Euro 2012: Xavi says Spain have a 'great opportunity' to make history

Xavi says Spain have a "great opportunity to make history" as the reigning European and world champions aim for a third tournament triumph. The Barcelona midfielder is desperate to write his name into the history books, but knows Spain face a difficult task against Italy in Kiev. "We have achieved great things with the national team," said Xavi. We're in a great generation of players and we have a great opportunity to make history. This is our chance." Having defeated Germany four years ago, Spain, who overcame the Netherlands to win the World Cup in 2010, will become the first team to retain the European Championship if they beat Italy on Sunday. Even more important, victory over the Azzurri would make them the first country to win three major international tournaments in a row - and Xavi says Spain are determined to show they are still the team to beat. "We really want to do well and show people that this team is still hungry to win and that our football is good," he added. Xavi admitted he was a fan of the approach introduced by coach Italy coach Cesare Prandelli and singled out the Azzurri's Andrea Pirlo for praise. "A few years ago, football was showing tendencies of becoming more physical and the games more condensed," he said. "We were very lucky that, although (Spain's) footballers were slightly weaker physically, they were more talented technically.
Source: BBC

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.

Spain's Fernando Alonso wins British GP for Ferrari

Spain's Fernando Alonso won the British Grand Prix on Sunday for Ferrari's first victory of the season on the 60th anniversary of their first success in Formula One.

The win, gifted to him by Red Bull after world champion Sebastian Vettel was slowed by a wheelnut problem at his second pitstop, was the 27th of Alonso's career and lifted him level with the great Jackie Stewart in fifth position in the all-time lists.

Australian Mark Webber, who had started on pole position, finished third for Red Bull after trying to pass his team mate on the penultimate lap and then being told to maintain his position.

"I had two laps today with that (1951) car before the parade," said Alonso of Argentine Jose Froilan Gonzalez's historic Ferrari.

"Now 60 years later in the same circuit, with the same atmosphere and the same passion, winning again. I'm very proud...it made a special day."

Vettel had hoped to chalk up a seventh win in nine races but still extended his overall lead over Webber, last year's winner at Silverstone who has yet to lead a lap this season, to 80 points from a previous 77.

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton entertained the fans by roaring from 10th on the grid to fourth, banging bodywork in a furious battle with Ferrari's Felipe Massa -- who was forced wide -- at the final corner.

Alonso took the lead on the 28th of the 52 laps when he pitted right behind Vettel, who had grabbed the lead off the grid. As the German's crew battled with the wheelgun, the Spaniard slipped past and was gone.

"It's hard to say how much we lost but surely we lost the lead. I think we had quite a cushion at that stage," said Vettel, who has still dropped only 21 points out of a possible 225, of the pitstop drama.

"I think you have to accept fair and square that Ferrari beat us today...I think it shows us that we have to keep working and pushing very hard."

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner recognised afterwards that "obviously Mark disagreed" with the order not to pass Vettel.

McLaren's Jenson Button's home-race jinx continued with the 31-year-old's hopes also wrecked by a wheelgun when he was waved away before the right front nut had been secured 12 laps from the end.

With the wheel wobbling wildly, he parked up at the pit lane exit and walked back to the garages without speaking to reporters.

The Briton has never yet stood on the F1 podium at Silverstone in 12 attempts.

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

England move above Brazil to fourth in Fifa rankings

England have moved above Brazil to fourth in the Fifa world rankings, despite their recent run of poor form.

Fabio Capello's England side only reached the last 16 of last summer's World Cup and have not won their last two qualifying matches for Euro 2012.

Spain are top of the rankings, followed by the Netherlands and Germany.

Republic of Ireland (31st), Scotland (61st) and Northern Ireland (62nd) also climb the rankings but Wales stay in 114th place.

It is the first time England have been as high as fourth since 1997, after they reached the semi-finals of Euro 96.

However, Capello and his side have come under criticism after a poor World Cup and only managing a 2-2 draw against Switzerland at Wembley earlier this month - a result that the Italian coach blamed on fatigue.

Spain's haul of 1,871 points keeps them top and they are 210 points ahead of the Netherlands, who they beat in the World Cup final in South Africa last year.

Germany's 1,417 points moves them up to third, while England tally 1,146 points.

Brazil (1,130), Italy (1,059), Portugal (1,046), Croatia (1,033), Mexico (1,007) and Argentina (979) complete the top 10.

Fifa ranking points are accumulated according to results, the importance of the matches played and the strength of the opposing teams.

A team's total number of points is representative of a four-year period, calculated by the average number of points gained over the past 12 months and the average gained from older games, though that points total depreciates yearly.

Since they were knocked out of the World Cup by Germany just over a year ago, England have won five matches, including three qualifiers; drawn three, which includes two competitive games; and lost once - to France in a friendly.

Rafael Nadal makes confident start to title defenceRafa Nadal made a confident start to the defence of his Wimbledon title with a clinical 6-4 6-2 6-2

Rafa Nadal made a confident start to the defence of his Wimbledon title with a clinical 6-4 6-2 6-2 win over American Michael Russell on Monday.

The Spanish top seed lost his serve in the opening set but he quickly broke back and played some inspired tennis against Russell who also contributed to an entertaining match.

Nadal, seeking his third Wimbledon title and 11th grand slam crown, next plays American Ryan Sweeting or Spain's Pablo Andujar.

Rafael Nadal makes confident start to title defenceRafa Nadal made a confident start to the defence of his Wimbledon title with a clinical 6-4 6-2 6-2

Rafa Nadal made a confident start to the defence of his Wimbledon title with a clinical 6-4 6-2 6-2 win over American Michael Russell on Monday.

The Spanish top seed lost his serve in the opening set but he quickly broke back and played some inspired tennis against Russell who also contributed to an entertaining match.

Nadal, seeking his third Wimbledon title and 11th grand slam crown, next plays American Ryan Sweeting or Spain's Pablo Andujar.

Rafael Nadal makes confident start to title defenceRafa Nadal made a confident start to the defence of his Wimbledon title with a clinical 6-4 6-2 6-2

Rafa Nadal made a confident start to the defence of his Wimbledon title with a clinical 6-4 6-2 6-2 win over American Michael Russell on Monday.

The Spanish top seed lost his serve in the opening set but he quickly broke back and played some inspired tennis against Russell who also contributed to an entertaining match.

Nadal, seeking his third Wimbledon title and 11th grand slam crown, next plays American Ryan Sweeting or Spain's Pablo Andujar.

Rafael Nadal wins sixth consecutive Monte Carlo title

Rafael Nadal produced a devastating display to beat fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco and secure a sixth consecutive Monte Carlo Masters title.

Nadal won 6-0 6-1 in just one hour and 26 minutes - his 32nd straight victory at the Monte Carlo Country Club.

It is his first tournament win since Rome last May and he has struggled with knee injuries in the meantime.

But the former world number one showed he is back to his best as he dropped 14 games in five matches in Monte Carlo.

The victory also served notice of Nadal's intent to regain the French Open crown he surrendered to Roger Federer last year after four straight titles.

"Last year I did not play well [here] but I won. This year my level is completely different," he said.

"This year is really special for me because I had a little bit of a hard time for the last year.

"I was back to my best level on 1 January. I was ready to win before this tournament."

The 23-year-old becomes the first player to win six consecutive titles at the same tournament since tennis turned professional in 1968, and moves level with Federer on 16 Masters titles - one behind Andre Agassi's record of 17.

"If he plays like this, no one can beat him," said Verdasco. "He beat everyone in six years here and I'm just one of them."

Nadal began in blistering fashion, reeling off the first seven points on the Verdasco serve on his way to a double-break.

One breathtaking backhand cross-court winner left an advancing Verdasco helpless at the net, and there was no let-up from the four-time French Open champion.

After a third break of serve was secured for 5-0, a shell-shocked Verdasco called for assistance and lay flat out at the changeover as the trainer massaged his neck.

The world number 12 was on the ropes early in the second set and did well to hang on, fending off four more break points - one with a huge backhand winner - to finally get a game on the board.

A tortuous afternoon took another bad turn for Verdasco at 1-1 when he made two double-faults in succession and, after gamely saving another two break points, Nadal whipped a mighty forehand across him at the net for the crucial breakthrough.

There was a half-chance for Verdasco at 30-30 in the following game but Nadal found the perfect angle with a sliced backhand to get past him at the net and consolidate his advantage.

A forlorn Verdasco gave up a fifth break as he frustratingly thumped a forehand into the net to fall 4-1 behind moments later.

Verdasco did win the rally of the match in an entertaining game six that included drop shots, lobs, scrambling and smashes, and ended with the challenger falling to his knees in mock celebration as he at last enjoyed a victory of sorts.

But even in such a commanding position, and with the title within his grasp, Nadal battled fiercely to save six break points before using his forehand to dismantle the Verdasco serve yet again - confirming that he remains very much the man to beat on clay.

"I think he had an unbelievable day and he played really good," said Verdasco. "He played really good during the whole week, not only today."

Nadal added: "It was emotional for me. It was my best week for a long time. It's unbelievable, Monte Carlo is my favourite tournament."

Nadal Ensnared in Tennis' Silly Season

Rafael Nadal is weak. His mind is mush. He can't run. What else can we conclude from his performance at the ATP Tour finals?

In three matches, he didn't win a set. Maybe he's finished as a dominant player?

Well, there is one other possibility. The tournament was a disaster.

Great, new sold-out indoor facility. Great to have just the select top players together. But the tournament was not a gathering of the best as much as a sign of a serious problem on tour, one that is costing Nadal.

That's what I'm going with. But the truth is, there are plenty of questions about Nadal, too. It's shocking when a guy known as a warrior says that in decisive moments, he didn't have the "necessary calm.''

But whatever the reason, this tournament was billed as the decider in the great Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal debate. Which will be No. 1 for 2009? Yet we ended up nowhere near a Federer-Nadal final.

We never do. Since their classic Wimbledon final in July of 2008, they have played each other just twice. The sport had a breakthrough moment with that final. And tennis has some momentum, as a recent survey shows. But in trying to milk that momentum, the tour has made demands with a schedule that endangers its best players, its best rivalry.

"Finish(ed) battery,'' Nadal said. "I need to charge a lot.''

This time last year, Nadal owned Federer and was tennis' dominant force, storming the court on every match. Now, he has lost four matches in a row. Storming the court? He isn't even a spring shower anymore.

"Not very disappointing, no,'' he said. "It's disappointing if you arrive here with the feeling that you have a big chance to win. But I didn't arrive here with that feeling ...

"The goal (for next year) is try to play hard and arrive generally in perfect condition. Have the feeling that when you are playing a point, you're not going to have a mistake.''

Nadal looks dangerously spent. The question is whether it's temporary.

You can say it's the result of his excessive work ethic or his throw-everything-into-every-shot style. Those are real issues.


But it's not just him. Andy Roddick didn't come to the tournament because his knee hurts. Federer, who did finish the year No. 1, lost his last two matches, couldn't find the court with his forehand and ran out of steam against Juan Martin del Potro. No. 3 Novak Djokovic was cranky all week, mentally worn out.

In the final Sunday, Del Potro looked like he could he barely find the energy to say "Uncle,'' against Nikolay Davydenko, who won 6-3, 6-4.

Davydenko is the last man standing on the ATP Tour. A short, skinny guy, winning because of his ability to stay consistent and because the top players were unable to find the patience or muscle to put him away.

The tour schedule is far too long and unrelenting. It is an 11-month season.

"I don't think it's coincidental that you see (Andy) Murray and Roger a little bit hurt now, or Rafa missing four months in the middle of the year, or maybe some odd results from del Potro and myself last week,''

Roddick seemed to agree in October, when he called the tour schedule, "ridiculous.''

"I just hope that the short-sightedness doesn't affect the length of players' careers. In tennis you definitely want your stars around as long as possible."

After years in dormancy, tennis has something going here. A survey showed that 30 million Americans played in 2009, up 12 percent from last year and more than 40 percent from 2004.

On top of that, there's a great rivalry to push, and, also, suddenly an American, Roddick, who is resurgent. So it has to be tempting to keep pushing for more.

But it's on the game's governing bodies to put the players in position to be on the court at their best, not their most vulnerable.

Nadal missed time this year with tendinitis in his knees, a wear-and-tear injury. Some people are asking whether he's done, at 23.

The truth is, you can't draw conclusions from this tournament. These weren't really the top players, but shells of them. They were on fumes.

Argentina book last hockey World Cup berth

Argentina earned the last spot available for next year's Hero Honda FIH Hockey World Cup to be staged here from February 28 to March 13, when they beat Belgium 4-3 in the final of the last qualifying tournament in Quilmes.

The hosts put up an attacking brand of game and rallied from behind to edge past Belgium in the keenly-contested summit clash of BDO Hockey World Cup Qualifier yesterday.

With the victory of the Latin American country, all the 12 participating nations of the megaevent are now confirmed.

Besides host India and Argentina, other countries to have qualified for the World Cup are Canada, Korea, South Africa, Australia, England, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Pakistan, and New Zealand.

Pakistan qualify for 2010 hockey World Cup in India

Pakistan booked a place at next year's World Cup in India by winning a qualifying tournament in France at the weekend.

Former Olympic champions Pakistan beat Japan 3-1 in the final in Lille on Sunday to secure of one of three qualifying slots in the 12-nation tournament, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) said on its website (www.fihockey.org).

The other two places will go to the winner of the second qualifying tournament currently in progress in New Zealand, and the final qualifier starting in Argentina next week.

England, Olympic and world champions Germany, Netherlands and Spain qualified from Europe and join Pan American champions Canada, African champions South Africa, Oceania Cup champions Australia and Asia Cup champions South Korea at the event.

India qualify as hosts of the Feb. 28 to March 13 event in New Delhi.

Spain and Czechs through to final

Spain will host the Czech Republic in the Davis Cup final in December after both countries won their semi-finals.

Tommy Robredo and Feliciano Lopez beat Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram 7-6 6-7 6-4 6-2 to put Cup holders Spain 3-0 up against Israel in the best-of-five tie.

Radek Stepanek and Tomas Berdych sealed the Czech Republic's win over Croatia with a 6-1 6-3 6-4 victory over Marin Cilic and Lovro Zovko on Saturday.

And Roger Federer helped Switzerland beat Italy in the World Group play-off.

Stepanek and Berdych's triumph came on the back of singles victories for the pair on Friday when the Czech Republic opened up a 2-0 first-day lead in the semi-final, despite Ivo Karlovic firing a record 78 aces.

Karlovic broke his previous ATP record, but still lost in a gruelling five-set match to Stepanek.

In the second singles rubber, Berdych beat Cilic in four sets.

Earlier, champions Spain had secured a 2-0 lead over Israel thanks to convincing singles wins by Juan Carlos Ferrero and David Ferrer.

Ferrero thumped Dudi Sela 6-4 6-2 6-0 after Ferrer thrashed Harel Levy.

Spain went into their semi-final without injured top-10 pair Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco but that mattered little with Ferrer and Ferrero both impressing.

"It certainly wasn't as comfortable a win as it might have looked," said Ferrer, a 6-1 6-4 6-3 winner.

While Spain eased to a 2-0 lead, the Czech Republic only opened up their lead after a marathon day's play.

In total, Stepanek and Karlovic played out 81 games before the first break of serve at 14-14 in the decider.

During that time, Karlovic had sent down 78 aces, 23 more than his previous record in losing in this year's French Open first round to Lleyton Hewitt.

"I did my best, but Stepanek was there all the way," Karlovic said.m "After the loss, the serve record means little."

After sealing the decisive break and serving out for a match that lasted just six minutes shy of six hours, Stepanek said: "Everything is known about Karlovic. He really has a phenomenal serve."

In the second rubber, Cilic - who beat Andy Murray in the US Open - went down 6-3 6-3 3-6 4-6 6-3 to world number 18 Berdych.

Meanwhile, Federer helped Switzerland to a 3-2 win over Italy in Genoa to ensure World Group status for another year.

Federer had only just flown back to Europe following his five-set defeat by Juan Martin Del Potro in Monday's US Open final, but beat Simone Bolelli on Friday and then secured the decisive third point with a 6-3 6-0 6-4 win over Potito Starace on Sunday.

"It was a tough weekend for us and I'm happy I could help Switzerland win," said Federer. "I was able to play very well.

"I have to go on holiday badly. I have a problem with my leg, I have a problem with my arm - everything is hurting."

Other World Group play-off winners were Belgium, Chile, Ecuador, France, India, Serbia and Sweden.

Nadal pulls out of Thailand Open

World number two Rafael Nadal has pulled out of next week's Thailand Open as he continues to recover from an abdominal injury.

The Spaniard, 23, suffered a heavy defeat by Juan Martin del Potro in his last outing in the US Open semi-finals.

Nadal was hampered by the injury at Flushing Meadows and withdrew from the Spanish squad that beat Israel to reach the Davis Cup final.

"The injury needs to be taken care of," said Nadal who must rest for 10 days.

An ultrasound found Nadal has an "acute rupture of his right abdominal muscle".

"I'm very disappointed not to be able to play in Bangkok," added Nadal.

"I'm really looking forward to playing next year in Thailand where I have a very loyal and big fan base."

Del Potro's Open win a new chapter for tennis

Twenty-year-old Argentinean Juan Martin del Potro, aka "The Tower of Tandil," won his first major title on Monday at the U.S. Open, where he defeated Roger Federer in five sets. Here are five reasons why his victory changes the tennis landscape more than any win since Rafael Nadal's first French Open title in 2005.

1. He wasn't in awe of Federer. Most of Federer's opponents can't handle the pressure of playing a tennis legend. Pretty much every player on the ATP Tour considers Federer the greatest player of all time, and he's a nice guy, too. Everyone likes him and looks up to him. Not many players, unfortunately, seem to think they are worthy of beating him (Nadal being the exception). Del Potro looked feeble against Federer at the Australian Open earlier this year, when he lost two love sets to him in the quarterfinals, and he started out in similar fashion in the U.S. Open final. By the middle of the match, though, del Potro was playing with confidence and aggressiveness. Few men have been able to do this against Federer, never mind at the U.S. Open, which Federer had won five years in a row.

2. He came from behind. The last man to defeat Federer in a major tournament after trailing two sets to one was Marat Safin in the 2005 Australian Open semifinals. Only two other men have done this against Federer, according to ATPWorldTour.com: Tommy Haas at the 2002 Australian Open and Jiri Novak at Wimbledon in 1999, when the 17-year-old Federer was ranked outside the Top 100. To do it on a stage this large shows how tough del Potro can be.

3. He won without his A-game. The U.S. Open final is the toughest major final in the sport. It's held the day after the semifinals, so the players are a bit more tired than usual. It begins in late-afternoon shadows, and often ends under the lights. This year, the wind was strong. Del Potro hadn't played at night the entire tournament and he plays a riskier game than Federer, which is more dangerous in difficult conditions. He missed far more easy shots in this match than he did against Nadal in the semifinals or, for that matter, in any other round of the tournament. Yet he kept his composure and made adjustments to his tactics when necessary. That's the sign of a champion.

4. He showed off a new weapon. Great players introduce something new to the sport. John McEnroe reinvented touch. Pete Sampras redefined the serve. Ivan Lendl brought fitness to a new level. Federer has super-charged the all-court game of yesteryear; Nadal makes the topspin of the 1980s look like slice. Del Potro's contribution is the hardest forehand in the history of the game (one was clocked at 110 mph). I've never seen a player who could consistently hit winners from four feet behind the baseline and wide of the doubles alley. If del Potro can continue to hit that shot, and even improve it, he'll be a threat to win every tournament he plays.

5. He can get a lot better. Del Potro is 20 years old and hardly in extraordinary condition. He can add muscle to his lanky frame and improve his stamina. He can refine his volley technique and his slice backhand. If he has the desire to do these things, he's going to be a great player for years to come.

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.

India grouped with US in U-21 World Volleyball

Hosts India, ranked tenth in the world, have been drawn in Pool A along with with the mighty United States of America, Tunisia and Belarus in the 16-nation fifth FIVB Mens Under 21 World Volleyball Championships to be held at Pune from July 31 to August 9.

The hosts were among the eight seeded teams for the tournament, which is to be held at the Shiv Chatrapati Sports City in Balewadi.

The other seeded teams in the fray are three-time winners (1993, 2001 and 2007) and defending champions Brazil, currently ranked third, their arch-rivals from South America Argentina (rank 2), top-ranked Iran, last editions losing finalists Russia (rank 4), France (rank 5), China (rank 6) and USA (rank 7).

The draw of lots assigning the preliminary groups were held here last night by the international volleyball federations technical delegate Shanrit Wongprasert in the presence of organising committee chairman and Maharashtra's Finance Minister, DilipValse Patil.

K Murugan, Secretary-General of the Volleyball Federation of India, assured the international volleyball federation (FIVB) representatives that top-class facilities would be offered to the teams during the championship.

Andy Murray sees off Bolelli in Madrid

Andy Murray battled his way into the third round of the Madrid Open with a 7-6 (11-9) 6-4 win over Simone Bolelli.

The Briton was pushed hard by the world number 61 in the first set, coming through several mini-breaks in the tie-break, but one break took the second.

Murray, the world number three, will play Tommy Robredo in the last 16.

There were opening wins for second seed Roger Federer and seventh seed Fernando Verdasco, but ninth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga lost to Ivan Ljubicic.

The only time Murray and Bolelli had met before this encounter was indoors on hard courts at the Madrid Masters in October, with the Scot leading 6-0 2-1 when the Italian retired.

But it was a different experience this time for Murray, who turns 22 on Friday, now that the event has moved to his least-favoured surface of clay.

Having lost on clay in the second round of the Rome Masters two weeks ago, the signs were not always good in a first set that lasted over an hour and went to a gruelling tie-break.

Murray grabbed a 4-2 lead before Bolelli fought back and earned two set points, but the third seed stayed calm and came through thanks to a long forehand from the 23-year-old Italian.

The second set followed a similar pattern, although Bolelli did have a break point on the seventh game that he failed to convert.

And went it came to the crunch 10th game experience was the difference, with Bolelli surviving one break point by firing down an ace but failing to save the next when he struck his effort into the net.

"I felt fairly good on the court, I hardly missed a ball the whole match," said Murray. "The first set was tough. I played some good points and overall was very happy with how I played."

The British number one said he had taken a leaf out of Rafael Nadal's book, having practised with the world number one earlier in the week.

"If you watch someone like Rafa at the start of matches you will see him a long way behind the baseline making a lot of balls, trying to play solid and the more confidence he gets he moves closer and closer to the baseline, and that's what I did today."

And Murray expects another tough test from the experienced Robredo.

"Tommy moves well and puts in high percentage of first serves," said Murray.

"He has a great forehand like many of the Spanish players. He rarely gives away much in a match. But I like the conditions here, they're much quicker than other clay surfaces I've played on in the last few weeks. I have to use my serve well though."

Meanwhile, Federer began his campaign with a straightforward win 6-1 7-5 over Sweden's Robin Soderling.

"It's about playing well and getting ready for Paris," said the Swiss. "It's good to get through the first match and hopefully build on this and play a bit better in my next match."

Verdasco eased into the third round, breaking the serve of fellow Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero five times en route to a 6-3 6-2 victory.

Croatia's Ljubicic upset Frenchman Tsonga 6-4 7-5, while Spaniard Robredo beat American Mardy Fish 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 and Russian 10th seed Nikolay Davydenko beat Viktor Troicki of Serbia 6-2 6-2.

Top seed Nadal faces Juergen Melzer on Wednesday after the Austrian defeated Albert Montanes 4-6 7-5 6-3.

Rafael Nadal to play Roger Federer in Australian Open final

The chase for history is compelling on its own. With a win Sunday over Rafael Nadal in the final of the Australian Open, Roger Federer would tie Pete Sampras as the top winner of major tennis tournaments with 14.

That will add to the argument that Federer is the greatest tennis player ever, a designation Rod Laver, whose name is on the stadium court here, said would not be wrong.

"We'll have those arguments forever," Laver said. "But Roger's name is there."

But almost as compelling as Federer's history chase Sunday will be to see Nadal's physical recovery from his 5-hour, 14-minute semifinal defeat of Spanish countryman Fernando Verdasco, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (2), 6-7 (1), 6-4. The match began at 7:30 p.m. Friday and ended at 1:07 a.m. today.

The Australian Open has traditionally played its men's semifinals on different days, so Federer completed a much less physically taxing semifinal win in straight sets over Andy Roddick on Thursday night.


In 2008, Nadal took over the No. 1 ranking that Federer had held at the end of every year since 2003 and beat Federer on the grass courts of Wimbledon last July, a loss that left Federer teary-eyed and signaled to some that the 27-year-old Swiss player might have permanently given his top spot to the 22-year-old Nadal.

"People have been pretty quick to write me off," Federer said. "I mean I won the U.S. Open last year, and I finished second at the French Open. I think it was a pretty good year."

Federer also dismissed the advantage he would seem to have in Sunday's final with his extra rest day combined with the physical pounding Nadal took in a match where his opponent hit 95 winners and where both players were grunting on their strokes as early as the first set.

"He's still got a day off," Federer said. "It's not like he has to play right now. It's just the way it is. I get two days off, one guy only one day. At the U.S. Open we get no days off. Let's be happy to have a day off."

The career edge goes to Nadal, 12-6, with wins in three of their last four meetings including last year's 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7 Wimbledon classic when Nadal became the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to win both the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year.

Patrick McEnroe, former player, U.S. Davis Cup coach and ESPN commentator, called Nadal's semifinal win over Verdasco, "the most physically punishing hard-court match I have ever seen filled with powerful shot-making, relentless defense and phenomenal endurance -- of mind and body.

For the record: An earlier version of this report said that Roger Federer had the career edge over Rafael Nadal, 12-6. It is Nadal who has won 12 of the 18 meetings against Federer.
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"And Rafa will have to be superhuman to overcome that plus a fresh, eager Federer."

Nadal wouldn't criticize the schedule.

He didn't finish his post-match news conference until 3:30 a.m. this morning.

"You know, you still have one day off," Nadal said. "So that's the sport. But for sure it's a little bit more fair if you play the same day. This year it's a little bit unlucky to play one match like this, too hard. So for sure Roger is going to be in much better physical shape than me in the final."

McEnroe called Nadal "the Lance Armstrong of tennis. If anyone can bounce back from such an effort," McEnroe said, "it would be Nadal. What can he do? Rest, sleep, massage, eat and drink as much as possible."

This will be Nadal and Federer's seventh Grand Slam championship matchup, and while Federer has those 13 major titles, Nadal has won four of the six head-to-head finals.

"The rivalry is the best in sports, period," McEnroe said. "The records of both speak for themselves, and their games and their personalities are so strikingly effective yet totally different."

Martina Navratilova, who is calling the matches for the Tennis Channel, said the Nadal-Verdasco match was one of the greatest matches she's seen and she thinks Nadal will be at a disadvantage Sunday.

"No matter how great shape you're in, it's a disadvantage," he said. "They really need to revisit that scheduling."

Federer disagrees. "I don't think Rafa will struggle," he said. "I see the point, but I don't think it's a valuable one on this occasion."

Sublime Roger Federer eases into final

Roger Federer strolled into the final of the Australian Open with a straight sets win over Andy Roddick 6-2 7-5 7-5.

The Swiss world number two hit 11 forehand winners in the opening set as he broke his American opponent twice.

Roddick finally found his range with his serve but Federer matched him and broke in the 11th game of the next two sets before closing out the win.

Federer takes on the winner of Friday's semi-final between Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco in Sunday's final.

It will be Federer's 18th Grand Slam final, one short of Ivan Lendl's record of 19, and gives him the opportunity to draw level with Pete Sampras' mark of 14 major titles.

"I didn't know I reached my 18th final. People forget about Ivan and how great he was," said the 27-year-old.

"He had an unbelievable career and it's nice to be getting close to him."

Federer has now won 16 of his 18 meetings with Roddick.

"Andy's been playing really playing well so I knew I had a tough match ahead of me," he said.

"I had a lot of confidence on my serve and I thought I played really well tonight.

"I feel great this time around... and that is why I think I am moving well and playing better."

Roddick has been reaping the benefits of a tough pre-season training regime under new coach Larry Stefanki, reaching his fourth semi-final in Melbourne for the loss of two sets.

But he was outplayed on Thursday, with Federer even recording twice as many aces as the big-serving American.

"I hit the ball pretty well. If you look at his stats for the match, both of us had pretty good stats," said a disconsolate Roddick.

"He just came up with shots when he needed to. That's what he does."

The temperature, which had earlier hit 44C, dropped enough for organisers to re-open the roof on Rod Laver Arena and Federer - as usual - thrived in the evening conditions.

The writing was on the wall as early as the third game when the Swiss broke serve with a trademark forehand down the line.

He completed a double break in the American's next service game and the umpire bore the brunt of Roddick's frustration.


Federer correctly challenged a call on the baseline, but Eric Molina decided it would have been a clean winner and gave the point to the world number two instead of replaying it.

A sublime crosscourt forehand saw Federer open a 5-1 lead and Roddick continued his dialogue with the umpire as they changed ends at 5-2 but Federer kept his focus to wrap up the set.

The second set went with serve for the first 10 games with Roddick sending down six aces to Federer's eight.

But Roddick dumped a shot into the net in his sixth service game and Federer turned the screw with another forehand down the line to open up three break points.

A faltering Roddick sent a forehand into the net and put up little resistance as Federer then held to love to close out the second set.

The American's frustration began to boil over again at the start of set three with several audible obscenities uttered before Molina finally handed him an official warning in game five.

Roddick, who had already saved two break points, cried out after serving a double fault, but the umpire's reprimand appeared to focus his mind as served out the game and then held with ease in his next to open a 4-3 lead.

Federer powered back with a dominant service game of his own before opening up a 0-30 lead on Roddick's serve, but the American dug deep and took advantage of a couple of wayward shots to hold.

However, Roddick was broken again in his next service game. He fought back from 15-40 down and saved a third break point, but played a poor drop shot which Federer put away.

And the world number two completed victory with yet another forehand winner on his first match point.