Tennis : Serena, Sharapova through to US Open semi-finals

Tennis : Serena, Sharapova through to US Open semi-finals

Roddick and Federer bow out

NEW YORK: Roger Federer was knocked out of the US Open on Wednesday when he lost a quarter-final thriller to Tomas Berdych just hours after his old rival Andy Roddick bid a tearful farewell to his tennis career. Federer was unable to conjure up any of his old magic as Berdych stormed to a surprise victory 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, handing the world number one his earliest exit from Flushing Meadows in nine years. Federer could not hide his disappointment after arriving in the Big Apple full of hope following his win at Wimbledon in July.

“There were so many moments I thought, man, it’s just not happening for me,” said the five-times US Open champion. “It was just a very disappointing match for me.” Roddick made his final appearance at Arthur Ashe Stadium when he lost to Juan Martin del Potro in the fourth round, while Andy Murray and Maria Sharapova both dug themselves out of trouble to stay alive on a drama-charged day at the last grand slam of the year.

Tournament favourites: Only Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic had an easy time, both romping to comfortable victories to enhance their status as the favourites for the singles titles. Djokovic was in complete control of his fourth round match against Stanislas Wawrinka, leading 6-4, 6-1, 3-1, when the Swiss called it quits in one of five matches that were held over from Tuesday because of rain. “I really don’t know exactly what it was but by the look of it, I think it was probably a dizziness or something,” said Djokovic, the only man yet to drop a set in the tournament.

Sharapova needed all her fighting qualities to come from behind and beat Marion Bartoli of France 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 and reach the semi-finals for the first time since she won in New York in 2006. Bartoli led 4-0 overnight and wrapped up the first set when play finally resumed after another morning shower but Sharapova regained her composure to win the next two and book a semi-final against world number one Victoria Azarenka. “It’s so long since I’ve been back to this stage at the US Open. A little bit of luck always helps,” the Russian said. Williams, full of confidence and self-belief, demolished Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic in less than an hour to raise hopes of an American winner after Roddick departed.

“I feel like I’m going to get more focused and serious and start playing Serena tennis in the next couple of rounds, if I get to play two rounds. That’s my goal,” she said. Williams will play Italian Sara Errani in Friday’s semis after she defeated her doubles partner Roberta Vinci 6-2, 6-4. “A quarter-final with your best friend, of course, is difficult,” said Errani. “We know each other very well, we’ve played together many times, so it was strange to see her on the other side of the net.”

Amazing comeback: Olympic champion Murray produced an extraordinary turnaround to beat Croatia’s Marin Cilic 3-6, 7-6, 6-2, 6-0 on a gusty Louis Armstrong court. The Scot lost the opening set then fell two service breaks down at 5-1 in the second, before rallying back to win, reeling off the last 11 games in a row. Serbia’s Janko Tipsarevic beat German Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 7-6, 6-2 and will face Spain’s David Ferrer in Thursday’s quarters. Djokovic will square off on Thursday night with the towering Argentine Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion, while Murray faces Berdych, who has been a thorn in Federer’s side before, most famously in 2010 when he beat the Swiss master at Wimbledon.

“There is something in my game that he doesn’t like and it makes him struggle a bit, I would say, and maybe bring him out of his comfort zone that he always likes to be on court,” Berdych said. Roddick, the face of US men’s tennis for most of the past decade, was reduced to tears after losing 6-7, 7-6, 6-2, 6-4 to Del Potro. With his parents and wife watching from the stands, the 2003 champion said he was leaving the game with no regrets after 13 years as a professional. “I’ve loved every minute of it,” he said. “It’s been a road, a lot of ups, a lot of downs, a lot of great moments.” reuters

England's Pietersen hits maiden Twenty20 ton in IPL

Kevin Pietersen scored 103, his first Twenty20 century, as he led the Delhi Daredevils to victory over the Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League.

The England batsman hit his ninth six straight back down the wicket to score the winning runs and lift his side to the top of the IPL standings. 

Pietersen, 31, needed only 64 balls to bring up three figures.

"This is absolutely amazing, this is what dreams are made of," said Pietersen, whose previous best was 79.

"You come here as an England player and it's very, very intimidating but to come here and have all these fans cheering for you is very special."

The win sends Delhi above the Rajasthan Royals, having played a game fewer, while Deccan are rooted to the bottom.

Pietersen felt compelled to defend his decision to play in the IPLfollowing suggestions he should be resting before the international summer in England.

Andrew Strauss out for duck for Middlesex against Durham

England captain Andrew Strauss was dismissed for a second-ball duck as Middlesex's County Championship clash with Durham finally got under way.

Strauss was bowled through the gate by Graham Onions from only the second ball of the morning and the match.

The entire first day was washed out at Lord's, although Durham won the toss and put Middlesex in between showers.

Strauss has been freed up to play three Championship games before the first Test against West Indies in May.

He struggled with the bat during the winter and averaged only 26.4 during the five Tests against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

New Zealand's James Franklin joins Essex for T20

Essex have signed New Zealand all-rounder James Franklin as their second overseas player for this summer's FL t20 campaign.

The 31-year-old is currently appearing for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. 

He will join Australia paceman Peter Siddle at Essex for the start of the English Twenty20 competition in June.

"He is a genuine all-rounder in this format and adds further quality to the squad," said coach Paul Grayson.

Franklin, a left-handed batsman and seam bowler, has played previously for Glamorgan and Gloucestershire.

He has made made 66 runs in four innings in the current IPL tournament and averages 15 from 18 international Twenty20 innings, as well as taking 49 wickets at an average of 35.71.

"We are delighted to welcome James to the club. He obviously has huge county cricket experience having played here a few seasons," added Grayson.

"Franklin has shown his ability in the 20-over format of the game with his outstanding IPL record."

Force India miss Bahrain Grand Prix second practice run

Force India chose not to run their cars in the second practice session at the Bahrain Grand Prix so they could return to their hotel before dark.

The decision came after four team mechanics narrowly avoided being hit by petrol bombs during a clash between protesters and police on Wednesday.

Team boss Bob Fernley said: "We have to ensure the crew are comfortable."

In a separate incident on Thursday, Sauber became the second team involved in a roadside incident.

A bus containing 12 Sauber mechanics took to the hard shoulder after encountering a burning bottle in the road and seeing masked men running towards their lane.

Sauber confirmed that nobody from the team was hurt and they did not regard it as an attack on their vehicle.

F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone said he had offered Force India a police escort from the track following their incident on Wednesday.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Ecclestone said: "I said if they were the slightest bit concerned, whatever time they would normally leave the circuit, I will be here and travel in their vehicle back to the hotel, without any escort or police.

"If they want an escort, they can have police, I am happy to travel without. I don't think they have any need to be concerned."

Ecclestone and the Bahrain Grand Prix organisers have worked hard to present the Gulf state as safe.

The incident on Wednesday came as the Force India team members were returning from the track to their hotel at about 2000 local time on the main highway from the track to the capital, Manama.

Ecclestone said he did not want to comment on the incident because he was not there.

He insisted it was "absolutely 100%" the right decision to go to Bahrain, pointing to recent riots in Spain and crime in Brazil as examples that other countries had problems.

Asked if he felt Bahrain were blurring the boundaries between sport and politics by using a "UniF1ed" slogan to promote the grand prix, Ecclestone said it was "not for us to decide how somebody wants to use the race. We're not here to give an opinion on how this country should be run - or any other country".

Fernley told BBC Sport Force India fully supported the Bahrain Grand Prix but safety was paramount.

He said: "We are doing the best we can to make sure the crew is safe. There will be protests, it was an unfortunate incident and when it happens to your team you have to deal with it in a proper manner.

"We were the only team affected. Sometimes emotions and logic don't add up."

Asked how he felt about the teams being told Bahrain was safe, Fernley said: "We all know there is a very slight risk with coming here."

Not all the teams are staying in central Manama - McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes are all in a resort complex about 3km from the track.

Knicks Say Goodbye to New Jersey

NEWARK — The Knicks packed their jerseys and their high-tops, boarded a bus and crossed the Hudson River one final time Wednesday night, not to pay their last respects to the Nets of New Jersey, but to bury them, without sentiment or sympathy.

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Barton Silverman/The New York Times

Carmelo Anthony, who scored 33 points, shooting over the Nets’ Gerald Wallace, who scored 21.

In the semi-historic final meeting between teams labeled as “New Jersey” and “New York,” the Knicks did not even permit their putative rivals the courtesy of a home-court advantage.

The cheers, the chants and most of the points belonged to the Knicks, in a 104-95 victory that was never close or compelling. The Knicks sped to an early 21-point lead, survived a sloppy second half and rode Carmelo Anthony’s 33 points to the final buzzer.

And with that, an era of sorts came to an uninspiring end. The Knicks will not play another game in the Garden State. The Nets, after 35 years in New Jersey, are heading to Brooklyn next fall, where they will play in the new Barclays Center.

The Nets can only hope that a more supportive crowd awaits them across the East River. On Wednesday, the Prudential Center was filled with Knicks fans, who booed Kris Humphries, serenaded Anthony with “M.V.P.” chants and roared at every Knicks basket.

“I thought we were at the Garden for a minute,” J. R. Smith, a New Jersey native, said with a chuckle. “I was looking for Spike. The fans were unbelievable.”

Anthony again paced the Knicks, crossing the 30-point plateau for the fourth time in five games. Tyson Chandler added 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Smith had 15 points as the Knicks (33-29) moved four games over .500 for first time this season and secured their hold on seventh place in the Eastern Conference.

The Philadelphia 76ers kept the pressure on, improving to 32-30 with a victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Knicks have a one-game lead, with four to play. They also put more distance between themselves and the Milwaukee Bucks (29-32), who lost to the Washington Wizards.

The lottery-bound Nets fell to 22-41, despite 21 points from Gerald Wallace and a stronger second half.

The Knicks played without Baron Davis, who was felled by a stomach virus, leaving Mike Bibby — their 33-year-old, third-string point guard — to run the offense. Bibby finished with 8 points and 8 assists.

Amar’e Stoudemire missed his 13th straight game, though it was probably his last as a spectator. The Knicks expect to have him back when they play in Cleveland on Friday — “I’m hoping,” Coach Mike Woodson said.

That would give Stoudemire four games to get reacclimated before the playoffs start. In Stoudemire’s four-week absence, Anthony has become the indisputable focal point of the Knicks, returning to the dominant form he showed for years in Denver.

“I expect him to continue to play that way,” Woodson said. “He’s not only playing well, but he’s making guys around him play better, too. That’s the sign of a great player in our league. I’m happy for Melo because there’s been a lot of heat on him, when he came to New York.”

There was no heat at the Prudential Center, only adoration. Anthony chuckled at the “M.V.P.” chants, though, saying: “It felt good. I’m not the M.V.P.” He threw his support instead to his friend LeBron James and also mentioned Kevin Durant and Tony Parker as candidates.

At times, this felt like a preseason game, full of makeshift lineups and (in the Nets’ case) obscure names. At one point in the second quarter, the Knicks’ lineup featured Toney Douglas, Josh Harrellson, Bill Walker and Steve Novak — a group that probably had not played together since early January.

Sundiata Gaines and Jordan Williams started for the Nets, in place of the injured stars Deron Williams and Brook Lopez. The Nets’ injured list ran five deep, with three players (Lopez, Jordan Farmar and Damion James) out for the rest of the season.

But then, the Nets’ season ended long ago, amid a torrent of defeats and the failure to make a trade for Dwight Howard — the superstar center they so badly need to complement Williams and keep him happy.

It remains unclear whether Williams will make the pilgrimage to Brooklyn, or what the Nets will look like when they get there. But when these teams meet again, it will be in a New York City borough, as true crosstown rivals.

“I’m sure there’s enough people throughout New York, Manhattan, all through the boroughs, that can support them,” Woodson said with a smile. “I’d like to think that we’re still the best team, the Knicks, and I think we’ll continue to get our support as well.”

REBOUNDS

Jared Jeffries was held out of the game because of a flare-up in his right knee. Jeffries has been bothered by chronic soreness in the knee for more than two months and has already missed 12 games because of it. He has been playing under a 15-minute limit. ... Baron Davis played Tuesday night in the Knicks’ victory over the Boston Celtics despite nausea and what he described as migraine headaches and joked afterward, “I thought I was going to die.” Davis also aggravated his left hamstring injury in that game and had his leg heavily taped afterward. But Mike Woodson said it was the illness, not the hamstring, that kept him out Wednesday.

Only one statistic matters for Chelsea: One chance, one goal

Chelsea fans taunted their Barcelona counterparts with chants of “Jose Mourinho” as they made their way out of Stamford Bridge only 90 minutes away from the Champions League final.

This added insult to the injuries felt by those clad in Catalan colours, who cheered the sight of the defeated Mourinho as images from Real Madrid’s loss against Bayern Munich in the other semi-final flashed on to big screens before kick-off.

Barcelona’s long game was to face Mourinho in the final in Munich next month – and inflict painful defeat on the man who has been a past nemesis. But Chelsea threw those plans into doubt.

Not only do Mourinho’s Real now face a fight to reach their destination, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is in a similarly hazardous position after Didier Drogba gave Chelsea a 1-0 lead to take to the Nou Camp on Tuesday.

Thumbs-up: Didier Drogba scored the only goal as Chelsea defeated Barcelona at Stamford Bridge. Picture: Getty

For all the mentions of Mourinho, this was a night of triumph for Chelsea’s caretaker manager Roberto di Matteo - complete with a nod to the past in their resilience, determination, discipline and downright defiance of the odds.

If Mourinho had presided over this performance rather than Di Matteo, it would no doubt have been lauded as a defensive masterclass and a result fashioned around meticulous preparation.

Barcelona enjoyed a 72% share of possession. Chelsea’s Juan Mata received the ball nine times in his 76 minutes on the pitch compared with Xavi’s 133 times in 87 minutes. Barcelona had 24 attempts on goal and Chelsea had only one shot on target throughout a long evening of attrition.

And for all the small details and fine margins that will always shape games at this stage of the Champions League, this was the only statistic that mattered. One shot. One goal. Now there may be one last tilt at glory in a tournament that has made a habit of inflicting pain on this particular Chelsea side.

Guardiola may be a purist with Barcelona’s principles in his DNA but he is also a realist as he swept aside statistical analysis to state: “The game is about putting the football in the goal. It is the most difficult thing in the game.”

Chelsea took their one chance, providing the platform for the possibility of reaching asecond Champions League final after the return in Barcelona.

Guardiola insists Chelsea are now favourites and statistically - that word again - they are, because they hold an advantage and have not conceded an away goal. Barcelona, however, will still have real confidence that this defeat will be a passable obstacle en route to Munich.

The easy option is to suggest Chelsea simply rode their luck, hung on and will meet the full force of European football’s artists in the Nou Camp. Some of this is true but any side that beats Barcelona should not see their achievement downgraded. Plenty have tried and failed - many miserably.

Guardiola was swift to point out that the second game is no easy task for Barcelona. He hinted at a greater sense of adventure and risk-taking, words that may just encourage Chelsea as they know the value of an away goal in Spain.

Chelsea will have to produce all they did at Stamford Bridge and more besides – but at least they travel to Catalonia with a precious lead to protect, presumably in the same manner they did on Wednesday.

Of course Chelsea enjoyed good fortune as Alexis Sanchez hit the bar early on and Pedro struck the base of a post in the closing seconds. Former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas also wasted a perfect opportunity to mark his return to London with a goal and saw another shot cleared off the line by Ashley Cole.

These are facts of life when facing Barcelona. They will dominate possession, create chances and exert physical and mental stress on you with such sustained force that the chances are you will break.

At these pressure points, as Chelsea demonstrated, the key is not to panic, not to make that vital mistake – then take the opportunity when it presents itself.

Chelsea did this, which makes it such a victory to be cherished. No-one should underestimate a win against Barcelona by any side and certainly not one in a Champions League semi-final.

Di Matteo demanded two “perfect” performances to reach the final. This was not perfect but it contained enough of the old Chelsea steel to get the job done.

And while the smart money remains on Barcelona to win through, Chelsea showed they have a template that will serve them well when the sides meet again. They also have a result that will give them genuine hope of getting through.

Di Matteo acknowledged that Barcelona present a unique challenge with their tiki-taka passing game and the world-class talents of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta. He agreed they needed to be patient, disciplined and clinical in all parts of the pitch.

Chelsea also had their individual heroes, especially in defence. Goalkeeper Petr Cech was equal to all Barcelona’s best efforts, Ashley Cole and John Terry were simply outstanding, while Gary Cahill can take his self-belief and confidence to a new level when he reflects on the maturity of his performance.

In midfield, once again proving he is a bargain among the more expensive pieces, Chelsea found a stabilising influence in the ever-reliable Ramires. The Brazilian is moving away from his status as an unsung hero, rightly winning the plaudits of Stamford Bridge after doing so much more than set up Drogba’s winner.

And then there is Drogba himself. Part-drama queen – some of his theatrics bordered on high farce – and part attacking monster, ready and willing to rough up any defence. Yes, he embarrassed himself and irritated Barcelona with the trademark amateur dramatics, but he is still a force to be reckoned with and justified Di Matteo’s key decision to prefer him to Fernando Torres.

Di Matteo can also take huge credit. He got his tactics and choices spot on, his game plan backed by the organisation, especially in defence, that fashioned this win. Chelsea now need to do it all again on Tuesday – but suddenly the weight of pressure has switched to Barcelona.