Roger Federer pulls out of Japan Open, Shanghai Masters

Roger Federer withdrew from the Japan Open and Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 on Friday, citing the need to rest after a physically challenging year.

The Japan Tennis Association said the top-ranked Federer was withdrawing from the Oct. 5-11 Japan Open, along with the Shanghai tournament the following week.

"After consultation with my team and doctors, I decided to take the difficult decision to withdraw from both tournaments," Federer said in a statement. "This will allow me a chance to give my body a chance to rest, rehabilitate and recover from a physically challenging year."

Federer reached the final of all four Grand Slams this year, winning the French Open for the first time in his career, then breaking Pete Sampras' record with his 15th major title at Wimbledon.

He also earned two points for Switzerland last weekend during a 3-2 victory over Italy in the playoffs to remain in the top-tier World Group of the Davis Cup.

It is the second time Federer has pulled out of the Japan Open just before the start of the tournament. He also cited fatigue as his reason for withdrawing from the 2007 event.

"I'm disappointed that I have to withdraw from Tokyo and Shanghai as they are two of my favorite cities," Federer said. "The fans have been great to me over the years."

U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro and third-ranked Andy Murray are scheduled to take part in the Japan Open.

Gay clocks stunning 100m in China

Tyson Gay equalled the second fastest time ever over 100m with 9.69 seconds at the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix.

The American has struggled with a groin injury of late but still won a Worlds silver medal behind Usain Bolt.

At China's end-of-season meet, Gay, 27, equalled the world record Bolt set when he won Olympic gold last year before he reduced it to 9.58 secs in Berlin.

American Carmelita Jeter ran 10.64 secs to overtake Marion Jones as the world's second fastest woman over 100m.

Only the late Florence Griffith-Joyner has run faster having run 10.49s.

Gay, who has been suffering from a strained groin and is set to have an operation, admitted at the start of the month he had been "running on one leg".

After running the third-fastest 100m in history, 9.71, at the World Championships, where he had to pull out of the 200m, Gay beat Jamaican Asafa Powell by 0.16s in China with American Darvis Patton in third (9.89).

Gay revealed afterwards he intends to challenge Bolt's world record when he returns to full fitness.

"I'm not too motivated because I've not been fully healthy," he said. "I ran my run so well, even though my groin hurts."

The Chinese crowd saved their biggest cheer for former world and Olympic champion hurdler Liu Xiang as he returned to action for the first time since limping out of the Beijing Bird's Nest last year.

"Being back on the track is a pivotal step for me," Liu said ahead of the 110m hurdles race.

The 26-year-old 2004 Olympic gold medallist had an operation in the United States in December to repair the Achilles tendon that forced his agonising Olympic withdrawal during qualifying.

However, the local superstar was pipped on the line by American Terrence Trammell with both men clocking 13.15s.

"I didn't expect I could run so fast, but once I stepped on the track I could not hold back," Liu said.

Meanwhile, Russian Olympic champion Yelena Isinbayeva failed in three attempts to improve her own pole vault world record of 5.06m.

There were other victories for Wallace Spearmon in the 200m, while Britain's Rob Tobin impressed in second place behind Lashawn Merritt in the 400m.

Motor racing-Chinese GP likely to stay after 2010 - organisers

The Chinese Grand Prix is likely to continue in Shanghai beyond 2010 as the city continues its drive to become one of the great sporting hubs of the world, according to the organisers of the Formula One race.

Reported comments by the deputy director of the Shanghai sports ministry, Qiu Weichang, that the city might give up its right to a five-year extension on the Grand Prix after 2010 were lost in translation, said Leon Sun of organisers Juss Events.

"I've spoken to Mr Qiu and he never said the Grand Prix was going to leave China," the general manager of event management at the municipality-owned company told Reuters in a telephone interview.

"I think it's probably some misunderstanding in translation. I would say it's likely it will stay after 2010. Formula One has only been here for five years. To build a spectator base is not easy, it's a long term operation.

"We think Formula One is a very good product, a very good event for Shanghai city so at least from our company's point of view we want to continue promoting and building the event.

"Research shows there are more and more race fans in China, so I don't think we will say no to the Formula One Grand Prix."

Formula One rights holder Bernie Ecclestone said at this October's Grand Prix that he thought the race had a secure long-term future.

Sun, who took over running the grand prix this year, said there would be more "internal discussions" before negotiations over extending the contract beyond 2010 began

Chinese Grand Prix likely to stay after 2010 - organisers

The Chinese Grand Prix is likely to continue in Shanghai beyond 2010 as the city continues its drive to become one of the great sporting hubs of the world, according to the organisers of the Formula One race.

Reported comments by the deputy director of the Shanghai sports ministry, Qiu Weichang, that the city might give up its right to a five-year extension on the Grand Prix after 2010 were lost in translation, said Leon Sun of organisers Juss Events.

"I've spoken to Mr Qiu and he never said the Grand Prix was going to leave China," the general manager of event management at the municipality-owned company told Reuters in a telephone interview.

"I think it's probably some misunderstanding in translation. I would say it's likely it will stay after 2010. Formula One has only been here for five years. To build a spectator base is not easy, it's a long term operation.

"We think Formula One is a very good product, a very good event for Shanghai city so at least from our company's point of view we want to continue promoting and building the event.

"Research shows there are more and more race fans in China, so I don't think we will say no to the Formula One Grand Prix."

Formula One rights holder Bernie Ecclestone said at this October's Grand Prix that he thought the race had a secure long-term future.

Sun, who took over running the grand prix this year, said there would be more "internal discussions" before negotiations over extending the contract beyond 2010 began.

The home of the Grand Prix is the stunning $350 million circuit on the outskirts of Shanghai, which can seat 200,000 fans but has rarely come anywhere close to accommodating that number.

Sun said around 80,000 spectators had turned up on race-day last month, conceding that at least some of those people had received their tickets as a result of a "trade off with business partners".

"But we consider those sales because you move your costs down and you have more promotional materials," he said.

LONG RUN

Briton Lewis Hamilton had the chance to clinch the drivers' championship in Shanghai for the last two years but the race has been shifted to April in the 2009 calendar, a move Sun believed would work out well in the long run.

"In the first half of the year, there are not many international events in Shanghai, the Autumn is very busy," he said. "The first year will always be tough when you change an event but in the long-term view, I think it's a good move."

China's financial capital has lost a round of the motorcycling world championship, the Asian Open golf tournament and the season finale of men's tennis, the ATP Masters Cup, from next year's calendar.

In place of the Masters Cup, however, the impressive Qizhong tennis complex will host a new Masters Series tournament from next October.

Juss has signed up Swiss watch company Rolex as "presenting sponsor" of the event and Sun is confident that, despite the global economic downturn, the city will continue to attract big international events.

"I think for sure there will be more events coming to Shanghai, the only thing we don't know is when and how," said Sun, who will be co-tournament director of the new Shanghai Masters 1000.

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.

Federer exits after Murray epic, Simon through

Roger Federer failed to reach the semi-finals of the Masters Cup for the first time after losing an extraordinary final group match 4-6 7-6 7-5 to Briton Andy Murray on Friday.

The 27-year-old Swiss, who was chasing a record-equaling fifth title, needed to win his final round-robin match to progress to the knockout stage but succumbed to the Scot's eighth match point after an enthralling three-hour contest.

"I don't quit once I step on court," said Federer, who had a stomach bug earlier this week and treatment to his back before the deciding set.

"My body was hurting, normally the best of three sets is peanuts and it's a shame I couldn't handle it today ... of course I'm disappointed."

Murray, the only unbeaten player in the $4.45 million event, had already qualified for the last four and will meet Russian Nikolay Davydenko on Saturday for a place in the final.

"Although I'm going to probably be a bit tired tomorrow, a win against him in a match like that is worth similar to winning the Masters Cup," said Murray, who improved to a 4-2 career record against Federer. "It was a great match."

France's Gilles Simon earlier beat Czech Radek Stepanek 6-1 6-4 but faced an anxious wait before being confirmed as the fourth semi-finalist. He will play Serbia's Novak Djokovic.

Federer, who had looked sluggish in his first two matches, was back close to his best in the first set, frequently coming into the net to disrupt the Scottish baseliner and grabbing a break for 3-1.

Murray, however, has been playing the best tennis of his life recently -- losing just once since his defeat to Federer in the U.S. Open final in September -- and broke straight back to set the template for a match of attrition.

Federer clinched the set with his second break when Murray netted a simple volley but any thoughts that the 21-year-old would roll over to save his energy for the weekend were banished when he took a 5-2 lead in the second set.

The Swiss lost the world number one spot this year and was not going to give up his Masters Cup crown easily, battling back with some flashes of brilliance to force a tie-break.

He fought back again after Murray took a 3-1 lead but the Briton was not going to give up either, evening the match up when Federer went long.

The third set was a blockbuster in itself, punctuated with long rallies and featuring tennis of the highest quality as well as frequent errors -- Federer made 65 and Murray 40 in the match.

Murray surged to a 3-0 lead in the decider but the Swiss reeled off four games in a row to go a break up himself before the third seed again responded with a break to level at 4-4.

The Scot then piled huge pressure on the Swiss when he was serving to save the match at 4-5.

China considers ditching F1 race

China is considering ditching its loss-making Formula One Grand Prix, according to a senior race official.

Qiu Weichang, deputy director of the Shanghai Administration of Sports, told AFP a decision on the future of the event would be announced in 2009.

"We're doing the assessment. By next year, we should be able to give you the answer," Qiu is reported to have said.

Qiu, who appeared cool on the idea of a night race, added that organisers "would like at least to break even".

Shanghai, China's biggest city, spent $240m (£161m) building a track suitable for F1 and has hosted a Grand Prix since 2004.

It has a contract with F1 until 2010 and is said by F1 insiders to pay about $50m (£34m) annually for the race.

But the event has not proved popular with local people and attendances have been poor - even with some spectators being transported in specifically to give the appearance of a fuller venue.

The event has been lucrative for F1 commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone, who is believed to charge China some of the highest fees to host a race.

China is one of a string of locations which have joined the F1 circuit at a heavy cost in recent years in an attempt to boost their global image, joining the likes of Malaysia, Bahrain and Singapore on the calendar.

With the exception of Singapore, which held its inaugural Grand Prix as a night race in September, all have failed to capture widespread interest among locals.

Qiu said: "We want to create a win-win situation, for our side and for Bernie [Ecclestone] and the F1 organisers as well.

"If this is something we can do, and our co-operation is very happy and smooth, we will consider it.

"Of course we would like at least to break even. But there are two factors - one is the assessment; the other part is the win-win situation that we can create."

Asia is a growth area for F1. Abu Dhabi is to host its first race in 2009, with South Korea and India scheduled to follow suit in 2010 and 2011.

Ecclestone is keen for locations in the eastern hemisphere to hold their races as late in the day as possible in order to make the start time more attractive for F1's core audience in western Europe.

But asked about the idea of night racing, Qiu said: "In Singapore... holding the event at night is a good way to attract tourists to a small country.

"Singapore is hosting this event in their own unique way but we have our own situation."

Qiu said that the Grand Prix had succeeded in creating "this huge wave of car fever, so in that sense it is good news".

He said the circuit would continue to exist if the Grand Prix dropped because it was already in use for most of the year by car clubs, who hosted private driving sessions.

China has already ditched its MotoGP race, which was also held at Shanghai.

And in January, the head of the track, Yu Zhifei, who helped bring F1 to China, was jailed on corruption charges.