Tennis News

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Federer powers on

Roger Federer is through to his 22nd consecutive Grand Slam semi-final after he saw off Robin Soderling in four sets at the US Open.

Defending champion Federer, who is now unbeaten in 39 matches at Flushing Meadows, was made to work hard before overcoming the 12th seed 6-0 6-3 6-7 (8-6) 7-6 (8-6).

And the world No.1 was delighted to have come through after two hours and 33 minutes.

"This feels great," Federer said. "It was so close towards the end and it's just a great relief to come through because Robin just got better and better as the match went on.

"I knew it was going to be tough but the beginning was a bit too easy and all of a sudden he found his way into the match and showed what a great player he really is.

"I thought it was a great match towards the end. I got off to a flier but I'm happy I still got through in the fourth."

Federer had looked set for an early finish as he stormed into a 2-0 lead in less than an hour.

Having won the opener to love, Federer then took the second set 6-3 - with Soderling smashing his racquet as his frustration boiled over.
Difficult

However the Swede, who had lost all 11 of his previous matches against Federer, dug in and pulled a set back on the tie-break.

And the Swede could have levelled the match in the fourth set as he worked his way into a 6-5 lead in the tie-break.

However Soderling failed to take advantage as he gifted Federer match points with two unforced errors.

And the Swiss needed no second invitation to finish off the match.

Federer will now take on fourth seed Novak Djokovic for the third year in a row in New York - and the 28-year-old is expecting a difficult encounter.

Federer said: "We've played each other the last two years, semis last year, finals the year before and we've seen what a great player he is on hard courts.

"I'm sure it's going to be a tough match, I'm looking forward to it."

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Rain frustrates Nadal

Rafael Nadal and Fernando Gonzalez will return to the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday after rain forced their quarter-final clash to be delayed.

Play was suspended twice before officials decided to abandon play for the day at Flushing Meadows, with Nadal leading 7-6 6-6 (3-2).

The decision was all the more frustrating as, after nearly three hours of delays, many fans had remained and the ball boys had even lined up ready for a resumption of the action.

Nadal had gone into the game having won six of his nine meetings with Gonzalez, including victories in the 2008 Olympic final and this year's Australian Open fourth round.

The Chilean, though, had set points in the 12th game of the opener, only for Nadal to respond in fine fashion to see off the danger.

The tie-break was a scrappy affair, with both players guilty of committing unforced errors, with Gonzalez losing the first four points before coming back to trail 4-3.
Pain

The 11th seed, though, gave up two points on his own serve - with Nadal taking full advantage to close out the set.

Nadal immediately called for the training at the end of the first set, with the Spaniard wincing in pain as trainer Michael Novotny treated an abdominal strain.

However Nadal showed no ill-effects as he and Gonzalez held their serves before the rain came down with the scores level at 2-2.

After a delay on an hour and 16 minutes, play got underway once again - with Nadal earning two set points at 5-4 up.

Gonzalez, though, held courtesy of two booming serves - with the set heading towards a second tie-break.

However the duo managed just five points in the tie-break before the second rain interruption ultimately ended play for the day.


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Fed expects Murray response

Roger Federer expects Andy Murray to bounce back from his fourth-round upset at the US Open.

Murray was sent tumbling out of New York by Croatian Marin Cilic in straight-sets on Tuesday leading to widespread speculation over whether the British No. 1 can mount a successful charge for a major title in the future.

But Federer had words of encouragement for the world number two, who has already won five ATP tournaments this season and will feature in the season-ending world tour final in London.

"He had a great summer, and leading into the US Open he was one of the favourites," said the Swiss.

"Of course it's disappointing for him that he didn't come through. I think he definitely has the game to do much better than losing against Cilic in the fourth round.

"It's tough. It happens like that. You have to move on from it, get stronger, and give yourself opportunities.

"That's exactly what I've been doing. There's many good guys out there right now, Cilic is one of them, Del Potro. They're making a name for themselves. It's not that simple right now to dominate."
Djokovic test

In the wake of the Murray's premature exit, Federer has swooped into his 22nd successive Grand Slam semi-final where he will meet fourth seed Novak Djokovic and the five times defending New York champion expects a testing encounter.

"It's obviously a tough match," The 28-year-old added. "I think he's done well to come through; getting through to a semi-final stage of a slam it's just about getting there and then hopefully saving your best for last.

"He's put himself in this position. He's done well against me in the past, but I beat him in Cincinnati (last month) and I hope I can build on that, and try to beat him again here on Saturday."



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Fleming gets cup call up

British number six Colin Fleming has replaced Josh Goodall in Great Britain's Davis Cup team for their play-off with Poland in Liverpool.

Goodall had been named in the original line up for the tie on September 18 - a team that also includes Andy Murray, James Ward and Ross Hutchins.

But the 23-year-old from Basingstoke has struggled to shake an illness over recent weeks and so has been ruled out by team captain John Lloyd.

"Colin has had some impressive results both in singles and doubles this season and will be a valuable addition to our campaign in Liverpool," said Lloyd.

"Josh has been ill for about three weeks now and although he has tried, he has been unable to shake a persistent virus. Unfortunately we just ran out of time to prepare him for the tie.

"He needs to focus on getting well and having a good end to this season so that he can be ready to rejoin our Davis Cup campaign next year."

Fleming is no stranger to Davis Cup tennis, though, having played in Britain's 4-1 defeat to Ukraine in March, which has left them facing a play-off to avoid relegation to Group Two of the Euro/Africa Zone.



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unior joy for British duo

Laura Robson and Heather Watson both continued their march through the US Open girls' event with third round wins on Thursday.

Unseeded Robson, the 2008 Wimbledon girls' champion, dispatched 12th seed Tamaryn Hendler of Belgium 6-2 6-1, while 11th seed Watson also progressed to the quarter-finals with a 6-4 7-5 success over Germany's Annika Beck.

"I liked her game style," Robson said of Hendler after the match. "I liked how she hit it hard, it was easier for me.

"I was looking to hit percentage shots rather than going for the lines so I think that's why it seemed a bit more fluid.

"It was a lot harder than the score suggests because there were a lot of games that went to deuce and she had a couple of break point chances. So it wasn't a routine match but I thought I played well."

Robson will now face American wild card Lauren Davis for a place in the last four of the junior major, while Watson's last-eight opponent will be second seed Noppawan Lertcheewakarn of Thailand.




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[AleMick]

U.S. Open: Nadal's Beat Gonzalez in the quarter

U.S. Open: Nadal's Beat Gonzalez in the quarter

Rafael in three sets over the Chilean port in the semifinals where he will face Argentina's Del Potro. In the other semifinal, there are Federer and Djokovic

September 2009 - With two days later than the original program, the Spaniard Rafael Nadal has won access to the U.S. Open semifinals, beating Chilean Fernando Gonzalez 7-6 7-6 6-0. The match was resumed today by the sixth point of the second set tie-break after a suspension lasting a total of more than 38 hours. But 34 minutes was enough for Nadal to end a confrontation that until Thursday seemed very balanced. Gonzalez had in fact wasted two set points at 5-6 in the first set and was good at canceled three set points at 4-5 to Nadal in the second. But Gonzalez was unable to keep a ball inside the field, committed three straight errors and a backhand in the tie break which he lost 7-2. Then it disappeared in the third getting a devastating 6-0.

program - now will face Nadal in the semifinals the Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro and will be the match that we will reveal the true condition of athletic Nadal. Del Potro is the best player in the form of the tournament and its aspirations are even higher to reach the final. Curious that all four semifinalists, even including Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, so far we have lost two sets to head. Hewitt and Federer v Soderling, Witten and Verdasco against Djokovic, Nadal v Kiefer and Monfils, Del Potro and Cilic against Koella. The day's program still provides the two women's semifinals, the first between Yanina Wickmayer and Caroline Wozniacki, the second (at 2 am in Italy) between Kim Clijsters and Serena Williams. Sunday afternoon men's semifinals, women's final on Sunday night and Monday afternoon men's final.

 

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Serena set for friendly war

Serena Williams insists she will have no trouble in putting her admiration for Kim Clijsters to one side when she squares off against the Belgian in the US Open semi-finals.

The duo first went head-to-head a decade ago at Flushing Meadows when the American beat her younger rival on her way to a first-ever grand slam title when aged just 17.

Ten years on and they again face each other in New York with Clijsters having produced a remarkable run to the semi-finals in just her third tournament since coming out of a 27-month retirement.

Williams insists she has great respect for her rival both as a player and a person, but is ready to put that to the back of her mind as she continues her quest for a fourth US Open crown and a 12th grand slam title.

"I have nothing but good feelings for her," Williams responded when asked about Clijsters.

"She's so nice and just a really good-hearted individual and takes tennis very seriously, but takes life more seriously.

"I think that's the exact person I am. I think we're pretty similar personality-wise.

"But if I can play against Venus, I can pretty much play against anyone."
Good feeling

Clijsters has been quick to highlight the fact the good feeling is reciprocated and still well remembers their 1999 third round clash.

"I remember playing against her here, I think it was 1999, so 10 years ago, where I was kind of in a similar situation as maybe (Melanie) Oudin or someone where you're up and you're playing those big matches," she explained.

"But it was fun. It's just great. But that's where I first saw the type of player that Serena is. She was just missing a few more shots.

"I was kind of just bringing a lot of balls back and she was kind of missing them. But then at 5-2 in the third set where I was up, she just, bang, started going for aces, started hitting winners. Like something switched in her head.

"That's something great players can do, and she definitely has it. So I think she's still capable when she wants to step it up, but I think the consistency in other tournaments hasn't always been there.

"Here, especially at the grand slams, they can really just step their game up. You just have to keep working and trying to get those chances out there."

Wickmayer hopeful

If Clijsters can see off Williams the prospect of an all-Belgian final looms with Yanina Wickmayer hoping to continue her breakthrough run as she takes on Dane Caroline Wozniacki in the last four.

Wickmayer is aware of the size of the task facing bother her and Clijsters but is hoping both can emerge triumphant.

"They told me already from the first round that we're on the other side... well, let's hope," she stated.

"But let's be honest, we both have a really tough match in front of us. She has Serena in front of her which is going to be a great match, and really excited of seeing that one.

"It's going to be a tough semis, but let's hope."

Wozniacki focused

Ranked significantly higher than Wickmayer - who currently stands at 50 in the world - Wozniacki insists she will not be taking her task for granted despite entering the match as the red-hot favourite.

"I don't take her for granted at all," she said. "She's played great tennis to make it this far.

"You don't make a Grand Slam semi-finals without playing great tennis so I'm going to go out there and fight for every point.

"I'm just going to try to do my best. There's nothing else I can do. Hopefully I can pull it out but you never know. It's a 50/50 chance when you get out on the court."

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Watson seals final place


Britain's Heather Watson raced into the US Open girls' final but Laura Robson suffered semi-final heartache in New York.

Watson will fight for the title with Russian Yana Buchina, who beat former Wimbledon junior champion Robson 1-6 6-3 7-5.

There were high hopes of an all-British final and Watson secured her place by beating Russia's Daria Gavrilova 6-3 6-0, however Robson fell short.

Buchina will be seeking her third British scalp of the tournament when she takes on Watson, having knocked out Stephanie Cornish in the first round.

The British pair had to play both their quarter and semi-final matches on Saturday following the rain disruptions earlier in the week.

Watson, the 11th seed from Guernsey, powered past Thailand's Noppawan Lertcheewakarn 6-2 6-1 to reach the last four, while Robson brushed aside American Lauren Davis 6-2 6-3.


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Nadal pulls out of Davis Cup

Rafael Nadal has pulled out of Spain's Davis Cup semi-final against Israel next week because of concerns over the stomach muscle problems that have affected his US Open campaign.

Nadal, who missed last year's final victory over Argentina with knee trouble, will be replaced by Juan Carlos Ferrero in the four-man team.

The world number three is currently embroiled in a rain-delayed quarter-final clash with Fernando Gonzalez in New York and if he reaches Monday's final he would have little time to prepare himself for the Davis Cup.

"Rafa was sad to have to take this decision as he was really looking forward to the tie, and as always was eager to defend the Spanish colours," said captain Alberto Costa.

"In the case of Juan Carlos Ferrero, he will travel with the team on Sunday, which is when we meet up in Murcia, and I want to thank him for his commitment to the team."

Ferrero will join Tommy Robredo, David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez with the match getting under way next Friday.

The second semi-final takes place in Porec between Croatia and Czech Republic.



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Nadal books Del Potro date

Rafael Nadal needed just 32 minutes on Saturday as he booked his place in a second successive US Open semi-final with a 7-6 7-6 6-0 win over Fernando Gonzalez.

The victory also sees the Spaniard reclaim his world number two ranking from Britain's Andy Murray, who was eliminated in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows.

Persistent rain had seen the quarter-final clash delayed with Nadal leading 7-6 6-6 and 3-2 up in the tiebreak on the Gonzalez serve.

And it was clear that the interruption had affected the 11th seed Chilean the most - Gonzalez reeling off error after error and winning just 12 further points before crashing out.

The victory means that Nadal will meet Argentine rival Juan Martin Del Potro on Sunday (8pm BST) for a place in the final.
Gifted

With morning rain in the air in New York, the Spaniard was clearly in a rush to seal his place in the last four. Gonzalez, on the other hand, started slowly, losing the first four points to relinquish the tie-breaker 7-2.

And things failed to improve from there on in, Gonzalez coughing up a double fault to hand Nadal an early break point, and although the Spaniard missed his first chance, another serving error gifted the world number two the break.

Nadal held under pressure in the second game, and victory quickly became assured when the Manacor star clinched a double break when his Chilean counterpart volleyed into the crowd.

The 29-year-old's plight worsened when he sustained further treatment on his heavily bandaged left ankle at the change of ends. When play resumed, Nadal held his second service game to put him eight points from victory.

The unforced errors kept coming from Gonzalez, who quickly fell 0-40 down before Nadal opened up a 5-0 lead.

And victory was sealed minutes later, Nadal emphatically setting up an appetising semi-final showdown with Del Potro for a place in Monday's final.


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[AleMick]

U.S. Open - Clijsters What! Serena makes out and is finally

The Belgian will face the Danish Caroline Wozniacki, who beat the Wickmayer in the other semifinal, closed with a double 6-3. Williams, however, has yielded surprisingly falling against Kim with a 6-4, 7-5

After the rain has come the time of the last surprises at the U.S. Open. The final of the women's board, in fact, see Kim Clijsters opposed to Caroline Wozniacki. And raise your hand if you would have predicted a challenge between the falls and the Belgian first Danish ability to reach a Grand Slam final.

L "firm and chaos. It can be summarized as the" evolution of semi-final between Kim Clijsters and Serena Williams. L "is obviously that of the Belgian company, able to establish itself with a 6-4, 7-5 and hit the final of the" U.S. Open to return to a slam after two years of inactivity. Chaos is instead what has been unleashed in the end, when Serena Williams has had to serve a second point from a match point on Clijsters.

The U.S. was first called a foul by foot, which was followed by a spicy sentence given to his linesman. Having already received a warning for breaking his racket, she was automatically taken off a point. What he did win the Clijsters.

The semi-finals of the surprises has instead closed without much struggle. The second purpose of the "U.S. Open is in fact the number nine seed Caroline Wozniacki, who was able to beat Yanina Wickmayer with a double 6-3. For the Danish was all too easy, given the bad day of Belgium.

The Wickmayer, in fact, was the protagonist in negative after a great tournament, committing 40 errors even free, most with the backhand. To attend the matches were only a few hundred spectators, as it was played at the same time the "other semifinal to" next Arthur Ashe. Never mind. Caroline Wozniacki has attended to the practice in an "hour and 36 minutes of play. And, now, can smile. It is the first tennis player to hit the Danish final in a Grand Slam.

 

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Final fling for Wozniacki

Caroline Wozniacki reached the final of the US Open with a 6-3 6-3 victory over Yanina Wickmayer in a virtually empty Louis Armstrong Stadium.

The tie had to be switched from Arthur Ashe Stadium to allow both women's semi-finals to take place on Saturday following lengthy rain delays playing havoc with the tournament schedule.

Switching venues didn't seem to bother Wozniacki, though, as she swept aside her fellow 19-year-old in one hour and 36 minutes.

The Dane, the ninth seed at Flushing Meadows, admitted afterwards that it will be a dream come true on Sunday when she faces Kim Clijsters in the final.
Pulled through

"I'm in a Grand Slam final. I'm in the US Open final. I cannot describe it with words," she said. "I'm so happy I pulled it through today.

"I'm really looking forward to it (the final). It's a dream come true to play the finals of a Grand Slam and now I'm here. I have absolutely nothing to lose."

Wozniacki managed three breaks of serve in the opening set to go 5-2 ahead, though she failed to serve out for a 1-0 lead.

However Wickmayer quickly handed the break back, netting a backhand coming into the net to fall a set behind in a match played out in front of a crowd of around 300 people.

Seized control

The second set stayed with serve for the first four games until both players managed a break apiece to make it 3-3.

Wozniacki seized control from that moment, racing through the next three games to set up a title showdown with the unseeded Clijsters.

"She's such a sweet girl, a nice person and I'm so happy she's back on tour," she said afterwards about her next opponent.

"I think we're both nice girls off the court but when we're on the courst we want to win. That's normal and we're both fighters."


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Watson crowned junior queen

Britain's Heather Watson clinched the US Open girls' singles title with a nerveless 6-4 6-1 victory over Russia's Yana Buchina in Sunday's final.

The 11th seed from Guernsey, aged 17, is the first British girl to win the event and follows on from Andy Murray US Open boys' title in 2004.

Unseeded Buchina, also 17, had defeated British duo Stephanie Cornish and Laura Robson en route to the final, and she started strongly, breaking Watson's serve in the third game before moving into a 3-1 lead.

But Watson, who stunned number two second seed Noppawan Lertcheewakarn in the quarter-finals and then ninth seed Daria Gavrilova in the semis, reeled off the next four games before drawing first blood 6-4.

The second set was much more routine, Watson breaking Buchina three more times before sealing victory when the Russian found the net.



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[sky star 2]

Serena stunned by Clijsters

Kim Clijsters ended Serena Williams' reign as US Open champion with a 6-4 7-5 triumph in a semi-final that finished in controversial circumstances late on Saturday night at Flushing Meadows.

Having won the opening set following a delayed start due to rain, Clijsters moved 30-15 up on her opponents' serve at 6-5 in the second.

Williams was then foot-faulted on a second serve to hand the Belgian a match point, though television replays suggested the call was harsh.

The American was certainly not impressed, berating the linesperson whilst waving her racquet, resulting in her being reported for verbal abuse.
Point penalty

Already warned for smashing a racquet earlier in the contest, Williams was handed a point penalty, bringing the contest to a bizarre and premature end as she walked around the net to shake hands with the victor.

"I've never been foot faulted (all year) and then suddenly in this tournament they keep calling foot faults," the outgoing champion said afterwards.

"I'm not going to sit here and make an excuse. If I foot fault, I did. It is what it is and that's basically all it was."

However, the American insisted she did not regret losing her temper, adding: "I haven't really thought about it to have any regrets. I try not to live my life saying, 'I wish, I wish' but I was out there and I fought and I tried and I did my best."

The sudden conclusion of the match took the gloss of another superb performance from Clisjters, who is now just one win away from lifting the trophy - something that seemed so unlikely just a fortnight ago.

Dane Caroline Wozniacki now stands in the way of a player who only recently returned to the WTA Tour following a 27-month retirement, during which time she became a mother for the first time.

The wild card took the opening set in just 35 minutes, securing it with a second break when her rival produced her 14th unforced error by netting a forehand.

After taking out her frustrations on her equipment, Williams immediately broke Clijsters' serve in the first game of the second set.

Traded breaks

However, that advantage soon disappeared, a double fault leading to a 1-1 scoreline, and the pair traded breaks again before the decisive moment of the set came in the 12th game.

"I was just trying to be focused ahead of match point and I started to get ready to return I saw Serena talking to the linesman over there," Clijsters said on the sudden ending.

"I was too far away to hear what was going on, so I can't really comment on anything that happened out there."

As well as completing the double over the Williams sisters having knocked out Venus earlier in the tournament, Clijsters' victory means she becomes the first mother to reach a Grand Slam final since Evonne Goolagong in 1980.



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Del Potro conquers Nadal

Juan Martin Del Potro reached his first ever Grand Slam final following a straight-sets demolition of Rafael Nadal in New York.

The number six seed was in ruthless touch out on Arthur Ashe, overpowering his Spanish opponent 6-2 6-2 6-2 to book a final date with either Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic.

Del Potro, who came into his second major semi-final of the season on the back of an impressive victory over Marin Cilic, hammered down 33 winners in what was a true exhibition of hardcourt tennis.

In contrast Nadal, who has been struggling with an abdominal strain throughout the event, coughed up 27 unforced errors and looked distinctly out-of-sorts as he exited the event at the last four stage for the second successive year.

There was remarkable symmetry from the first two sets, the 20-year-old from Argentina breaking the Nadal serve in the fourth game of both before wrapping up the sets with yet another break.

The Spaniard did have has chances, three missed break points in the opening set proving decisive as Del Potro unleashed another crunching forehand winner to strike first in 50 minutes.
Brutal

Nadal came out fighting at the start of the second, opening up a break point chance, but once again he failed to convert and Del Potro held on.

The Nadal serve was broken for a third time three games later, more brutal groundstrokes from the 6ft 6in Argentine presenting the sixth-seed with an opportunity.

And, clearly feeling the pressure, the Spanish southpaw coughed up his second double fault as the game continued to drift away from him.

The New York crowd continued to watch on in amazement as Del Potro kept Nadal on a leash with an unrelenting barrage of powerful groundstrokes into either corner.

The pressure told once more in the eighth game of the second set, Nadal saving two break points before slipping two sets behind with another unforced error.

With his opponent seemingly powerless to prevent defeat, Del Potro broke in the second game of the final set and continued to hold his serve with relative ease.

And the right-hander from Tandil promptly became the first Argentine to reach a Grand Slam final since 2005 when Nadal's forehand drifted long.

Speaking after the match, Del Potro said: "This is the best moment of my life. I was focused every moment because Rafa is a great player and can run for five or six hours.

"I am not that strong, but I did my best and I am in the final."



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[AleMick]

Del Potro Nadal eliminates Challenge Federer in final

The Spaniard beat a surprise 6-2 with a triple from Argentina which wins for the first time in a career Grand Slam final. In the other semifinal, the Swiss fold Djokovic in three sets: 7-6, 7-5. 7-5

Battle of the quarter-final against Nadal Gonzalez has been fatal. The Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro, seeded No.6, has torn the Spanish favoritissimo the post of first final of the U.S. Tennis Open being held in New York. The fields of Flushing Meadows he defeated with a resounding 6-2, 6-2, 6-2. Then The Swiss Roger Federer also won him (for the sixth consecutive time) the final against Serbian Novak Djokovic, seeded No.4, has been set to 7-6 (7-2), 7-5, 7 -5.

Nadal, seeded No. 3, he beat Chilean Fernando Gonzalez, seeded No.11, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-2), 6-0 at the end of a challenge intense. The meeting was suspended because of rain two days ago, and is included on the score of 7-6, 6-6 in favor of Nadal. Which has dominated the opponent after losing the tie break, the Chilean has indeed resigned to defeat, and final set Nadal has inflicted a 6-0 without appeal.

Del Potro is in its first final appearance in a Grand Slam tournament. His best result was this year at Roland Garros, where she reached the semifinals.

 

[AleMick]

U.S. Open - The Fable of Kim wins U.S. Open

After two years of absence from the game after only three tournaments played since his return, Clijsters won the U.S. Open, beating Danish Caroline Wozniacki 7-5, 6-3

Belgian Kim Clijsters on her return to tennis great after two years of absence from racing, he won the U.S. Open 2009: had no particular problems to fly with ease 19-year old Danish Caroline Wozniacki. 7-5, 6-3 is the result of partiality in favor of 26 year-old Belgian champion in one hour and 32 minutes was awarded for the second time in career tournament in New York.

"It seems surreal that I have won for the second time after only three Grand Slam tournaments played, I had not planned. I just wanted to come here and get some results, participate in a Grand Slam to get ready for next year. It is obviously a great feeling but now I feel so confused because it happened so fast! "said Clijsters in the ermine of a match which, perhaps, will not remain in the annals of tennis from the perspective of the game (they were committed 55 errors total) but he will certainly be remembered for all the events that have handled the last days, from the several postponements due to rain on the "madness" by Serena Williams in their semi-final against Belgium.

Surely, however, can be satisfied Clijsters, who participated in the tournament thanks to a wild card: among other things is the first time in the history of women's tennis that a wild card wins the final. Had passed between the men at Wimbledon in 2001 with Goran Ivanisevic. But while the Croatian was No. 125 of the world, the former No. 1 had not a ranking. With this success should immediately reach at least the position n ° 19.

 

[AleMick]

U.S. Open: Federer ko, Del Potro wins

WASHINGTON - Juan Martin Del Potro astonish the world. In New York he won his first Grand Slam in five sets to beat No. 1 in the world, Roger Federer, after a wonderful match lasting almost four hours and a half and ended 3-6, 7-6 (7-5 ), 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2. Game played on the wire of nerves and the upper class, worthy of a final New York. On the one hand, the young and powerful tennis Juan Martin Del Potro, 22 years next week, his first major final. Second class of Roger Federer, seemingly able to absorb any stress and any blow with disarming naturalness of who runs everything as if it were easy. Instead, it was not easy at all for the Swiss reject trips Del Potro, who reports the Argentina to win a major tournament 32 years after Guillermo Vilas in the gallery to applaud the young fellow. Playing in a game contract, awarded by the Argentine surrender on the first set. But from the second Federer committed to the bottom of his ability. Below to 2-5 in the second set, the ripped two consecutive break, it was brought to the 6 equal, then it has ignited in the tiebreak until the almost lost patience, apparently, still calm, Roger Federer, guessing shots from the field to the bottom which even the Swiss champion has failed to respond. And he won with merits of the second set. Del Potro in the third set has been torn Service opponent, Federer is immediately able to 'controbreccare', to maintain the service and impose a second and then immediately break that allowed then to win 6-4. The fourth set has continued to offer great tennis, with Del Potro to fight tenaciously shot on the spot to pull up the service and go up 4-2. The 'Master' Federer, however, as they call friends, you are not disunity. Argentina has absorbed the vehemence of the opponent with a calm worthy of a plateau of South Africa (his second nationality) and loops between ace and it was reported on 5-5. But Del Potro has not transferred, it was brought on the same 6 and eventually won the tiebreak to 7-4. E 'was the turning point of the match, because in the fifth set Federer had exhausted the batteries. Del Potro, in tears, he dedicated the victory all'Argetina, and many Argentines on stage dell'Arthur Ashe Stadium.

 

[sky star 2]

Israel primed for cup semi

Israel are targeting a shock Davis Cup semi-final win over Spain, who are hampered by the absence of injured duo Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco.

The three-day tie begins on Friday in Murcia, southern Spain with the hosts warm favourites to meet either Croatia or the Czech Republic in the final.

Nadal has been replaced by fellow former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero after sustaining a stomach muscle problem following his semi-final defeat to Juan Martin del Potro at the US Open, while Verdasco is absent due to a foot injury.

Even without their top two players, Spain present a formidable challenge having won their last 16 home ties and previous 18 ties on clay, which the semi-final will be played on.

Israel, however, have already exceeded expectations by reaching the final four of the Davis Cup for the first time and have not ruled out the possibility of a surprise win.
Advantage

"Had Nadal played he certainly would have won both his matches but nevertheless every one of their players is better than us on paper," said Israel's doubles expert Andy Ram.

"We are coming as an underdog and without any pressure. That could be our advantage and maybe we just might be able to steal an historic victory."

Spain captain Albert Costa admitted that Israel are not a side to be taken lightly following their performance against two former champions in the preceding rounds.

"Of course playing at home we are favourites," he said.

"But I can only reiterate that we have to be very careful and really work hard to beat Israel, who are in the semis having knocked out Russia and Sweden."

Israel's Dudi Sela, ranked 29th in the world, has defeated Spain's Tommy Robredo in their three previous meetings, although they have not faced each other on clay as they will in the tie.

"He's a top player as his ranking and results show." said Robredo.

Sela admitted the clay in Murcia is unlike what the Israeli players were used to at home but they felt at ease with the conditions.

"The atmosphere is very pleasant," he said.

"We are being hosted well and team spirit, as usual, is very high."

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[sky star 2]

Del Potro - Room to improve

Newly crowned US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro admits he is not yet consistent enough to challenge for top spot in the world rankings.

The Argentine, who turns 21 next week, has risen to fifth following his epic 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 triumph over world number one Roger Federer in the final at Flushing Meadows.

Despite Del Potro ending his five-year run of US Open success, Federer kept hold of top spot, while Rafael Nadal's run to the semi-final in New York moved him back above Andy Murray into second.

A fourth-round loss against Marin Cilic means Murray is down to third.

"I have very good players from me to the number one," said Del Potro.

"For sure, Roger, Rafa, Murray, they are two or three steps more than me. I'm working hard every day hard to be like them.

"But if I play for many years in this level, then they are going to retire and I'm going to be much better."
Confident

Federer acknowledged the recent improvement he has seen in the 6ft 6in Del Potro's game.

"Every month he was getting better," Federer said.

"He was hitting his serves better, from the baseline he was getting more confident. He knows much more now what he needs to do on the tennis court.

"Whereas maybe in the beginning, because he's so tall, he needs to figure out his game, I think he did that in the last six months."

Del Potro is the only player other than Nadal to defeat Federer in a Grand Slam final, despite losing all six previous meetings with the Swiss master.

With Nadal recovering from injury problems and Murray turning out a disappointing US Open performance, Del Potro looks well placed to ascend the rankings further.

"I have everything to learn," he added. "I want to be a good player in the future. I want to be like them. I'm very happy I'm on my way.

"I just go my way and try to improve every day in my game. Of course I'm living much better than two years ago, maybe 12 months ago. I'm in good shape. I'm physically feeling good with my tennis. That's important."

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