World no.1 Rafael Nadal latest hot galary
Nadal overwhelms Lopez to conform the berth in quarterfinals
Rafael Nadal had little trouble disposing of countryman and friend Feliciano Lopez, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the quarterfinals for the fourth time and third in a row at the US Open. The No. 1 seed took an early lead and was rarely in trouble in a match that started after 11 p.m. thanks to a marathon day session on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
"To be in quarterfinals of the US Open without lose a set and without lose a serve, two things must work really well: the concentration and the serve," said Nadal, whose much talked about serve topped out at 135 mph. "I think I am playing better and better every day, and I had to play a little bit better this match."
"He's a very complete player," Nadal said of Verdasco. "He has all the shots and he's playing very well, no? Much better than he did last months, so gonna be very difficult match. I saw him play today, and I saw him play against Nalbandian the other day. He's playing very good tennis, so gonna be a very interesting match. I have to play aggressive, to play well."
Nadal moved to within three victories of his first US Open title which would complete his career Grand Slam.
Rafael Nadal had little trouble disposing of countryman and friend Feliciano Lopez, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the quarterfinals for the fourth time and third in a row at the US Open. The No. 1 seed took an early lead and was rarely in trouble in a match that started after 11 p.m. thanks to a marathon day session on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
"To be in quarterfinals of the US Open without lose a set and without lose a serve, two things must work really well: the concentration and the serve," said Nadal, whose much talked about serve topped out at 135 mph. "I think I am playing better and better every day, and I had to play a little bit better this match."
"He's a very complete player," Nadal said of Verdasco. "He has all the shots and he's playing very well, no? Much better than he did last months, so gonna be very difficult match. I saw him play today, and I saw him play against Nalbandian the other day. He's playing very good tennis, so gonna be a very interesting match. I have to play aggressive, to play well."
Nadal moved to within three victories of his first US Open title which would complete his career Grand Slam.
"To be in quarterfinals of the US Open without lose a set and without lose a serve, two things must work really well: the concentration and the serve," said Nadal, whose much talked about serve topped out at 135 mph. "I think I am playing better and better every day, and I had to play a little bit better this match."
"He's a very complete player," Nadal said of Verdasco. "He has all the shots and he's playing very well, no? Much better than he did last months, so gonna be very difficult match. I saw him play today, and I saw him play against Nalbandian the other day. He's playing very good tennis, so gonna be a very interesting match. I have to play aggressive, to play well."
Nadal moved to within three victories of his first US Open title which would complete his career Grand Slam.
Verdasco beats countryman Ferrer in five-set thriller
In a tense and titanic war between two compatriots and Davis Cup teammates, a late-afternoon match that went long into the night - as Spanish affairs tend to - Fernando Verdasco came back from a two-set deficit, and a break down in the final set, to snatch victory from David Ferrer, 5-7, 6-7 (8), 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (4).
The strapping Verdasco, though, is a pure shotmaker, with a thunderous forehand that's one of the most feared weapons on tour. For too many years he was considered an underachiever. But in 2009, he reached the semifinals of the Australian Open, where he lost to Rafael Nadal in a five-set match that's
become an enduring classic.
A rematch of Verdasco and Nadal, in the US Open quarterfinals on Thursday, has tennis fans salivating.
The strapping Verdasco, though, is a pure shotmaker, with a thunderous forehand that's one of the most feared weapons on tour. For too many years he was considered an underachiever. But in 2009, he reached the semifinals of the Australian Open, where he lost to Rafael Nadal in a five-set match that's
become an enduring classic.A rematch of Verdasco and Nadal, in the US Open quarterfinals on Thursday, has tennis fans salivating.
Clijsters beats Samantha Stosur booked a spot to semis
Kim Clijsters marched into championship weekend where she booked a spot opposite Venus Williams in Friday's semifinal with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 victory over Australian Samantha Stosur. It marked the fourth consecutive time Clijsters has played the US Open that she has reached the final weekend. She reached the final in 2003 and won in 2005 and again in 2009.
"She doesn't give you a lot of rhythm and she doesn't give you the usual kind of shots that you kind of expect," Clijsters said of Stosur. "You just have to deal with the things you get given that day and try to make the best of it."
"It was definitely tough conditions, windiest conditions I've played in all week," Stosur said. "Probably the worst I've served all week as well. Put those two things together and you don't hold serve for the third set and you lose."
On her quarterfinal exit Stosur added, "Look, I'm happy to make it to the quarters, by far my best result here. I'm gonna be disappointed about this one. You can't break serve and have chance after chance after chance and blow it in a quarterfinal."
"She doesn't give you a lot of rhythm and she doesn't give you the usual kind of shots that you kind of expect," Clijsters said of Stosur. "You just have to deal with the things you get given that day and try to make the best of it."
"It was definitely tough conditions, windiest conditions I've played in all week," Stosur said. "Probably the worst I've served all week as well. Put those two things together and you don't hold serve for the third set and you lose."
On her quarterfinal exit Stosur added, "Look, I'm happy to make it to the quarters, by far my best result here. I'm gonna be disappointed about this one. You can't break serve and have chance after chance after chance and blow it in a quarterfinal."
ICC sends official notice to Kamran Akmal
The International Cricket Council has sent an official notice to Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal telling him that is under investigation for allegedly fixing the Sydney Test.
"Only months after clearing the Pakistan team of any wrongdoing in relation to the controversial Test, the ICC has written to Kamran to advise him he is now in their crosshairs for the Sydney debacle," a report in the 'Courier Mail' said.
Kamran had dropped four catches in the Sydney Test where Australia won the match from a losing position, rasing doubts of match-fixing. The ICC then investigated the matter and gave a clean chit to him.
"ICC investigators have re-opened the SCG case and fingered Kamran as their primary suspect. But investigations aren't moving at a fast pace, with the NSW Fraud Squad yesterday revealing they had received no contact from Scotland Yard detectives or the ICC," the report said.
"Only months after clearing the Pakistan team of any wrongdoing in relation to the controversial Test, the ICC has written to Kamran to advise him he is now in their crosshairs for the Sydney debacle," a report in the 'Courier Mail' said.
Kamran had dropped four catches in the Sydney Test where Australia won the match from a losing position, rasing doubts of match-fixing. The ICC then investigated the matter and gave a clean chit to him.
"ICC investigators have re-opened the SCG case and fingered Kamran as their primary suspect. But investigations aren't moving at a fast pace, with the NSW Fraud Squad yesterday revealing they had received no contact from Scotland Yard detectives or the ICC," the report said.
Ferrari poised for orders hearing
Alonso faces the prospect of being stripped of his controversial German Grand Prix victory as Ferrari stand accused of using team orders, which are banned in Formula One, to engineer the result.
Should such a punishment be meted out, Alonso would drop be 66 points adrift of current championship leader Lewis Hamilton instead of 41.That point was emphasised by reigning champion Jenson Button, who told said: "I don't think the drivers will get a penalty.
"If they do get another penalty it will be for the team because it was an order from the team.
"Personally I don't understand why they just don't swap the points around for those two, but you can't do that within the regulations."
"If one wants to fulfil the needs of the audience, then one must maintain the ban," said Mosley.
"Both cars and both drivers should lose the points they achieved in the German Grand Prix."
Should such a punishment be meted out, Alonso would drop be 66 points adrift of current championship leader Lewis Hamilton instead of 41.That point was emphasised by reigning champion Jenson Button, who told said: "I don't think the drivers will get a penalty.
"If they do get another penalty it will be for the team because it was an order from the team.
"Personally I don't understand why they just don't swap the points around for those two, but you can't do that within the regulations."
"If one wants to fulfil the needs of the audience, then one must maintain the ban," said Mosley.
"Both cars and both drivers should lose the points they achieved in the German Grand Prix."
Wawrinka beats querrey in five-set fight
Five sets and nearly four and a half hours into Stanislas Wawrinka and Sam Querrey's Round of 16 match, it was still impossible to tell which man would emerge victorious. The Swiss and American fought through exhausting momentum shifts in Arthur Ashe Stadium 
Tuesday afternoon, but it was the 25-year-old Swiss who finally notched his first Grand Slam quarterfinal berth, 7-6 (9), 6-7 (5), 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.
"I think my serve was not really good today, but the rest was quite okay," Wawrinka said. "I try to adapt. With the condition, with the wind, was not easy. But, yeah, I think I play a very good match."
"I left it all out there today and I didn't get to the quarters," said Querrey. "I'm bummed, but I did everything I could."
"I knew the beginning of the fifth set was really important to keep my serve, because he was still serving very good and was putting a lot of pressure (on me)," said Wawrinka. "But then it change a little bit. He was really tired. It was not easy for him to stay in the match."
Finally, on his second match point Wawrinka completed the win and booked a place in his first Grand Slam quarterfinal. He'll meet Russian No. 12 Mikhail Youzhny on Thursday.
Tuesday afternoon, but it was the 25-year-old Swiss who finally notched his first Grand Slam quarterfinal berth, 7-6 (9), 6-7 (5), 7-5, 4-6, 6-4."I think my serve was not really good today, but the rest was quite okay," Wawrinka said. "I try to adapt. With the condition, with the wind, was not easy. But, yeah, I think I play a very good match."
"I left it all out there today and I didn't get to the quarters," said Querrey. "I'm bummed, but I did everything I could."
"I knew the beginning of the fifth set was really important to keep my serve, because he was still serving very good and was putting a lot of pressure (on me)," said Wawrinka. "But then it change a little bit. He was really tired. It was not easy for him to stay in the match."
Finally, on his second match point Wawrinka completed the win and booked a place in his first Grand Slam quarterfinal. He'll meet Russian No. 12 Mikhail Youzhny on Thursday.
India loses 0-3 to New Zealand in women's hockey WC
A hapless India suffered its fourth defeat in the tournament, losing 0-3 to New Zealand in its final pool A match of the FIH Women's Hockey World Cup here.
Skipper Kayla Sharland struck twice in the 44th and 55th minutes, while Katie Glynn scored in the 52nd after India succumbed to a yellow card fever in the second half as first Subhadra Pradhan was sent off then Chanchan Thokchom.
The first half was a goalless affair even though the Black Sticks were clearly a better side as they took four shots on goal and two penalty corners but in vain.
Krystal Forgesson saw a high shot from the left end up in the back of the net via an Indian defender, but the goal was disallowed as her initial effort was adjudged to have been travelling wide of the target.
"It is great to come away with the win and while it was not the prettiest hockey at the end of the day we have three points," Sharland said.
Williams overcomes errors, Schiavone for SF spot
Despite a shaky performance that saw Venus Williams deliver nine double faults and 33 unforced errors, the American No. 3 seed outlasted No. 6 Francesca Schiavone to secure her spot in the US Open semifinals for the first time since 2007.
"I'm a strong player and I hit hard, but I felt like I had nothing. It was challenging," Williams said. "I don't think either of us were able to play our exact normal game because it was just hard to make a choice in the wind. I think you end up playing a little safer, more toward the center of the court. But I feel like when the stakes were higher I was able to
raise my game. She did, too. She played some great points. She's just so feisty that you have to kind of keep her at bay. I was glad I was able to do that."
"It's a lot of disappointment because I have the chance and the real quality to beat her because she doesn't like to play with me," Schiavone said of Williams. "I play a different ball; I push her in defense; I don't give her the chance to play how she wants, so every time, I think we have a big fight. But for sure, in the most important moments she's always there and play good. So I have to play better to beat her."
Williams awaits either Samantha Stosur or defending champion Kim Clijsters in the semifinal round.
"I'm a strong player and I hit hard, but I felt like I had nothing. It was challenging," Williams said. "I don't think either of us were able to play our exact normal game because it was just hard to make a choice in the wind. I think you end up playing a little safer, more toward the center of the court. But I feel like when the stakes were higher I was able to
raise my game. She did, too. She played some great points. She's just so feisty that you have to kind of keep her at bay. I was glad I was able to do that.""It's a lot of disappointment because I have the chance and the real quality to beat her because she doesn't like to play with me," Schiavone said of Williams. "I play a different ball; I push her in defense; I don't give her the chance to play how she wants, so every time, I think we have a big fight. But for sure, in the most important moments she's always there and play good. So I have to play better to beat her."
Williams awaits either Samantha Stosur or defending champion Kim Clijsters in the semifinal round.
Pakistan loses 2-0 to England in T20 series
Pakistan's disastrous tour of England hit a new low after making its worst Twenty20 total to lose by six wickets for its second defeat in the two-match series here.
Reeling from match-fixing allegations that have resulted in three of its players being suspended by the ICC, Pakistan was bowled out for 89 and then England reached 90-4 in 14 overs to win a record-equalling seventh straight T20 match on Tuesday.
"It was irresponsible and immature the way we played," Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi said. "England are the world champions and we needed to be more responsible with better shot selection and show more pride. Our morale is very low but I am sure one win will change that."
"It's not easy, it's very, very hard. I just want one victory," Afridi said. "I made some plans as a captain, I knew Salman Butt was my opener and key player, and Asif and Amir, but everything has changed as a captain for me. But hopefully I will bring my team up."
"I'm not letting my team down like this, not in the one-dayers," Afridi said. "It will be a big challenge to compete, but we have some time. Me, my coach and the team we will sit together and talk." The teams meet Friday at Durham to start a five-match 50-over series.
Reeling from match-fixing allegations that have resulted in three of its players being suspended by the ICC, Pakistan was bowled out for 89 and then England reached 90-4 in 14 overs to win a record-equalling seventh straight T20 match on Tuesday.
"It was irresponsible and immature the way we played," Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi said. "England are the world champions and we needed to be more responsible with better shot selection and show more pride. Our morale is very low but I am sure one win will change that."
"It's not easy, it's very, very hard. I just want one victory," Afridi said. "I made some plans as a captain, I knew Salman Butt was my opener and key player, and Asif and Amir, but everything has changed as a captain for me. But hopefully I will bring my team up."
"I'm not letting my team down like this, not in the one-dayers," Afridi said. "It will be a big challenge to compete, but we have some time. Me, my coach and the team we will sit together and talk." The teams meet Friday at Durham to start a five-match 50-over series.
Button back on his way to bounce
Jenson Button is determined to put himself back into the world championship race at Monza after his disappointment in Belgium.
The reigning champion lost ground to his main rivals, Lewis Hamilton and Mark Webber, as they finished first and second in the Belgian GP while Button retired from the race after being taken out by Sebastian Vettel.
As a result, the Briton now trails his team-mate by 35 points in the drivers' championship. But, with 150 points still to race for, Button is by no means out of the running and hopes to prove that at next weekend's Italian GP.
"Obviously, my non-finish in Spa wasn't ideal for my championship aspirations, so I head to Monza next weekend determined to put myself back in the hunt for the title," he said.
"Our pace over the whole weekend in Belgium was extremely encouraging - we're developing the car at a very rapid rate, and we're learning more about it all the time, so I'm optimistic that we'll be able to maintain that form in Italy next weekend.
"We still have some work to do to make sure the package we bring to Italy is perfectly suited to the track, but I'm confident that our engineers have made some good steps forward with their understanding of our car, so we should be in good shape.
"I love racing at Monza - it's a totally unique experience; running minimal downforce at incredible speeds along the straights, and then coping with the lack of grip, and an extremely skittish car, through the low-speed stuff.
"Given the competitiveness at the front of the field, this could be an intense, thrilling grand prix."
Jenson Button is determined to put himself back into the world championship race at Monza after his disappointment in Belgium.The reigning champion lost ground to his main rivals, Lewis Hamilton and Mark Webber, as they finished first and second in the Belgian GP while Button retired from the race after being taken out by Sebastian Vettel.
As a result, the Briton now trails his team-mate by 35 points in the drivers' championship. But, with 150 points still to race for, Button is by no means out of the running and hopes to prove that at next weekend's Italian GP.
"Obviously, my non-finish in Spa wasn't ideal for my championship aspirations, so I head to Monza next weekend determined to put myself back in the hunt for the title," he said.
"Our pace over the whole weekend in Belgium was extremely encouraging - we're developing the car at a very rapid rate, and we're learning more about it all the time, so I'm optimistic that we'll be able to maintain that form in Italy next weekend.
"We still have some work to do to make sure the package we bring to Italy is perfectly suited to the track, but I'm confident that our engineers have made some good steps forward with their understanding of our car, so we should be in good shape.
"I love racing at Monza - it's a totally unique experience; running minimal downforce at incredible speeds along the straights, and then coping with the lack of grip, and an extremely skittish car, through the low-speed stuff.
"Given the competitiveness at the front of the field, this could be an intense, thrilling grand prix."
The reigning champion lost ground to his main rivals, Lewis Hamilton and Mark Webber, as they finished first and second in the Belgian GP while Button retired from the race after being taken out by Sebastian Vettel.
As a result, the Briton now trails his team-mate by 35 points in the drivers' championship. But, with 150 points still to race for, Button is by no means out of the running and hopes to prove that at next weekend's Italian GP.
"Obviously, my non-finish in Spa wasn't ideal for my championship aspirations, so I head to Monza next weekend determined to put myself back in the hunt for the title," he said.
"Our pace over the whole weekend in Belgium was extremely encouraging - we're developing the car at a very rapid rate, and we're learning more about it all the time, so I'm optimistic that we'll be able to maintain that form in Italy next weekend.
"We still have some work to do to make sure the package we bring to Italy is perfectly suited to the track, but I'm confident that our engineers have made some good steps forward with their understanding of our car, so we should be in good shape.
"I love racing at Monza - it's a totally unique experience; running minimal downforce at incredible speeds along the straights, and then coping with the lack of grip, and an extremely skittish car, through the low-speed stuff.
"Given the competitiveness at the front of the field, this could be an intense, thrilling grand prix."
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