Federer avoids upset to reach last 16

Roger Federer kept his bid for a fifth consecutive US Open title alive but was made to work hard by Igor Andreev.

The world number two progressed to the quarterfinals with a gruelling 6-7 (5/7) 7-6 (7/5) 6-3 3-6 6-3 victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Federer was off the pace from the start, producing a number of poor shots before losing the first set in the tiebreak when the defending champion sent a backhand wide to give Andreev set-point before another wayward effort saw the Russian take the first set.
The second set once again went to tiebreak. Federer raced into a 3-0 lead and although Andreev battled back to 3-6, the 27-year-old converted set-point at the third time of asking to level at one-set all.
Federer, cheered on by the crowd, started to show the form he is capable of and comfortably won the third set 6-3 but Andreev continued to battle and took the encounter to a fifth when he produced a number of impressive serves to win the fourth set 6-3.
But Federer raised his game and came through a tough contest that lasted just over three-and-a-half-hours when he claimed the fifth and final set after Andreev's attempted lob went long. He will now face qualifier Gilles Muller of Luxembourg in the last eight.

Wednesday 3rd September 2008

by www.espnstar.com/tennis/us-open

tennis

Drama not affecting Real Madrid

Roll back the clock to the end of last season and everything seemed rosy at the Bernabeu for champions Real Madrid.
The Spanish giants had just lifted their second Primera Liga crown on the trot - the first time they had achieved that in 18 years - and with bitter rivals Barcelona finishing third, their fans were crowing about being top dog in Spain.
A record-breaking season had seen them score more goals in the Primera Liga than ever before, while conceding the fewest, and rack up more points than in any previous campaign.
Moreover, everyone seemed certain that Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo was on the verge of moving to the Bernabeu - not least the player himself - and it seemed a question of when, not if, he would commit himself to Los Merengues.
Spirits were high in the white half of Madrid, with many feeling that with the arrival of Ronaldo, who led United to Champions League glory, Real would once again triumph in Europe's premier club competition.
Fast forward a few months and it's a very different story.
In contrast to the Nou Camp, which has been a hub of activity in the summer, the Bernabeu has been decidedly quiet.
Despite the plethora of players linked to the Primera Liga giants the squad looks more or less the same as last season, with one noticeable absentee - Robinho.
The summer started to go downhill for the legion of Madrid fans when Ronaldo announced he was staying at United. That was swiftly followed by another high-profile target, David Villa, signing a new deal at Valencia.
And things went from bad to worse on transfer deadline day when disgruntled winger Robinho headed out of the Bernabeu exit door and to Manchester City.
Sandwiched between that was the kick-off to the new Primera Liga season with Madrid desperate to get off to a winning start and prove their doubters wrong.
However, a 2-1 defeat at Deportivo La Coruna has seen some start screaming about a crisis at one of Spain's biggest clubs.
Some sections of the press are even talking about Bernd Schuster's possible successor - with Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, who coached Madrid's youth and reserve sides for six years, favourite to take over the reins.
But Madrid fans might want to wait a while before starting a full-scale panic.
They might have lost the season opener, but they are no strangers to defeat at Depor, having failed to win at the Riazor since 1991/92 - since when they have lifted a whopping 18 trophies.
Moreover, they might have made only one signing this summer - but what a signing.
Under-pressure president Ramon Calderon might have failed in his attempts to land number one target Ronaldo, but the arrival of Hamburg playmaker Rafael van der Vaart will be of some consolation to the fans and he could make the difference in Europe.
The Madrid faithful also should not forget that one of their star players, Wesley Sneijder, is recovering from injury but should be back in action by mid-October.
Javier Saviola and Michel Salgado were also sidelined for the season opener, while Van der Vaart missed out due to his red card in the Supercopa victory.
Madrid have much of the same side who crashed out of the Champions League last season, going out to Roma before even the quarter-final stage, and the players are desperate to prove they can succeed on club football's biggest stage.
Once they have a fully-fit squad again they could be set for another record-breaking season and sweep all before them once more.

Wednesday 3rd September 2008

by www.espnstar.com/football/primera-liga

football

Moratti changes tact on Quaresma

In an amazing about-turn, Inter president Massimo Moratti has praised his club's latest recruit Ricardo Quaresma.

After a long transfer saga, Massimo Moratti finally backed down from a row with Jose Mourinho and brought Ricardo Quarsema to the San Siro for a hefty transfer fee. And the president now seems extremely pleased at bringing the ex-Porto winger on board. "Quaresma can add speed and class on the wings," explained the Nerrazzurri president. "He is another weapon besides Mancini and Figo. We hope he can be useful." Many pundits believe that the draw against Sampdoria was the reason Quaresma was finally brought in and Moratti gave a quick word about the performance of his team in the match that ended 1-1 at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. "It was the result of a difficult match, even if there is no need to think it is a negative one," claimed Moratti. "The match was conducted well in the first half and a little less so after the restart, but this is the italian league and it's very difficult." When asked if he thought he would have spent so much money on football when he first became Inter president, Moratti smiled, "I had hoped not." Inter's next match will be at the San Siro when they host Sicilian side Catania, who were victorious over Geona in their match on Sunday afternoon.

Wednesday 3rd September 2008

by www.espnstar.com/football/serie-a

Arshavin could still join Spurs

Andrei Arshavin could still move to England this season, even though the player will stay in Russia at least until January.
The player's representative Dennis Lachter is confident that a deal could be concluded that would bring Arshavin to England in the January transfer window.
The Zenit St Petersburg playmaker was linked with a move to Tottenham, but it could not be brokered before the summer transfer window closed on Monday evening.
"The Zenit president Aleksandr Dyukov contacted me and informed me that Andrei would be staying at the St Petersburg club," Lachter explained to Russian newspaper Sovetsky Sport.
"But Dyukov said that if Tottenham continue to show an interest in buying Arshavin, then we will be able to return to the issue in January of next year, when the winter transfer window opens."
Lachter also explained why Tottenham and Zenit failed to reach an agreement on Arshavin's transfer during the summer.
"The reasons for the total refusal to sell the footballer were the following: Zenit would not allow the transfer fee for Arshavin to be paid over a number of years.
"Plus, Tottenham decided to make a renewed attempt to buy Andrei too late, at the very end of the Russian transfer window. So if the St Petersburg club had sold the forward, they would have had no time to replace him."
One bright spot for the player is that he will remain in the spotlight for the next few months.
Arshavin will have the opportunity to impress on the big stage as Zenit St Petersburg will begin their maiden UEFA Champions League campaign in September, with Arshavin expected to play a key role.

Wednesday 3rd September 2008

by www.espnstar.com/football