Djokovic, Nadal in Rome Masters final rematch

Rome: World number one and defending champion Novak Djokovic swept past Roger Federer on Saturday to set up a Rome Masters final rematch with five-time winner Rafael Nadal.

David Lloyd wants improved Andy Murray image

Former Davis Cup captain David Lloyd believes Andy Murray's chances of winning a major will improve if he works on his serve and his image.

The Englishman also says Murray should prioritise participation in the Davis Cup to build a sense of achievement.

"If you look at Nadal, Djokovic and Federer when they come on the court, they have a demeanour," said Lloyd.

"They are exceptionally well-dressed and clean-shaven. Andy doesn't come on like that."

Murray lost out in this year's Wimbledon semi-final to Rafael Nadal and was runner-up in the Australian Open final, but Lloyd felt the criticism of the British number one was unjustified.

He pointed to Murray's serve as a weakness in his game but refused to concede that the Scotsman had let the nation down.

"I think the criticism is unfair," said Lloyd. "Andy is a very good tennis player.

"He is definitely the third or fourth best in the world, but he's not quite as good as those three guys really.

"It's not that he played badly - I think what happened was his serve, his first serve, when that goes in, he can beat Nadal.

"If Andy is going to become that slightly better player - number two or number one in the world - he has to get more percentage of first serves. Then he can win a major. Otherwise, he's not quite good enough.

"He hasn't let us down - he played to the best of his ability - and it's a pretty good thing."

Lloyd also feels Murray's image sends the wrong message to his opponents and makes him seem weaker in crunch matches - and he should seek out a coach that is equal to the Scotsman's stoical personality.

"I know it's a silly thing, but mental stuff in tennis is so important," said the former Wimbledon doubles semi-finalist.

"It's a one-to-one game. If he could change his image a ilttle bit and go on with a little bit more fight. When players get to the third of fourth set of a five-setter, he's not going to be as tough mentally as them.

"He has great shots in him - one of the best back-hands in the world.

"I think he just needs a mental change and a change in his attitude. I would concentrate on finding a coach of real power who is not going to bow down to Andy and stand up to him."

Ahead of Friday's Davis Cup match against Luxembourg in Glasgow's Braehead Arena, Lloyd feels Murray should place a bigger emphasis on the premier international men's team event in the way Wimbledon champion Djokovic did as he inspired Serbia to a 3-2 win against France.

He also rejected any notion that Luxembourg would be an easy tie for Britain.

"If you would have thought of Luxembourg a year ago, it would have seemed easy," said Lloyd.

"But they've got Gilles Muller, who is a good player. It's not a slam-dunk.

"I think the Davis Cup should be one of the top things on Andy's list to play the Davis Cup. Put it up the calendar.

"If you ask Djokovic what his second-best moment was, I think you'll find it was winning the Davis Cup for his country.

"But I think he'll do great. It's great to be playing in Scotland, but it's not an easy match."

Novak Djokovic ends seven year Roger Federer- Rafael Nadal domination at the top

Novak Djokovic ends seven year Roger Federer- Rafael Nadal domination at the top

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal reach Sunday's Wimbledon final

There is no end in sight to Britain's wait at Wimbledon, not with Rafael Nadal of Spain smothering Andy Murray on his home turf once more.

But Novak Djokovic's wait to get to No. 1 in the world is certain to end when next week's computer rankings are released.

Djokovic's deeply convincing, deeply entertaining victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Friday's first semifinal means that for the first time in more than seven years, someone other than Nadal or Roger Federer of Switzerland will hold the top spot.

"They don't give you a lot of chances to become number one," said Djokovic, a 24-year-old from Serbia who is 47-1 this season. "So I guess you need to lose only one match in seven months to get there. If you can do that, then well done."

Well done then to Djokovic for absorbing all of Tsonga's power, showmanship and momentum on Centre Court and answering with plenty of his own to win 7-6 (7-4), 6-2, 6-7 (9-11), 6-3.

"I can beat everybody today, but not Djokovic," No. 12 seed Tsonga said. "He was everywhere."

Djokovic and Nadal will meet in Sunday's final.

Djokovic has defeated Nadal four straight times, but top-ranked Nadal has won 20 consecutive matches at Wimbledon.

Though they have not met each other on grass since 2008, Djokovic is 0-2 on the surface against Nadal, who has won two Wimbledon titles.

Djokovic is playing in his first Wimbledon final.

"I think every child has a dream to become something in his life," he said. "We live from those dreams. Obviously I had a big support of my family and people around me that allowed me to have the opportunity to reach that dream, to reach the life goal."

Murray has yet to reach his major goals. Although he seems increasingly comfortable as the annual focal point of Wimbledon — cracking wry comments — he has not been able to give Britain its first men's finalist here since 1938, let alone its first men's champion since 1936.

Nadal beat No. 4 seed Murray 5-7, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4.

Nadal said he was even feeling for Murray during the match.

"I'm not a robot when I'm playing; I think," Nadal said.

"He's the best player without a title of Grand Slam that I ever see."

Sharapova's off day good enough for final return

Maria Sharapova, the glamour girl of women's tennis, showed she is not averse to winning ugly as she overcame some jitters to set up a Wimbledon final against Petra Kvitova on Thursday.

The 24-year-old Russian served 13 double faults on her way to a 6-4 6-3 defeat of Germany's Sabine Lisicki to reach the final for the first time since she burst into the spotlight by winning the 2004 title as a carefree 17-year-old.

Eighth seed Kvitova silenced the wailing Victoria Azarenka 6-1 3-6 6-2 to reach her first grand slam final.

Neither match will live long in the memory though after a day that did little to alter the perception that the women's game is struggling without the rivalries that have fuelled interest in the men's game.

Not that Sharapova was too concerned.

"It's a great feeling. It's been many years, but it's a really great feeling," said Sharapova, who has filled the vacuum left by the fourth-round exits of champion Serena Williams, five-times winner Venus Williams and top seed Caroline Wozniacki.

"Today wasn't my best match of the championships so I was real happy to get through in two sets. So yeah, it's pretty amazing to be back on that stage."

Czech Kvitova and Belarussian fourth seed Azarenka thrashed around for an hour and 44 minutes on the hallowed turf but their "heavy metal" variety of tennis hardly captivated a Centre Court liberally sprinkled with empty green seats.

The famous arena was still not full either when Sharapova, the only genuine A-lister to survive until the semis, strode out under cloudy skies to take on wildcard Lisicki.

For three games the fifth seed could hardly get the ball in court, struggling on serve, lashing forehands into the net and shooting panicky glances to fiance Sasha Vujacic as he tried his best to offer encouragement from the players' box.

She improved steadily but her progress to the final was helped by an opponent whose belief drained away as quickly as Sharapova ramped up the volume on the "grunt-o-meter".

When the ninth service break ended the contest, the long-limbed Russian blew kisses to all four stands and added an extra one for her boyfriend before aiming another at the sky in gratitude for the looming rain clouds staying away.

After storming through the draw without losing a set to reach her first grand slam final since her career was threatened by shoulder surgery in 2008, Sharapova will be odds-on favourite to collect her fourth major title.

"But the next match starts from scratch. Everything that kind of went before, that doesn't really matter," said the Florida-based Russian, who gets to enjoy a few of the perks of being a member of the All England Club.

Azarenka's defeat will at least help keep the volume down on Saturday as left-handed Kvitova is relatively quiet when she smites the ball over the net.

The Belarussian, whose sound effects again brought giggles from the crowd, was briefly drowned out by an alarm blaring across Centre Court at one point of the match but it was Kvitova's accuracy that was the real danger.

The first set whizzed by in 27 minutes with hardly a rally to speak of but Azarenka got a foothold with an early break in the second and went on to level the contest.

With similar playing styles, both smashing the felt off the ball from the baseline, there was a muted atmosphere in the stands as Kvitova pulled away again in the decider.

Kvitova completed victory on her second match point when Azarenka served a double fault.

"I think it was a nervous match for sure," Kvitova, the first left-hander to reach the women's final since Czech-born American Martina Navratilova in 1994, told reporters.

"It was tough mentally but it's something unbelievable to be in the final at Wimbledon."

Andy Murray's quest to become the first British man to win Wimbledon for 75 years takes centre stage on Friday when he takes on world number one and holder Rafa Nadal in the men's semis after Novak Djokovic plays Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Djokovic into Wimbledon final; to get No.1 ranking

Novak Djokovic cut down Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 6-2 6-7 6-3 on Friday to reach his first Wimbledon final and guarantee becoming world number one next week.

The Serbian second seed looked to be cruising to a straight-sets victory but Tsonga suddenly sprung to life in the third set, breaking Djokovic's serve to force a tiebreak which the 12-seeded Frenchman won 11-9.

But Djokovic held his nerve to secure an early break in the fourth set and Tsonga, who fought back from two sets down to beat six-times champion Roger Federer in the quarter-finals, could not respond.

Djokovic, now certain to knock Rafa Nadal off the top of the rankings, will play top seed Nadal or Briton Andy Murray in the final on Sunday.

Australian Open: Andy Murray to face Djokovic in final

Andy Murray says the burden of Britain's 75-year wait for a male Grand Slam champion will not affect him in Sunday's Australian Open final.

The British number one takes on 2008 champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the Melbourne final at 0830 GMT.

It will be the Scot's third Grand Slam final and another chance to follow in the footsteps of Fred Perry's US Open victory back in 1936.

"It's more of a personal goal and personal dream of mine," said Murray.

"So that's what you need to keep in check and not get ahead of yourself. The historical thing, it's not something I have thought about that much but it's something that for me personally I want to try to win.

"I don't want to get myself so amped up that I play a stinker of a match. If you go in thinking 'no-one has won one for 60-odd years and I might never get another chance'...

"I am going to make the most of the opportunity and give 110% but I also need to make sure I am relaxed and calm on the court. I don't want to get myself too worked up."

Fifth seed Murray lost to Roger Federer in the 2008 US Open and 2010 Australian Open finals but will face a far more familiar rival this time in long-time friend Djokovic.

The finalists, born a week apart, have known each other since they were children and have trained together regularly over recent weeks as both prepared for the Australian Open at the warm-up Hopman Cup event in Perth.

They have met seven times as professionals, with Djokovic leading 4-3 overall but Murray having won the last three in straight sets, all on hard courts.

Speaking to BBC Sport on the eve of the final, Murray said: "I think when we both came on the tour, because we weren't necessarily competing for the biggest tournaments we got on well, then he started to improve a lot and I was trying to catch up.

"I lost to him quite easily a few times and it wasn't necessarily a jealousy thing but I wanted to learn from him a little, but also not wanting him to feel I was looking up to him.

"It took a little while for me to catch up to him but I think the last year-and-a-half, two years, we started to get on very well."

Djokovic, the world number three, told BBC Sport that he and Murray had dreamed in their early years about facing each other in a Grand Slam final.

"I don't think we disconnected, it's just that we had different paths," he said.

"He went to Barcelona to try and develop into a top player and I had my practice and development days in some other countries. We were growing up and we didn't catch up that often.

606: DEBATE
i think murrays the better player but its going to be very tight

berbatovs_biggest_fan
"Then, the last years we started to hang out more, to see each other more often, and it's nice because we have grown up together and known each other since we were 12 or 13 years old, played many times.

"To be able to face your good friend in a Grand Slam final is interesting, it's nice, because we were dreaming of that when we were kids."

Djokovic won his only Grand Slam title to date in Melbourne three years ago when, after beating Federer in the semi-final, he faced Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final.

Sunday's final will be the first at a Grand Slam since that day not to feature either world number one Rafael Nadal or number two Federer.

"I have won here three years ago," said Djokovic.

"Maybe in some ways I'm going to have a little mental advantage over my opponent because I have won the title.

"But still he is going to be very much motivated to win his first title and he's not going to have Roger of Rafa across the net, which I'm sure is going to be a big relief for him."

The last time the two played each other competitively was in the Miami Masters final two years ago, with Murray running out a 6-2 7-5 winner, which continued a reversal of fortune after he lost their first four encounters, including a brutal 6-1 6-0 defeat at the same venue in 2007.

Both men have been in fine form in Melbourne and Murray has made it through to the final for the loss of just two sets, while Djokovic has dropped only one and defeated title holder and 16-time Grand Slam champion Federer in the semi-finals.

"In the final it's very important to serve well and take my chances when I get them," said Murray. "He's struggled a bit on his serve in the last couple of years and that's something that I'll look to try and exploit."

Since Perry's win at Flushing Meadow in 1936, Bunny Austin, John Lloyd, Greg Rusedski and Murray himself are the only others to have made a Grand Slam final.

Courtesy : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/9380511.stm

Melanie Oudin gives U.S. tennis a big hope for the future

Melanie Oudin ran out of Russians to play and lost.

Beating a Danish 19-year-old who is closer to her age group was always going to be a different task and, as it turned out, a more difficult one.

To the disappointment of the vast crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium and everyone down there in Marietta, Ga., Oudin's fantastic run at this year's U.S. Open came to a fairly abrupt end Wednesday night at the hands of No. 9 seed Caroline Wozniacki, who employed just the right kind of tactics to beat the 17-year-old starlet 6-2, 6-2.

"I knew she was going to be tough and I knew she was going to fight to the last point," said Wozniacki afterwards. "So I was like, I have to get as many balls back as possible and try to make her run. Keep her on her backhand and make her run on her forehand. That was my goal and I think it was a good way to play the match today."

Unfortunately for Oudin — the feisty teen with the word "BELIEVE" stamped across the heel of her shoe — Wozniacki was absolutely right. Moreso than those three famous Russians that Oudin had outfought from a set down, the Dane had the perfect game to outplay an opponent who, unsurprisingly, didn't move with quite the same alacrity as she had done in her previous encounters.

"I think I started off slow," Oudin admitted. "I wasn't able to come back. She's such a strong player. She doesn't give you anything for free. She plays incredible defense. Makes me hit a thousand balls so I don't know what else I could have done."

Oudin admitted that, being a perfectionist, losing was a disappointment. But she is a bright, level-headed girl and added, "The whole experience here is going to take me a long way, I think. I've gained a lot of confidence and I think I can only get better. I've played with top 10, former No. 1 players in this tournament and I've been able to do well. I mean, I got to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open, so I know that hopefully I can do it again and again."


There is no reason why not because Oudin has the mind for the game — a maturity to stay calm, focused and determined in the heat of battle that is rare in one so young. She has been the story of the championships and women's tennis in America is a lot healthier after what she has achieved.

Another great story on the women's side

The WTA will be delighted with the way in which new, attractive stars have burst through to grab headlines at this U.S. Open. Oudin and Wozniacki are not the only ones. The other quarterfinal pitted Yanina Wickmayer from Belgium against the Ukrainian Kateryna Bondarenko, and it was the tall, powerful Wickmayer who came through 7-5, 6-4.

Ranked just two places higher than Bondarenko at No. 50 coming into the tournament, the 19-year-old Wickmayer made that gap look a little too small as she took charge of the match from the start with solid serving and backcourt hitting.

"She didn't give me any chance to win it," Bondarenko said. "She just played unbelievable today."

Like Maria Sharapova, Wickmayer was taken to Florida by her father at the age of 9 but the circumstances were rather different. Yanina's mother had just died of cancer and, wanting to get away and concentrate on the game she loved, she settled at Saddlebrook Tennis Academy.

"I guess I just decided as a little girl to get away from home and put my memories and thoughts to something else," she said. "To focus on other things in life and try to move on. ... It's been a really tough time for me but I see now it's one of the best decisions I've ever made."

It appears that it was very much Yanina's wish to try the Florida experiment, and her father went along with it just to try and bring some happiness into his daughter's life.

"He was just a normal guy in Belgium and he just gave up his whole life for me," Wickmayer said. "He listened to a little girl who was 9 years old and gave up his life, his dreams. I guess I'm always going to respect him for that. He's just a great guy."

You think he's a proud Dad, or what?

Federer-Djokovic clash set

In the first of the day's men's quarterfinals, Novak Djokovic had to hang tough before finally getting the better of that talented Spanish left-hander Fernando Verdasco, winning 7-6, 1-6, 7-5, 6-2.

Djokovic seems at ease again in New York this year, following his strained relationship with the crowd 12 months ago, and thoroughly enjoyed his little hit with John McEnroe after his victory over Radek Stepanek in the previous round.

"It feels like 2007, you know, when I played finals here and did all those crazy things, impersonating players," he said. "So it was really a lot of enjoyment playing with McEnroe the other night. You know, it was unexpected. I promise it wasn't planned. It just came out. It was good."

Even better is the fact that Djokovic, who knows what it is like to live in a city that is being attacked, has been hosting the children of 9/11 victims in his box. He hasn't publicized it but was asked to verify the fact in press conference.

"I don't really want to talk about it," he said. "I've been meeting four different guys in these past two weeks. I have been giving them presents. ... I know what it feels like so I just try to bring some smiles and make them enjoy. I hope that's what I did."

After he had lost to Roger Federer for the 11th straight time in the final of the French Open in June, Robin Soderling was very honest about the problems he has with the great Swiss.

"I can't play him," he said simply. "He plays too fast for me. I can never get into the match."

That seemed to be holding true as Federer raced away to a 6-0, 6-3 lead and then went 4-0 up in the third-set tiebreak. But suddenly, Soderling found the extra gear and decided to go for everything. A couple of great forehand winners, backed up by some great serves, enabled the big Swede to claw his way back and take that breaker 8-6 and then push Federer all the way into another one.

The reigning champion needed consecutive aces to keep level with a suddenly rampant opponent, but when he reached set point at 6-5, nerves clutched at Soderling's arm and he hit a forehand wide. A backhand error cost him on the next point and Federer closed it out, again at 8-6.

The victory extends Federer's astonishing run in Grand Slams to 22 consecutive semi-final appearances or better. He thinks it is one of his greatest achievements and his peers will agree. When other players talk about it, they just shake their heads in disbelief.

Federer & Djokovic into quarters

Reigning champion Roger Federer booked a US Open quarter-final clash against Robin Soderling with a 7-5 6-2 6-2 win over Spaniard Tommy Robredo.

The world number one broke Robredo in the 11th game to clinch a tight first set before breaking twice more in a far more comfortable second.

An aggressive Federer wrapped up victory in the third set with an ace.

Novak Djokovic remains on course for a semi-final against Federer after beating Radek Stepanek 6-1 6-3 6-3.

Djokovic, seeded fourth, had a surprisingly easy time in the final night-session match as he eased past the 16th seed in one hour and 46 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium to set up a quarter-final against Fernando Verdasco.

Soderling became the first man into the quarters when Nikolay Davydenko retired in the third set of their match.

The Swede, who lost to Federer in the French Open final, was 7-5 3-6 6-2 ahead when the Russian quit.

"He's got a big game and we had the final of the French Open - one of the most important matches of my career - so it's nice to play him again," Federer said of his forthcoming clash.

"He has got some great shots and is strong off the baseline."

Federer beat Soderling with ease at Roland Garros and will be expected to perform another demolition job on the 12th seed, following a straightforward win over Robredo.

The Swiss superstar played in third gear for much of the first set but then began to dictate the play in the second, breaking in the third game and then securing another break to move to 4-1 up before serving out for a two-set cushion.

Federer then began coming to the net with more frequency as he became more comfortable. Robredo looked more and more ragged and was broken in the opening game of the third set, and again in the third.

The Spaniard held serve for 4-1 but it only delayed the inevitable.

"I tried to figure him out a little bit, the way he played me," Federer said of a cautious first set. "I thought he really played my backhand a lot.


"I expected him to open it up sometimes towards my forehand but he didn't. I was a little unsure there for a while, how I should play him. He was doing a good job of keeping me off balance and being intense from the baseline.

"Once I got the lead I could also hit a bit more freely. That didn't allow him to play his game any more. I got on top of him and played good tennis."

Soderling was in confident mood ahead of the rematch, saying: "I have improved my game in every aspect and I just need to do it in majors.

"I have been beating good players and that has boosted my confidence. I think I have a chance to do well on hard courts."

A disappointed Davydenko, who was seeded eighth, seemed unsure as to what caused his pain.

"Just some muscle problem, like groin muscle maybe," he said. "In the middle of second set I felt something painful in the muscle, and every point I have more and more pain.

"I called physio as I was thinking, 'What is wrong?' I really don't know if it was a big injury or small injury. And physios also cannot tell me anything. I need some MRI scan to check my muscle."

Spanish 10th seed Verdasco beat John Isner 4-6 6-4 6-4 6-4, leaving no American men in the last eight for the first time since the Open era began in 1968.

"We got a lot of people to the round of 32 then I played Andy (Roddick) and one of us moved on," said Isner. "But after that we didn't do too well. But we had tough draws.

"I wanted to go further, but I just got outplayed today. It was a good tournament and I can build on this for the rest of the year."

Venus Williams Joins Women’s Seeds Exodus at U.S. Open Tennis

Venus Williams became the latest women’s seed to be eliminated from the U.S. Open, losing in three sets to former champion Kim Clijsters after sister Serena advanced to the quarterfinals.

Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal avoided any mishaps in the men’s draw yesterday, winning in straight sets to reach the fourth round of the year’s final Grand Slam tennis tournament at the National Tennis Center in New York.

Wildcard entrant Clijsters, in her first major since ending a two-year retirement last month, won 6-0, 0-6, 6-4 to send Williams to her earliest exit in five years at the tournament she won in 2000 and 2001. Only six of 32 women’s seeds remain.

“I feel I’m at a point where, if I play good and if I stay consistent, I can make it tough for the other girls,” Clijsters told reporters.

It was the first meeting between Williams and Clijsters since the Belgian beat the American in the quarterfinals four years ago en route to the title. Clijsters, who has won 34 singles titles and spent 19 weeks ranked No. 1 in the world, returned after a 28-month break during which she got married and had a daughter.

Clijsters will play China’s Li Na, the No. 18 seed, for a place in the final four, where she could face Serena Williams. The defending champion cruised past Daniela Hantuchova 6-2, 6-0 to set up a quarterfinal with 10th-seed Flavia Pennetta of Italy, who defeated No. 7 Vera Zvonareva of Russia 3-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-0.

“I just want to keep this level and just stay focused,” said the second-seeded Williams, who’s seeking a 12th Grand Slam singles title.

Oudin Upsets

The next highest-seeded woman remaining is No. 6 Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia, who seeks a spot in the quarterfinals today against No. 9 Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark. American Melanie Oudin, who upset former champion Maria Sharapova and 2004 runner-up Elena Dementieva her past two matches, is also in action against another Russian in No. 13 Nadia Petrova.

The top four men are all into the round of 16 after second- seeded Murray raced to a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win over American Taylor Dent and No. 3 Nadal beat fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro 7-5, 6-4, 6-4.

Britain’s Murray next faces 16th-seeded Marin Cilic of Croatia, while Nadal meets No. 13 Gael Monfils of France.

Also moving into the fourth round yesterday were No. 6 Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina, No. 7 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France, No. 11 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile and No. 24 Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain.

Federer Streak

Five-time defending champion Roger Federer is back in action today against Spanish No. 14 seed Tommy Robredo.

The top-seeded Swiss hasn’t lost a match at the U.S. Open since 2003 and is trying to become the first man to win six consecutive titles since tennis turned professional in 1968.

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, seeded fourth, plays in today’s final scheduled match against No. 15 Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic. Elsewhere in the men’s draw, No. 8 Nikolay Davydenko of Russia takes on No. 12 Robin Soderling of Sweden and No. 10 Fernando Verdasco of Spain faces unseeded American John Isner.

The 6-foot-9 Isner was a five-set winner in his third-round match against Andy Roddick, who was the last American man to win a major at the 2003 U.S. Open. This is the just the second time in seven Grand Slam appearances that Isner got past the first round. Roddick, at No. 5, is the highest men’s seed to be eliminated so far, as only two of the top 10 have lost.

Roger Federer secures Cincinnati title

World number one Roger Federer took the Cincinnati Masters title for the third time with a straight-sets win over fourth seed Novak Djokovic.

Federer followed up Saturday's semi-final defeat of Andy Murray with a 6-1 7-5 win against Djokovic.

After dominating the first set, Federer had to battle back from a break down in the second to seal victory.

The Swiss will now head to New York ahead of the US Open, which gets under way on 31 August.

He is the five-time defending champion at Flushing Meadows and will be confident of claiming a sixth title after his performances against Murray and Djokovic.

"Overall, it's been a great week for me," he said. "I got a lot of matches in before the US Open, so I'm satisfied.

"I started quite slow but then the quarter-finals was a little bit better, and then the semi-final was a great match."

Federer also won Cincinnati in 2005 and 2007, and Sunday's victory gives him a 61st career title and 16th at the elite Masters 1000 level.

"I had twin girls a month ago, it's been an unbelievable summer for me - in my personal life and on the tennis court," said Federer, who also won a record 15th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in July.

"I couldn't be more happy right now. I didn't know if I'd be able to play here because of Myla and Charlene.

"Thanks to them coming earlier - it was good timing! I look forward to coming back here next year."

Djokovic had to suffer defeat in a Masters 1000 final for the fourth time this year, and he joked: "Unfortunately I was born in the wrong era.

"I was very close in most of those finals, but I don't think this is some kind of curse or something.

"Everybody is playing great tennis. Those two guys, (Rafael) Nadal and Federer, and of course Murray, they're all playing fantastic tennis.

"Roger and Rafa are maybe two of the best players that ever played this game. Roger for sure is."

On Tennis: Federer going all out in January

Roger Federer is pumped.

No doubt wanting to make a statement early in 2009, he's playing the most he ever has in January, starting with a lucrative exhibition in Abu Dhabi this week that features two of his main rivals, world No. 1 Rafael Nadal and Scottish talent Andy Murray.

The majestic Swiss then hits the Qatar Open, with Nadal and Murray resurfacing, before competing in the Kooyong Classic, another exhibition and his only form of Australian Open prep in recent years.

Federer was afflicted with mono last year at this time, though he didn't know it, and it predictably affected his 2008 season. He lost in the Australian Open semis to upstart Novak Djokovic, only salvaging his campaign by claiming a fifth straight U.S. Open and doubles gold at the Olympics in China.

"Never before have I started a tennis year as early as the one ahead," Federer told his Web site. "There is such a large number of challenges lying ahead. Facing them, working hard and giving my best to succeed is precisely why I love my job so much."

Wins over Nadal and Murray prior to Melbourne, regardless of whether they're in exhibitions or not, would do Federer good: He went a miserable 1-7 against the duo the past 12 months.

NO ROOF FOR SAMPRAS: It might keep the tennis going, but Pete Sampras is no fan of Wimbledon's new retractable roof.

The roof is set to be operational by the time next year's tournament begins, which means the big stars won't be affected when the inevitable rain comes. The mere mortals on the circuit, well, will have to fend for themselves.

"I don't like it," Sampras, who won half of his 14 Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon, told the Tennis Channel. "I understand why for television and the fans this is happening, but one of the most difficult things to deal with at Wimbledon as a player are the rain delays. I feel everyone has to be on the same playing field, and (with the roof) the top guys are at a slight advantage to get their match in versus someone that might lose his day off."

That being said, Sampras said he'd consider playing in an event to test the roof in mid-May, about a month prior to the start of Wimbledon 2009. Rumor has it that John McEnroe, Tim Henman and Boris Becker might also be asked to participate.

"Going over to London is not an easy trip, but that could be a pretty cool event, so would I consider it?" the California resident said. "Absolutely."

Early in December, Sampras made his first visit to England since 2002 -- when he exited in the second round at Wimbledon -- by competing at a seniors' event. He, however, stayed away from the All England Club.

LOVE IS IN THE AIR: Ana Ivanovic is one of the world's best players and widely considered one of the most attractive, so she gets a lot of attention. The Serb is getting even more now, thanks to her relationship with another pro -- Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, no stranger to mingling with models and actresses in the past.

The two have been dating more months, and Ivanovic recently bought a house in Spain (as a base for training purposes, she insists).

How is she handling the sudden interest in her private life?

"It's something that comes with success," Ivanovic said. "It's obviously not one of the better things about being a professional tennis players, but there is no point complaining or trying to avoid it."

Ivanovic, who had a miserable second half of 2008 after winning her first Grand Slam title at the French Open in June, arrived Down Under early to ready for the Australian Open. Apart from hitting balls, she's been running up hills and along beaches.

"I'm going through the most intense training period of the season," Ivanovic said. "I have three sessions a day most days, combining both practice on the court and fitness. It's very exhausting."

SECOND SERVES: John Isner, who took his knocks in his second year on the pro circuit, earned a wild card for the Australian Open by winning a mini USTA tournament. Armed with one of the biggest serves around, the 6-foot-9 North Carolina native finished the year ranked 144th -- he was inside the top 85 in April. Christina McHale, a 16-year-old from New Jersey, won the women's event. She's never played in a top-tier match before. ... Two-time Grand Slam champion Mary Pierce, soon 34 and battling a serious knee injury, says she doesn't plan on retiring yet. The Florida-based power baseliner last played in October 2006. ....Temperamental Aussie wonder-kid Bernard Tomic, 16, will make his top-level debut at the Brisbane International in Australia next week after being handed a wild card. Tomic drew criticism for walking off the court at a third-tier tournament in Perth, Australia, in early December. His dad, upset that Tomic's opponent wasn't being called for foot faults, ordered him to quit. ....Check out the Web sites of the ATP and WTA Tours for holiday videos featuring some of their top stars. California's Sam Querrey has quite the voice.

On Tennis: In season full of highlights, Rafael Nadal stands out

Quicker than a line judge can bark "out," the tennis season is over.

What a year it was. Rafael Nadal ended Roger Federer's dominance, Novak Djokovic won a first Grand Slam title everyone knew was coming, and Justine Henin, one of the most-talented female players the game has ever seen, called it quits way too soon.

Focusing on the men this week, here's an end-of-term report card. Nadal is at the head of the class.

Rafael Nadal (A): Sure he's the King of Clay, but what can Nadal do on a surface other than dirt? That was the question being asked heading into 2008.

Well, after a shaky start, the Spanish lefty turned it on, predictably cruising at the French Open before ending Federer's five-year reign on the hallowed grass at Wimbledon. In an impressive display of mental toughness, Nadal kept it together in the fifth set of their epic final, serving second, despite blowing two match points in a fourth-set tiebreak. The latter was a match in itself.

Carrying the momentum to hard courts, Nadal usurped Federer as the world No. 1, captured Olympic gold and advanced to an inaugural U.S. Open semifinal, where his body finally gave way.

Roger Federer (A-): By no means was Federer as dominant as he is usually is. He wasn't too bad, though.

If he's not suffering from mononucleosis, Federer probably beats Djokovic in the Australian Open semis and makes it three in a row in Melbourne.

Who knows how the next few months would have unfolded? Would Federer have lost to Andy Roddick, Mardy Fish and Radek Stepanek?

His performance in the French Open final against Nadal was, to put it mildly, utterly disappointing, especially when it might have been his last real chance of winning the only major to elude him.

The second half was much better. Federer showed grit in the Wimbledon final, too, saving one of the match points in the fourth set with an unbelievable backhand down the line.

Buoyed by winning doubles gold at the Olympics, Federer won a fifth straight U.S. Open. He also reached at least the semis of all four Grand Slams, again.

Novak Djokovic (B+): Djokovic made far too many headlines for his antics.

It began at the Australian Open, when Djokovic took offense to the crowd rooting for exuberant Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final. He withdrew from Serbia's first Davis Cup world group series in a must-win match -- after leading Russian Nikolay Davydenko two sets to one -- and retired against Federer at the Monte Carlo Masters.

The shenanigans came to a head at the U.S. Open, where Djokovic moaned about his reception and continued his love affair with injury timeouts. A year earlier, he was a fan favorite, hilariously impersonating Nadal and Sharapova.

Still, Djokovic earned the first of surely many majors, reached three Grand Slam semifinals and won the elite Masters Cup last month.

He'll learn from his mistakes.

Andy Murray (B+): Great Britain's 70-year wait for a men's Grand Slam winner is coming to an end.

Murray was the hottest player on tour from the end of July onward, going a combined 5-2 against the big three and advancing to his first Grand Slam final at Flushing Meadows.

The turning point came when the 21-year-old, who's got all the shots, rallied from two sets down against underachiever Richard Gasquet in the fourth round at Wimbledon. Murray credits his improvement to his vast entourage, which essentially replaced the one-man show of Brad Gilbert.

Andy Roddick (B-): Talk about an eventful year for Roddick.

For the first time in his career, he suffered a semi-serious injury to his serving shoulder. He cut ties with two coaches, somehow reached the U.S. Open quarterfinals despite a hellish draw and broke a few hearts by getting engaged to swimsuit model Brooklyn Decker.

The injury forced Roddick to skip the French Open and hampered his Wimbledon preparation -- a second-round exit followed in miserable fashion.

The perennial U.S. No. 1 pulled off wins over Federer, Nadal and Djokovic in the spring and was actually looking good on clay, too, hardly the surface of choice for Americans, so the timing of the shoulder setback couldn't have been worse. If healthy, count on Roddick doing better in the slams in 2009, especially now that he's working with prolific coach Larry Stefanki.

Other notables: James Blake (C+) finally beat Federer and reached a Grand Slam quarterfinal outside New York but didn't do much else. Burned out in the summer, 2009 should be interesting for the U.S. No. 2. Tsonga (A-) was the biggest revelation. Tsonga's attacking game -- and engaging smile -- dazzled fans. One can only hope the injuries stay away so they'll get more play. Fellow Frenchmen Gasquet (F) and Gilles Simon (B+) had differing fortunes. While Simon, a great competitor, broke through and finished inside the top 10, Gasquet failed to build on a promising 2007. Bailing on his teammates when they faced Roddick and Co. in the Davis Cup quarterfinals in April was particularly shameful. Argentinean Juan Martin Del Potro (B+), still only 20, figures to be in the top 10 for years. Moody countryman David Nalbandian (D) deteriorated in the majors and failed to lead Argentina to the Davis Cup title.

Roger Federer unfazed by ranking threat

Roger Federer insists he is not worried by the prospect of being overtaken by Novak Djokovic in the world rankings.

Federer lies second, but Djokovic closed the gap to only 10 points with victory at the Masters Cup.

"I'm going to sleep well for a month. He is not going to pass me anytime soon," said Federer, 27.

"For me, honestly, ranking two, three, four, five, 25, it doesn't really matter a whole lot. It is either number one or being in the main draw."

Federer lost his world number one ranking to Rafael Nadal in August, and now finds himself in a precarious position in second following Djokovic's triumph at the end-of-season Masters Cup.

The Serb, who has set his sights on becoming world number one, will lose ranking points if he fails to defend his Australian Open title in January - but Federer has semi-final points to protect.

Federer, though, says regaining his Wimbledon title is more important to him than both his ranking and beating Pete Sampras's record of 14 Grand Slam titles.

The 27-year-old, who is one shy of Sampras's mark, lost to Nadal in the 2008 final, ending his five-year reign at the All England Club.

"While I would love to beat Pete's record, and also to regain my number one ranking, I place winning another Wimbledon title above all else," he said.

And Federer insisted he has no plans to retire in the near future, and is looking forward to the improved schedule in 2009.

"Retirement is not going to happen anytime soon because I want to play for many years to come," he said.

"It is going to be interesting because I think next year will be a much better scheduling year for everybody.

"This year the travel was pretty gruelling and I think next year is going to be better so I'm looking forward to that."

Federer ended a disappointing season by going out in the group stage of the Masters Cup with defeat by Andy Murray.

That was his 15th loss of the year, having suffered less than 10 in each of the previous four seasons.

His performances at the Masters Cup in Shanghai were hampered by a back injury, but he has travelled to Malaysia to take part in an exhibition event with James Blake, John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg.

Masters Cup photos - Shanghai, China

Djokovic's supporters, including his girlfriend Jelena Ristic, endure some nervous moments




Nikolay Davydenko and Novak Djokovic line up ahead of the Masters Cup final in Shanghai




jubilant Djokovic launches his racquet into the stands in celebration




Djokovic collects his first Masters Cup trophy, a cheque for $625,000 and a Mercedes SUV




Djokovic celebrates an emotional win with his girlfriend

Superb Novak Djokovic wins Masters Cup

World number three Novak Djokovic produced a magnificent display to beat Nikolay Davydenko in Shanghai and win his first Masters Cup title.

The Serb went into the match after a week of mixed displays but was back to his very best as he won 6-1 7-5.

He dominated with his forehand and Davydenko could not rediscover the form that beat Andy Murray in the semis.

Djokovic adds victory in the season-ending event to his first Grand Slam title at January's Australian Open.

"I'm very, very happy," he said. "It's a great achievement for me.

"The best eight players playing here says everything about the quality of the event and I would definitely put it on a level with the Grand Slams."

The title clearly meant a lot to the 21-year-old, who lost all three matches on his Masters Cup debut last year and had not won a tournament since Rome in May.

He had only been at his best in patches on his way to the final in Shanghai, while Davydenko had got stronger and stronger after losing to the Serb in the group stages on Tuesday.

But any suggestion that Djokovic was the underdog was blown away in the opening moments of the final.

As Davydenko struggled to find his range from the baseline, the previously erratic Djokovic forehand was suddenly back to being the weapon that won him a Grand Slam crown.

Djokovic broke serve twice and moved 5-0 clear in a blistering game that included a sublime forehand lob before Davydenko finally got off the mark.

The Russian then earned two break points, but an error and a big Djokovic serve got the Serb out of trouble and he took the set with a cross-court backhand winner.

A crushing win looked on the cards when Davydenko gave up another break in game three of the second set, throwing in a poor smash and a double fault before Djokovic made him pay with a rasping forehand winner.

The second seed missed a chance for the double-break in game five and saw two match points go begging at 5-3 when Davydenko fired an ace and a forehand.

That looked to be a key moment when Djokovic failed to serve out the match in a nervous game, double-faulting on the second break point for 5-5.

But the pressure then shifted to Davydenko and the Russian faltered, two unforced errors handing the break straight back.

This time Djokovic was not going to let the chance slip by and he took the title with a love service game rounded off with a big serve down the middle.

"Against Djokovic you need to be perfect and also play very fast and very well," said Davydenko. "That's what he did, and I didn't.

"Normally I play very fast and have very good control and today I didn't. Djokovic played very well. For me I think today was a very difficult day."

Daniel Nestor of Canada and Serbia's Nenad Zimonjic beat Americans Bob and Mike Bryan 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 to win the doubles title and clinch the number one ranking.

Djokovic gets past the iron gate

Serbian world number three Novak Djokovic survived a second-set implosion to beat Russian Nikolay Davydenko 7-6 0-6 7-5 on Tuesday and become the first player into the semi-finals of the Masters Cup.

The 21-year-old, who lost all three of his matches on his Masters Cup debut last year but won his opener against Juan Martin Del Potro on Sunday, is guaranteed to top Gold Group after prevailing in a two-hour, 18-minute encounter.

Argentine Del Potro beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 7-6 in the other group match to keep alive his hopes of reaching the knockout stage and end those of the Frenchman. Davydenko, who beat Tsonga in his Sunday opener, will now have to beat Del Potro in a winner-takes-all encounter on Thursday to reach the Masters Cup semi-finals for a second time.

The 27-year-old Russian was at his dogged best at the start of Tuesday’s match and broke the second-seeded Australian Open champion on his first service game.

Djokovic held his nerve, however, broke back when the world number five was serving for the set and raced to a 4-0 lead in the tiebreak that followed. A couple of aces gave him set point, which the Russian fourth seed conceded with a double fault.

The young Serbian fell apart in the second set, smashing his racket about and clearly seething when a line call and subsequent challenge went against him. Davydenko, a seasoned campaigner playing in his fourth Masters Cup, seized his chance to even up the match in 26 minutes and grabbed two break points in Djokovic’s first service game of the deciding set. Djokovic, though, regained his composure and battled back to save his serve. The match looked destined for another tiebreak when he broke for 6-5 and served out for victory.

Seventh seed Del Potro broke Tsonga’s first service game and, although the Frenchman broke back, always looked the more likely to win a tight contest. "I know his game," said the 20-year-old Del Potro, adding, “I know what can I do against this player, and that’s what I did today. I played very good.”

Tsonga served 17 aces and rattled home 42 winners but that was undone by 38 unforced errors, the last of which came when he put the ball in the net to end the second tiebreak.