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Politics Business Expressions General Sports Leisure States 29 January 1998   Hingis pierces Mary's semifinal hopes World number one Martina Hingis brushed aside France's fifth seed, Mary Pierce, in a repeat of last year's final, to advance to the semifinals of the Australian Open tennis.   Dibyendu Barua survives scare Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua (6) of India staved off possible defeat in a hard fought eighth round match of the Ubeda International chess tournament. Devashish reigns supreme Mithibai'S Devashish Behra won the men's title at the Inter-Collegiate Tennis tournament at the Practennis Courts today. In the final he trounced Kabir Batyani of HR Commerce, 6-1, 6-3. TN upstage UP Defending champions Tamil Nadu had to take out everything they had in stock to end with a respectable win against the strong Uttar Pradesh squad (71-54), while hosts Punjab easily thrashed West Bengal 97-37 in the opening league matches at the 48th National Basketball Championship here this evening.   Anand stays on top Viswanathan Anand scored an excellent theoretical win over Friso Nijboer to keep his lead over the rest in the Hoogovens Grandmasters chess tournament tonight. Anand now has seven points from 10 rounds while Shirov, who beat Timman, is his closest rival with 6.5 points. Mohun Bagan stars roped in by BMFC Mohun Bagan captain Aloke Das and striker Abdul Khalique have signed a contract with Bengal Mumbai Football Club (BMFC), informed Wali Mohammed, one of the executive directors of Mumbai's first professional football club.     Venkatesh's loss is Karthik's gain   Longstride appeals the most   Indiscretion maintains unbeaten run   Baskaran takes over from Pargat   Central Zone score emphatic win   Short corner   `A'identity crisis   Karamvir sets mark   "Players are just jokers in circus"   Churchill hold edge   India file   SD College clinch title   Lehal pips Parnita   Delhi Short Corner   Rajesh, Satyajeet spice up Khalsa win   `After Sachin, this boy is appealing'