Croatia lists Karlovic, Cilic in Davis Cup vs. US

ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) -Wimbledon quarterfinalist Ivo Karlovic and Marin Cilic were named in Croatia's team for the Davis Cup quarterfinal against the United States alongside Roko Karanusic and Lovro Zovko, coach Goran Prpic announced Tuesday.

Croatia, which won the Davis Cup in 2005, will face James Blake, Andy Roddick and the Bryan brothers in the July 10-12 quarterfinal on an indoor clay court in Porec, Croatia.

Karlovic advanced to the quarterfinals of Wimbledon on Monday by beating Fernando Verdasco. He faces five-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer on Wednesday.

Croatia has beaten the U.S. on both occasions the countries have played each other in the Davis Cup.

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Spain leaves Nadal off Davis Cup lineup

MADRID (AP) -Top-ranked Rafael Nadal will miss Spain's Davis Cup quarter-final tie against Germany next month.

Nadal, struggling with tendinitis in his knees that forced him to skip his Wimbledon title defence this year, was left off the Davis Cup team announced Tuesday for the matches in Marbella in southern Spain July 10-12.

Coach Albert Costa has called up Fernando Verdasco, David Ferrer, Feliciano Lopez and Tommy Robredo, plus Nicolas Almagro as a standby.

Nadal "is not well and we have to let him rest,'' Costa told a news conference.

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Venus, Serena advance easily, but Oudin ousted

WIMBLEDON, England - Venus Williams advanced to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon when opponent Ana Ivanovic retired one game into the second set Monday.

Williams, seeking her sixth Wimbledon title, led 6-1, love-1 when Ivanovic called it quits.

The Williams sisters remained on course for a rematch of last year’s all-family final, which Venus won. No. 2-seeded Serena Williams, seeking her third Wimbledon title, advanced by beating Daniela Hantuchova 6-3, 6-1.

Ivanovic said she hurt her thigh hitting an ace to erase a break point in the opening game of the second set.

“I didn’t feel anything up until that point,” she said. “When I landed, I just felt a sharp pain on my inner thigh, and I couldn’t step on my leg ever since.”

Ivanovic took a 10-minute break during the first game of the second set to have her left thigh taped by a trainer. She returned for two more points, but after hitting a service winner to take the game, she began crying as she walked to her chair and told the umpire she was retiring.

Then she hugged a sympathetic Williams.

“I don’t even know the last time that I had these circumstances,” Williams said. “I don’t think ever in a Slam. I think she was in a lot of pain. You know me — I’m one of those players, I just only pay attention to what’s going on my side of the net. But today I felt really sad for her actually. She was really upset.

“This is Wimbledon. It’s the last place you want to have an injury that you can’t overcome. So I’m wishing her a lot of luck in her recovery.”

Ivanovic said she didn’t yet know the extent of the injury. She hasn’t reached a Grand Slam quarterfinal since winning the 2008 French Open and briefly claiming the No. 1 ranking.

 INTERACTIVE 

Dynamo staying in the moment
Bandaged Venus keeps rolling at Wimbledon
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Wimbledon officials play down flu fears

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -Wimbledon officials had to play down swine flu fears Monday after four ball boys and girls were asked to stay home with flu symptoms.

Ian Ritchie, the chief executive of the All England Club, issued a statement about the flu cases and asked all visitors and personnel to stay away from the championships if they develop any symptoms.

However, All England Club spokesman Henry O'Grady said there was no reason to suspect that swine flu had reached the tournament.

"There's no one that has swine flu,'' O'Grady said. "There are a couple of people that have flu symptoms, and as a result they've been asked to stay at home. ... They haven't been tested for swine flu, and they're not going to be tested.''

O'Grady said he did not have any information about the staffers' ages or genders, or whether they went to the same school.

A 73-year-old man infected with swine flu died at a hospital outside Glasgow on Saturday, and a 38-year-woman died of the disease in Scotland earlier this month.

There have been more than 4,300 confirmed cases of swine flu in Britain.

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Grand Slam champ Davenport gives birth to girl

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) -Three-time Grand Slam champion Lindsay Davenport has given birth to her second child.

The former No. 1-ranked player gave birth to a girl named Lauren Andrus Davenport Leach on Saturday morning.

She and husband Jon Leach already have a 2-year-old son, Jagger.

Davenport's agent Tony Godsick said Sunday that "Lindsay and Lauren are doing great, and Jonny and the other man of the family, Jagger, Lauren's brother, are ecstatic.''

The 33-year-old Davenport won the 1998 U.S. Open, 1999 Wimbledon and 2000 Australian Open titles.

She pulled out of this year's Australian Open when she learned she was pregnant. Davenport said at the time she would be putting tennis on hold "for the foreseeable future.''

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Bandaged Venus keeps rolling at Wimbledon

WIMBLEDON, England - Even on one good leg, Venus Williams is tough to beat at Wimbledon.

The five-time champion wore a strap on her left knee Thursday but still advanced to the third round by beating Kateryna Bondarenko 6-3, 6-2.

Tournament favorite Williams has been hampered by knee trouble in the past, but there was no indication of a problem this week until she walked onto sunny Court 1 bandaged from mid-calf to mid-thigh.

Williams let out a yelp when she appeared to pull up on a backhand in the third game, perhaps because of the knee. Otherwise she moved across the grass freely, charging forward to pounce on short balls. She won 17 points at the net to two for Bondarenko.

Williams was coy about the reason for the tape.

“Just for support,” she said twice in response to questions.

Pressed about what was wrong with her knee, she said: “What happened was that I needed some support, and then I went and got the support, and then I wore it in the match. I’ll be wearing it in doubles, too. So it’s working out. I mean, I think all the players might start wearing it because it’s so supportive.”

Her mother and coach, Oracene Price, declined to discuss the matter. Williams wore the strap again later when she and sister Serena beat Virginie Razzano and Aravane Rezai in doubles, 6-3, 6-3.

Joining Williams in the women’s third round was French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, who beat Pauline Parmentier 6-1, 6-3 in 59 minutes. The Roland Garros runner-up, top-ranked Dinara Safina, never faced a break point and beat Rossana de Los Rios 6-3, 7-5.

Click for related contentVideo: Highlights from Venus Williams' victory

Last year’s French Open winner, No. 13-seeded Ana Ivanovic, beat Sara Errani 7-5, 6-1. No. 17 Amelie Mauresmo, the 2006 Wimbledon champion, beat Kristina Kucova 6-3, 6-3. No. 18 Samantha Stosur, a Roland Garros semifinalist this month, swept the last five games to beat qualifier Tatjana Malek 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-4.

Safina and Kuznetsova criticized the court assignments. Kuznetsova was on Court 3, while Safina and former No. 1-ranked players Ivanovic, Mauresmo and Jelena Jankovic were also on smaller courts.

“Of course it’s not fair,” Safina said. “Hopefully next match I’ll play on bigger court.”

“I’m fine to put me wherever they want to me put,” Kuznetsova said in slightly broken English. “They don’t have to put me Centre Court. But with the schedule, this is little bit weird thing. ... But, you know, in Wimbledon you have to expect anything.”

The No. 3-seeded Williams lost only six points on her serve, two on double-faults. She slammed three aces in her first service game and finished with six.

She was just as ferocious with her returns. When one serve came at Williams slower than a lorry on the motorway, she eagerly stepped into the court, took a lusty swing and hit a winner.

That took her to set point in the first set, and she whacked another big return on the next point to win the set. There was no letup from there, and she swept the final four games.

“Everything was working for me today,” she said.

The win was her 16th in a row at Wimbledon.

“Oh my gosh, that’s a great statistic for me,” she said. “I know a lot of people have done better than that, but that’s a great achievement. I want to make it more.”

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Wimbledon betting soars after mention of injury

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -Wagering on a Wimbledon match soared after a TV commentator pointed out one of the players is injured, an online bookmaker said Wednesday.

The British bookmaker, Betfair, alerted tennis corruption investigators about the unusual betting patterns for the first-round match Tuesday between 109th-ranked Wayne Odesnik of the United States and 30th-ranked Jurgen Melzer of Austria, but does not suspect any wrongdoing, spokesman Mark Davies said.

Davies said Betfair received more than six times as many wagers as it would normally receive for such a match. Melzer's odds "shortened significantly,'' Davies said, after a TV announcer noted shortly before the match that Odesnik has a thigh injury. Melzer won 6-1, 6-4, 6-2.

Betfair received about 600,000 pounds ($980,000) of wagers on the match, Davies said; the average for a first-round match at Wimbledon is less than 100,000 pounds ($163,000).

"It's being reported as potential corruption, but I don't see it that way at all,'' Davies told The Associated Press. "I doubt that there was any wrongdoing.''

Still, Betfair has reported the heavy betting to the International Tennis Federation's integrity unit.

"Because of the transparency ... we pass that info on to the Tennis Integrity Unit,'' Davies said. "Then they can make a judgment. But having heard the commentary on the match, I don't suspect that this is going to turn out to be any kind of corruption story.''

The All England Club referred all questions about the betting to the ITF, which refused to comment. The ITF's Tennis Integrity Unit never comments on an ongoing investigation.

Tennis increased the attention it pays to allegations of match-fixing and players betting on the sport since Betfair voided all wagers on a 2007 match between fourth-ranked Nikolay Davydenko and 87th-ranked Martin Vassallo Arguello after suspicious betting patterns emerged. The players were cleared by an ATP investigation.

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Federer eases into 3rd round at Wimbledon

WIMBLEDON, England - Roger Federer has beaten Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain in straight sets to reach the third round at Wimbledon.

The five-time champion had early breaks in each set for a comfortable 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 victory Wednesday.

Federer had just 10 unforced errors on Centre Court to go with 27 winners, and never lost his serve.

Federer is looking for a 15th Grand Slam title, which would break the record he shares with Pete Sampras. He is the top seed in the tournament after defending champion and No. 1 Rafael Nadal pulled out because of bad knees.

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Nadal returns to defend Queen’s Club title

Venus launches bid for 3rd straight Wimbledon

WIMBLEDON, England - Five points into her opening match at Wimbledon, Venus Williams slipped and went sprawling on the grass she loves.

The five-time champion recovered from her stumble at the start Tuesday and defeated Stefanie Voegele 6-3, 6-2.

It was Williams’ first appearance on Centre Court since the 2008 final, when she beat sister Serena for her second Wimbledon title in a row.

“I really enjoyed being out there,” Venus said. “It’s a special moment when you walk back as defending champion on that court.”

Williams’ tumble was one of several wobbly moments as she began her bid for a three-peat. She double-faulted in the opening game and had to erase two break points. She was passed the first two times she reached the net. She slipped and nearly fell a second time.

“It’s grass,” she said. “You’re going to slip sometimes.”

Williams found her footing, winning 14 consecutive points to help take a 5-1 lead. She had another spurt in the second set after losing serve for 2-all, and swept the final four games.

“Having won this title multiple times, you get that sense of what it takes to win,” she said. “And I definitely have a good grip on that — what it takes to win this title.”

The new retractable roof again worked well, keeping rain away for a second successive day. Play took place on a cloudless afternoon, prompting an official on the club’s public-address system to urge that fans use sun block.

“It looks really nice, the roof,” Williams said. “We haven’t had to use it yet. It’s kind of ironic. But I’m very sure it will get some use.”

Top-ranked Dinara Safina opened another bid for her first Grand Slam title by beating Lourdes Dominguez Lino 7-5, 6-3. Former No. 1 Jelena Jankovic beat Julia Goerges 6-4, 7-6 (0).

Kimiko Date Krumm, a 38-year-old wild card who came out of retirement last year, lost in her first Wimbledon match since 1996 to No. 9-seeded Caroline Wozniacki, 5-7, 6-3, 6-1.

Williams prepared for Wimbledon as usual on hard courts back home in Florida, and didn’t play a grass-court warmup tournament. But after her slow start she looked at home on the lawn.

In one game she smacked a backhand return up the line for a winner, then did the same thing from the other wing. Her second serve was unsteady, but she lost only six points on her first serve while hitting 29 winners and committing only 11 unforced errors.

“On the grass, I think you have the opportunity to make fantastic shots that are very entertaining and great plays,” Williams said. “I think the game is more fast-paced. In a lot of ways, it makes it a lot more exciting.”

Williams is only 6-4 since early April, but Wimbledon always brings her out of the doldrums. She’s 51-4 at the All England Club since 2000, when she won the title for the first time. She’s seeded third but the tournament favorite with London bookmakers.

Serena Williams won her opening match Monday against qualifier Neuza Silva, 6-1, 7-5. Serena is seeded second and considered the biggest threat to Venus.

Serena said she draws confidence from projections she’ll be playing in the final a week from Saturday.

“I always feel like if people can believe in me, then I should, too,” she said. “I always think about how I feel when other people that are top seeded are playing. I’m like, ’OK, they’ll win.’ So I feel like I should feel that way about myself as well.”

Against the No. 154-ranked Silva, Serena lost only nine points on her serve, but converted only one of five break-point chances in the second set and struggled to close out the win.

“I could have played a ton better, especially on key points,” Williams said. “That’s a usual feeling for me from first round to the finals. I’m really insatiable. I always want more.”

Serena’s second-round opponent Wednesday will be Jarmila Groth, who is ranked 69th. Williams won when they met at the Australian Open in 2008 but had to search her memory when asked about Groth, who recently changed her last name.

Williams conceded it’s difficult to remember who’s who on the women’s tour.

“I just know the standard: Everyone is from Russia,” Williams said jokingly. “Sometimes I think I’m from Russia, too. I feel like, you know, OK, all these new ’ovas ... I think my name must be Williamsova.”

Groth is actually from Australia, but five of the 10 highest-ranked women are Russians. Two others are named Williams.

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Federer tested in first round at Wimbledon

WIMBLEDON, England - The new roof wasn’t tested. Roger Federer was — briefly.

The retractable roof stayed open Monday for the first match on Centre Court at Wimbledon, and Federer fell behind early before charging past Yen-hsun Lu of Taiwan, 7-5, 6-3, 6-2.

In his first match since winning the French Open, Federer failed to convert his first four break-point chances, then lost serve to trail 3-2. But he immediately broke back, broke again in the final game of the opening set and dominated from there.

“I’m very happy with my first round,” Federer said. “I thought it was a very solid performance.”

Seeking his sixth Wimbledon title, Federer won for the 41st time in his past 42 matches at the All England Club. The lone loss came in last year’s final to Rafael Nadal, a match hailed by some as the sport’s best ever.

The tournament began in cloudy but dry weather. When it rains, the translucent roof on the 87-year-old stadium will be closed so play can continue.

“I guess the moment will come that I’ll play indoors here,” Federer said. “But you don’t really hope for it during the match.”

The No. 2-seeded Federer is a strong favorite to win his 15th major title, which would break the record he shares with Pete Sampras.

Advancing on the women’s side were 2002-03 champion Serena Williams and 2004 winner Maria Sharapova. No. 17 James Blake was the first seeded player eliminated, but fellow American Mardy Fish advanced.

Federer made his entrance sporting a sleek new white warmup outfit with gold trim that included a jacket with a turned-up collar, a vest, slacks and two-toned shoes. The crowd roared when he appeared, and he responded with a wave and smile.

There were more cheers — and a few whistles of approval — when he removed his jacket to reveal the vest.

“Kind of a little bit more modern look — a bit more military jacket this time, but obviously staying true to Wimbledon with the white colors,” Federer said. “I hope people like it.”

By the time the match started, Federer had stripped down to shorts and a short-sleeve shirt. He was assigned to play the first match on Centre Court after defending champion Nadal withdrew Friday because of sore knees.

“Rafa deserves it obviously more than I do this year,” Federer said. “But somebody had to do it, so I’m very happy that they chose me. It gets your heart beating, that’s for sure.”

After being broken early, Federer held every service game. He finished with 10 unforced errors and hit 42 winners from all over the court.

One winner was a running backhand from several steps beyond the sideline, which he ripped up the line into the corner to win the point. It was a spectacular shot even by Federer’s standards, and the stoic Swiss celebrated with a raised fist as the crowd roared.

Blake failed to convert a set point in the third set, squandered a 5-love lead in the ensuing tiebreaker and lost to Andreas Seppi 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (5). Blake also was eliminated in the first round at the French Open last month.

“I still feel like I can play with anyone in the world, but it’s just for some reason lately it has been very inconsistent,” Blake said. “I know I still have the ability. It’s just frustrating, because it’s happening at big tournaments where I’m having my not-so-good performances.”

No. 28-seeded Fish never lost serve and led 6-3, 6-2, 4-1 when Sergio Roitman retired with a right shoulder injury. Roitman, ranked 124th, fell to 0-12 in Grand Slam matches.

“There’s nothing that I can do about it,” he said. “It’s not that I’m not going to sleep at night because of that.”

Surprise French Open runner-up Robin Soderling, seeded 13th, rallied to beat Gilles Muller 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-1, 6-2. No. 21 Feliciano Lopez lost to Karol Beck 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 10-8.

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Wimbledon Show Court Schedules

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -The showcourt schedule for Monday's play at Wimbledon at The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club (seedings in parentheses):

Play begins on Centre Court and Court 1 at 1200 GMTall other courts at 1100 GMT
Yen-hsun Lu, Taiwan, vs. Roger Federer (2), Switzerland

Neuza Silva, Portugal, vs. Serena Williams (2), United States

Julien Benneteau, France, vs. Novak Djokovic (4), Serbia

No. 1 Court

Maria Sharapova (24), Russia, vs. Viktoriya Kutuzova, Ukraine

Robin Soderling (13), Sweden, vs. Gilles Muller, Luxembourg

Fernando Verdasco (7), Spain, vs. James Ward, Britain

No. 2 Court

Daniela Hantuchova, Slovakia, vs. Laura Robson, Britain

Andrey Golubev, Kazakhstan, vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (9), France

Alla Kudryavtseva, Russia, vs. Elena Dementieva (4), Russia

Michael Llodra, France, vs. Joshua Goodall, Britain

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Federer aims to claim 6th Wimbledon, 15th major

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -Roger Federer is building something of a reputation as an on-court crier, and he remembers well the first time he wept after winning a match.

It was July 2, 2001, at Wimbledon, the tournament that means more to him than any other. Federer was 19, up-and-coming and making his Centre Court debut in the fourth round when he stunned Pete Sampras, who was 29, seeded No. 1 and seeking an eighth Wimbledon title.

"I used to cry almost after every single match I lost as a junior. It's not at all a feeling like it's the end of the world - of course not, because tennis is not everything - but some people can control it, some people can't,'' Federer said. "Crying after a victory is something that started when I beat Pete.''

Back then, Federer had yet to reach the semifinals, let alone win a title, at any Grand Slam event. Eight years later, as Wimbledon begins Monday with a roof over Centre Court for the first time, Federer arrives at the All England Club bidding to break Sampras' career record of 14 major championships.

And the complexion of Federer's pursuit of a sixth Wimbledon title changed significantly Friday: He doesn't have to worry about dealing with his nemesis, defending champion Rafael Nadal, who withdrew from the tournament because of bad knees.

It was Nadal who reduced Federer to tears a year ago by winning the longest singles final in tournament history, a 4-hour, 48-minute test of skill and will that ended 9-7 in the fifth set as darkness descended.

That 2008 disappointment notwithstanding, Federer eagerly awaits returning to the grass-court Grand Slam tournament.

"When you get there, you start to get into your frame of mind: It's just, like, 'All right, let's go again here. I know what it takes. Settle in. Enjoy being a member,''' Federer said with a little laugh. "I love going there, so it takes only a couple of hours almost to feel, like, at home.''

There was something apt about the way he tied Sampras' Grand Slam mark by completing a career Grand Slam at the French Open, a tournament the American never won and that the Swiss star came so close to winning, year after year, before finally breaking through this month.

There also would be something fitting if Federer surpasses Sampras at Wimbledon, a tournament that means so much to both men - and where their paths crossed all those years ago.

On the day Federer won at Roland Garros, Sampras said he expected Federer to get No. 15 "in the next couple of weeks.'' Asked whether he would travel to the All England Club this year, Sampras replied: "We'll sort of see what happens.''

Many current players figure Federer is set to re-establish his supremacy at Wimbledon. As 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt put it: "Roger's going to be the one to beat.''

The same must be said of the Williams sisters, particularly Venus. As has been the case with Federer in recent years, Wimbledon is their turf.

Venus has played in seven finals at the All England Club, winning five championships, including the past two. Serena has played in four finals, winning two.

Pay no heed to the rankings, which have both sisters behind No. 1 Dinara Safina. Here are the numbers that really matter: Serena has won 10 Grand Slam titles overall, and Venus seven, while Marat Safin's little sister is 0-3 in major finals.

Maria Sharapova, the 2004 Wimbledon champion, can't be counted out, even if her serve has been a trouble spot in her return from shoulder surgery, while a teenager such as Victoria Azarenka or Caroline Wozniacki could be ready for a breakthrough.

It seems far less likely that someone who isn't a household name will win the men's championship July 5.

For Federer, there are other laurels at stake this fortnight: He could match Nadal's feat from 2008 of winning the French Open and Wimbledon in the same season - that hadn't been done since Bjorn Borg in 1980.

Plus, Federer can reclaim the No. 1 ranking, although he said that doesn't concern him.

Right now, he is focusing on adding to his haul of major championships. He bawled during the postmatch ceremonies after another five-set setback against Nadal at the Australian Open this year, then shed tears of joy when he won the French Open.

Now comes Wimbledon.

"I do think I'm the favorite, actually, with the success I've had and how close I came again last year,'' said Federer, whose wife is due to give birth to their first child this summer. "Without any disrespect to any of the other players - because I think this year's field is going to be very difficult to topple.''

Those words were spoken before Nadal became only the second Wimbledon men's champion in 35 years to decide not to defend his title. But Federer had other men in mind, too, such as Andy Murray, the 22-year-old from Scotland who gives local fans a real chance for the first British male champion at the All England Club since Fred Perry in 1936.

Murray reached his first Grand Slam final at last year's U.S. Open, and he showed how his versatility is growing by making the French Open quarterfinals. Then, as if the expectations and pressure weren't going to be onerous enough during Wimbledon, Murray went out and won the grass-court tournament at Queen's Club last weekend, making him that event's first British champion since 1938.

"The buildup beforehand is a little bit more stressful than other tournaments,'' Murray said, "but once it starts, it's like all the other Slams.''

In running down the list of contenders, Federer also named two-time Wimbledon finalist Andy Roddick (although that was before the American hurt his foot at Queen's Club), 2008 Australian Open runner-up Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and French Open runner-up Robin Soderling, who ended Nadal's 31-match winning streak at Roland Garros.

Still - and especially with Nadal out - it all comes back to Federer, even as far as he is concerned.

"I feel like I've got the game, I've got the mental approach and I've got the experience ... to win at Wimbledon many more times,'' Federer said. "But I'd like to get this one, this year.''

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Capsules on top men's Wimbledon players

Men to watch at Wimbledon, which begins Monday (rankings in parentheses):

ROGER FEDERER (2)

Age: 27

Country: Switzerland

2009 Match Record: 33-6

2009 Singles Titles: 2

Career Singles Titles: 59

Major Titles: 14 - Wimbledon ('03, '04, '05, '06, '07), U.S. Open ('04, '05, '06, '07, '08), Australian Open ('04, '06, '07), French Open ('09)

Last 5 Wimbledons: '08-F, '07-W, '06-W, '05-W, '04-W

Topspin: Title at Roland Garros this month made him sixth man with a career Grand Slam and allowed him to tie Pete Sampras' record of 14 major championships. ... Has reached the final at 15 of past 16 majors and the semifinals at a record 20 consecutive Grand Slam tournaments. ... Entered May's Madrid Open without a title this season, but has won last two tournaments. ... When Nadal upset Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon final, the Spaniard became the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to win at Roland Garros and the All England Club in the same year. Now Federer will attempt to match that.

ANDY MURRAY (3)

Age: 22

Country: Britain

2009 Match Record: 40-6

2009 Singles Titles: 4

Career Singles Titles: 12

Major Titles: 0 - Best: F, at U.S. Open in '08

Last 5 Wimbledons: '08-QF, '07-DNP, '06-4th, '05-3rd, '04-DNP

Topspin: Once again, the Scot will be subjected to intense scrutiny and pressure as British fans hope for their first homegrown male champion at Wimbledon since Fred Perry in 1936. ... Has progressed one step further each time he's competed at All England Club. ... Title at Queen's Club last week was first for a British man at that grass-court tuneup event since 1938.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC (4)

Age: 22

Country: Serbia

2009 Match Record: 43-13

2009 Singles Titles: 2

Career Singles Titles: 13

Major Titles: 1 - Australian Open ('08)

Last 5 Wimbledons: '08-2nd, '07-SF, '06-4th, '05-3rd, '04-DNP

Topspin: Took steps back at each of this year's first two major tournaments, exiting in quarterfinals while defending Australian Open title, then getting surprised by Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets in third round at French Open, where he was a semifinalist in 2007 and 2008.

JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO (5)

Age: 20

Country: Argentina

2009 Match Record: 31-9

2009 Singles Titles: 1

Career Singles Titles: 5

Major Titles: 0 - Best: SF, at French Open in '09

Last 5 Wimbledons: '08-2nd, '07-2nd, '06-DNP, '05-DNP, '04-DNP

Topspin: Made first Grand Slam semifinal at Roland Garros, then pushed Federer to five sets. ... Youngest member of top 10. ... At 6-foot-6, with versatile game, del Potro is high on the list of next big things in men's tennis.

ANDY RODDICK (6)

Age: 26

Country: United States

2009 Match Record: 33-8

2009 Singles Titles: 1

Career Singles Titles: 27

Major Titles: 1 - U.S. Open ('03)

Last 5 Wimbledons: '08-2nd, '07-QF, '06-3rd, '05-F, '04-F

Topspin: Hurt his right foot in a freak on-court accident during Queen's Club tournament last week, but expects to play at Wimbledon. ... Coming off a fourth-round run at French Open, by far his best showing at that Grand Slam event.

JO-WILFRIED TSONGA (9)

Age: 24

Country: France

2009 Match Record: 32-10

2009 Singles Titles: 2

Career Singles Titles: 4

Major Titles: 0 - Best: F, at Australian Open in '08

Last 5 Wimbledons: '08-DNP, '07-4th, '06-DNP, '05-DNP, '04-DNP

Topspin: Missed Wimbledon in 2008 after right knee surgery. ... Part of young crop of French talent that includes No. 7 Gilles Simon.

ROBIN SODERLING (12)

Age: 24

Country: Sweden

2009 Match Record: 18-11

2009 Singles Titles: 0

Career Singles Titles: 3

Major Titles: 0 - Best: F, at French Open in '09

Last 5 Wimbledons: '08-2nd, '07-3rd, '06-1st, '05-1st, '04-1st

Topspin: Quite a breakthrough at Roland Garros, knocking off Nadal, along with other top-15 victories over Nikolay Davydenko, Fernando Gonzalez and David Ferrer, en route to Grand Slam final debut. Never had been past the third round at a major tournament.

MARAT SAFIN (23)

Age: 29

Country: Russia

2009 Match Record: 7-10

2009 Singles Titles: 0

Career Singles Titles: 15

Major Titles: 2 - U.S. Open ('00), Australian Open ('05)

Last 5 Wimbledons: '08-SF, '07-3rd, '06-2nd, '05-3rd, '04-1st

Topspin: Says this is his final season on tour, making this his last appearance at Wimbledon. ... Seeded 14th, nine spots above his ranking. ... Last year marked his first trip past the third round at the All England Club since reaching the 2001 quarterfinals. ... A crowd favorite, he's liable to do just about anything during a match - yell at himself, smash a racket, drop his shorts, play brilliantly or erratically - and say just about anything after it.

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Razzano defeats defending champion Radwanska

EASTBOURNE, England (AP) -Virginie Razzano upset defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska 7-6 (5), 7-5 on Thursday to reach the semifinals of the Eastbourne Championships.

"It was a very close match, a tough match,'' Razzano said. "She's a great player and you need to play your best to beat her. I won because I was aggressive against her and was mentally strong.''

Marion Bartoli defeated Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-1, 6-4 to set up a meeting with Razzano.

Sixth-seeded Caroline Wozniacki swept past Ekaterina Makarova 6-3, 6-2, the only remaining seed in the women's draw.

Wozniacki will face Aleksandra Wozniak, who took just 45 minutes to oust former-finalist Vera Dushevina 6-1, 6-0.

In the men's draw, fourth-seeded Fabrice Santoro advanced when Ivan Ljubicic retired with a left ankle injury

The Frenchman had lost the first set 6-3 and was leading the second set 4-2 when Ljubicic lost his footing and slid into the net. After crying out in pain he was attended to by Santoro, who called for ice, but was unable to continue.

Ljubicic later attended hospital for tests and will make a decision later about playing next week at Wimbledon.

Santoro now plays qualifier Frank Dancevic, who outlasted Leonardo Mayer 6-7, 6-4, 7-5.

The second semifinal will be between second-seeded Dmitry Tursunov and eighth-seeded Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.

Tursunov beat Denis Istomin 7-6, 6-4, and Garcia-Lopez defeated Janko Tipsarevic 6-4, 3-6, 6-3

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Murray mountain? Brit must weather Wimbledon hype

PARIS (AP) -Oh, Andy Murray what have you done? Set all England aflutter that you might be the Wimbledon one.

As if the home expectations weren't already heavy enough, the third-ranked Brit committed the schoolboy error of winning his first grass-court title just one week before Wimbledon starts next Monday.

Cue giant British anticipation. Almost inevitably, the hype will end as it always does - in British tears.

Or will it?

Don't say this too loud, but Murray, for once, might be the real deal.

Not in a long, long time has a British man rolled up in his Wimbledon whites with such legitimate hopes of winning tennis' oldest and most prestigious Grand Slam.

The 22-year-old from Dunblane, Scotland, is fitter and wiser than he was a year ago, when eventual champion Rafael Nadal ousted him 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 from the quarterfinals without facing a single break point.

Grass is not Murray's best surface. But his ranking is at a career high, and he's the only top 10 player to have beaten both Nadal and Roger Federer, the world's top two, this year.

The big question is with the eyes of a nation upon him, how will he cope?

Trains still burned coal, "Gone With The Wind'' had just hit bookstores, and cheesy singer Engelbert Humperdinck was only two months old when a British man last won Wimbledon.

Since that time, Australians have had the pleasure of seeing homegrown heroes such as Roy Emerson, Ken Rosewall and Rod Laver triumph at their major. American champions too numerous to mention - John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi etc. - have spoiled U.S. Open fans. France had Yannick Noah winning at Roland Garros in 1983, a victory the Frenchman has since parlayed into a career as a singer.

And the Brits? They have only poorly exposed black and white photos and scratchy film of Fred Perry, their last men's champion back in ... wait for it ... 1936.

So, Andy, no pressure or anything, but could you put Britain out of its misery?

Federer said his nerves almost overwhelmed him when he triumphed at the French Open final this month. It was the only major the Swiss master had yet to win. The last game, serving for the trophy, "was almost unplayable for me,'' Federer said later.

So imagine Murray in the same position on Centre Court, Wimbledon, history turning his insides to mush. Who wouldn't crack?

And the delirium should he win. It might not eclipse 1966, when England last won the football World Cup, but it would be close.

"Henman Hill'' - where Wimbledon crowds once gathered to cheer and have their hearts broken by the last British hope, Tim Henman - would be forever re-baptized.

Clever advertisers are giving us a preview. A TV spot running ahead of Wimbledon shows Britons huddled around their televisions on championship point and then erupting in joy.

"It will happen again,'' the narrator intones.

Nadal's rickety knees have deprived him of a Wimbledon warm-up. Even if the Spaniard recovers for next week, he might not be at his physical peak.

Five-time champion Federer could be motivated to become the first man to win 15 majors, breaking his current tie with Sampras, or still be drained by his French Open emotions. He skipped his usual grass-court warm-up tournament in Germany last week to recover.

But Murray triumphed on grass at Queen's Club, the first Briton to win that Wimbledon tune-up since Bunny Austin in 1938. Eight times in the past 30 years, the Queen's winner became the Wimbledon champion. Admittedly, the Queen's field, missing all but six of the world's top 20 players, wasn't very strong. Nevertheless, Murray didn't lose a set all week.

Henman, who reached four semifinals, says he used to thrive on the wild support he got at Wimbledon. Murray will get that boost, too. Even James Bond himself, Scottish actor Sean Connery, has cheered him on in the past.

Murray is a more aggressive and edgier player than Henman ever was, with a stronger can-do mentality. His serious, sometimes dour, attitude also should help him weather the off-court buzz.

"I don't know how many times I'm going to have to say this the next week, but for the people that sit and read the papers and that write the papers and do the bits on TV and on radio, you can get caught up in it if you want to,'' Murray said after Queen's.

"I'm not planning on getting caught up in the whole hype and, you know, the pressure and whatnot,'' he added, "because I don't think that that helps.''

---

John Leicester is an international sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at jleicester(at)ap.org

Murray wins Wimbledon tuneup
Nadal and Federer seeded 1-2 for Wimbledon
Week in Review: Sweet victory, at last

Nadal and Federer seeded 1-2 for Wimbledon

WIMBLEDON, England - Defending champion Rafael Nadal and top-ranked women’s player Dinara Safina were seeded No. 1 for Wimbledon on Wednesday.

There were no big surprises when the All England Club announced the seedings for the grass-court Grand Slam tournament, which opens Monday. The draw will be released Friday.

The top-ranked Nadal has been having trouble with his knees the past few months and received treatment after pulling out of the Wimbledon warm-up event at Queen’s Club.

The Spaniard plans to test them by playing exhibition matches on grass against Lleyton Hewitt on Thursday and Stanislas Wawrinka on Friday at the Hurlingham Club in London.

Wimbledon stuck closely to the world rankings in determining the seeding lists for the two-week tournament.

The top six spots in the men’s list follow the rankings. Five-time champion Roger Federer is No. 2, with Andy Murray at No. 3. Murray won his first grass-court title at Queen’s Club on Sunday, becoming the first Briton to win the tournament since Bunny Austin in 1938, who then went on to become the last British men’s finalist at Wimbledon.

They are followed by No. 4 Novak Djokovic, No. 5 Juan Martin Del Porto and No. 6 Andy Roddick. Eighth-ranked Fernando Verdasco is seeded No. 7 ahead of Gilles Simon.

Marat Safin, a semifinalist last year, is the No. 15 seed despite being ranked 23rd, while the big-serving Ivo Karlovic is at No. 23 while having a ranking of 31.

Among the women, Safina of Russia is followed by Serena Williams and defending champion Venus Williams.

The only major change from the rankings is 2004 Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova as the No. 24 seed despite being ranked 59th.

Sharapova has plunged down the rankings after nine months out with a shoulder injury but reached the semifinals of the Aegon Classic in Birmingham last week.

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Defending champion Ferrer cruises to quarters

DEN BOSCH, Netherlands (AP) -Defending champion David Ferrer reached the quarterfinals at the Ordina Open on Wednesday with a 6-4, 6-3 win over compatriot Oscar Hernandez.

Ferrer's next opponent at the grass court tournament is fellow Spaniard Ivan Navarro, who upset last year's losing finalist Marc Gicquel.

"Fans cheered me more than they did on Oscar,'' Ferrer said. "Oscar made me run a lot but running is also part of my game.''

German qualifier Benjamin Becker, who ousted top-seeded Fernando Verdasco on Tuesday, will play 2004 champion Michael Llodra in the last eight.

Fourth-seeded Rainer Schuettler, also of Germany, advanced to the quarterfinals by beating Thiemo de Bakker of the Netherlands 6-3, 7-6 (3). Schuettler next plays seventh-seeded Jeremy Chardy of France.

Raemon Sluiter, the Netherlands' only remaining contender, will play Dudi Sela of Israel in the quarterfinals after his second round opponent Marcos Baghdatis retired citing a knee injury at 4-3 in the first set.

In the women's draw, sixth-seeded Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia advanced to the quarterfinal after beating Ukraine's Kateryna Bondarenko, 2-6, 6-2, 6-1. On a bad day for the Bondarenko sisters, Alona Bondarenko crashed out after losing 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 to fifth-seeded Francesca Schiavone of Italy. Schiavone, next meets Olga Govortsova of Belarus, who defeated Nathalie Dechy of France 6-1, 6-3.

"I had a slow start,'' Hantuchova said. "I had to focus more on my own game. When I finally managed to do that, I could turn the match around.''

Hantuchova will play Dinara Safina in the quarterfinals after the top-seeded Russian won 6-3, 6-3 against Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan.

Also, in the women's quarterfinals, it's third-seeded Flavia Pennetta vs. Tamarine Tanasugarn and Kristina Barrois vs. Yanina Wickmayer.

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Nadal may play grass-court exhibition tournament

MADRID, Spain (AP) -Top-ranked Rafael Nadal may play at a grass-court exhibition tournament in England on Friday to prepare for Wimbledon.

Nadal won the title at Wimbledon last year, but he lost in the fourth round of French Open this month. He pulled out of the Queen's Club tournament last week to rest his injured knees.

"I have kindly been invited to play the traditional exhibition at the Hurlingham Club,'' Nadal said in a statement on his Web site. "I have played at that club for several years now.

"It would be a good test for me to play there on Friday to see how the knee is doing and it would provide the perfect setting to get some practice before Wimbledon.''

Nadal played at the event in 2006 and '07.

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Nadal returns to defend Queen’s Club title

Dementieva sees off Kirilenko in Eastbourne

EASTBOURNE, England (AP) -Top-seeded Elena Dementieva overcame a stubborn challenge from fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko Monday to earn a 6-2, 6-2 victory at the Eastbourne Championships.

Dementieva failed to win three break points in a 14-minute opening game and she had to fight off two break points on her serve before holding for 2-2.

But Kirilenko faltered in making a forehand error to give Dementieva a 3-2 lead, and after holding serve at love she broke again when her opponent double-faulted on break point.

Despite double-faulting twice on set point Dementieva served out the set, and then broke to lead 1-0 in the second set when Kirilenko made another forehand error.

Dementieva all but sealed her victory by breaking again for 5-2 with a forehand winner.

"It was not that easy and I think it was a good match for the first match on (a) grass court,'' Dementieva said. "There's such a short time after the French Open, but I think it's quite interesting and it's always fun to play on grass.''

Nadia Petrova, runner-up last year to Agnieszka Radwanska, won the last five games to defeat Serbia's Ana Ivanovic 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.

After losing the first four games of the match, Ivanovic came back into the match in the second set and broke to lead 5-4.

She also broke twice in the final set to build a 4-1 lead, before the seventh-seeded Russian rallied.

"It has been a difficult first-round match but I had fun out there,'' Petrova said. "I wanted to play my best tennis and leave everything I could out there and I was very happy with my performance after 4-1.''

For the first time, an ATP event is taking place alongside the women's traditional Wimbledon warmup event.

Fourth-seeded Fabrice Santoro of France beat American Robert Kendrick, and eighth-seeded Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain overcame Russia's Evgeny Korolev 6-2, 6-7, 6-2.

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Murray wins Wimbledon tuneup

LONDON (AP) -Andy Murray defeated James Blake 7-5, 6-4 Sunday to win the Aegon Championships at Queen's Club for his first grass-court title.

The top-seeded Murray became the first British player to win the tournament since Bunny Austin in 1938, who then went on to become the last Briton to reach the Wimbledon final.

"I was quite nervous,'' Murray said. "People were telling me that no (Briton) had won here for 70-odd years so that got the nerves going, especially when I was serving for the match.''

Murray took an early lead with a break in the third game, but Blake immediately leveled with a forehand winner down the line. Both players then easily held serve until 5-5, when Blake missed a forehand on break point.

The second set was equally competitive until Murray broke for a decisive 4-3 lead when a fierce return forced Blake to net a backhand volley.

"I didn't quite know what to expect, but this is some of the best tennis I've played in my life,'' said Murray, who did not drop a set all week. "I'm a long way from winning Wimbledon, but I feel confident. I'll try and not get too far ahead of myself and focus on my first match there, but if I play my best like I did this week I've got a chance.''

Blake said he was beaten by a better player, but that he was pleased with preparation for Wimbledon, which starts June 22.

"I had a good week,'' Blake said. "Playing on the grass, I always have a lot of fun playing here. I feel great. I've been working with my coach and trainer, and I know I'm doing the best preparation possible for Wimbledon. I'll be ready to play and feel great about my chances.''

It was Murray's fourth title of the year, following victories in Doha, Rotterdam and Miami.

The sixth-seeded Blake was playing his third grass-court final, after finishing runner-up here in 2006 to Lleyton Hewitt and losing the Newport final in 2002 to Taylor Dent. He was seeking his first title since August 2007.

Defending champion Rafael Nadal pulled out of the tournament to rest his knees ahead of Wimbledon.

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Nadal returns to defend Queen’s Club title

Dokic’s father gets 15 months in jail for threat

RUMA, Serbia - The father of tennis player Jelena Dokic was sentenced Thursday to 15 months in jail on charges that he threatened the Australian ambassador to Serbia.

Damir Dokic was found guilty of “endangering the security” of the ambassador in Belgrade and unlawful possession of weapons, which were impounded during a police search of his home.

Dokic was brought under police escort to the court in Ruma, a town about 30 miles northwest of Belgrade. He did not comment, but his lawyer confirmed the sentence to The Associated Press.

“The sentence is too high,” Bosiljka Djukic told the AP. “We were both left speechless.”

Djukic said she will appeal the sentence.

“I hope the higher court will undo this injustice against Damir Dokic,” Djukic said.

Dokic was arrested last month after reportedly saying he would blow up ambassador Clair Birgin’s car if she didn’t stop negative articles about him from being published in Australia.

Jelena Dokic had given interviews to Australian media, saying her father had beaten her.

Dokic told Serbian media he would fire a rocket launcher at Birgin’s car, but later said the statements were made in anger. He also has admitted having beaten his daughter.

Jelena Dokic, born in the former Yugoslavia, migrated to Australia with her family as a child and represented her adopted country at the 2000 Olympics.

She renounced her Australian ties in 2001 to move back to Serbia, then decided to compete for Australia again in 2006.

The 26-year-old Dokic, a Wimbledon semifinalist in 2000, is ranked No. 75 after a comeback at the Australian Open, where she reached the quarterfinals.

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2 minutes enough for Sharapova victory

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) -Maria Sharapova needed only two minutes on court to wrap up a rain-delayed 6-3, 6-4 victory over Alexa Glatch on Thursday and reach the third round of the Aegon Classic.

The former top-ranked player needed just five points to advance in the Wimbledon warm-up tournament after her match had been delayed overnight by bad weather.

Victory over the 19-year-old US Fed Cup player continued Sharapova's grass court build-up to what she hopes will be another assault on the Wimbledon title in 12 days' time, though it meant that she was obliged to play twice in a day.

Florida-based Sharapova had twice been match point up against the promising American on Wednesday, but with the rain beginning to turn from drizzle into a downpour they had had to come off with Glatch holding a point to reach 5-5.

Sharapova's first shot on resumption was a brilliant forehand return of serve, followed by a winning approach shot, which brought the score back to deuce.

She reached match point with a quieter return of serve which Glatch struck beyond the baseline, only for the teenager to save the third match point with a fine winning serve. When Sharapova earned a fourth match point, however, with a short low return combined with a winning pass, she converted it.

Sharapova forced Glatch to come in again with a short return, and this time Glatch over-hit.

Was this the shortest amount of time she had spent on court? "Probably, yes,'' she giggled.

"It's never easy, but everyone has to deal with these situations,'' she added. "It's tricky but I'm glad I could make it.''

Asked if the shoulder, which kept her out of the game for almost 10 months, was now fine, she replied: "I hope so. We will see. I play the best I can and just get the job done.''

The next job was a last-16 meeting with the seventh seeded Francesca Schiavone, the former top 20 Italian, who overwhelmed Ukraine's Mariya Koryttseva 6-1, 6-1.

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Tsonga, Berdych upset in Halle

HALLE, Germany (AP) -Tommy Haas beat fourth-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3 7-6 (3) on Wednesday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Gerry Weber Open, capping a fine day for Germans and a disastrous one for seeded players.

In an earlier upset, Mischa Zverev rallied to defeat fifth-seeded Tomas Berdych 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (8).

The other two seeded players in action, No. 6 Dmitry Tursunov and No. 8 Rainer Schuettler, also tumbled out.

Haas, a 31-year-old veteran who is working his way back after shoulder surgery, got a wild card into the grass-court event. His experience showed against Tsonga, a Frenchman with a flashy but inconsistent game.

"I played as well as I can, especially on the big points,'' Haas said. "We both played extremely well. To beat a top-10 player shows that I have to be reckoned with.''

Haas, once ranked as high as No. 2 in the world, had his best French Open in seven years when he reached the fourth round last week, losing to eventual champion Roger Federer after winning the first two sets.

"That was a great confidence booster, it made me realize that I can play with the best,'' Haas said.

Tsonga praised the German.

"Not many players are capable of playing like he did today. You can lose even when you play very well and it's frustrating,'' he said.

Tsonga said he would now "practice, practice and practice'' in his run-up to Wimbledon.

Zverev, a German wild card, wasted three match points in the decisive tiebreaker, then saved two before overcoming the 2007 champion.

It is the fourth time this year that the 21-year-old German has reached the quarterfinal stage of a tournament. Zverev also saved match points in beating Berdych at the Rome Masters last month.

"I knew that he would eventually get tight and make mistakes,'' Zverev said.

Benjamin Becker of Germany beat Schuettler 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 to make his first quarterfinal of the season. Schuettler was the only German to lose Wednesday, and the tournament could potentially have seven local players in the last eight.

Tursunov lost to another German, Philipp Kohlschreiber, after wasting a 4-1 lead in the second set and 5-0 advantage in the tiebreaker before going down 6-4, 7-6 (8).

Kohlschreiber won six straight points to gain a match point. The Russian saved it but then lost the next two points to end his error-filled performance.

Earlier, "lucky loser'' Lukas Lacko advanced to the second round by beating Harel Levy 7-6 (6), 6-2. Lacko lost to Levy in the final round of qualifying but won a place in the main draw after the withdrawal of top-seeded Federer.

On Tuesday, Federer pulled out the tournament, where he usually begins his grass-court preparations for Wimbledon, saying he was "overwhelmed'' and "exhausted'' after his French Open win.

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Sharapova beats Dubois at Aegon Classic

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) -Maria Sharapova beat Stephanie Dubois 6-4, 6-2 in the first round of the Aegon Classic on Monday.

The tournament, a warm-up event for Wimbledon, helped launch Sharapova's fledgling career when she won it in 2004, aged just 17. Three weeks later she beat Serena Williams in the Wimbledon final.

"I'm coming off a really long layover, and it's so great to be back on court that you try to cherish every single moment,'' said the former top-ranked player. "I have such great memories of this little stadium.''

Returning after 10 months out due to shoulder surgery, Sharapova adapted well to the breezy and cool conditions, hitting ambitious ground strokes and serving solidly with her new truncated action.

The former top-ranked Russian next plays Alexa Glatch of the United States, who beat Bethanie Mattek-Sands, the ninth seeded American 7-6, 6-3.

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Juan Carlos Ferrero given Wimbledon wild card

LONDON (AP) -Former top-ranked player Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain has been handed a wild card for Wimbledon.

The 2003 French Open champion has been handed a spot in the draw along with 2008 Wimbledon and U.S. Open junior champion Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria.

Tournament organizers also Monday selected last year's junior girl's winner, 15-year-old Briton Laura Robson, to play in the main draw of a Grand Slam for the first time. American teenager Alexa Glatch was also handed one of the wild cards.

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Federer earns historic French Open title

PARIS - Roger Federer beat Robin Soderling, tied Pete Sampras and won the French Open at last.

Undeterred by an on-court intruder, Federer beat surprise finalist Soderling 6-1, 7-6 (1), 6-4 Sunday to complete a career Grand Slam and win his 14th major title, matching Sampras' record.

On his fourth try at Roland Garros, Federer became the sixth man to win all four Grand Slam championships.

"Now the question is: Am I the greatest of all time?" Federer said. "We don't know, but I definitely have many things going for me because I've finally won all four Grand Slams, and I'm particularly happy reaching Pete's 14."

When the stylish Swiss hit a service winner on championship point, he fell on his knees to the clay that had vexed him for so long, screamed and briefly buried his face in his hands. He was teary by the time he met Soderling at the net, and fans gave Federer a standing ovation as he raised his arms in triumph.

"It's maybe my greatest victory, or certainly the one that removes the most pressure off my shoulders," Federer said. "I think that now and until the end of my career, I can really play with my mind at peace and no longer hear that I've never won Roland Garros."

Tears ran down Federer's cheeks as the Swiss national anthem played.

 Slideshow 

Federer cries again, but tears of joy this time
TFC’s Guevara earns Player of the Week
Federer cries again, but tears of joy this time

Nadal might not play Wimbledon, coach says

Rafael Nadal, who withdrew Friday from next week’s grass-court tournament at Queen’s Club because of knee trouble, might not be able to defend his title at Wimbledon, Reuters reported Saturday.

"We will see on Monday or Tuesday," Nadal's coach, Toni Nadal, said on French radio RMC, Reuters reported. "We will go to Barcelona to see what the problem is. I am not too optimistic.

"Of course, if there is a possibility for him to take part in one the world's greatest tournaments, he will.

"He is very affected by this."

“I have been having some problems in the past months with my knees, that’s no secret, that did not allow me to compete always at 100 percent,” Nadal said in a statement released by the Queen's Club organizers. “I need to work with my team to recover well, work on my physical condition to be at my top form and get ready for the grass to play at Wimbledon. I hope I can be ready to compete by then.”

Wimbledon starts June 22.

On Sunday, Nadal lost in the fourth round of the French Open to Sweden’s Robin Soderling. It was the first loss at Roland Garros for the four-time French Open champion.

Nadal was also coming off a loss to Roger Federer in the final of the Madrid Open.

Nadal has played at the Queen’s tournament in west London every year since his first appearance in 2005. He won the title last year, beating Novak Djokovic 7-6 (6), 7-5 in the final.

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Opinion: Sharapova's hot, Kuznetsova's not — 'nuff said

Svetlana Kuznetsova just defeated Samantha “Buff” Stosur (did you see the biceps on that woman? Looks like she’s been arm-wrestling with Nadal) to advance to the French Open final, where she will face the current world number one, Dinara Safina.

It’s predictable that Safina will garner more attention and be the heavy favorite going into the final. After all, she’s the top player in the world chasing her first Grand Slam title, while Kuznetsova has taken on the air of an also-ran over the last few years, a supremely talented player who fails to come through in the big moments.

It’s not an entirely undeserved reputation, and yet I can’t help but feel that at least part (a big part) of the media’s utter lack of interest in Kuznetsova’s tennis comes down to the fact that she is not hot. This situation was at its most crystal clear back in that tennis-mad summer and fall of 2004, when Svetlana Kuznetsova burst into the big-time by winning the U.S. Open, just a few short months after another Russian teenager had emerged as a champion at Wimbledon.

There seems to be a myth in retrospect that Maria Sharapova was an unseeded wunderkind when she won Wimbledon as a seventeen-year-old in 2004. It’s not true – she was the 13th seeded player in the tournament and on every insider’s radar as a potential phenom just waiting to explode. She’d just made the quarters at the 2004 French. In short, other than the “being 17 years old” business, this was no Boris Becker kind of breakthrough.

But it felt like it, and rightfully so, because Sharapova’s waltz through the 2004 Wimbledon draw was exhilarating to watch, and the way she bullied around the reigning tour bully, Serena Williams, in the final was simply unfathomable, Buster Douglas beating up on Mike Tyson territory. Here was a Russian teen arriving fully former before our eyes on Centre Court at Wimbledon and giving the implacable Serena the asswhupping of her life. Deservedly so, it became one of the biggest sports stories of the year and turned Sharapova into an instant superstar.

Cut to two months later, and Svetlana Kuznetsova, aged nineteen and ranked ninth in the tournament, pulls pretty much the same act at the U.S. Open., blows her way through the draw losing only a single set playing an astonishing brand of go-for-broke power tennis.

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And yet, media-wise, you would have thought that… well, you would have thought that no one won the women’s singles title at the Open that year, that the entire tournament was cancelled due to lack of interest. Sharapova went out in the fourth round, as I recall, and neither Venus nor Serena made it past the quarters. Two Americans advanced to the semis, Lindsay Davenport and Jennifer Capriati, and they both lost to Russians, Davenport in a great match to Kuznetsova, and Capriati to eventual runner-up, Elena Dementieva.

Part of the problem was that no big-name players made the final, and part of the problem was that it was the U.S. Open. Americans are notoriously star-obsessed and interested in American players first and foremost. Had Kuznetsova’s emergence occurred at Wimbledon, it likely would have created more of a buzz in the media, and had she beaten Venus Williams rather than Dementieva in the Open final, it would have been a much bigger deal Stateside.

But look, let’s get down to brass tacks. Maria Sharapova is supermodel hot, and Kuznetsova is a fine-looking but unspectacularly attractive woman. If Sharapova had NOT won Wimbledon, and then marched through the U.S. Open draw in exactly the same fashion as did Kuznetsova, it would have been front-page news for weeks in NYC, with Page Six mentions for Maria every day of the tournament. Not only that, but there is no question in my mind that if Kuznetsova were even close to being as beautiful and leggy as is Sharapova that the media take on her victory at the ’04 U.S. Open would have been completely different. “The Ovas” they would have called Maria and Sveta, the two Russian divas, the next great rivalry of tennis, etc.

 

As it was, Kuznetsova’ Grand Slam title was seen as a curious and boring anomaly while Sharapova was heralded as the future of women’s tennis. Since then, this disparity has perpetuated itself, and the disparity in their achievements warrants this at least somewhat. Sharapova has held the number one ranking in the world and won two more Grand Slams, while Kuznetsova has been only as high as number two in the world, and has not won another Slam, appearing in two Slam finals, the 2006 French and the 2007 U.S. Open, both of which she lost to Justine Henin.

But even allowing for the fact that Sharapova has had more success, I still can’t get away from the fact that the lion’s share of the difference in our interest in the two players is a question of their looks. There are people who will counter this by saying that Sharapova also has a great personality and that’s a big part of her appeal, to which I say… bull. She’s bubbly and available, but she’s not exactly Lauren Bacall on the charisma front. Kuznetsova is slightly shyer, but also forthcoming and possessed of a genuine sense of humor. I’ve seen her interviewed many times, and she handles herself very well. On that court, at least, she is Maria’s equal.

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Tapia quits as Malaga boss

Antonio Tapia has quit as coach of Malaga after guiding the club to an eighth-placed finish in the Primera Division.

The 49-year-old took charge of Malaga last summer after the club had secured promotion to the top flight under former boss Juan Ramon Lopez Muniz.

However, following the 3-0 defeat by Espanyol in the final game of the season on Sunday, Tapia confirmed he is stepping down.

"Next season I am not going to be the coach of the team," said Tapia.

"We've had an excellent campaign and it is the ideal moment to end this cycle. Coaches are not always able to decide when we finish a cycle."

Going away happy

Tapia is satisfied with his work during his time at Malaga and says he does not yet have another coaching position lined up.

He added: "At the moment there is nothing signed, although I hope to study some possibilities and start another project.

"I want to thank all the support I've had from the president, the workers at the club, the fans and the press.

"I've done everything I could and we've had a fantastic season.

"In the future you never know. I'm going away with a very good taste in the mouth and having completed the expectations that we set for ourselves. I'm going away happy."

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Jol eyes Van der Vaart reunion

Martin Jol believes Rafael van der Vaart could be tempted to return to Ajax from Real Madrid after enduring a torrid season in the Spanish capital.

The Dutch coach was appointed as the new boss at the Amsterdam ArenA last week and has already begun to think about how to bolster his squad and push the club back to the top.

Having worked with Van der Vaart at Hamburg, Jol has maintained regular contact with the player and knows all about his situation at Santiago Bernabau.

"I am always in contact with Van der Vaart," the trainer told German daily Bild .

"I have great respect for him and know that he is in a difficult situation at Real Madrid.

"If his position becomes clear, then he may just come."

Florentino Perez became the new Madrid president on Monday and his arrival could mean Van der Vaart could be pushed out as rumours suggest all the club's Dutch players will be allowed to leave.

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Sylvinho to leave Barca

Brazilian defender Sylvinho is set to leave Barcelona after the European champions decided not to renew his contract at the end of the month.

The 35-year-old has been at Barca for five years after previous spells with Arsenal and latterly Celta Vigo.

In his time with the Catalans, he helped them lift two UEFA Champions League trophies, three league titles and one King's Cup.

Sylvinho started last week's UEFA Champions League final win over Manchester United as first-choice left-back Eric Abidal was suspended.

The veteran - who has been linked with Celtic in the past - made 19 starts and eight substitute appearances this season, scoring one goal.

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Perez - Ron a model signing

New Real Madrid president Florentino Perez believes Cristiano Ronaldo could be a 'model' signing for the club.

Ronaldo has again been linked with a summer move to Real, 12 months after the Manchester United winger was courted by the Spanish giants.

United remain confident the Portugal international will still be at the club next season, but Perez is tipped to make a big-money bid for the 24-year-old.

Reports have claimed former president Ramon Calderon had an agreement in place to bring Ronaldo to the Santiago Bernabeu - something Perez is unaware of.

However, at the start of his second spell as Real president, Perez is ready to splash the cash again after previously presiding over the 'Galacticos' era

"I don't know anything about the story of Cristiano Ronaldo. I only just took charge," he told television programme '59 segundos' . "But what I am sure of is that which seems expensive is the cheapest.

"In my last era the cheapest was (Zinedine) Zidane, who seemed very expensive because we paid 73million (euros) for him.

"Without knowing who we can get, there will be a massive effort for the great players of the world, because that is the Real Madrid model."

Competitive spirit

Perez also laughed off suggestions that Ronaldo's temper could hinder him at the Bernabeu.

"I have not seen anything about him that would prohibit him from playing at Real Madrid," he added. "I have seen him get angry because he wants to win and (because of) his competitive spirit.

"The information I have on him says that he is an example on the pitch, a model."

Kaka has also been linked with a move to Real, but Perez denied rumours of a deal to sign the Brazilian, who has again pledged his future to AC Milan.

Perez added: "We started working today and we will lay the foundations to create a magnificent team.

"Kaka could be one of our objectives, but the prices the media are talking about are really out of the reality.

"Some things can last for days, others for months. We have time until August 31.

"It's not true that we have signed Kaka and I don't want there to be false hope. It's true that I have a great relationship with (AC Milan general manager, Adriano) Galliani, but there are other teams who have their own projects and everything has a price.

"Yes, I can say that I will work, but not everyone can come."

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Real's Kaka bid confirmed

Spanish radio station Cadena Ser is reporting Kaka has signed for Real Madrid in a €65million (Ј56million) deal, although his spokesman has countered that while an approach has been made no agreement has yet been struck.

Kaka's father and agent, Bosco Leite, reportedly revealed that a deal was agreed following talks between newly-installed Real president Florentino Perez and AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani and Leite.

However, Kaka's spokesman Diogo Kotscho said: "Kaka will listen to Real and decide whether or not to make the transfer.

"What I can say for certain is that the Spaniards and Milan have not reached any agreement."

Earlier on Tuesday the Brazilian reiterated his desire to stay at the San Sio, amid reports Chelsea had discussed with Milan officials his possible transfer when finalising Carlo Ancelotti's switch to Stamford Bridge.

It is Madrid though who have stolen ahead of their English counterparts in their efforts to land a player widely regarded to be one of the world's finest.

Kaka told Gazzetta dello Sport on Tuesday: "I say it for the last time. I don't want to leave Milan."

However, his declaration to the Rossoneri cause has failed to quell talk of a departure to ease the club's considerable debt.

Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi intimated prior to the reports breaking in Spain that his club could lose their talisman.

"I do not know if we can keep Kaka at Milan because they (Madrid) have offered him so much money," he told Italian news agency Ansa .

"You can't keep someone against his will. I have not spoken with Leonardo or Galliani yet."

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Real confirm Pellegrini arrival

Real Madrid have confirmed that Manuel Pellegrini will be their new coach for the 2009/10 campaign.

The Chilean is set to be officially unveiled at Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.

Pellegrini has spent the last five years in charge of Real's Primera Liga rivals Villarreal.

The Yellow Submarines had revealed on Monday that they had reached an agreement with Real for their coach to take on a new challenge in the capital.

Recently-appointed Los Blancos president Florention Perez had made acquiring Pellegrini one of his main priorities upon returning to the club for a second spell.

He has now got his man, with Juande Ramos, who took charge of Real on a short-term basis last season, stepping aside.

"Real Madrid and Manuel Pellegrini have reached a deal for the Chilean coach to be the first-team head coach during the forthcoming season," read a statement on the club's official website.

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Two points from win, Jankovic loses at French Open

PARIS (AP) -Jelena Jankovic was two points from winning, just two points from overcoming a disastrous second set and reaching the quarterfinals of the French Open.

It was two points too many.

The fifth-seeded Jankovic instead lost to Sorana Cirstea of Romania 3-6, 6-0, 9-7 Monday in the fourth round.

"I should have won that,'' said Jankovic, who won the first two points on serve while leading 5-4 in the third set. "I had 30-love, and what more can I ask for myself? All of a sudden, point by point, and the game went in her favor and everything got complicated.''

Cirstea started her comeback in that game with a forehand winner into the corner. Jankovic stared at the spot for several seconds - not the first time and not the last time she would do that Monday on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

The Romanian, the first woman from her country to reach the quarterfinals at a major tournament since Irina Spirlea made the U.S. Open semifinals in 1997, then took the score to 30-30 with a backhand volley. She eventually broke Jankovic to stay in the match when the Serb first sent a backhand and then a forehand long.

"I should have went more for my shots and reached a little more and tried to finish off the match point by point,'' Jankovic said. "Didn't go in my favor. Really tough match and tough loss for me.''

In the second set, Jankovic said she had pain in her left foot. She even called for a trainer to look at it, but continued to play.

"It was hurting me inside (the shoe), but after that it was fine,'' said Jankovic, who has also complained about abdominal pain at this year's tournament. "I forgot about it.''

Both players were going for the lines in the third set, with Jankovic hitting some and then drawing boos from the crowd when she questioned calls made against her.

"I knew it was also a little bit mental, who is going to stay stronger,'' Cirstea said. "And I was just trying to keep the energy coming and just try to hit and keep the points shorter.''

Twice, points were replayed, one in favor of each player.

Jankovic, a former top-ranked player who has yet to win a Grand Slam title, is the latest high-profile upset at this year's French Open. She follows Ana Ivanovic, Venus Williams, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic out of the tournament before the quarterfinal stage.

"The way you play, this is the result you're going to have at the end of the day,'' Jankovic said. "That's all I can say.''

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Roddick swept at French, blames lack of light

PARIS - Andy Roddick’s best showing at the French Open ended with a lopsided loss in fading light.

Which bothered him more Monday, that he played poorly in a 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 fourth-round exit against 11th-seeded Gael Monfils of France — or that the match continued as dusk descended?

“Obviously they’re both frustrating, and both contributed to my frustration,” said Roddick, the last U.S. man in the tournament. “He handled the conditions better than I did.”

The match was the last of the day on Court Suzanne Lenglen, and play didn’t begin until 7:47 p.m. Roddick began complaining to chair umpire Enric Molina in the second set that it was too dark.

After losing that set, Roddick told Molina: “I’m having trouble seeing the ball. I can’t see the ball.”

Roddick, never before past the third round at Roland Garros, missed several volleys and at least one overhead shot. After one miscue, the partisan crowd roared, and Monfils egged the spectators on, waving his hands as if to say, “Get louder!”

“The crowd did a good job supporting me. At times, I asked them to wake up and try to bury Andy. They responded, and I think he was a bit annoyed,” said Monfils, who’ll play Roger Federer in the quarterfinals. “As for Andy, I apologize for that.”

Roddick didn’t complain.

“It’s certainly his right,” the 2003 U.S. Open champion said. “It’s his advantage to use.”

While bemoaning his own play — “I felt like I made the right decisions and just messed up the execution,” Roddick said — he also heaped praise on Monfils, calling him one of the best athletes to ever play tennis.

“He covers so much ground,” Roddick said.

The Frenchman finished with a 45-18 edge in winners and a 17-4 advantage in aces. Monfils also saved nine of the 10 break points he faced.

“He served really big,” Roddick acknowledged, “and he served really big at the right times.”

Roger Federer knows full well, of course, that Rafael Nadal is no longer around this year to befuddle him, to beat him, to stand between him and a French Open title.

Federer insists he is not thinking about that, not thinking ahead. Still, Federer sure did play as if preoccupied for the better part of two hours Monday, dropping the first two sets of his fourth-round match against 63rd-ranked Tommy Haas of Germany.

One point from letting Haas serve for the victory, Federer conjured up one particularly spectacular forehand that managed to change the entire flow of things. That shot spurred a run of nine consecutive games for Federer, sending him to a 6-7 (4), 5-7, 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 victory over Haas and a berth in the quarterfinals at Roland Garros.

“I knew I was going to look back on that shot. That saved me,” Federer said. “I was in quite some danger.”

But he escaped. With two more victories, Federer will reach a fourth consecutive final at the French Open, the only Grand Slam championship he hasn’t won. Federer lost to Nadal in each of the past three finals and in the 2005 semifinals, but the Spaniard’s 31-match winning streak at the clay-court major tournament ended Sunday against Robin Soderling.

 

Michel Euler / APSwitzerland's Roger Federer reacts during his victory over Germany's Tommy Haas in the fourth round on Monday. 

“You’re aware of it,” Federer said. “Definitely changes it up, if I were to make the final. But we’re not there yet, so honestly it hasn’t changed a whole lot for me.”

Federer now tries to reach the semifinals at a 20th Grand Slam event in a row, which would extend his own record, when he meets Monfils.

Federer's 13 major championships are one shy of Pete Sampras’ record. With Nadal, Roddick and No. 4 Novak Djokovic all gone, Federer is the only man left with a Grand Slam title.

“For a lot of players,” Federer said, “I think it must be quite a big opportunity, and their heads must be spinning right now.”

The other matchup on his half of the draw is No. 5 Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina against No. 16 Tommy Robredo of Spain — two men who are a combined 0-6 in Grand Slam quarterfinals. Del Potro beat No. 9 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-4, and Robredo eliminated No. 29 Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (4), 6-2.

“Expectations? Everyone has expectations, even myself,” Robredo said.

There are two ways to look at what Nadal’s loss means for Federer. A potential obstacle is out of the way. And now Federer is expected to win the title, which could be a burden.

Consider: Dating to 2005, Federer is 0-4 against Nadal at the French Open, 27-0 against everyone else.

“It kicks the door open for Roger, but suddenly: ’Yeah, step up.’ Now the pressure’s really on,” three-time French Open champion Mats Wilander said. “The pressure before was to just give Nadal a good match. Now, it’s like, ’Hey, listen, if you can’t win it now, then you’re definitely not considered the greatest player of all time — until you do.”’

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Asked about Nadal, Federer joked: “Um, he didn’t retire, right?”

“My dream scenario is to beat Rafa here in the finals,” Federer continued, “but I’ve got to concentrate on my part of the draw and make sure I come through like today.”

Good as he was at the start against Haas — Federer won the first 24 points on his serve — there were moments when his signature forehand let him down. Federer missed two in a row to fall behind in the opening tiebreaker.

When Haas took the second set, too, the prospect of the No. 2-seeded Federer following No. 1 Nadal on the way out was a distinct possibility. Then came the third-set point both Federer and Haas considered pivotal: With Federer serving at 3-4, 30-40 — five points from losing — he ran around his backhand side for an inside-out forehand winner that landed right near a line.

“We both knew there was a chance for me to finish him off,” Haas said. “Just got to tip your hat and say, ’That’s why he’s Roger Federer.”’

 

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