli - who have qualified for the event dont mind adhering to the mandatory Islamic dress code, some of the worlds top players have expressed their consternation. Tehran, the countrys capital, is scheduled to host the February 2017 event.In Iran, its mandatory for women to don a hijab (headscarf) and not doing so in public could result in arrest, fine or public admonishment.Speaking to ESPN a senior FIDE official said, A change in venue isnt feasible. We havent received any official complaints from players yet. However, were reviewing all possible solutions for players comfort and will discuss the matter with organizers in Iran during meetings in the next few weeks.Iran was awarded the hosting rights for the womens World Chess Championship during the FIDE General Assembly in Baku in September this year.Tehran, incidentally, holds a special place in Indias chess legacy. It was the venue for the countrys maiden world title in the sport - won by Viswanathan Anand in 2000. Five-time world champion Anand dwelt on what he described a pleasant and memorable experience during the 2000 World Championship, asserting that its largely a personal decision of players. People may have political reservations and thats their opinion. Personally, its a place that holds some of my best chess memories. The organizers were exceptionally nice to us and Aruna (wife) didnt mind wearing the hijab at all. My focus was solely on winning the title, he told ESPN.Launching a withering broadside, US champion Nazi Paikidze has called for a boycott of the 64-player knockout event saying that she stood for freedom of religion and choice. It is absolutely unacceptable to host one of the most important womens tournaments in a venue where, to this day, women are forced to cover up with a hijab. Im proud to have qualified for the event but if the situation remains unchanged, I will certainly not participate, she said.Terming it a delicate issue, Indias top womens player and world No 4 Koneru Humpy chose to play down the debate surrounding it, Every player would prefer to play under normal circumstances, without wearing a hijab. Since the venue has already been decided, I think my priority to play in the Championship ranks above everything else, she said.FIDE has backed its argument with precedent - Of Iran successfully hosting the 2007 & 2011 Asian Womens Championship as well as the Womens Grand Prix in February this year.Each religion has its own customs, adds Humpy, I believe we need to respect and follow their traditions. I wore the hijab while participating in the Grand Prix earlier this year. Though I felt some discomfort in the first few days, I slowly got used to it.It remains to be seen how the FIDE negotiates its way through this sticky issue without jeopardizing the interest of players or the sentiment of organizers. Tug McGraw Jersey . It was just business as usual for the Thunder at home. Durant scored 32 points and the Thunder beat the Bulls 107-95 on Thursday night for their eighth straight win. Dave Hollins Jersey . Already owning gold from competition in Vancouver in 2010, Loch posted a combined four-run time of 3:27.526. That included a track-record third run of 51. http://www.cheapphilliesjerseyschina.com/ . Colin Wilson had two goals and an assist, and Mike Fisher scored a goal and helped set up two others in the Predators 6-4 victory over the Red Wings on Monday night. Carlos Santana Jersey . Mickelson barely made the cut but had the best round of the day with nine birdies and an eagle coupled with two bogeys to sit two shots behind leader Craig Lee of Scotland. Lee shot a 69 for a 12-under 204 total. "I just love the fact I am in contention and have an opportunity in my first tournament of the year here in Abu Dhabi," Mickelson said. Drew Hutchison Jersey . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency.Roberta Vinci of Italy beat top-seeded compatriot Sara Errani 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 Sunday to win the Italiacom Open for the first time. The second-seeded Vinci was broken in the first game but she broke back twice before serving out the opening set. Errani, who won this tournament in 2008 and 2012, seemed to recover and raced into a 5-1 lead in the secondd set before levelling the match.dddddddddddd But Vinci stormed into a 4-0 lead in the final set and then held off the sixth-ranked Erranis comeback attempt to secure her ninth career victory. The win also ends a streak of five successive victories for Errani over her close friend, with whom she also tops the world doubles rankings. ' ' '