Syracuse sends Robinson packing Nov 17, 2008
It was Djokovic's first tournament victory since he won the Rome Masters in May, leaving him just 10 points behind No. 2 Roger Federer in the rankings. After Davydenko netted a serve return on match point, Djokovic repeatedly pumped both fists and threw two rackets, his wristbands, and shirt into the crowd. (Boston Globe)
Djokovic wins Masters Cup, narrows gap to Federer Nov 17, 2008
Novak Djokovic finishes 2008 with a win in the Masters Cup and with Roger Federer in his sights in the rankings ... It was Djokovic's first tournament victory since he won the Rome Masters in May, leaving him just 10 points behind No. 2 Roger Federer in the rankings. (USA Today -- Sports)
Tennis: Im back in shape, says Federer Nov 17, 2008
PETALING JAYA: Swiss tennis ace Roger Federer has shrugged off a back injury that saw him make an early exit in Shanghai and has promised to give Malaysian fans a treat in the Showdown of Champions at the Putra Stadium in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow night ... KL-bound: Roger Federer of Switzerland will be the star attraction for the Showdown of Champions event at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Federer has tough start and tough finish to 2008 Nov 17, 2008
Novak Djokovic's Masters Cup triumph marked the end of a four-year Shanghai sojourn for the tournament and might also have brought down the curtain on the Roger Federer era at the season-ending championships. Federer had played in the previous seven Masters Cups and the last five finals, losing out only in 2005 when David Nalbandian came back to beat the injured Swiss in a fifth set tiebreak. (International Herald Tribune)
Nestor, Zimonjic finish '08 as top doubles team Nov 17, 2008
"It's obviously going to be a lot of fun ... being on the same court with Roger Federer," Bob Bryan said. "The guy's the best player of all time.". (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Tennis)
Tennis: Andy Murray vows to build on his awesome year Nov 17, 2008
And, after beating Andy Roddick and Gilles Simon and eliminating two-time defending champion Roger Federer, in-form Murray looked on course to cap the year in which he rose from world No 11 with a third Masters shield ... Meanwhile, Djokovic refused to get carried away despite his superb Masters Cup triumph over Davydenko moving the Australian Open champion within touching distance of world No 2 Roger Federer. (WalesOnline)
Davydenko shocks Murray, sets up Djokovic final Nov 16, 2008
Davydenko took advantage of Murray's late finish against Roger Federer on Friday to win 7-5 6-2, reaching his first final in four straight visits to the year-end showpiece. He faces a daunting task against Australian Open champion Djokovic, who roared into the title match 4-6 6-3 7-5 against Gilles Simon and beat the Russian in the group stage here. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Seven match points show the thump in Fed's ticker Nov 16, 2008
Roger Federer takes to the deck as he receives back treatment during his hard-fought loss to Andy Murray (below) ... ROGER FEDERER's first 12 grand slam titles were a breeze ... "A win over Roger Federer means almost as much as winning the Masters Cup to me," Murray, now with a 4-2 winning record over Federer, said. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Djokovic crushes Davydenko to win Masters Cup Nov 16, 2008
Serbia's Novak Djokovic crushed Nikolay Davydenko 6-1 7-5 to win the Masters Cup Sunday, underlining his credentials as a major challenger to Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer at the top of men's tennis. The Australian Open champion, who lost all his matches without winning a set on his debut at the season-ending shootout last year, earned $1. (International Herald Tribune -- Health)
* Aggressive Djokovic beats Simon to reach Cup final Nov 16, 2008
Djokovics victory ends a fairy tale run by Simon, who only qualified for the eight-man event when top-ranked Rafael Nadal pulled out injured, but shocked defending champion Roger Federer to reach the semi-finals. The piano-playing world No. 9 had been gunning to become the only French end-of-year winner and the first from his country to reach the final since Sebastien Grosjean in 2001. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Masters title is a fitting finish to Djokovic's season Nov 16, 2008
He nevertheless finished the year third in the world, just 10 points behind No.2 Roger Federer in the rankings. Overtaking the Swiss star will be no easy feat, since Djokovic will have to defend his titles early in the year at the Australian Open and Indian Wells, California. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
Murray ends Federer's Masters Cup title bid Nov 15, 2008
Andy Murray ousts defending champion Roger Federer from the Masters Cup ... SHANGHAI, China (AP) -- British rising star Andy Murray has ousted defending champion Roger Federer from the Masters Cup, rallying for a 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 victory ... Andy Murray avenged his U.S. Open final defeat by knocking out Roger Federer in Shanghai. (CNN -- International)
Yankees offer $140 million to Sabathia Nov 15, 2008
Defending champion Roger Federer was eliminated from the Masters Cup in Shanghai, China yesterday with a 4-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5 loss to Andy Murray. HOCKEY. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Murray sends FedEx crashing in classic Nov 15, 2008
SHANGHAI: Britains Andy Murray sent defending champion Roger Federer crashing out of the Masters Cup in a classic encounter yesterday ... Britains Andy Murray is ecstatic after defeating Roger Federer 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 to reach the semi-finals of the Masters Cup tennis tournament in Shanghai on Friday. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Djokovic reaches Masters Cup final Nov 15, 2008
Defeat ended a fairytale ride for the 23-year-old Simon, who won his ticket to the season finale when world number one Rafael Nadal pulled out injured and then beat defending champion Roger Federer in a round-robin match. Simon, who will now move up to seventh in the world, struck early, converting his third break point for a 2-1 lead when Djokovic made the first of a string of errors with simple shots at the net. (International Herald Tribune -- Travel)
Federer looks ahead Nov 15, 2008
Roger Federer said he was glad to bring down the curtain on a difficult season and hoped to bounce back for a tilt at the Grand Slam record next year. The defending champion battled a back injury as he went down in three sets to Britain's Andy Murray, ending his campaign for a fifth Masters Cup title at the group stage. (iAfrica.com)
Bjorkman calls it quits after 17-year career Nov 15, 2008
" Bjorkman enjoyed a glittering career in both singles and doubles. On Nov. 3, 1997 he reached a career high of No. 4 in the ATP Rankings and won three ATP titles the same year, including the Stockholm title in front of his home crowd, which he cites as one of his greatest memories. Jonas Bjorkman of Sweden shows his hug to the audience after the men's doubles competition against Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski from Poland at Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai, 2008, in Shanghai, east China,... (Xinhuanet, China)
Davydenko storms into Masters semis Nov 14, 2008
Djokovic and Davydenko will face two players out of Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Gilles Simon in Saturday's semi-finals. Two-time defending champion Federer needs to beat Murray tomorrow to stay in the competition, while Gilles Simon of France will play Czech alternate Radek Stepanek. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Murray relishes chance to tear up Federer's get out of jail freecard Nov 14, 2008
Although he has already guaranteed his qualification into Saturday's semi-finals of the Masters Cup, he badly wants to defeat Roger Federer today in the red group and so bump the defending champion out of the tournament. Taking it easy, or holding back, has never been Murray's way. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
NEWS IN BRIEF Nov 14, 2008
Andy Murray will have an avid fan when he plays Roger Federer at the Masters Cup today at Shanghai, China. Nikolay Davydenko faces the winner in the semifinals, and he's dreading the prospect that it could be Federer -- for good reason. (Nola.com -- Sports)
Wimbledon confirm move to prize money equality Nov 14, 2008
Over the years we have progressively increased the ladies' prize money so that last year Amlie Mauresmo received 625,000 - 95% of the money received by Roger Federer. As in every other year the Committee has again analysed all the relevant information and then made a judgement. (Yahoo News -- Women's Issues)
Stepanek borrows socks and racquets for match Nov 14, 2008
Stepanek, who replaced the injured Andy Roddick, also had to buy new contact lenses ahead of his group clash with five-time champion Roger Federer. The world number 27 arrived in Shanghai from holiday in Thailand but explained that his tennis gear, including his contact lenses, was stuck in customs. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Tsonga exits with a bang Nov 14, 2008
Djokovic, who earlier beat Juan Martin del Potro and Nikolay Davydenko, remains top of Gold Group and will play Andy Murray, Roger Federer or Gilles Simon in Saturday s semi-finals. The 21-year-old looked odds-on to make it three wins out of three as he rattled through the first set in just 25 minutes. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
After victory, Simon waits for Federer-Murray match Nov 14, 2008
Gilles Simon en route to victory over Radek Stepanek in Shanghai on Friday, but he would advance only if Roger Federer lost later ... The match was essentially meaningless because Roger Federer was facing Andy Murray in the later match. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
* Simon beats Stepanek as Bjorkman says farewell Nov 14, 2008
The match was essentially meaningless, because Roger Federer was facing Andy Murray in the later match. Federer, the four-time Masters Cup champion, needed to beat Murray to advance. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Davydenko storms into SFs Nov 14, 2008
Djokovic and Davydenko will face two players out of Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Gilles Simon in Saturday's semi-finals. Two-time defending champion Federer needs to beat Murray on Friday to stay in the competition, while Gilles Simon of France will play Czech alternate Radek Stepanek. (iAfrica.com)
Federer still tops for Davydenko Nov 14, 2008
Russia's Nikolay Davydenko said that Roger Federer was still the player he feared the most, maintaining that the younger generation had yet to make their mark. Davydenko, who routed 20-year-old Argentine Juan Martin del Potro to reach the Masters Cup semi-finals here, said the Swiss ex-number one remained the standard. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Federer knocked out of Masters by Murray Nov 14, 2008
Four-times champion Roger Federer was knocked out of the Masters Cup in Shanghai on Friday after a three-set defeat against Andy Murray. Murray's 4-6 7-6 7-5 win in the last Red Group match meant the Swiss world number two failed to progress to the semi-finals for the first time in seven consecutive appearances. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
ATP Tour Tennis Masters Cup Results Nov 14, 2008
Roger Federer (1), Switzerland, 4-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5. Standings: a-Murray 3-0 (sets 6-2), a-Simon 2-1 (4-3), Federer 1-2 (4-4), w-Roddick 0-1 (1-2), Stepanek 0-2 (0-4). (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
St. Francis ends Flames' season Nov 14, 2008
Connecting You to Your Community Lodi, California. The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days. (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
Mighty Murray eases into Masters Cup semis Nov 13, 2008
Roger Federer keeps his hopes alive with a 7-6 6-4 win over Radek Stepanek. World No.27 Stepanek has replaced the injured Andy Roddick in the red group. (CNN -- International)
Tennis chiefs snub Roddick over schedule Nov 13, 2008
Roddick pulled out shortly before his group match with defending champion Roger Federer on Wednesday. Nadal withdrew with knee tendinitis and is also skipping Spain's Davis Cup final against Argentina. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Roddick withdraws from Masters Cup Nov 13, 2008
16: Roger Federer needs a win over Rafael Nadal to boost his confidence heading into 2009 ... Roddick made the announcement Wednesday, hours before he was to play Roger Federer in a Red Group match. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Federer, Murray win at Masters Cup Nov 13, 2008
SHANGHAI, China Roger Federer kept his hopes alive for a fifth Masters Cup title Wednesday by beating Radek Stepanek 7-6 (4), 6-4. Federer, who pulled out of the Paris Masters less than two weeks ago with a sore back, still showed some of the rust that plagued his opening loss to Gilles Simon. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Colangelo to direct USA Basketball board Nov 13, 2008
Andy Roddick pulled out of the season-ending Masters Cup tournament hours before a match against Roger Federer because of a sprained ankle. Federer instead faced and beat Radek Stepanek 7-6 (4), 6-4 in Shanghai, China. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Gilles joins fray in Sydney International Nov 13, 2008
SYDNEY: Gilles Simon, fresh from his second win over Roger Federer this year, will swell the French contingent at January s Sydney Interna-tional, organisers said yesterday. Simon, 23, said he has no complex about playing Federer, and proved it by beating him for the second time this year at the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai on Monday. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Federer keeps hopes alive as Roddick joins injury list Nov 13, 2008
Swat: Swiss Roger Federer makes a return to Radek Stepanek of Czech Republic during their Masters Cup match in Shanghai yesterday. Federer won 7-6, 6-7. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Tennis | Masters Cup: Murray advances and Federer stays in the picture Nov 13, 2008
Aly Song/Reuters Radek Stepanek losing to Roger Federer 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 on Wednesday ... Andy Murray reached the semifinals of the Masters Cup on Wednesday and Roger Federer kept his hopes alive for a fifth title in the season-ending tournament. (International Herald Tribune)
Davydenko reaches Masters Cup semifinals Nov 13, 2008
Djokovic, continuing his efforts to close in on Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer at the top of the rankings, broke Tsonga twice while finishing the first set in only 25 minutes. Tsonga pulled himself together in the second set, saving two break-points while serving at 2-2, then finally broke through as Djokovic served while trailing 6-5. (International Herald Tribune -- Travel)
Davydenko reaches semifinals Nov 13, 2008
Djokovic, continuing his efforts to close in on Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer at the top of the rankings, broke Tsonga twice while finishing the first set in only 25 minutes ... Roger Federer 1-1 (3-2) 1; 4. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
Federer wins at Masters Cup, Murray into semis Nov 13, 2008
Roger Federer stays aliveat Masters Cup - Tennis - SI.com ... Seeking his fifth Masters Cup title, Roger Federer beat Radek Stepanek 7-6, 6-4 ... Roger Federer has never gone out before the knockout stage at six previous Masters Cups. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Tennis)
Davydenko beats del Potro, reaches semifinals Nov 13, 2008
Four-time Masters Cup winner Roger Federer has to win Friday to get through. He faces Britain's Andy Murray, who already has guaranteed himself a place in the semis. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Tennis)
Tsonga shocks Djokovic at tennis Masters Cup Nov 13, 2008
Djokovic, who earlier beat Juan Martin del Potro and Nikolay Davydenko, remains top of Gold Group and will play Andy Murray, Roger Federer or Gilles Simon in Saturday's semi-finals. "He was better than me in the first two sets, but I took the second one. It was daylight robbery!" Tsonga said. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Injured Roddick out of Masters Cup Nov 12, 2008
America's Andy Roddick pulled out of the Tennis Masters Cup with an ankle injury shortly before his group match with Roger Federer. Roddick said he rolled his right ankle in training and would be out for about a week. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Murray clinches spot in Masters Cup semifinals Nov 12, 2008
Second-ranked Roger Federer, who lost to Simon in his first match here, was playing later against No. 26 Radek Stepanek, who was added to the field when Andy Roddick withdrew Wednesday after spraining an ankle during practice. Roddick said the injury did not appear to be serious, but that it left him unable to be competitive. (International Herald Tribune -- Technology)
Murray reaches Masters Cup semis Nov 12, 2008
Simon won his place at the event when injured world number one Rafael Nadal pulled out and he beat Roger Federer in his first match Monday. Murray beat American Andy Roddick in his opener. (International Herald Tribune -- Technology)
Lakers improve to 6-0 with win over Dallas Nov 12, 2008
Roger Federer and Andy Roddick, who lost their first matches in the Red Group, play each other today. Andy Murray and Gilles Simon also play. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Knee injury forces Nadal out of Davis Cup final Nov 12, 2008
Nadal, 22, landed a fourth straight French Open title and a first Wimbledon crown this season to dethrone Roger Federer from world top spot. AFP. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Tennis: Djokovic is first into Masters Cup semifinals Nov 12, 2008
Roger Federer and Andy Roddick, who lost their first matches in the Red Group, will meet on Wednesday in Shanghai, and Andy Murray will face Gilles Simon. Murray defeated Roddick on Monday, and Simon beat Federer. (International Herald Tribune)
Roddick injury rocks Masters Cup tennis Nov 12, 2008
But his charge was suddenly slowed by Simon, who stunned top seed Roger Federer in his opening match. The Scot was broken at 4-1 and he faced more break points before serving out the set 6-4. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
* Murray makes Masters Cup semi-finals Nov 12, 2008
Second-ranked Roger Federer, who lost to Simon in his first match here, was playing later against No. 26 Radek Stepanek, who was added to the field when Andy Roddick withdrew yesterday after spraining an ankle during practice. Stepanek, of the Czech Republic, could qualify for the semi-finals but would have to win both of his matches and hope that only Murray finishes with two victories in his group. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Del Potro outlasts Tsonga at Masters Cup Nov 11, 2008
Roger Federer and Andy Roddick, who lost their first matches in the Red Group, play each other Wednesday, while Andy Murray and Gilles Simon will also play. . (International Herald Tribune -- Technology)
'Boys of Summer' star Preacher Roe dies Nov 11, 2008
Roger Federer lost 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 to Gilles Simon in his first round-robin match at the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai, China. It was Federer's first match since a sore back forced him out of his last tournament in Paris. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Simon fries FedEx Nov 11, 2008
SHANGHAI: Frances Gilles Simon shocked top seed Roger Federer 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 yesterday at the Tennis Masters Cup, leaving the former world number ones bid for a third straight title in disarray ... Going the distance: Gilles Simon stretching to return a shot to Roger Federer during their Masters Cup match in Shanghai Monday. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Federer loses to start defense Nov 11, 2008
Advertisements The Associated Press It wasn't hard for Roger Federer to find a silver lining in his Masters Cup loss. The aching back that forced him to withdraw from the Paris Masters 10 days ago was fine, and he still has a shot to win the season-ending event for the top eight players on the men's tennis tour. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Sports in Brief: Four enter Hockey Hall of Fame Nov 11, 2008
Second-ranked Roger Federer lost to Gilles Simon of France, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, in Masters Cup play in Shanghai, China. Andy Murray of Britain survived a second-set lapse to beat Andy Roddick of the United States, 6-4, 1-6, 6-1. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Briefs | Tennis: Federer, Roddick lose Masters Cup matches Nov 11, 2008
Tennis Federer loses to start Masters Cup defense: It wasn't hard for Roger Federer to find a silver lining in his Masters Cup loss Monday ... Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts to losing a point Monday against Gilles Simon of France in the Masters Cup in Shanghai, China ... Federer loses to start Masters Cup defense: It wasn't hard for Roger Federer to find a silver lining in his Masters Cup loss Monday in Shanghai, China. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
No more fear of Federer Nov 11, 2008
Roger Federer has made a career, and untold riches, out of an assured presence that meant his matches were half-won before they even started. Not so against the new breed of young upstarts, who are coming into their prime as Federer's powers wane along with the famous fear factor. (iAfrica.com)
Nadal KOd for Davis Cup Nov 11, 2008
Last Updated: 10:19am 11 Nov 2008. Casino Online get R300 free. (iAfrica.com)
Federer loses to Simon in Tennis Masters Cup Nov 11, 2008
Roger Federer of Switzerland returns a shot to Gilles Simon of France during their Masters Cup tennis match in Shanghai November 10, 2008 ... SHANGHAI, East China, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Top seed Roger Federer played an uncharacteristic and erroneous game as he lost to Gilles Simon of France in his first match of the Tennis Masters Cup here on Monday ... Roger Federer of Switzerland serves to Gilles Simon of France during their Masters Cup tennis match in Shanghai November 10, 2008. (Xinhuanet, China)
Kostopoulos gets 3-game suspension Nov 11, 2008
TENNIS Federer, Roddick stumble in Shanghai Gilles Simon defeated Roger Federer, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, at the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai in the Swiss star's first match since a sore back forced him out of the Paris Masters Oct. 31. Andy Murray knocked off Andy Roddick, 6-4, 1-6, 6-1, in the other Red Group match of the round-robin tournament. (Boston Globe -- Sports)
Fedex upbeat despite loss Nov 11, 2008
SHANGHAI: Top seed Roger Federer remained undaunted despite a shock defeat that put his bid for a Masters Cup hat-trick in serious jeopardy. The Swiss champion was stunned by world number nine Gilles Simon for the second time this year, leaving him likely to need wins against in-form Andy Murray and Andy Roddick to progress. (India Times, India)
Spurs' Parker on shelf for four weeks Nov 10, 2008
The Red group, which includes Roger Federer and Andy Roddick, begins play today. Miscellany Lovin' it: Love gets 20th career victory Davis Love won the Children's Miracle Network Classic at Disney in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Boston Globe)
Djokovic, Davydenko battle to Masters victories Nov 10, 2008
Top seed Roger Federer starts his bid for a third consecutive victory at the ATP season finale today despite doubts over a back strain that forced him out of last weeks Paris Masters. The eight-man, US$4. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Simon defeats Federer in Shanghai Nov 10, 2008
Gilles Simon of France returning to Roger Federer on Monday in Shanghai ... Roger Federer lost 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 to France's Gilles Simon at the Masters Cup on Monday in his first match since a sore back forced him out of his last tournament ... Roger Federer, Switzerland, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
