Federer, Djokovic book US Open rematch in semis

New York: For Roger Federer to win his fifth US Open title in a row, the Swiss second seed must prove he still has what it takes to beat Novak Djokovic, this time in a semi-final rematch of last year's final.
Twelve-time Grand Slam winner Federer and Serbian third seed Djokovic, the reigning Australian Open champion, advanced to a Saturday semi-final replay of their 2007 title showdown with impressive quarter-final triumphs Thursday.
Federer advanced to his 18th consecutive Grand Slam semi-final and stretched his US Open win streak to 32 matches by defeating 130th-ranked qualifier Gilles Muller 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) to end the Luxembourg left-hander's dream run.
"I'm happy to keep the semi-final streak alive. That's a huge streak for a long time," Federer said. "I'm really happy with my mindset going into the semi-finals. I'm happy to take it to the final four one more time."
Federer, who last missed a Slam semi-final at the 2004 French Open, has a 6-2 career record against Djokovic, including a 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 victory in last year's final.
"He's an absolute favorite in that match," Djokovic said. "I lost to him last year. For him it's a big challenge to go back to number one. For sure it's going to be a great match."
Djokovic eliminated US eighth seed Andy Roddick 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5) in Thursday's other Arthur Ashe Stadium quarter-final, the Serbian spurred on by Roddick's jokes to the crowd two nights earlier about Djokovic claiming several injuries.
"Andy said I have 16 injuries. Obviously I don't," Djokovic said, drawing boos from a crowd dominated by Roddick supporters.
"Like it or not, it's like that," Djokovic said. "They are already against me because they think I'm faking everything."
"That was not nice to say in front of this crowd that I have 16 injuries and I'm faking it. The momentum is not nice."
It will be the first healthy meeting of Federer and Djokovic since last year at Flushing Meadows.
Djokovic beat Federer in straight sets in the Australian Open semi-finals on the way to his first Slam title, but Federer said he was ill, and Djokovic retired against Federer in an April semi-final on Monte Carlo clay.
Saturday's other semi-final will send British sixth seed Andy Murray against Spanish world number one Rafael Nadal, who seeks his third Slam crown in a row after beating Federer in the French Open and Wimbledon finals.
"Hopefully I can take it one more step than I did at the French Open and Wimbledon," Federer said.
The Swiss ruled the rankings for 237 weeks until last month, when Nadal ended his reign before capturing singles gold at the Beijing Olympics.
"You could see why he was number one," Muller said. "Every time the score was tight he came up with the better shot."
Federer, 27, has not lost at the US Open since David Nalbandian beat him in the fourth round in 2003. But his aura of invincibility has been punctured this year after seasons of utter domination.
"It's not too much about Roger's invincibility. He's human," Muller said. "Everyone knew he had a tough year. He struggled a little bit. It's more the belief I had in myself, the confidence that I could beat him.
"I could have won the two tie-breakers for sure. I just wasn't so lucky."
Federer won the only break of the match in the ninth game of the second set on a forehand winner. Muller denied Federer on three break points in the third set on the way to a tie-break, then grabbed a 4-1 edge before Federer rallied.
"I'm happy I was able to come back and pull it out because it looked like it was going to go four," Federer said. "When you are down you try to fight and that's what I tried to do out there."
Muller, who twice rallied to win here after losing the first two sets, upset Russian fifth seed Nikolay Davydenko in the fourth round to become the second qualifier in the US Open final eight after France's Nicolas Escude in 1999.
"A lot of people think I should be happy but I'm disappointed because I feel like I had my chances and I didn't take advantage of them," Muller said.
Djokovic made the most of his chances to down Roddick, who was two points from forcing a fifth set until he double faulted twice to give the Serbian his only break point of the set, which Djokovic converted on a backhand lob winner.
Each man held once more to set up the tie-breaker, which went to 5-5 before Roddick netted a backhand volley to give Djokovic match point. The Serbian smacked a service winner and Roddick wass done after two hours and 34 minutes.
Djokovic broke Roddick in four of his first eight service games, providing the margin for claiming the first two sets, but Roddick held serve his next nine chances to set up the fourth-set drama.
Roddick's fifth loss in seven US Open quarter-finals ensured American men would equal their longest Slam title drought at 21 events, matching a five-year hex that the late Arthur Ashe ended by winning the 1968 Wimbledon title.

source: www.mid-day.com

No time to celebrate: Paes

Mumbai: Leander Paes moved a step closer to a grand double after clinching the US Open mixed doubles title yesterday. The celebrations though, will have to wait. For, Paes is set to partner Lukas Dlouhy in men's doubles final tonight.
"Sadly, there's no time to celebrate as the doubles final is less than 24 hours away. So, no party tonight… we'll celebrate tomorrow. Hopefully, it will be a double delight," Paes told MiD DAY from New York.
The 35-year-old, who was partnered by Zimbabwe's Cara Black (29), defeated Britain's Jamie Murray and American Liezel Huber 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 in the final.
Paes and his Czech partner Lukas Dlouhy have already made it to the men's doubles final and will face brothers Mike and Bob Bryan of the US.
Paes, who won the Wimbledon alongside American Lisa Raymond in 1999 and the Wimbledon and Australian Open crowns in 2003 with US star Martina Navratilova, said: "It was a tough match. No final is easy. The joy of finally winning a mixed doubles title at US Open is fantastic. I have lost two mixed finals here previously."
Paes, pairing with American Meghann Shaughnessy had lost last year's final to Max Mirnyi and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
In 2001, Paes and Lisa Raymond fell in the final to Australians Todd Woodbridge and Rennae Stubbs.
"Cara played really well and backed me up just when I needed it. She had a couple of fantastic reflexes at 6-4 in the second set. I knew we would win it then," he said.
Paes also added: "Cara's been wanting to partner me for quite sometime. Thankfully, we met a few months ago and got together," Paes said.However, the Paes hopes to carry on with Black for some years now. "We will play together through this season and next as well," he signed off.

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Kirsten faces BCCI backlash

The Cricket Board today took strong exception to coach Gary Kirsten's comments in the media that Mahendra Singh Dhoni was ready for Test captaincy and asked the South African to concentrate on his job only.
BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah has categorically told Kirsten to avoid airing his personal views in media and focus on his job of coaching.
"As per the rules and regulations, Kirsten should not have spoken such things in the media, it is not his job. We have the selectors to decide who should be the captain," Shah told reporters.
"His job is to coach the Indian team and not give interviews on the selection matters or the captaincy. His comments have not gone down well with those concerned because he is an important member of the support staff. But I will still give him a benefit of doubt," Shah said.
He also dismissed the notion that Kumble should hang up his boots.
"Anil is a great cricketer and he knows well when to quit. As long as he is in form, I don't think the selectors are going to drop him," he said.
Kirsten had told a television channel earlier this week that ODI skipper Dhoni was ready to take over the Test captaincy from Anil Kumble.
"He (Dhoni) is ready for it (Test captaincy) but there is no need to rush as of now. Anil (Kumble) has done an exceptional job, he is a great leader and he is toiling in many overs for India. He is prepared to do 30 overs in a day. But he is on the other side of the physical side of the game.
Shah said Kumble was doing well and the selectors were not contemplating any change at the helm of the Test team.
"Anil Kumble is a great cricketer. He knows when he should bow out or give up the captaincy. Right now he is bowling very well and the selectors will never drop him or change the captaincy," he said.
When asked if Yuvraj Singh, who is struggling with the bat, should take a break from international cricket, the Board secretary expressed hopes that the left-hander would soon rediscover his form.
Shah further added that the decision to include or exclude a player from the team was that of the selection committee.
"Our selection committee has been doing the job with great responsibility. Let them select the team," Shah added.

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Paes hopes to repeat 1999 Wimbledon feat

New York: Nine years after his twin crowns at Wimbledon, Leander Paes is hoping history to repeat itself at the US Open.
Having reached the finals of both men's and mixed doubles of the US Open, Paes is recalling the 1999 Wimbledon and reckons this is going to be special for him.
"I think 2008 in New York is going to be special," said the ace, after he and his Czech partner Lukas Dlouhy thumped Argentine pair Maximo Gonzales and Juan Monaco 6-2, 6-0 in just 46 minutes to storm into the men's doubles final.
The former Davis Cup captain and his Zimbabwean teammate Cara Black have already made it to the mixed doubles final.
In 1999, Paes had partnered Mahesh Bhupathi and Lisa Raymonds to win the men's doubles and mixed doubles crowns at Wimbledon.
"I was much younger back then," said Paes, recalling the feat.
"As you get older, I push my body to new limits and try to raise the bar a few more times," he said.
Paes was particularly happy with the show against the Argentines and said, "When you finish a semi-final of a Grand Slam in 46 minutes, you're always happy.
"It was one of the fastest matches I had in my career. The balls looked like watermellons out there."
Made to play twice on Tuesday, Paes was also happy to get some rest before turning up for the mixed doubles final.
"They made me play twice and I was scheduled early. Now I can go back and relax," he said.
On his partnership with Dlouhy, Paes said, "It's going very well right now. Lukas is crazy just as I am. He's also very hard working. That's why it's working out so well."
Though he cherishes all his Grand Slam titles, Paes insists the highlight of his career is the bronze medal he won in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
"Nothing will ever better my Olympic medal," he said.
"Let me remind you it was in the singles. That's the epitome of my career," Paes added.

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Kaif takes a stance, a new one!

BANGALORE: It Takes Two! India A's Mohammad Kaif (left) and Robin Uthappa share a light moment at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore yesterday. pic/Vinod Kumar TEven before the India A vs Australia A three-day game began, Mohammad Kaif could be seen trying to adjust his stance.Methodically, he wanted his left shoulder to point towards mid-off so that it would open up shots on the off side for him. He was seen practicing for hours trying to get the shoulder in the right position.Two days agoFor the last two days, Kaif showed how much of a difference the change in stance has made to his batting. He was the only batsman on show from both sides, who was timing the ball sweetly and driving the cherry through the off side with comfortable ease.Gone are those jittery movements he would make before facing the bowlers that made him appear nervous and edgy.With rain affecting the first two days of the match, India A were finally bundled out for 284. In reply, Australia A were 113 for 8.Most batsmen struggled to adjust to the up and down nature of the wicket here at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, but Kaif made it look as though the pitch had no demons.Three bad shotsHe played only three bad shots in his 204-ball 94 and one of them resulted in his dismissal. While attempting to heave Marcus North for a six, he was caught at deep mid-on.With one more three-day game against Australia A to be followed by two four-day games against New Zealand A, if Kaif continues to bat the way he did here, chances are he could well be a contender for a place in the Test series against Australia.

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Symonds' absence might reduce tension: Kirsten

Andrew Symonds' likely absence may leave Australia short on experience when they tour India next month but at the same time, it might ease tension in the high-profile series, reckons India coach Gary Kirsten.
Symonds has had a stormy relation with both the Indian players and the crowds. Booed and barracked in India, he also figured prominently with Harbhajan Singh in the Sydney racism row last summer.
Nursing a hurt ego after Cricket Australia downgraded the racism charges against Harbhajan, Symonds is cooling his heels after he was sent back home for preferring a fishing trip to a compulsory team meeting.
Though the volatile all-rounder is likely to miss the India series, Kirsten feels it might help in reducing the tension that of late surrounds an Indo-Australian series.
"There is a lot of hype around him and the quality of player that he is, and also I gather there is a lot of tension around from what happened in the last series," Kirsten was quoted as saying by The Age.
"To not have him around...does that alleviate it? Does it make it better? I don't know the answer. But I don't think it takes the gloss off the Test series," said the South African.
"One thing we must always be aware of is the game is bigger than the individual," Kirsten added.
Should Symonds miss the tour, Kirsten said, Australia would have to draft in inexperienced players and India would do everything to capitalise on that.
"To not have those types of individuals means they are going to be replaced by more inexperienced players, so we will hopefully be able to exploit (that)," said Kirsten, pointing out that the Aussies would no more have Adam Gilchrist in the ranks as well.
"We all know with the Australian set-up that they always replace those individuals with quality players, but in the heat of Test match battle sometimes experience counts for a lot," he said.
Australia will announce the team for the four-Test series in India next week and though Shaun Marsh and David Hussey are knocking on the selectors' door, the final shape of the squad remains unclear.
CA has already sent selector Jamie Cox to India to monitor the performance of Australia A spinners Beau Casson, Bryce McGain and Jason Krezja and assess if they merit a place in the senior squad.

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