Federer Reached Qatar Open Final

Doha (1/8) - Roger Federer sets up a final clash with defending champion Nikolay Davydenko after beating Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 7-6.

Federer ended the match against Tsonga a smash and will be favorite to win the title for a third time when he faces Davydenko Saturday.

"It was a good match," said the sixteen-times grand slam winner, who now has a good chance to win back the title he won in 2005 and 2006.

"I played well. It became a high quality match in the second set and it was right that it went to a tiebreak because Tsonga played well too."

Federer has a 14-2 career record against Davydenko, although he did lose to him in last year's semi-final.

Davydenko repeated his last-year success as he stunned sick top seed Rafael Nadal in the semi-final 6-3, 6-2. The Russian beat Nadal in the same tournament final last year.

reuters

Confident Arsenal Beat Chelsea

Playing beautiful football, having talented young players, and staying in the top 4 of the English Premier League is not enough.

Last season Arsenal lost all four of their matches against Manchester United and Chelsea. And this season they had lost in Stamford Bridge and, recently, in Old Trafford. It seems that the only rival they surpass is Liverpool, which is now below their usual form.

However, on Monday (12/28), Arsenal proved that they could overcome with last season's title winner Chelsea. The Gunners beat the Blues 3-1 in an attractive London derby to go back to second spot in the English Premier League before Manchester City, which have played two matches more than Arsenal, overtook them on Tuesday.

In the first half Arsenal had a couple of chances by Robin van Persie and Samir Nasri but it was hard to penetrate Chelsea's defense. Didier Drogba fired a threatening shot but it was wide.

Then, one minute before half-time, Alex Song gave Arsenal a 1-0 lead at the same time Cesc Fabregas was felled by Paulo Ferreira.

In the 50th minute, Theo Walcott found a way through Chelsea's defense and skipped over Michael Essien and Petr Cech, passing to Fabregas who gave an accurate finish. 2-0 for Arsenal.

Three minutes later, Fabregas returned the favor and assisted Walcott to score a third goal for Arsenal.

Chelsea attacked back through Branislav Ivanovic's goal in the 57th minute.

However, the match ended 3-1 and Arsenal was satisfied.

pictures from arsenal.com

Korea 1, China 4

World number seven Lee Yong-dae and Jung Jae-sung clinch China Open title with a 21-15 and 21-12 win over China's Chai Biao and Zhang Nan. Their victory erased China's hope for a clean sweep.

Lee Yong-dae and Jung Jae-sung crushed the Chinese pair with fiery powerplays and tricky net shots, never allowing them to pass their score. Chai Biao and Zhang Nan tried to put on a good fight in the first game, in which they came up short at 15-21 but could barely mount a challenge to the defending champions in the second and eventually succumbed 12-21.

The Koreans are the first non-Chinese players to win the China Open three times in a row. 22-year-old Lee Yong Dae matches Gao Ling’s record of 5 China Open titles, three in men’s doubles and two in mixed with Lee Hyo Jung.

Other China Open results:

Men's singles
5-Chen Long (CHN) def. 8-Bao Chunlai (CHN) 9-21, 21-14, 21-16

Women's singles
4-Jiang Yanjiao (CHN) def. 3-Wang Shixian (CHN) 21-16, 21-19

Women's doubles
2-Cheng Shu/Zhao Yunlei def. Ma Jin/Zhong Qianxin (CHN) walkover

Mixed doubles
Tao Jiaming/Tian Qing (CHN) def. 5-Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei (CHN) 21-18, 21-17

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Defending Champions Reach China Open Final

Lee Yong-dae and Jung Jae-sung of South Korea set up a final clash in China Open Super Series with Chinese Zhang Nan/Chai Biao. Lee and Jung, who are 2008 and 2009 China Open winners, only needed 29 minutes to upset compatriots Ko Sung-hyun and Yoo Yeon-seong 21-10 and 21-15.

Meanwhile, fifth-seeded Chen Long will challenge his senior Bao Chunlai in the men's singles final after beating third seed Chen Jin in tough rubber sets, 22-20, 18-21, and 21-18 while Bao Chunlai overcame Du Pengyu 22-20 and 21-16.

China makes sure of other 3 titles. In the women's singles final, Wang Shixian who stunned top seed Wang Xin 21-18 and 21-16 will play fourth seed Jiang Yanjiao.

Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei will face Tao Jiaming and Tian Qing. Zhang/Zhao subdued Malaysia's Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying 21-17, 21-18 as Tao/Tian vanquished teammates He Hanbin and Ma Jin 21-17, 8-21, and 21-13.

In the women's doubles, world number eight pair Cheng Shu and Zhao Yunlei defeated Tian Qing and Pan Pan 21-14 and 21-13 to meet Ma Jin and Zhong Qianxin in the final. In the last four, Ma and Zhong conquered Korean Ha Jung-eun and Jung Kyung-eun 11-21, 21-8, and 21-18.

The Maestro Reigns in London

London (11/28) - Roger Federer of Switzerland overmastered world number one Rafael Nadal 6-3, 3-6, and 6-1 to win Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in front of 17,500 fans at London's O2 Arena.

Federer created a record-equaling fifth title at the year-ending finale, matching the feat of Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras.

Federer fired down 32 winners in the one hour 37 minute contest to Nadal's 11 as he beat the Spaniard for eight times.



"It's fantastic. I'm really thrilled the way I played all week. To win a fifth time is obviously amazing, for the third time in a different place," said Federer.

"I'm just really happy the way I was able to finish the season in style, playing some of my best tennis, really saving the best for last.

"Obviously beating Rafa in the final makes it extra special because of the year he had."

Nadal refused to say that he was defeated due to tiredness.

"I'm not going to say I lost the match because I was tired.

"What I'm going to say, and what I feel, is I lost the match because I played against a very good Roger Federer on one of his favourite surfaces. And when he's playing like this, it is very difficult to stop him.

"I had little chances, I was there, but it wasn't enough. He played unbelievable. I think in the beginning he was unplayable.

"I just can congratulate him for his victory and another great tournament for him," said Nadal who never won ATP World Tour Finals.


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Federer Chases His Fifth ATP World Tour Finals Title

London (11/27) Four times Tennis Masters Cup winner Roger Federer is looking for the fifth as he overcame world number three Novak Djokovic in the semi-final of ATP World Tour Finals. Federer dispayed a virtuoso match, winning 6-1, 6-4 at O2 Arena.

"Obviously I'm really looking forward to playing against Rafa tomorrow," Federer, who can emulate Pete Sampras and Ivan Lendl by winning the year-end title for a fifth time, told reporters. "Who wouldn't? I'm no different."


Federer serves the ball to Djokovic

Federer conjured 31 winners in a one-sided 80-minute contest against Djokovoic, who beat him at this year's U.S. Open.

"Every ball kind of listens to him," was Djokovic's eloquent description of 16-times grand slam champion Federer's sublime performance. "He's maybe playing the best tennis in 2010."

In the final, Federer would face Rafael Nadal who battled in three hours and eleven minutes to subdue local favorite Andy Murray 7-6(5), 3-6, and 7-6 (6).

"I just love playing against him," said Murray, who hugged his rival across the net at the end. "As a sportsman, I don't know if there's been many better than him ever in terms of the way he conducts himself.

reuters
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Arsenal to the Top for Two Hours

Andrei Arshavin celebrates his goal with Jack Wilshere

Arsenal was back to a winning form with a 4-2 victory over home Aston Villa. The visitors bossed the first half but had to wait until 39 minutes until Andrei Arshavin fired home. On the whistle a corner from the Russian, excellent on the day, was volleyed in by Samir Nasri.





Ciaran Clark fired Villa a lifeline six minutes after the restart but Marouane Chamakh replied almost immediately to restore the visitors' two-goal cushion.

Clark headed home with 20 minutes to go but, despite the odd scare, Arsenal were untroubled.


Jack kisses Arsenal badge



In the final seconds, Chamakh squared to Wilshere who headed home into an empty net from barely a yard. Wilshere successfully sealed it.

Because of this result, Arsenal topped the English Premier League with 29 points before Manchester United won 7-1 over Blackburn Rovers. Chelsea, having 28 points, will play on Sunday.

arsenal.com

Asian Games Badminton - Fabulous Final

Lin Dan Completes Title Collection with Gold Medal

Guangzhou (11/21) - 2008 Olympic gold medalist Lin Din of China won his first Asian Games gold medal as he mastered the same opponent as in Beijing 2008, Lee Chong Wei. Lin Dan who was the Asian Games 2006 silver medalist, becomes the first man to win the four main titles, overpowering the Malaysian 21-13, 15-21, and 21-10. Now Lin Dan has 4 All England titles, 3 world championship titles, an Olympic gold medal, and an Asian Games gold medal.

“I have reached my target. I have won all the major titles that a player can win. This is really a wonderful moment for me,” Lin Dan said whose victory made his meeting record against Chong Wei 14-5.

“Of all the titles that I have won, the 2004 Thomas Cup Finals, however, will hold a special spot for me. It was the beginning of my rise as a player. And the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games was an important one too.”

“This is my best Asian Games final. There was pressure on both of us. We played well even though it was so tough. Honestly, I was the lucky one to win.

“I give my due respect to Chong Wei. He really fought very hard today,” said Lin Dan

Meanwhile, sad Chong Wei refused to speak in the media conference.

One Gold for Each Indonesia and South Korea

In the men's doubles, Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan succeeded to present Indonesia's third gold medal in Asian Games, upsetting defending Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong who had beaten Markis and Hendra in Asian Games 2006 semi-final.

The 2007 world champions confronted strong shots from Kien Keat and Boon Heong before winning 16-21, 26-24, and 21-19 in 58 minutes. The match went tough that Kien Keat even fell many times to return the Indonesian pair's hits. It was also his fault tht Markis and Hendra clinched the winning point.

“Before this match, I had played badly. But today, Boon Heong and I gave it our all, especially at the crucial times.

“We fought hard and it’s disappointing to settle for silver. It should have been better. But overall, we do not regret with the way we played in losing the match,” commented Kien Keat.

He was disappointed about that they failed to win the second game.

“We let it slip through our hands. Then, it was difficult for us to focus after they took a big lead in the rubber game. We managed to chase and even led but, eventually, it did not end in our favour,” he said.

In the all-Chinese women's singles final, Wang Shixian beat compatriot Wang Xin 21-18 and 21-15. In the women's doubles final, Tian Qing and Zhao Yunlei of China defeated teammates Yu Yang and Wang Xiaoli 20-22, 21-15, and 21-12.

South Korean Shin Baek-cheol and Lee Hyo-jung ended China's Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei's dream in reaching gold medal in Guangzhou with a 21-19 and 21-14 victory.

Asian Games individual results:

Men's Singles
Gold - Lin Dan (China)
Silver - Lee Chong Wei (Malaysia)
Bronze - Park Sung-hwan (South Korea) and Chen Jin (China)

Women's Singles
Gold - Wang Shixian (China)
Silver - Wang Xin (China)
Bronze - Yip Puy Yin (Hong Kong) and Eriko Hirose (Japan)

Men's Doubles
Gold - Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan (Indonesia)
Silver - Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong (Malaysia)
Bronze - Lee Yong-dae/Jung Jae-sung (South Korea) and Muhammad Ahsan/Alvent Yulianto (Indonesia)

Women's Doubles
Gold - Tian Qing/Zhao Yunlei (China)
Silver - Wang Xiaoli/Yu Yang (China)
Bronze - Kim Min-jung/Lee Hyo-jung (South Korea) and Ha Jung-eun/Lee Kyung-won (South Korea)

Mixed Doubles
Gold - Shin Baek-cheol/Lee Hyo-jung (South Korea)
Silver - Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei (China)
Bronze - He Hanbin/Ma Jin (China) and Chen Hung-Ling/Cheng Wen-Hsing (Chinese Taipei)

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Asian Games Badminton - China on Zenith

Guangzhou (11/15) - China won both men's and women's badminton medal in Asian Games 2010 at the Tianhe Gymnasium.

In the men's final, China overcame South Korea 3-1. Lin Dan gave China the first victory as he defeated Korea's striving Park Sung-hwan 19-21, 21-16, and 21-18.



“The start was not satisfactory, I was not doing well and I lost several points,” said Lin Dan, who also led his team winning Asian Games gold medal in Doha 2006.

Lee Yong-dae and Jung Jae-sung kept Korean hope alive as they equalized the score 1-1. They downed their usual opponent Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng 21-17, 20-22, and 23-21.

However, Chen Jin beat Shon Wan-ho and Xu Chen/Guo Zhendong conquered Ko Sung-hyun/Yoo Yeon-seong to secure the win for China.



In the women's final, China was too powerful for Thailand, clinching a 3-0 triumph. World number one Wang Xin responded hard resistance from young Ratchanok Intanon, who replaced Salakjit Ponsana, before winning the first match 20-22, 21-17, and 21-14.

"I was prepared but did not expect the match could be so hard, I think I was a little nervous," said Wang, who just turned 24.

Wang Shixian added more point for China after subduing Nitchaon Jindapol 21-13 and 21-12. Finally, Jiang Yanjiao mastered S. Taerattanachai, 21-15, 21-10, to present a gold medal for China.

Meanwhile, Indonesia gained two bronze medals, Thailand won a bronze from the men's team, and South Korea won a bronze from the women's team.

gz2010
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Federer Reaches Stockholm Final

World number two Roger Federer overcame an early break of serve to defeat Croatian Ivan Ljubicic 7-6 6-2 in the semi-finals of the Stockholm Open on Saturday.

The Swiss will meet German Florian Mayer, who beat Finland's Jarkko Nieminen 4-6 6-4 7-6, in Sunday's final.

The big-hitting Ljubicic started strongly before Federer broke back to take the first set on a tie-break.

He then gained an early advantage in the second when a lucky bounce off the net cord helped him convert a break point.

Federer said he had enjoyed a slice of luck but added he had felt his opponent had tried to force his game too much and had started to make too many errors.

"(In the first set) I had a tough service game that didn't really work well. I missed a couple of shots, next thing you know you're down break point.

"I missed another stupid forehand because I was still lacking rhythm and that's how it goes against big servers.

"He was serving well when he had to, doing all the right things and he really made it hard for me. He gave me a couple of chances, I was able to take them and then played a really good tie-breaker."

In the other semi-final, Mayer saved five set points on his serve in the first set before Nieminen finally converted the sixth.

Mayer, ranked 47th in the world, then upped his game to take the second and set up a tense climax in the third.

reuters

Big Three Reach Shanghai Semis

Federer Invalidates Soderling

Shanghai (10/15) - Former world number one Roger Federer who was seeded 3, displayed a tremendous performance as he upset fifth seed Robin Soderling of Sweden with a 6-1, 6-1 triumph.

Federer scored 4 aces in the end and finally won the 53-minute match with a jumping smash. Next he will play second-seeded Novak Djokovic who overthrew Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2 and 6-3.



"I don't think Robin had his best day," Federer told Sky Sports. "You'd think a top-five player doesn't have days like these, but they do happen.

"In best-of-three-set matches, things can get ugly rather quickly.

"I didn't expect a result like this, but I'll take it any day."

Asked whether he felt more motivated to take on Djokovic in the wake of his defeat at Flushing Meadows, he added: "I'm not much of a revenge guy, but I like playing against the top guys.

"[But] after the US Open, the fans are looking for a rematch."

Meanwhile, Jurgen Melzer of Austria failed to continue impressive victory after he surrendered to unseeded Juan Monaco. Melzer, who defeated top seed Rafael Nadal in the third round, was crushed in tough three sets, 6-7(6), 7-5, and 6-3. 41-ranked Monaco will face British Andy Murray in the semi-final.

Monaco will play British Andy Murray in the last four. Murray conquered Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-2, 6-2.

"He struggled a little bit on his serve and wasn't serving as big as usual, so I managed to get into a lot of the return games," said Murray.

"I served well and didn't give him any chances on my serve. I was hitting the ball really cleanly from the back of the court, so it was a good start," he added.


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Home Clinches Clean Sweep in China Masters

Changzhou (9/19)- China repeated successful Paris results as they won all titles in China Masters Super Series. Defending Lin Dan won his third China Masters crown with a 21-15, 13-21, and 21-14 victory over teammate Chen Long in an hour and 10 minutes.

“It is good to win the title after the disappointment of losing in the World Championships and it is a good confidence booster for me,” said Lin Dan who suffered a quarter-final defeat in World Championship last month.

“Chen Long gave me a tough fight and made it difficult for me but I am happy to have won the title.”

2010 World Championship finalist Wang Xin triumphed in women's singles final after she surmounted Denmark's Tine Baun 21-13, 21-9.

“She (Wang Xin) played really well and deserved to win. I just have to go back and work on my game to improve myself,” said Tine who beat world number one Wang Yihan in the semi-final.

In the men's doubles, world champions Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng vanquished fourth-seeded Ko Sung-hyun and Yoo Yeon-seong of Korea, 21-14 and 21-19.

In the all-Chinese finals in mixed doubles final, Tao Jiaming and Tian Qing emerged as the winner as they subjugated newly-paired Xu Chen and Yu Yang in an easy straight sets, 21-11 and 21-14. In the women's doubles, Yu Yang and Wang Xiaoli beat teammates Bao Yixin and Lu Lu 21-8 and 21-8.

pictures by internationalbadminton.org