World number one Novak Djokovic recovered from a first-set loss to overcome Germany&#39;s Mischa Zverev while Britain&#39;s&nbsp;Andy&nbsp;Murray&nbsp;swept past Belgium&#39;s David Goffin to reach the Shanghai Masters semi-finals on Friday.

Djokovic committed 37 unforced errors before labouring to a 3-6 7-6(4) 6-3 win which set up a clash with Spain&#39;s Roberto Bautista Agut, who humbled Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3 6-4.

Second seed&nbsp;Murray, who has now won 16 sets in a row in ATP events, was ruthless in his 6-2 6-2 victory to clinch his fifth win in five matches against 11th seed Goffin.

Zverev, ranked 110th in the world, broke the Serbian in the third and ninth games to take the opening set in 40 minutes.

The 29-year-old Zverev looked on course for the biggest win of his career after taking a 2-0 lead in the second before Djokovic pounced on the German&#39;s errors to level the match.

Djokovic took a 3-0 lead in the decider, winning 92 percent of his first-serve points to seal victory in two hours and 20 minutes.

&quot;You&#39;re trying to reach that balance between being concentrated but at the same time being kind of calm and relaxed and enjoying the moment,&quot; said Djokovic, who hummed a tune while waiting to return Zverev&#39;s serve in the latter stages.

&quot;I was always trying to keep that optimal state of mind. Instead of the occasional tantrum that I used to have, I (switched) that vibration and transformed it in a tune.&quot;

Murray, who won the China Open last week, fired down eight aces and will face Gilles Simon in next round.

Frenchman Simon, who upstaged world number three Stan Wawrinka in the previous round, continued his fine run with a 4-6 6-4 7-6(5) win over American Jack Sock.

(Reuters)

World number one Novak Djokovic came from a set down to win against Mischa Zverev, Andy Murray beat David Goffin in straight sets

World number one Novak Djokovic recovered from a first-set loss to overcome Germany's Mischa Zverev while Britain's Andy Murray swept past Belgium's David Goffin to reach the Shanghai Masters semi-finals on Friday. Djokovic committed 37 unforced errors before labouring to a 3-6 7-6(4) 6-3 win which set up a clash with Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut, who humbled Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3 6-4. Second seed Murray, who has now won 16 sets in a row in ATP events, was ruthless in his 6-2 6-2 victory to clinch his fifth win in five matches against 11th seed Goffin. Zverev, ranked 110th in the world, broke the Serbian in the third and ninth games to take the opening set in 40 minutes. The 29-year-old Zverev looked on course for the biggest win of his career after taking a 2-0 lead in the second before Djokovic pounced on the German's errors to level the match. Djokovic took a 3-0 lead in the decider, winning 92 percent of his first-serve points to seal victory in two hours and 20 minutes. "You're trying to reach that balance between being concentrated but at the same time being kind of calm and relaxed and enjoying the moment," said Djokovic, who hummed a tune while waiting to return Zverev's serve in the latter stages. "I was always trying to keep that optimal state of mind. Instead of the occasional tantrum that I used to have, I (switched) that vibration and transformed it in a tune." Murray, who won the China Open last week, fired down eight aces and will face Gilles Simon in next round. Frenchman Simon, who upstaged world number three Stan Wawrinka in the previous round, continued his fine run with a 4-6 6-4 7-6(5) win over American Jack Sock. (Reuters)

Shanghai Masters: Djokovic stutters, Murray eases into semi-finals

Andy Murray took Novak Djokovic&#39;s China Open crown at the weekend, but that&#39;s not all that the Scot is after as he closes in on the Serb&#39;s number one ranking.

The second-ranked Scot is looking to close the points gap to Djokovic and cap a career-best season by topping the rankings for the first time.

Murray made a convincing start to that campaign in Beijing, storming through the tournament without dropping a set.&nbsp;

He beat Grigor Dimitrov to claim his fifth title of the year, and take him 1,000 points closer to Djokovic&#39;s long-held number one spot.&nbsp;

&quot;It&#39;s very positive leading into Shanghai, and hopefully I can finish the year strong,&quot; Murray said in Beijing.

Djokovic wasn&#39;t in the Chinese capital to defend his China Open crown, having pulled out with an elbow injury, but both are playing at this week&#39;s Shanghai Masters.

The Serb also won in Shanghai last year -- another trophy in what was one of the best seasons in tennis history -- and so now has to defend those ranking points whereas Murray only will be banking&nbsp;points to&nbsp;further reduce the 3,005-point gap to Djokovic.

In a year that also saw him become a father for the first time, Murray bagged both his second Wimbledon crowns and Olympic gold medals.

He also reached the final of the Australian and French Opens&nbsp;but missed out on a second consecutive Davis Cup win when Great Britain lost to Argentina in the semi-finals.

As Murray aims to become the first British man to reach number one, he is already writing history with Johanna Konta.

The 25-year-old Sydney-born Briton broke into the top 10 with her run to the final at her maiden appearance at the China Open -- the first British woman since Jo Durie in 1984 to achieve that feat.

It is also the first time since computerised rankings were introduced that a British man and woman are ranked in the top 10 at the same time.

Konta is now in Hong Kong to try to cap a stunning rise over the last 15 months from 146th to ninth with her first appearance at the WTA Finals in Singapore, which features the season&#39;s top eight players.

&quot;She finished last year extremely well and kind of showed that she had the potential to get there with the wins that she was having.&nbsp;

&quot;But it&#39;s not easy to do it over a 12-month period,&quot; Murray said of Konta.&nbsp;

&quot;It&#39;s exciting to see kind of how far she&#39;s going to be able to go.&quot;

(AFP)

With his second Wimbledon crown and Olympic gold medals this year, Murray aims to become the first British man to reach number one

Andy Murray took Novak Djokovic's China Open crown at the weekend, but that's not all that the Scot is after as he closes in on the Serb's number one ranking. The second-ranked Scot is looking to close the points gap to Djokovic and cap a career-best season by topping the rankings for the first time. Murray made a convincing start to that campaign in Beijing, storming through the tournament without dropping a set. He beat Grigor Dimitrov to claim his fifth title of the year, and take him 1,000 points closer to Djokovic's long-held number one spot. "It's very positive leading into Shanghai, and hopefully I can finish the year strong," Murray said in Beijing. Djokovic wasn't in the Chinese capital to defend his China Open crown, having pulled out with an elbow injury, but both are playing at this week's Shanghai Masters. The Serb also won in Shanghai last year -- another trophy in what was one of the best seasons in tennis history -- and so now has to defend those ranking points whereas Murray only will be banking points to further reduce the 3,005-point gap to Djokovic. In a year that also saw him become a father for the first time, Murray bagged both his second Wimbledon crowns and Olympic gold medals. He also reached the final of the Australian and French Opens but missed out on a second consecutive Davis Cup win when Great Britain lost to Argentina in the semi-finals. As Murray aims to become the first British man to reach number one, he is already writing history with Johanna Konta. The 25-year-old Sydney-born Briton broke into the top 10 with her run to the final at her maiden appearance at the China Open -- the first British woman since Jo Durie in 1984 to achieve that feat. It is also the first time since computerised rankings were introduced that a British man and woman are ranked in the top 10 at the same time. Konta is now in Hong Kong to try to cap a stunning rise over the last 15 months from 146th to ninth with her first appearance at the WTA Finals in Singapore, which features the season's top eight players. "She finished last year extremely well and kind of showed that she had the potential to get there with the wins that she was having. "But it's not easy to do it over a 12-month period," Murray said of Konta. "It's exciting to see kind of how far she's going to be able to go." (AFP)

Tennis: Murray eyes world number one spot, targets 'strong' year-end to topple Djokovic

Top seed Andy Murray cruised past Spain&#39;s David Ferrer 6-2 6-3 on Saturday and Bulgaria&#39;s Grigor Dimitrov received a walkover into the China Open final after Milos Raonic withdrew due to an ankle injury.

The 29-year-old Murray, who is yet to drop a set this week, sealed victory in one hour 31 minutes, his seventh successive win over fifth seed Ferrer.

The big-serving Raonic was forced to play twice on Friday, beating Tunisia&#39;s Malek Jaziri and Pablo Carreno Busta to advance to the last four and he sustained the injury during the win over the Spaniard.

&quot;Yesterday during my second match in the evening, I rolled over my ankle, obviously caused it some level of a sprain,&quot; the Canadian told the ATP website.

&quot;I did a test this morning, which showed I had a partial tear on the outside of my ankle. I was told to give it a try. I tried to warm up just before the match like I would normally, and I was unable to play.&quot;

Murray, through to the China Open final for the first time, has enjoyed one of the best years of his career, winning Wimbledon and the Olympic gold medal.

World number one Novak Djokovic pulled out of the tournament due to injury.

Raonic pulled out of his semi-final match a few hours before it was due to start.

&quot;Yesterday during my second match in the evening... I rolled over my ankle, obviously caused it some level of a sprain,&quot; Raonic told reporters.

The sixth-ranked 25-year-old has been stalked by injuries all season, costing him the chance to bag his first Grand Slam title.

He was two sets up to Murray in the Australian&nbsp;Open&nbsp;semis when he suffered a thigh injury, eventually losing in five.

The big-serving Canadian was also tipped to make a run for the crown at Flushing Meadows, but fell in the second round after again injuring himself on court.

Murray made quick work of Ferrer for a place in the finals.

The Spaniard had lost his previous six matches against Murray and failed to get a look in after the Scot went two breaks up in the first set.

(Agencies)

World number one Novak Djokovic had pulled out of the tournament due to injury

Top seed Andy Murray cruised past Spain's David Ferrer 6-2 6-3 on Saturday and Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov received a walkover into the China Open final after Milos Raonic withdrew due to an ankle injury. The 29-year-old Murray, who is yet to drop a set this week, sealed victory in one hour 31 minutes, his seventh successive win over fifth seed Ferrer. The big-serving Raonic was forced to play twice on Friday, beating Tunisia's Malek Jaziri and Pablo Carreno Busta to advance to the last four and he sustained the injury during the win over the Spaniard. "Yesterday during my second match in the evening, I rolled over my ankle, obviously caused it some level of a sprain," the Canadian told the ATP website. "I did a test this morning, which showed I had a partial tear on the outside of my ankle. I was told to give it a try. I tried to warm up just before the match like I would normally, and I was unable to play." Murray, through to the China Open final for the first time, has enjoyed one of the best years of his career, winning Wimbledon and the Olympic gold medal. World number one Novak Djokovic pulled out of the tournament due to injury. Raonic pulled out of his semi-final match a few hours before it was due to start. "Yesterday during my second match in the evening... I rolled over my ankle, obviously caused it some level of a sprain," Raonic told reporters. The sixth-ranked 25-year-old has been stalked by injuries all season, costing him the chance to bag his first Grand Slam title. He was two sets up to Murray in the Australian Open semis when he suffered a thigh injury, eventually losing in five. The big-serving Canadian was also tipped to make a run for the crown at Flushing Meadows, but fell in the second round after again injuring himself on court. Murray made quick work of Ferrer for a place in the finals. The Spaniard had lost his previous six matches against Murray and failed to get a look in after the Scot went two breaks up in the first set. (Agencies)

China Open: Murray, Dimitrov advance to final

World number two Andy Murray overwhelmed Italy&#39;s Andreas Seppi 6-2 7-5, while&nbsp;second seed Rafael Nadal crushed veteran Italian Paolo Lorenzi 6-1 6-1 to reach the second round of the China Open&nbsp;on Tuesday.

Britain&#39;s&nbsp;Murray, a three-time&nbsp;grand slam champion, showed no signs of fatigue having just recovered from a thigh injury. He&nbsp;wrapped up the match in under an hour and 30 minutes.

&quot;I thought I did okay considering I hadn&#39;t played much the past couple of weeks. I think I can do better,&quot; Murray told reporters.&nbsp;&quot;There was some good stuff in there. With each match, I&#39;ll play better hopefully. No injuries. Felt fine. Just need matches now,&quot; the top seed added.

Murray will play the winner of the all-Russian clash between Andrey Kuznetsov and Konstantin Kravchuk in the next round.

Nadal, who won the China Open in 2005, won 79 per cent of his first-serve points to breeze past the 34-year-old Lorenzi.

The 30-year-old Spaniard will next face compatriot Albert Ramos-Vinolas or French qualifier Adrian Mannarino.

Third seed Milos Raonic beat Germany&#39;s Florian Mayer 6-4 7-6(1) and the big-serving Canadian will meet either Argentina&#39;s Guido Pella or Tunisia&#39;s Malek Jaziri in the next round.

During a rain-hit day in Beijing, Germany&#39;s Alexander Zverev upset fourth seed Dominic Thiem 4-6 6-1 6-3 to advance to a second-round clash with American Jack Sock.

Defending champion and world number one Novak Djokovic withdrew from the tournament due to an elbow injury.

(Reuters)

Defending champion and world number one Novak Djokovic withdrew from the tournament due to an elbow injury

World number two Andy Murray overwhelmed Italy's Andreas Seppi 6-2 7-5, while second seed Rafael Nadal crushed veteran Italian Paolo Lorenzi 6-1 6-1 to reach the second round of the China Open on Tuesday. Britain's Murray, a three-time grand slam champion, showed no signs of fatigue having just recovered from a thigh injury. He wrapped up the match in under an hour and 30 minutes. "I thought I did okay considering I hadn't played much the past couple of weeks. I think I can do better," Murray told reporters. "There was some good stuff in there. With each match, I'll play better hopefully. No injuries. Felt fine. Just need matches now," the top seed added. Murray will play the winner of the all-Russian clash between Andrey Kuznetsov and Konstantin Kravchuk in the next round. Nadal, who won the China Open in 2005, won 79 per cent of his first-serve points to breeze past the 34-year-old Lorenzi. The 30-year-old Spaniard will next face compatriot Albert Ramos-Vinolas or French qualifier Adrian Mannarino. Third seed Milos Raonic beat Germany's Florian Mayer 6-4 7-6(1) and the big-serving Canadian will meet either Argentina's Guido Pella or Tunisia's Malek Jaziri in the next round. During a rain-hit day in Beijing, Germany's Alexander Zverev upset fourth seed Dominic Thiem 4-6 6-1 6-3 to advance to a second-round clash with American Jack Sock. Defending champion and world number one Novak Djokovic withdrew from the tournament due to an elbow injury. (Reuters)

Murray and Nadal ease into second round of China Open

Stan Wawrinka became the oldest US Open men&#39;s champion in 46 years when he defeated world number one Novak Djokovic to claim a third Grand Slam title on Sunday. 
 
Wawrinka, the 31-year-old third seed, triumphed 6-7 (1/7), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 after almost four hours of high-intensity tennis. 
 
He even held his nerve when the final threatened to erupt into controversy after Djokovic twice called medical timeouts in the fourth set. 
 
Wawrinka is the oldest winner of the men&#39;s tournament since 35-year-old Ken Rosewall in 1970 and the first over 30 to take the title since Pete Sampras in 2002. 
 
It was the Swiss player&#39;s first New York title, following his breakthrough 2014 Australian Open triumph and 2015 Roland Garros crown. 
 
On both those occasions, Djokovic had been the fall-guy, losing in Melbourne in the quarter-finals and ending as runner-up in Paris. 
 
Djokovic, the 2011 and 2015 champion, had been seeking a third Slam of the year and 13th major of his career. 
 
But the 29-year-old Serb finished runner-up in New York for the fourth time after paying a heavy price for converting just three of 17 break points. 
 
Wawrinka, who had to save a match point to beat unheralded Dan Evans in the third round, committed 51 unforced errors but crucially smashed 46 winners past his opponent. 
 
The final started against a sombre but defiant background with Broadway star Norm Lewis delivering a stirring rendition of The Star Spangled Banner, a poignant performance on the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. 
 
Djokovic, playing in his 21st Grand Slam final and seventh in New York, was quickest out of the blocks. 
He broke for 2-0 having won the first point of the game with two extreme, against-the-odds retrievals. 
Trailing 2-5, Wawrinka, who had spent the best part of nine hours more than Djokovic getting to the final, saved two set points. 
 
The Serb was made to pay for his wastefulness as the Swiss suddenly found his range, breaking back in the ninth game off a Djokovic double fault. But Djokovic glided untroubled through the tie-break as Wawrinka&#39;s serve fell apart. 
 
Wawrinka rallies&nbsp; 
 
Wawrinka is used to chasing lost causes against Djokovic, coming back from losing the first set to win their 2014 Australian Open quarter-final and again at Roland Garros last year. 
 
Calling on that expertise, he broke for 3-1 in the second set, recovered from handing the advantage back in the seventh to level the final when Djokovic unleashed a wild forehand on set point in the 10th. 
 
Frustrated, Djokovic demolished his racquet, collecting a code violation from umpire Ali Nili. 
 
Wawrinka saved three break points in the opening game of the third set, which featured a 28-shot exchange, broke in the second and saved another break point in the next for a 3-0 lead. 
 
But at the sixth time of asking in the set, Djokovic clawed his way back with a break for 2-3. 
 
Wawrinka, however, kept up the attack and on set point in the 12th game slotted a backhand deep and into the corner which Djokovic could only push wide. 
 
The world number one looked spent. He appeared to start cramping in the fourth set as he quickly slipped 0-3 down. 
 
Much to Wawrinka&#39;s irritation, at 1-3 Djokovic called the trainer and took a medical timeout for treatment for blisters. Djokovic apologised, claiming he needed attention as he couldn&#39;t stand. 
 
At 2-5, the trainer reappeared but Wawrinka saw the job through leaving Djokovic to finish a Slam runner-up for the ninth time.

(AFP)

Wawrinka defeated world number one Djokovic to claim a third Grand Slam title. Djokovic had been the fall-guy on both the previous occasions

Stan Wawrinka became the oldest US Open men's champion in 46 years when he defeated world number one Novak Djokovic to claim a third Grand Slam title on Sunday. Wawrinka, the 31-year-old third seed, triumphed 6-7 (1/7), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 after almost four hours of high-intensity tennis. He even held his nerve when the final threatened to erupt into controversy after Djokovic twice called medical timeouts in the fourth set. Wawrinka is the oldest winner of the men's tournament since 35-year-old Ken Rosewall in 1970 and the first over 30 to take the title since Pete Sampras in 2002. It was the Swiss player's first New York title, following his breakthrough 2014 Australian Open triumph and 2015 Roland Garros crown. On both those occasions, Djokovic had been the fall-guy, losing in Melbourne in the quarter-finals and ending as runner-up in Paris. Djokovic, the 2011 and 2015 champion, had been seeking a third Slam of the year and 13th major of his career. But the 29-year-old Serb finished runner-up in New York for the fourth time after paying a heavy price for converting just three of 17 break points. Wawrinka, who had to save a match point to beat unheralded Dan Evans in the third round, committed 51 unforced errors but crucially smashed 46 winners past his opponent. The final started against a sombre but defiant background with Broadway star Norm Lewis delivering a stirring rendition of The Star Spangled Banner, a poignant performance on the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Djokovic, playing in his 21st Grand Slam final and seventh in New York, was quickest out of the blocks. He broke for 2-0 having won the first point of the game with two extreme, against-the-odds retrievals. Trailing 2-5, Wawrinka, who had spent the best part of nine hours more than Djokovic getting to the final, saved two set points. The Serb was made to pay for his wastefulness as the Swiss suddenly found his range, breaking back in the ninth game off a Djokovic double fault. But Djokovic glided untroubled through the tie-break as Wawrinka's serve fell apart. Wawrinka rallies Wawrinka is used to chasing lost causes against Djokovic, coming back from losing the first set to win their 2014 Australian Open quarter-final and again at Roland Garros last year. Calling on that expertise, he broke for 3-1 in the second set, recovered from handing the advantage back in the seventh to level the final when Djokovic unleashed a wild forehand on set point in the 10th. Frustrated, Djokovic demolished his racquet, collecting a code violation from umpire Ali Nili. Wawrinka saved three break points in the opening game of the third set, which featured a 28-shot exchange, broke in the second and saved another break point in the next for a 3-0 lead. But at the sixth time of asking in the set, Djokovic clawed his way back with a break for 2-3. Wawrinka, however, kept up the attack and on set point in the 12th game slotted a backhand deep and into the corner which Djokovic could only push wide. The world number one looked spent. He appeared to start cramping in the fourth set as he quickly slipped 0-3 down. Much to Wawrinka's irritation, at 1-3 Djokovic called the trainer and took a medical timeout for treatment for blisters. Djokovic apologised, claiming he needed attention as he couldn't stand. At 2-5, the trainer reappeared but Wawrinka saw the job through leaving Djokovic to finish a Slam runner-up for the ninth time. (AFP)

Stan Wawrinka stuns Novak Djokovic to clinch maiden US Open title

Stan Wawrinka will summon the spirit of his epic Grand Slam battles with Novak Djokovic in a bid to sweep past the world number one and capture a first US Open title on Sunday. 
 
Wawrinka trails 19-4 in his career meetings with Djokovic, who is chasing a third New York crown and 13th major. 
 
But the 31-year-old Swiss has derailed the Serb before on the biggest stage. 
 
In 2014, Wawrinka won a five-set quarter-final against Djokovic on his way to a first Grand Slam crown at the Australian Open, beating Rafael Nadal in the final. 
 
Twelve months earlier in Melbourne there had been warning signs with Djokovic needing to grind out a 12-10 final set in the fourth round. 
 
Last year, Djokovic saw his hopes of completing a career Slam crushed in four sets by the Swiss in the French Open final. 
 
Even when the Serb has prevailed at the majors, it&#39;s often been on a knife-edge. 
 
When he defeated Wawrinka in the semi-finals of the 2013 US Open, he had to fight from two sets to one down. 
 
At the 2015 Australian Open, Djokovic needed another five sets to win their semi-final. 
 
&quot;I think he&#39;s so good that he always find a way to be better. For sure he made me better,&quot; Wawrinka said. 
 
&quot;The matchup has always been interesting to see because the way we are playing. I&#39;m trying to be aggressive. I can play really hard. He is amazing defender.&quot; 
 
Djokovic, playing in his 21st major final and seeking a third Grand Slam title of 2016, is only too aware of the dangers posed by the Swiss to his bid to add to his 2011 and 2015 US Open titles. 
 
- &#39;Big stage player&#39; - 
 
&quot;He&#39;s a big match player. He loves to play on the big stage, against big players, because that&#39;s when he elevates his level of performance,&quot; said 29-year-old Djokovic. 
 
&quot;He doesn&#39;t get too stressed by the big occasion. He&#39;s very powerful, big serve. Probably the best, most effective one-handed backhand in the world now. He can be very dangerous for everybody.&quot; 
 
Djokovic was left wondering what had hit him at Roland Garros in 2015. 
 
He had beaten Andy Murray and Nadal to get to the final but Wawrinka hadn&#39;t read the script, his 60 winners -- most fired off the backhand -- proving hammer blows to the Serb. 
 
Since that loss in Paris, however, it has virtually been business as usual. 
 
Djokovic went on to win a second US Open, a sixth Australian Open and first Roland Garros in June which finally allowed him to join the select club of career Grand Slam winners. 
 
His only blip was his third round loss to Sam Querrey at Wimbledon, an exit fuelled partially by unspecified personal issues. 
 
Despite his run to a seventh US Open final, it has not been plain sailing for Djokovic. 
 
He has needed regular treatment on his right shoulder while also requiring help with his left in the heat and crushing humidity of Friday&#39;s bizarre semi-final win against Gael Monfils. 
 
While Djokovic has enjoyed a walkover and two injury-forced retirements on his way to the final, Wawrinka had to save a match point against unheralded Dan Evans in the third round. 
 
He has also spent almost 18 hours on court while Djokovic has made the final after being in action for just over nine. 
 
However, the big Swiss has won his last 10 finals. 
 
The Swiss player, so often in the shadow of Roger Federer, has blossomed late in his career, winning the Australian title at 28. 
 
That made him the oldest first-time Slam winner since Goran Ivanisevic at Wimbledon in 2001. 
 
But history at the US Open may not favour Wawrinka on Sunday. 
 
Pete Sampras was the last player over-30 to win in New York and that was back in 2002. 
 
Elsewhere on Sunday, the women&#39;s doubles will be played featuring top-seeded French pair Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic against Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the United States and Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic. 
 
(AFP) 
&nbsp;

Wawrinka trails 19-4 in his career meetings with Djokovic, who is chasing a third New York crown and 13th major

Stan Wawrinka will summon the spirit of his epic Grand Slam battles with Novak Djokovic in a bid to sweep past the world number one and capture a first US Open title on Sunday. Wawrinka trails 19-4 in his career meetings with Djokovic, who is chasing a third New York crown and 13th major. But the 31-year-old Swiss has derailed the Serb before on the biggest stage. In 2014, Wawrinka won a five-set quarter-final against Djokovic on his way to a first Grand Slam crown at the Australian Open, beating Rafael Nadal in the final. Twelve months earlier in Melbourne there had been warning signs with Djokovic needing to grind out a 12-10 final set in the fourth round. Last year, Djokovic saw his hopes of completing a career Slam crushed in four sets by the Swiss in the French Open final. Even when the Serb has prevailed at the majors, it's often been on a knife-edge. When he defeated Wawrinka in the semi-finals of the 2013 US Open, he had to fight from two sets to one down. At the 2015 Australian Open, Djokovic needed another five sets to win their semi-final. "I think he's so good that he always find a way to be better. For sure he made me better," Wawrinka said. "The matchup has always been interesting to see because the way we are playing. I'm trying to be aggressive. I can play really hard. He is amazing defender." Djokovic, playing in his 21st major final and seeking a third Grand Slam title of 2016, is only too aware of the dangers posed by the Swiss to his bid to add to his 2011 and 2015 US Open titles. - 'Big stage player' - "He's a big match player. He loves to play on the big stage, against big players, because that's when he elevates his level of performance," said 29-year-old Djokovic. "He doesn't get too stressed by the big occasion. He's very powerful, big serve. Probably the best, most effective one-handed backhand in the world now. He can be very dangerous for everybody." Djokovic was left wondering what had hit him at Roland Garros in 2015. He had beaten Andy Murray and Nadal to get to the final but Wawrinka hadn't read the script, his 60 winners -- most fired off the backhand -- proving hammer blows to the Serb. Since that loss in Paris, however, it has virtually been business as usual. Djokovic went on to win a second US Open, a sixth Australian Open and first Roland Garros in June which finally allowed him to join the select club of career Grand Slam winners. His only blip was his third round loss to Sam Querrey at Wimbledon, an exit fuelled partially by unspecified personal issues. Despite his run to a seventh US Open final, it has not been plain sailing for Djokovic. He has needed regular treatment on his right shoulder while also requiring help with his left in the heat and crushing humidity of Friday's bizarre semi-final win against Gael Monfils. While Djokovic has enjoyed a walkover and two injury-forced retirements on his way to the final, Wawrinka had to save a match point against unheralded Dan Evans in the third round. He has also spent almost 18 hours on court while Djokovic has made the final after being in action for just over nine. However, the big Swiss has won his last 10 finals. The Swiss player, so often in the shadow of Roger Federer, has blossomed late in his career, winning the Australian title at 28. That made him the oldest first-time Slam winner since Goran Ivanisevic at Wimbledon in 2001. But history at the US Open may not favour Wawrinka on Sunday. Pete Sampras was the last player over-30 to win in New York and that was back in 2002. Elsewhere on Sunday, the women's doubles will be played featuring top-seeded French pair Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic against Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the United States and Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic. (AFP)

US Open 2016: Wawrinka takes on Djokovic in final tonight

Novak Djokovic targets a 10th successive semi-final appearance at the US Open on Tuesday when he faces longtime rival Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, one of three Frenchmen in the last-eight. 
 
World number one Djokovic, the champion in New York in 2011 and 2015, has hardly broken sweat in the first four rounds. 
 
He needed four sets to beat Jerzy Janowicz in his first match before he enjoyed a walkover in the second, an injury-enforced retirement in the third followed by a brutal dismantling of Briton&#39;s Kyle Edmund in the last-16.&nbsp; 
 
In Tuesday&#39;s other men&#39;s quarter-final, Lucas Pouille, who knocked out 14-time major winner Rafael Nadal in five sets on Sunday, faces French compatriot Gael Monfils. 
 
The women&#39;s quarter-finals also start Tuesday with world number two Angelique Kerber facing last year&#39;s runner-up Roberta Vinci and two-time finalist Caroline Wozniacki up against surprise packet Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia. 
 
Djokovic, looking for his third major of 2016, boasts a remarkable record in New York. 
 
As well as his two titles, the 29-year-old was runner-up in 2007, 2010, 2012 and 2013. He was a semi-finalist in 2005, 2006 and 2014. 
 
The Serb also boasts a 15-6 winning record against ninth seed Tsonga, a run stretching back to their first meeting in 2008 Australian Open final. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m feeling very good. I didn&#39;t have much time on the court overall before the fourth round,&quot; said Djokovic who came into the tournament suffering from a wrist injury while also needing treatment on his upper right arm in the first and fourth rounds. 
 
&quot;Considering I had some struggles before the tournament, I feel great at this moment physically; mentally as well I&#39;m motivated.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;So coming into the second week of a Grand Slam quarter-finals feeling good, it&#39;s exactly where I want to be.&quot; 
 
Monfils beat Pouille in their only meeting -- in five sets in the first round of the Australian Open in 2015. 
 
But 22-year-old Pouille is now Grand Slam hardened having made a maiden Slam quarter-final at Wimbledon before stunning Nadal. 
 
Monfils, who turned 30 on September 1, is in his third quarter-final in New York. 
 
In his last appearance at this stage in 2014, he squandered a two-sets lead against Roger Federer. 
 
Meanwhile, Australian Open champion Kerber, a semi-finalist at the US Open in 2011, takes on 33-year-old Vinci. They are tied at two wins apiece. 
 
Kerber, who can depose Serena Williams as world number one by the end of the tournament, has yet to drop a set at the tournament. 
 
But she won&#39;t underestimate Vinci, who stunned Serena in the semi-finals last year. 
 
Wozniacki, a former world number one and runner-up in 2009 and 2014, has already put out top ten seeds Svetlana Kuznetsova and Madison Keys on her way to the quarter-finals. 
 
Now ranked 74, the popular Dane faces unlikely quarter-finalist Sevastova who was so depressed about the state of her game back in 2013 that she retired. 
 
Her decision to return has been richly rewarded with a shock victory over French Open champion Garbine Muguruza in the second round. 
 
(AFP) 
&nbsp;

World number one Djokovic will face long-time rival Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, one of three Frenchmen in the last eight, on Tuesday

Novak Djokovic targets a 10th successive semi-final appearance at the US Open on Tuesday when he faces longtime rival Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, one of three Frenchmen in the last-eight. World number one Djokovic, the champion in New York in 2011 and 2015, has hardly broken sweat in the first four rounds. He needed four sets to beat Jerzy Janowicz in his first match before he enjoyed a walkover in the second, an injury-enforced retirement in the third followed by a brutal dismantling of Briton's Kyle Edmund in the last-16. In Tuesday's other men's quarter-final, Lucas Pouille, who knocked out 14-time major winner Rafael Nadal in five sets on Sunday, faces French compatriot Gael Monfils. The women's quarter-finals also start Tuesday with world number two Angelique Kerber facing last year's runner-up Roberta Vinci and two-time finalist Caroline Wozniacki up against surprise packet Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia. Djokovic, looking for his third major of 2016, boasts a remarkable record in New York. As well as his two titles, the 29-year-old was runner-up in 2007, 2010, 2012 and 2013. He was a semi-finalist in 2005, 2006 and 2014. The Serb also boasts a 15-6 winning record against ninth seed Tsonga, a run stretching back to their first meeting in 2008 Australian Open final. "I'm feeling very good. I didn't have much time on the court overall before the fourth round," said Djokovic who came into the tournament suffering from a wrist injury while also needing treatment on his upper right arm in the first and fourth rounds. "Considering I had some struggles before the tournament, I feel great at this moment physically; mentally as well I'm motivated. "So coming into the second week of a Grand Slam quarter-finals feeling good, it's exactly where I want to be." Monfils beat Pouille in their only meeting -- in five sets in the first round of the Australian Open in 2015. But 22-year-old Pouille is now Grand Slam hardened having made a maiden Slam quarter-final at Wimbledon before stunning Nadal. Monfils, who turned 30 on September 1, is in his third quarter-final in New York. In his last appearance at this stage in 2014, he squandered a two-sets lead against Roger Federer. Meanwhile, Australian Open champion Kerber, a semi-finalist at the US Open in 2011, takes on 33-year-old Vinci. They are tied at two wins apiece. Kerber, who can depose Serena Williams as world number one by the end of the tournament, has yet to drop a set at the tournament. But she won't underestimate Vinci, who stunned Serena in the semi-finals last year. Wozniacki, a former world number one and runner-up in 2009 and 2014, has already put out top ten seeds Svetlana Kuznetsova and Madison Keys on her way to the quarter-finals. Now ranked 74, the popular Dane faces unlikely quarter-finalist Sevastova who was so depressed about the state of her game back in 2013 that she retired. Her decision to return has been richly rewarded with a shock victory over French Open champion Garbine Muguruza in the second round. (AFP)

Djokovic seeks 10th US Open semi-final in row

World number one Novak Djokovic was dumped out of the Olympics in the first round Sunday, losing for the second successive Games to Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina. 
 
Four years ago in London, the giant Del Potro had defeated the Serb in the bronze medal match and he repeated the shock Sunday in a stunning 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/2) victory. 
 
The 27-year-old Del Potro, whose ranking has slumped to 145 after a succession of wrist operations pushed him to the brink of retirement, started the day by getting stuck in an elevator for 40 minutes at the athletes village. 
 
But that inconvenience did not shake the 2009 US Open champion out of his big-hitting stride as he shocked the top seed to set up a second-round clash with Portugal&#39;s Joao Sousa. 
 
(AFP) 
&nbsp;

The match was a repeat of the London Olympics one in which Del Potro defeated the Serb to win the bronze medal

World number one Novak Djokovic was dumped out of the Olympics in the first round Sunday, losing for the second successive Games to Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina. Four years ago in London, the giant Del Potro had defeated the Serb in the bronze medal match and he repeated the shock Sunday in a stunning 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/2) victory. The 27-year-old Del Potro, whose ranking has slumped to 145 after a succession of wrist operations pushed him to the brink of retirement, started the day by getting stuck in an elevator for 40 minutes at the athletes village. But that inconvenience did not shake the 2009 US Open champion out of his big-hitting stride as he shocked the top seed to set up a second-round clash with Portugal's Joao Sousa. (AFP)

Tennis World No 1 Novak Djokovic suffers shock defeat, eliminated in first round

Australia&#39;s Nick Kyrgios dethroned John Isner by beating the three-time defending champ 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/4) in the Atlanta Open final to win his second ATP Tour crown. 
 
The second seeded Kyrgios needed one hour and 47 minutes to win his first career match over Isner and snap the hard-serving American&#39;s 15-match winning streak. 
 
&quot;Returning is very crucial against John,&quot; said Kyrgios. &quot;That serve is world class.&quot; 
 
The 21-year-old Kyrgios also improved to 2-1 in ATP Tour finals. His only other title came in February at the Marseille indoor tournament. 
 
Kyrgios, of Canberra, had his back against the wall Sunday in his opening service game when he faced three break points. He saved them all and then won five straight points to hold serve. 
 
Kyrgios will rise to a career high ranking of 16 with this win. He lost to Isner at ATP Tour tournaments in Madrid and Montreal last year. 
 
Isner was seeking to become just the fifth active player to win four consecutive titles which would have allowed him to join Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Kei Nishikori. 
 
He has appeared in the Atlanta final in six of the tournament&#39;s seven years, also finishing runner-up to Mardy Fish in both 2010-11. 
 
(AFP) 
&nbsp;

The Australian ended Isner's 15-match winning streak and the dream to become just the fifth active player to win four consecutive titles

Australia's Nick Kyrgios dethroned John Isner by beating the three-time defending champ 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/4) in the Atlanta Open final to win his second ATP Tour crown. The second seeded Kyrgios needed one hour and 47 minutes to win his first career match over Isner and snap the hard-serving American's 15-match winning streak. "Returning is very crucial against John," said Kyrgios. "That serve is world class." The 21-year-old Kyrgios also improved to 2-1 in ATP Tour finals. His only other title came in February at the Marseille indoor tournament. Kyrgios, of Canberra, had his back against the wall Sunday in his opening service game when he faced three break points. He saved them all and then won five straight points to hold serve. Kyrgios will rise to a career high ranking of 16 with this win. He lost to Isner at ATP Tour tournaments in Madrid and Montreal last year. Isner was seeking to become just the fifth active player to win four consecutive titles which would have allowed him to join Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Kei Nishikori. He has appeared in the Atlanta final in six of the tournament's seven years, also finishing runner-up to Mardy Fish in both 2010-11. (AFP)

Atlanta Open: Nick Kyrgios dethrones defending champion John Isner to win second ATP Tour finals

Novak Djokovic maintained his unbeaten record against Frenchman Gael Monfils with a 6-3 6-2 win in the semi-finals of the Rogers Cup in Toronto on Saturday, while Japan&#39;s Kei Nishikori also reached the final after beating Swiss second seed Stan Wawrinka. 
 
World number one Djokovic, now 12-0 against Monfils, has the opportunity to become the tournament&#39;s first four-time winner when he meets Nishikori in today&#39;s final. 
 
Nishikori came from 2-5 down in the opening set to stun Wawrinka 7-6(6) 6-1 in the first semi-final at the Aviva Centre. 
 
Monfils came into the semi-finals having won nine straight matches, including the Citi Open title in Washington, DC last Sunday.&nbsp;Djokovic overcame a service break in the third game and was dialled in the rest of the way in the 74-minute match. 
 
The Serb evaluated his play as his best of the week.&nbsp;Djokovic is 9-2 against Nishikori, and has won their last eight meetings, including the hard-court final in Miami earlier this year. 
 
&quot;It is going to be a great match and I&#39;m hoping to have another great performance as I have tonight,&quot; Djokovic said in a courtside interview. 
 
Nishikori is seeking his first ATP Masters 1000 title after reaching the third final of his career in the elite events. 
 
Wawrinka, a two-times grand slam champion who has won 14 ATP World Tour titles, became increasingly dispirited as he lost 11 of the last 13 games after squandering four set points in that opening set. 
 
Nishikori, serving at 40-0, sealed victory on the first of his three match points when an overhead smash prompted an unforced error from his opponent, ending an encounter that lasted just under an hour-and-a-half. 
 
Results: 
 
1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) beat 10-Gael Monfils (France) 6-3 6-2 
 
3-Kei Nishikori (Japan) beat 2-Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) 7-6(6) 6-1 
 
(Reuters)

Novak Djokovic can become the tournament's first ever four-time winner when he meets Nishikori in Sunday's final

Novak Djokovic maintained his unbeaten record against Frenchman Gael Monfils with a 6-3 6-2 win in the semi-finals of the Rogers Cup in Toronto on Saturday, while Japan's Kei Nishikori also reached the final after beating Swiss second seed Stan Wawrinka. World number one Djokovic, now 12-0 against Monfils, has the opportunity to become the tournament's first four-time winner when he meets Nishikori in today's final. Nishikori came from 2-5 down in the opening set to stun Wawrinka 7-6(6) 6-1 in the first semi-final at the Aviva Centre. Monfils came into the semi-finals having won nine straight matches, including the Citi Open title in Washington, DC last Sunday. Djokovic overcame a service break in the third game and was dialled in the rest of the way in the 74-minute match. The Serb evaluated his play as his best of the week. Djokovic is 9-2 against Nishikori, and has won their last eight meetings, including the hard-court final in Miami earlier this year. "It is going to be a great match and I'm hoping to have another great performance as I have tonight," Djokovic said in a courtside interview. Nishikori is seeking his first ATP Masters 1000 title after reaching the third final of his career in the elite events. Wawrinka, a two-times grand slam champion who has won 14 ATP World Tour titles, became increasingly dispirited as he lost 11 of the last 13 games after squandering four set points in that opening set. Nishikori, serving at 40-0, sealed victory on the first of his three match points when an overhead smash prompted an unforced error from his opponent, ending an encounter that lasted just under an hour-and-a-half. Results: 1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) beat 10-Gael Monfils (France) 6-3 6-2 3-Kei Nishikori (Japan) beat 2-Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) 7-6(6) 6-1 (Reuters)

Djokovic beats Monfils, heads to Rogers Cup final

Top seed Novak Djokovic breezed into the quarter-finals as the Rogers Cup continued pretty much according to script at the Aviva Centre on Thursday. 
 
Djokovic beat Czech qualifier Radek Stepanek 6-2 6-4 in a friendly encounter, during which both players repeatedly hammed it up for the crowd. 
 
Djokovic is the only member of the so-called &quot;big four&quot; competing in Toronto, with last year&#39;s champion Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal all absent from the $4.7 million event. 
 
In a tournament so far devoid of major upsets, the top five seeds advanced to the quarters, with Swiss Stan Wawrinka, Japanese Kei Nishikori, Canadian Milos Raonic and Czech Tomas Berdych booking last eight berths. 
 
Only Berdych needed three sets to progress and the fifth seed&#39;s reward is a showdown against Djokovic, who leads their head-to-head by a staggering 24-2 margin. 
 
Wawrinka won a hard-hitting battle with American Jack Sock, 7-6(3) 6-2. 
 
Next up for the two-time grand slam champion is unseeded South African Kevin Anderson, who rallied for a 4-6 6-3 6-4 victory over the 12th seeded Australian Bernard Tomic. 
 
Nishikori had little trouble getting by American Rajeev Ram, requiring just 68 minutes to register a convincing 6-3 6-4 win. 
 
&quot;The first set I played really good tennis. I had some tough times, but this score shows I was dominating a little bit,&quot; Nishikori, who next plays Bulgaria&#39;s Grigor Dimitrov, told reporters. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m still not 100 per cent yet, but feeling pretty strong. We&#39;ll have to see after a couple of more matches, but right now I feel good.&quot; 
 
A confident Gael Monfils extended his recent run of form with a 7-6(5) 2-6 6-4 minor upset of Belgian seventh seed David Goffin to book his spot in the quarter-finals. 
 
The 10th-seeded Frenchman, who arrived in Toronto fresh off earning his first tournament win in two-and-a-half years, will play Raonic in the quarters, after the local favourite dusted off American qualifier Jared Donaldson 6-2 6-3. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m going for the shots,&quot; Wimbledon runner-up Raonic said. 
 
(Reuters)

Novak Djokovic is the only member of the so-called 'big four' who is competing in Toronto

Top seed Novak Djokovic breezed into the quarter-finals as the Rogers Cup continued pretty much according to script at the Aviva Centre on Thursday. Djokovic beat Czech qualifier Radek Stepanek 6-2 6-4 in a friendly encounter, during which both players repeatedly hammed it up for the crowd. Djokovic is the only member of the so-called "big four" competing in Toronto, with last year's champion Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal all absent from the $4.7 million event. In a tournament so far devoid of major upsets, the top five seeds advanced to the quarters, with Swiss Stan Wawrinka, Japanese Kei Nishikori, Canadian Milos Raonic and Czech Tomas Berdych booking last eight berths. Only Berdych needed three sets to progress and the fifth seed's reward is a showdown against Djokovic, who leads their head-to-head by a staggering 24-2 margin. Wawrinka won a hard-hitting battle with American Jack Sock, 7-6(3) 6-2. Next up for the two-time grand slam champion is unseeded South African Kevin Anderson, who rallied for a 4-6 6-3 6-4 victory over the 12th seeded Australian Bernard Tomic. Nishikori had little trouble getting by American Rajeev Ram, requiring just 68 minutes to register a convincing 6-3 6-4 win. "The first set I played really good tennis. I had some tough times, but this score shows I was dominating a little bit," Nishikori, who next plays Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov, told reporters. "I'm still not 100 per cent yet, but feeling pretty strong. We'll have to see after a couple of more matches, but right now I feel good." A confident Gael Monfils extended his recent run of form with a 7-6(5) 2-6 6-4 minor upset of Belgian seventh seed David Goffin to book his spot in the quarter-finals. The 10th-seeded Frenchman, who arrived in Toronto fresh off earning his first tournament win in two-and-a-half years, will play Raonic in the quarters, after the local favourite dusted off American qualifier Jared Donaldson 6-2 6-3. "I'm going for the shots," Wimbledon runner-up Raonic said. (Reuters)

Djokovic domination continues, enters Toronto quarters

World number two Andy Murray has set his sights on overtaking Novak Djokovic at the top of the rankings after capturing his second Wimbledon crown on Sunday. 
 
Murray, who reunited with coach Ivan Lendl last month, has reached the finals of his last five tournaments, winning in Rome and at Queen&#39;s Club before beating Milos Raonic in straight sets to end a 36-month hunt for a third grand slam title. 
 
Murray&#39;s triumph and Djokovic&#39;s third-round loss means 4845 ATP ranking points now separate them. 
 
&quot;I would love to get to number one, for sure, and the way to do that is to show up every week and be focused on that event,&quot; Murray told British media. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s definitely a goal. It&#39;s something I spoke to my team about, something I chatted to Ivan about. 
 
&quot;This has been a great tournament for me but, if I want to win a few slams over the next few years, I am going to have to get better. I know that he (Djokovic) will come back strong from this because of the player he is.&quot; 
 
Djokovic arrived in London as the holder of all four grand slams and the Serb had not been beaten on the big stage since losing to Switzerland&#39;s Stan Wawrinka in the 2015 French Open final. 
 
&quot;Novak is still clearly number one in the world right now. He is not just going to go away because he has had one bad tournament. You can&#39;t forget what he has done in the last 18 months or so - it has been incredible,&quot; Murray added. 
 
(Reuters)

'I would love to get to number one, and the way to do that is to show up every week and be focused on that event,' Murray said

World number two Andy Murray has set his sights on overtaking Novak Djokovic at the top of the rankings after capturing his second Wimbledon crown on Sunday. Murray, who reunited with coach Ivan Lendl last month, has reached the finals of his last five tournaments, winning in Rome and at Queen's Club before beating Milos Raonic in straight sets to end a 36-month hunt for a third grand slam title. Murray's triumph and Djokovic's third-round loss means 4845 ATP ranking points now separate them. "I would love to get to number one, for sure, and the way to do that is to show up every week and be focused on that event," Murray told British media. "It's definitely a goal. It's something I spoke to my team about, something I chatted to Ivan about. "This has been a great tournament for me but, if I want to win a few slams over the next few years, I am going to have to get better. I know that he (Djokovic) will come back strong from this because of the player he is." Djokovic arrived in London as the holder of all four grand slams and the Serb had not been beaten on the big stage since losing to Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka in the 2015 French Open final. "Novak is still clearly number one in the world right now. He is not just going to go away because he has had one bad tournament. You can't forget what he has done in the last 18 months or so - it has been incredible," Murray added. (Reuters)

Murray eyes top ranking after Wimbledon triumph

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray says he is unlikely to play in Britain&#39;s Davis Cup quarter-final clash in Serbia this weekend but could travel to Belgrade in support of the team. 
 
Murray, who beat Canadian powerhouse Milos Raonic on Sunday to take his second Wimbledon title, almost single-handedly led Britain to their first Davis Cup triumph since 1936 in last November. 
 
The squad, captained by Leon Smith, also includes Murray&#39;s brother and doubles world number one Jamie, 68th ranked Kyle Edmund, Daniel Evans and doubles specialist Dominic Inglot. 
 
&quot;I spoke to Leon last night at the champions dinner briefly. I&#39;m going to call him after this,&#39; Murray told the BBC today. 
 
&quot;I would say it&#39;s looking unlikely, but even if I don&#39;t play I&#39;m still probably going to go anyway just to be there with the team. But I&#39;m going to speak to him (Leon) this afternoon. He was flying there this morning.&quot; 
 
Murray, who reunited with coach Ivan Lendl last month, is also committed to playing at the 2016 Rio Olympics next month, where he will be the defending champion. 
 
Serbia&#39;s world number one Novak Djokovic is also set to miss the Davis Cup tie after saying he needed to rest following his shock defeat by American Sam Querrey at the All England Club. 
 
(Reuters)

Andy Murray almost single-handedly led Britain to their first Davis Cup triumph since 1936 in last November

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray says he is unlikely to play in Britain's Davis Cup quarter-final clash in Serbia this weekend but could travel to Belgrade in support of the team. Murray, who beat Canadian powerhouse Milos Raonic on Sunday to take his second Wimbledon title, almost single-handedly led Britain to their first Davis Cup triumph since 1936 in last November. The squad, captained by Leon Smith, also includes Murray's brother and doubles world number one Jamie, 68th ranked Kyle Edmund, Daniel Evans and doubles specialist Dominic Inglot. "I spoke to Leon last night at the champions dinner briefly. I'm going to call him after this,' Murray told the BBC today. "I would say it's looking unlikely, but even if I don't play I'm still probably going to go anyway just to be there with the team. But I'm going to speak to him (Leon) this afternoon. He was flying there this morning." Murray, who reunited with coach Ivan Lendl last month, is also committed to playing at the 2016 Rio Olympics next month, where he will be the defending champion. Serbia's world number one Novak Djokovic is also set to miss the Davis Cup tie after saying he needed to rest following his shock defeat by American Sam Querrey at the All England Club. (Reuters)

Murray likely to miss Britain's Davis Cup quarter-final

Serena Williams needed just 51 minutes to clinch the 300th Grand Slam win of her career today as the defending champion made the Wimbledon last 16. 
 
The 34-year-old American brushed aside Germany&#39;s world number 43 Annika Beck 6-3, 6-0 on the back of 25 winners and seven aces and goes on to face long-time Russian rival Svetlana Kuznetsova. 
 
&quot;I thought it was good. I still want to get out to a little bit of a faster start but I was really focused and calm,&quot; said Williams, who is just six wins short of Martina Navratilova&#39;s Open Era record of 306 Slam wins. 
 
Williams has now won 82 matches at Wimbledon as she remains on course to equal Steffi Graf&#39;s Open Era record of 22 Grand Slam titles with her seventh Wimbledon crown. 
 
Rare middle Sunday play&nbsp; 
 
Williams took the starring role as play was held on the middle Sunday for only the fourth time in Wimbledon history, and the first time since 2004, as organisers tried to clear the backlog caused by days of rain. 
 
Two-time Grand Slam champion Kuznetsova reached the fourth round for the first time since 2008 despite becoming involved in a row with the umpire over coaching. 
 
The 31-year-old 13th seed battled back from 2-5 down in the final set to defeat US 18th seed Sloane Stephens 6-7 (1/7), 6-2, 8-6. 
 
But the Russian was hit with a code violation for coaching early in the final set which prompted a bitter exchange with umpire Marijana Veljovic. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m just doing my job,&quot; said the official. 
 
&quot;Well, you&#39;re not doing it very well,&quot; responded Kuznetsova, the 2004 US Open champion and 2009 French Open winner. 
 
Russian 21st seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova made the last 16 of a Slam for the first time since the 2011 US Open by seeing off Swiss 11th seed Timea Bacsinszky 6-3, 6-2. 
 
Pavlyuchenkova will face US 27th seed Coco Vandeweghe, a quarter-finalist last year, who knocked out sixth-seeded Italian Roberta Vinci 6-3, 6-4. 
 
Vandeweghe is one of the in-form players on grass this year, winning at &#39;s-Hertogenbosch and making the semi-finals in Birmingham. 
 
Russia&#39;s Elena Vesnina made the fourth round for the first time in seven years by ending the run of US qualifier Julia Boserup, the world number 225, in straight sets, 7-5, 7-5. 
 
Vesnina will face doubles partner and close friend Ekaterina Makarova, who was a bridesmaid at her wedding last year, for a spot in the quarter-finals. 
 
Djokovic shock still resonates&nbsp; 
 
Today&#39;s programme on Centre Court concludes with German teenager Alexander Zverev facing 2010 runner-up Tomas Berdych. 
 
Tenth seed Berdych is bidding to record his first win against a seed at Wimbledon since 2013. 
 
Zverev, who is through to the third round at Wimbledon for the first time, is hoping to record his first win against a seed at a Grand Slam. 
 
The men&#39;s draw is still reeling from Saturday&#39;s shock exit of defending champion Novak Djokovic in the third round. 
 
Andy Murray will now be the joint-favourite with Roger Federer to succeed Djokovic. 
 
Murray was not scheduled to play on Sunday but he will take a keen interest in the tie between Australian 15th seed Nick Kyrgios and Feliciano Lopez, the Spanish 22nd seed. 
 
Murray will face the winner of that third round clash which was one set apiece when play was halted for bad light Saturday. 
 
Kyrgios was at the centre of a new row on Sunday when he was heard labelling one of his own support team as &quot;retarded&quot;. 
 
The incident, picked up by microphones on Court One, occurred during the second set of his third round match. 
 
His compatriot Bernard Tomic got in trouble for describing himself as standing on court &quot;like a retard&quot; earlier in the tournament. 
 
On Court 12, French 32nd seed Lucas Pouille saw off former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro 6-7 (7/4), 7-6 (8/6), 7-5, 6-1 in a tie held over from Saturday. 
 
Pouille next faces 19th seed Tomic in what will be his first appearance in the last 16 at a major. 
 
(AFP)

Williams has won 82 matches at Wimbledon, and remains on course to equal Steffi Graf's Open Era record of 22 Grand Slam titles

Serena Williams needed just 51 minutes to clinch the 300th Grand Slam win of her career today as the defending champion made the Wimbledon last 16. The 34-year-old American brushed aside Germany's world number 43 Annika Beck 6-3, 6-0 on the back of 25 winners and seven aces and goes on to face long-time Russian rival Svetlana Kuznetsova. "I thought it was good. I still want to get out to a little bit of a faster start but I was really focused and calm," said Williams, who is just six wins short of Martina Navratilova's Open Era record of 306 Slam wins. Williams has now won 82 matches at Wimbledon as she remains on course to equal Steffi Graf's Open Era record of 22 Grand Slam titles with her seventh Wimbledon crown. Rare middle Sunday play Williams took the starring role as play was held on the middle Sunday for only the fourth time in Wimbledon history, and the first time since 2004, as organisers tried to clear the backlog caused by days of rain. Two-time Grand Slam champion Kuznetsova reached the fourth round for the first time since 2008 despite becoming involved in a row with the umpire over coaching. The 31-year-old 13th seed battled back from 2-5 down in the final set to defeat US 18th seed Sloane Stephens 6-7 (1/7), 6-2, 8-6. But the Russian was hit with a code violation for coaching early in the final set which prompted a bitter exchange with umpire Marijana Veljovic. "I'm just doing my job," said the official. "Well, you're not doing it very well," responded Kuznetsova, the 2004 US Open champion and 2009 French Open winner. Russian 21st seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova made the last 16 of a Slam for the first time since the 2011 US Open by seeing off Swiss 11th seed Timea Bacsinszky 6-3, 6-2. Pavlyuchenkova will face US 27th seed Coco Vandeweghe, a quarter-finalist last year, who knocked out sixth-seeded Italian Roberta Vinci 6-3, 6-4. Vandeweghe is one of the in-form players on grass this year, winning at 's-Hertogenbosch and making the semi-finals in Birmingham. Russia's Elena Vesnina made the fourth round for the first time in seven years by ending the run of US qualifier Julia Boserup, the world number 225, in straight sets, 7-5, 7-5. Vesnina will face doubles partner and close friend Ekaterina Makarova, who was a bridesmaid at her wedding last year, for a spot in the quarter-finals. Djokovic shock still resonates Today's programme on Centre Court concludes with German teenager Alexander Zverev facing 2010 runner-up Tomas Berdych. Tenth seed Berdych is bidding to record his first win against a seed at Wimbledon since 2013. Zverev, who is through to the third round at Wimbledon for the first time, is hoping to record his first win against a seed at a Grand Slam. The men's draw is still reeling from Saturday's shock exit of defending champion Novak Djokovic in the third round. Andy Murray will now be the joint-favourite with Roger Federer to succeed Djokovic. Murray was not scheduled to play on Sunday but he will take a keen interest in the tie between Australian 15th seed Nick Kyrgios and Feliciano Lopez, the Spanish 22nd seed. Murray will face the winner of that third round clash which was one set apiece when play was halted for bad light Saturday. Kyrgios was at the centre of a new row on Sunday when he was heard labelling one of his own support team as "retarded". The incident, picked up by microphones on Court One, occurred during the second set of his third round match. His compatriot Bernard Tomic got in trouble for describing himself as standing on court "like a retard" earlier in the tournament. On Court 12, French 32nd seed Lucas Pouille saw off former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro 6-7 (7/4), 7-6 (8/6), 7-5, 6-1 in a tie held over from Saturday. Pouille next faces 19th seed Tomic in what will be his first appearance in the last 16 at a major. (AFP)

Serena hits 300th Slam win

Novak Djokovic made tennis history at Wimbledon on Wednesday when he notched up the most consecutive grand slam match victories in the Open Era, and said he aimed to continue his assault on the record books. 
 
The defending champion brushed past France&#39;s Adrian Mannarino 6-4 6-3 7-6(5) to book his place in the third round. It was his 30th consecutive grand slam match win, beating Rod Laver&#39;s record of 29 set in 1969-70. 
 
&quot;I have to be very grateful to have the opportunity to make the history of the sport,&quot; the world number one told reporters. &quot;Knowing that I won 30 in a row, it&#39;s very pleasing. I want to keep on going. Let&#39;s see where it takes me.&nbsp;Every single record that I managed to achieve in the last couple of years is important,&quot; he added. &quot;Every next one that I have a possibility to achieve is more motivation.&quot; 
 
Djokovic last lost a slam match when he was defeated by Stan Wawrinka in the 2015 French Open final. He now holds all four major titles, and has another historic mark in his sights. 
 
The 29-year-old Serb is aiming to become the first man since Laver in 1969 to achieve the calendar Grand Slam - winning the four major titles in a single season. 
 
Djokovic, seeking his third consecutive Wimbledon crown, played well within himself during the second-round match against Mannarino and was rarely troubled. 
 
The Frenchman, ranked 55, put up spirited resistance in the third set to force a tiebreak but was ultimately swept off Centre Court by his opponent&#39;s laser-guided groundstrokes. 
 
(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

He has his eyes set on the calendar Grand Slam--winning the four major titles in a single season, last achieved by Laver in 1969

Novak Djokovic made tennis history at Wimbledon on Wednesday when he notched up the most consecutive grand slam match victories in the Open Era, and said he aimed to continue his assault on the record books. The defending champion brushed past France's Adrian Mannarino 6-4 6-3 7-6(5) to book his place in the third round. It was his 30th consecutive grand slam match win, beating Rod Laver's record of 29 set in 1969-70. "I have to be very grateful to have the opportunity to make the history of the sport," the world number one told reporters. "Knowing that I won 30 in a row, it's very pleasing. I want to keep on going. Let's see where it takes me. Every single record that I managed to achieve in the last couple of years is important," he added. "Every next one that I have a possibility to achieve is more motivation." Djokovic last lost a slam match when he was defeated by Stan Wawrinka in the 2015 French Open final. He now holds all four major titles, and has another historic mark in his sights. The 29-year-old Serb is aiming to become the first man since Laver in 1969 to achieve the calendar Grand Slam - winning the four major titles in a single season. Djokovic, seeking his third consecutive Wimbledon crown, played well within himself during the second-round match against Mannarino and was rarely troubled. The Frenchman, ranked 55, put up spirited resistance in the third set to force a tiebreak but was ultimately swept off Centre Court by his opponent's laser-guided groundstrokes. (Reuters)

Djokovic aims to keep breaking records

Seven-times Wimbledon champion Roger Federer has been warned - take 772nd-ranked British qualifier Marcus Willis lightly at your peril. 
 
&quot;I don&#39;t think Roger is going to have played anyone like Marcus. I know that for a fact. It will be tricky,&quot; Liam Broady, Willis&#39; fellow Britain, said on Tuesday. 
 
&quot;That&#39;s what Marcus always is. He makes opponents win matches. He serves well, serves big, puts pressure on. 
 
&quot;Obviously, Roger&#39;s the greatest player of all time. But personally, I think it will be a really interesting match-up.&quot; 
 
Willis, who almost quit to take up coaching and had to battle through six rounds of qualifying, stunned Lithuania&#39;s Ricardas Berankis, ranked 718 places above him, on Monday. 
 
Some of his play, including rarely seen sliced forehands, bamboozled Berankis. 
 
It set Wimbledon abuzz, but a repeat against 34-year-old 17-times grand slam champion Federer would seem barely credible even for the most far-fetched Hollywood plot. 
 
Or would it? 
 
&quot;Stranger things have happened, I know that,&quot; Broady, beaten 6-2 6-3 6-4 by world number two Andy Murray, said. 
 
&quot;He&#39;s so tricky, he&#39;s so talented. He&#39;s very aware of what he&#39;s doing on the court, how to make it awkward for people.&quot; 
 
Murray was also asked about Willis&#39; chances. 
 
&quot;Amazing things do happen in sport sometimes,&quot; Murray, who pointed to England&#39;s defeat by Iceland at Euro 2016, said. 
 
&quot;Obviously, Roger&#39;s a massive, massive favourite going into the match. I would expect him to win fairly comfortably. 
 
&quot;But Marcus&#39; game style, it&#39;s pretty old-school. He serve-and-volleys a lot. Uses a lot of slice. Hits the ball fairly flat. Has great hands. Great feel. 
 
&quot;Very few guys play like that now. It&#39;s just amazing, an amazing opportunity for him.&quot; 
 
Perhaps the best advice came from Broady though after his own Centre Court debut against Murray. 
 
&quot;By the end of the second set, most of the third, it was just kind of a match against another guy,&quot; the 22-year-old said. 
 
&quot;Sometimes you watch on TV. You think that the top players in the world are superhuman. They&#39;re so good at what they do that you forget they&#39;re just men. Obviously they&#39;re spectacular at tennis, but they are just men.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

Marcus Willis had to battle through six rounds of qualifying and stunned Lithuania's Ricardas Berankis, ranked 718 places above him

Seven-times Wimbledon champion Roger Federer has been warned - take 772nd-ranked British qualifier Marcus Willis lightly at your peril. "I don't think Roger is going to have played anyone like Marcus. I know that for a fact. It will be tricky," Liam Broady, Willis' fellow Britain, said on Tuesday. "That's what Marcus always is. He makes opponents win matches. He serves well, serves big, puts pressure on. "Obviously, Roger's the greatest player of all time. But personally, I think it will be a really interesting match-up." Willis, who almost quit to take up coaching and had to battle through six rounds of qualifying, stunned Lithuania's Ricardas Berankis, ranked 718 places above him, on Monday. Some of his play, including rarely seen sliced forehands, bamboozled Berankis. It set Wimbledon abuzz, but a repeat against 34-year-old 17-times grand slam champion Federer would seem barely credible even for the most far-fetched Hollywood plot. Or would it? "Stranger things have happened, I know that," Broady, beaten 6-2 6-3 6-4 by world number two Andy Murray, said. "He's so tricky, he's so talented. He's very aware of what he's doing on the court, how to make it awkward for people." Murray was also asked about Willis' chances. "Amazing things do happen in sport sometimes," Murray, who pointed to England's defeat by Iceland at Euro 2016, said. "Obviously, Roger's a massive, massive favourite going into the match. I would expect him to win fairly comfortably. "But Marcus' game style, it's pretty old-school. He serve-and-volleys a lot. Uses a lot of slice. Hits the ball fairly flat. Has great hands. Great feel. "Very few guys play like that now. It's just amazing, an amazing opportunity for him." Perhaps the best advice came from Broady though after his own Centre Court debut against Murray. "By the end of the second set, most of the third, it was just kind of a match against another guy," the 22-year-old said. "Sometimes you watch on TV. You think that the top players in the world are superhuman. They're so good at what they do that you forget they're just men. Obviously they're spectacular at tennis, but they are just men." (Reuters)

Roger Federer warned to expect the unexpected from Willis

&nbsp;As she has done for most of the past 18 summers, Venus Williams on Monday took a large, languid stride into the second round of Wimbledon. 
 
The oldest woman in the main singles draw, five-times champion Williams was at times sublime as she beat Croatian Donna Vekic 7-6(3) 6-4 on a sunny Court One. 
 
While the full Williams armoury had been on display, it was her mental strength which stood out -- perhaps no surprise given she is playing her 71st grand slam singles tournament, a record among current female players. 
 
Vekic produced startling groundstrokes at times, but eighth seed Williams maintained her composure, increasing the pressure when things got tight as her opponent wilted in the spotlight. 
 
There cannot be too many grand slam years left for Williams, who celebrated her 36th birthday this month, but she showed more than enough on Day One to suggest she could again go deep in her favourite major. 
 
(Reuters)

Donna Vekic produced startling groundstrokes, but eighth seed Williams beat her by 7-6(3) 6-4

As she has done for most of the past 18 summers, Venus Williams on Monday took a large, languid stride into the second round of Wimbledon. The oldest woman in the main singles draw, five-times champion Williams was at times sublime as she beat Croatian Donna Vekic 7-6(3) 6-4 on a sunny Court One. While the full Williams armoury had been on display, it was her mental strength which stood out -- perhaps no surprise given she is playing her 71st grand slam singles tournament, a record among current female players. Vekic produced startling groundstrokes at times, but eighth seed Williams maintained her composure, increasing the pressure when things got tight as her opponent wilted in the spotlight. There cannot be too many grand slam years left for Williams, who celebrated her 36th birthday this month, but she showed more than enough on Day One to suggest she could again go deep in her favourite major. (Reuters)

Venus vaults Vekic at Wimbledon

World number one Novak Djokovic and 17-time major winner Roger Federer get Wimbledon under way today with history beckoning for the two Grand Slam A-listers. 
 
Top seed Djokovic is halfway to the first calendar Grand Slam since 1969 after ending his agonising wait for a maiden French Open crown earlier this month. 
 
The 29-year-old defending champion currently holds all four majors and if he wins a third successive Wimbledon title and fourth in all, he will become just the second man in history to win five successive Slams. 
 
Only Don Budge, who won six straight from 1937 Wimbledon to the 1938 US Championships, has achieved the feat. 
 
Djokovic is such a hot favourite to triumph on July 10 that women&#39;s champion Serena Williams is already tipping the Serb for more greatness. 
 
&quot;I think he&#39;ll get it easy,&quot; said the American who will begin her bid for an Open era record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam on Tuesday. 
 
Djokovic has won six of the last eight Grand Slams, taking him to a career tally of 12 - within two of Rafael Nadal`s mark and five behind Federer`s record. 
 
Djokovic takes on British wild card James Ward in the opening match on Centre Court. 
 
Ward, the 29-year-old son of a London taxi driver, is ranked at 177 in the world and made the third round last year with Australian coach Darren Tandy. 
 
But Tandy was diagnosed with cancer of the colon later in the year and died on Christmas Eve. 
 
&quot;It`s been a tough time. Obviously the end of last year was very difficult,&quot; Ward told the Press Association. 
 
&quot;He was my tennis coach so every time I play tennis it reminds me of him.&quot; 
 
Federer, whose last major triumph was at Wimbledon in 2012 when he won his seventh title at the All England Club, against Argentina`s world number 51 Guido Pella. 
 
Federer, 34, has been runner-up to Djokovic for the last two years and is attempting to become the oldest ever Wimbledon champion in modern times. 
 
But the Swiss has been dogged by knee and back problems this year and his injury-enforced withdrawal from the French Open ended his streak of 65 successive Grand Slam appearances stretching back to 1999. 
 
He has since suffered semi-final losses on grass at Stuttgart and Halle, the last of which against Alexander Zverev was his first against a teenager in 10 years. 
 
Federer`s failure to win a title in 2016 means he will enter Wimbledon on his longest trophy drought since 2000.&quot;Clearly I`m not thinking of the title right away,&quot; said the Swiss when asked to assess his chances. 
 
&quot;Novak or Andy (Murray) are the big favourites.&quot; 
 
Pella, 26, was forced to retire from his first round match on his Wimbledon debut in 2013 while he fell in qualifying last year. 
 
The Centre Court programme also sees women`s second seed and French Open champion Garbine Muguruza taking on Camila Giorgi, the world number 68 from Italy. 
 
Muguruza was runner-up to Williams last year. Giorgi reached the fourth round in 2012. 
 
On Court One, 36-year-old Venus Williams, seeded eighth and a five-time champion, takes on Croatia`s Donna Vekic. 
 
Japanese fifth seed Kei Nishikori, who has yet to get beyond the fourth round, takes on big-serving Australian Sam Groth. 
 
Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber faces Britain`s Laura Robson in the same arena. 
 
Canadian sixth seed Milos Raonic, with John McEnroe in his corner, meets Spain`s Pablo Carreno Busta as he looks to improve on his 2014 semi-final showing. 
 
Meanwhile, armed police will patrol the tournament, both inside and outside the grounds while organisers have also increased the numbers of their private security staff. 
 
Armed officers were also used at Wimbledon last year but on a lower scale on the 10th anniversary of the 7/7 attacks in London. 
 
&quot;(There will be) significant numbers of officers patrolling the local area, firearms officers and a highly mobile reserve that can respond to emerging incidents,&quot; said a police spokesman. 
 
&quot;Officers will be working in uniform and in plain clothes during the event.&quot; 
 
Rain is also expected in the first week but forecasters are confident showers will pass by the time play gets under way. 
 
(AFP)

Roger Federer has been runner-up to Djokovic for the Past two years and is attempting to become the oldest ever Wimbledon champion

World number one Novak Djokovic and 17-time major winner Roger Federer get Wimbledon under way today with history beckoning for the two Grand Slam A-listers. Top seed Djokovic is halfway to the first calendar Grand Slam since 1969 after ending his agonising wait for a maiden French Open crown earlier this month. The 29-year-old defending champion currently holds all four majors and if he wins a third successive Wimbledon title and fourth in all, he will become just the second man in history to win five successive Slams. Only Don Budge, who won six straight from 1937 Wimbledon to the 1938 US Championships, has achieved the feat. Djokovic is such a hot favourite to triumph on July 10 that women's champion Serena Williams is already tipping the Serb for more greatness. "I think he'll get it easy," said the American who will begin her bid for an Open era record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam on Tuesday. Djokovic has won six of the last eight Grand Slams, taking him to a career tally of 12 - within two of Rafael Nadal`s mark and five behind Federer`s record. Djokovic takes on British wild card James Ward in the opening match on Centre Court. Ward, the 29-year-old son of a London taxi driver, is ranked at 177 in the world and made the third round last year with Australian coach Darren Tandy. But Tandy was diagnosed with cancer of the colon later in the year and died on Christmas Eve. "It`s been a tough time. Obviously the end of last year was very difficult," Ward told the Press Association. "He was my tennis coach so every time I play tennis it reminds me of him." Federer, whose last major triumph was at Wimbledon in 2012 when he won his seventh title at the All England Club, against Argentina`s world number 51 Guido Pella. Federer, 34, has been runner-up to Djokovic for the last two years and is attempting to become the oldest ever Wimbledon champion in modern times. But the Swiss has been dogged by knee and back problems this year and his injury-enforced withdrawal from the French Open ended his streak of 65 successive Grand Slam appearances stretching back to 1999. He has since suffered semi-final losses on grass at Stuttgart and Halle, the last of which against Alexander Zverev was his first against a teenager in 10 years. Federer`s failure to win a title in 2016 means he will enter Wimbledon on his longest trophy drought since 2000."Clearly I`m not thinking of the title right away," said the Swiss when asked to assess his chances. "Novak or Andy (Murray) are the big favourites." Pella, 26, was forced to retire from his first round match on his Wimbledon debut in 2013 while he fell in qualifying last year. The Centre Court programme also sees women`s second seed and French Open champion Garbine Muguruza taking on Camila Giorgi, the world number 68 from Italy. Muguruza was runner-up to Williams last year. Giorgi reached the fourth round in 2012. On Court One, 36-year-old Venus Williams, seeded eighth and a five-time champion, takes on Croatia`s Donna Vekic. Japanese fifth seed Kei Nishikori, who has yet to get beyond the fourth round, takes on big-serving Australian Sam Groth. Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber faces Britain`s Laura Robson in the same arena. Canadian sixth seed Milos Raonic, with John McEnroe in his corner, meets Spain`s Pablo Carreno Busta as he looks to improve on his 2014 semi-final showing. Meanwhile, armed police will patrol the tournament, both inside and outside the grounds while organisers have also increased the numbers of their private security staff. Armed officers were also used at Wimbledon last year but on a lower scale on the 10th anniversary of the 7/7 attacks in London. "(There will be) significant numbers of officers patrolling the local area, firearms officers and a highly mobile reserve that can respond to emerging incidents," said a police spokesman. "Officers will be working in uniform and in plain clothes during the event." Rain is also expected in the first week but forecasters are confident showers will pass by the time play gets under way. (AFP)

History on line as Djokovic, Federer get Wimbledon under way

It was not quite the triple bagel that Novak Djokovic was aiming for during the opening 41 minutes of his first-round match, but the Serbian is unlikely to be too disappointed after he beat Britain&#39;s James Ward 6-0 7-6(3) 6-4 at Wimbledon today. 
 
The holder of all four grand slam titles appeared to be hurtling towards his 29th successive win at a major when he opened his Wimbledon defence by jumping out to a 6-0 3-0 lead. 
 
But Ward, the son of a London black cab driver, did not want to make a quick getaway on his Centre Court debut and held both arms aloft after finally getting a game against his name on the scoreboard. 
 
The 177th-ranked wildcard went on a roll as he won three games on the trot but despite his fightback, he simply did not have enough weapons to stop Djokovic from setting up a second- round showdown with Frenchman Adrian Mannarino. 
 
(Reuters)

Britain's James Ward, despite his fightback, did not have enough weapons to stop Djokovic from setting up a second-round showdown

It was not quite the triple bagel that Novak Djokovic was aiming for during the opening 41 minutes of his first-round match, but the Serbian is unlikely to be too disappointed after he beat Britain's James Ward 6-0 7-6(3) 6-4 at Wimbledon today. The holder of all four grand slam titles appeared to be hurtling towards his 29th successive win at a major when he opened his Wimbledon defence by jumping out to a 6-0 3-0 lead. But Ward, the son of a London black cab driver, did not want to make a quick getaway on his Centre Court debut and held both arms aloft after finally getting a game against his name on the scoreboard. The 177th-ranked wildcard went on a roll as he won three games on the trot but despite his fightback, he simply did not have enough weapons to stop Djokovic from setting up a second- round showdown with Frenchman Adrian Mannarino. (Reuters)

Djokovic beats Ward by 6-0 7-6 6-4, makes solid start to Wimbledon title defence

On court Novak Djokovic is taking tennis to extraordinary new levels with his single-minded obsession with winning. Off it the Serbian is more than happy to share power. 
 
The 29-year-old will begin his attempt to win a fourth Wimbledon title on Monday when he plays British wildcard James Ward on Centre Court,12 months after claiming a second successive title by beating Roger Federer. 
 
While nothing will distract him from that goal, the dominant Serbian also knows that however big the gap is between himself and his rivals and it is a yawning chasm that no player is bigger than the sport. 
 
At his pre-tournament news conference at Wimbledon today, the world number one confirmed he had re-joined the 12-man ATP Players Council, along with chief rival Andy Murray and Murray&#39;s brother Jamie, the world&#39;s top doubles player. 
 
It is a responsibility Djokovic will apply himself to with the same devotion as his career for the next two years as tennis wrestles with the kind of doping and corruption scandals that have afflicted world sport. 
 
&quot;I&#39;ve been very flattered and humbled to be elected by my colleagues,&quot; Djokovic told reporters. 
 
&quot;The way I see it is that I managed to gain trust from players, which is very important to me. I have been part of the Player Council for three years earlier in my career. I`ve been familiar with the way the system works. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m hoping I can contribute to the evolution and to the betterment of our sport in every aspect.&quot; 
 
There is little argument that he has taken tennis to new levels of perfection since losing to Murray in the 2013 final here. 
 
Since then he has won six of the 11 grand slam titles on offer, taking his tally to 12 overall. 
 
In beating Murray at Roland Garros earlier this month he became the first man in 47 years to hold all four majors. 
 
He also won the ATP World Tour Finals in November and will have his eye on Olympic gold in August and probably the Davis Cup too. 
 
His immediate focus though is on a smooth opening to his Wimbledon campaign having chosen again not to play any grasscourt tournaments in the run-up. 
 
&quot;This year is quite different from previous years because I`m coming in with a Roland Garros title,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;That gives me, obviously, a lot of confidence. I&#39;ve played a lot of points in the practice sessions these four or five days, trying to be on the grass as much as I can. So I`m really keen on getting on the court.&quot; 
 
Djokovic, who beat Federer in the last two Wimbledon finals, could face a tough path to a hat-trick. 
 
Big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic is a potential quarter-final opponent with Federer possible in the semis. 
 
Ward is unlikely to pose too many problems, although Djokovic is well aware that the crowd will be rooting for his opponent when play begins on Monday. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s going to be the first match on the untouched grass,&quot; he said. &quot; That&#39;s probably one of the most special tennis matches that you get to experience as a tennis player. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m looking forward to that. Obviously I know that he doesn`t have much to lose.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

The 29-year-old will begin his attempt to win a fourth Wimbledon title on Monday when he plays British wildcard James Ward on Centre Court

On court Novak Djokovic is taking tennis to extraordinary new levels with his single-minded obsession with winning. Off it the Serbian is more than happy to share power. The 29-year-old will begin his attempt to win a fourth Wimbledon title on Monday when he plays British wildcard James Ward on Centre Court,12 months after claiming a second successive title by beating Roger Federer. While nothing will distract him from that goal, the dominant Serbian also knows that however big the gap is between himself and his rivals and it is a yawning chasm that no player is bigger than the sport. At his pre-tournament news conference at Wimbledon today, the world number one confirmed he had re-joined the 12-man ATP Players Council, along with chief rival Andy Murray and Murray's brother Jamie, the world's top doubles player. It is a responsibility Djokovic will apply himself to with the same devotion as his career for the next two years as tennis wrestles with the kind of doping and corruption scandals that have afflicted world sport. "I've been very flattered and humbled to be elected by my colleagues," Djokovic told reporters. "The way I see it is that I managed to gain trust from players, which is very important to me. I have been part of the Player Council for three years earlier in my career. I`ve been familiar with the way the system works. "I'm hoping I can contribute to the evolution and to the betterment of our sport in every aspect." There is little argument that he has taken tennis to new levels of perfection since losing to Murray in the 2013 final here. Since then he has won six of the 11 grand slam titles on offer, taking his tally to 12 overall. In beating Murray at Roland Garros earlier this month he became the first man in 47 years to hold all four majors. He also won the ATP World Tour Finals in November and will have his eye on Olympic gold in August and probably the Davis Cup too. His immediate focus though is on a smooth opening to his Wimbledon campaign having chosen again not to play any grasscourt tournaments in the run-up. "This year is quite different from previous years because I`m coming in with a Roland Garros title," he said. "That gives me, obviously, a lot of confidence. I've played a lot of points in the practice sessions these four or five days, trying to be on the grass as much as I can. So I`m really keen on getting on the court." Djokovic, who beat Federer in the last two Wimbledon finals, could face a tough path to a hat-trick. Big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic is a potential quarter-final opponent with Federer possible in the semis. Ward is unlikely to pose too many problems, although Djokovic is well aware that the crowd will be rooting for his opponent when play begins on Monday. "It's going to be the first match on the untouched grass," he said. " That's probably one of the most special tennis matches that you get to experience as a tennis player. "I'm looking forward to that. Obviously I know that he doesn`t have much to lose." (Reuters)

Djokovic focused on Wimbledon but sees bigger picture

Defending champion Novak Djokovic and seven-time winner Roger Federer were on Friday drawn to meet in the semi-finals of this year&#39;s Wimbledon which starts on Monday. 
 
World number one Djokovic, who is bidding to take another step closer to the first calendar Grand Slam since 1969, has defeated Federer in the last two finals at the All England Club. 
 
The draw means that second seed Andy Murray, the 2013 champion, was lined up for a semi-final against fourth seeded Stan Wawrinka. 
 
Three-time champion Djokovic completed the career Grand Slam with victory at the French Open earlier this month and now holds all four majors. It was his 12th career major and made him the first man since Jim Courier in 1992 to win the Australian and French Opens in the same year. The 29-year-old Serb begins his Wimbledon campaign against British wild card James Ward and could meet big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic in the last-eight. 
 
Murray takes on compatriot Liam Broady in the first round with a potential clash against Australia&#39;s Nick Kyrgios in the fourth round. Frenchman Richard Gasquet is a possible quarter-final rival. 
 
Federer, seeded three but enduring an injury-hit season, starts against Argentina&#39;s Guido Pella, ranked 51 in the world. The 34-year-old Swiss, the holder of a record 17 majors, could face Japan&#39;s Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals. 
 
If seedings play out, Wawrinka would come up against in-form Dominic Thiem of Austria for a place in the last-four. 
 
Defending women&#39;s champion Serena Williams, chasing a seventh Wimbledon title to equal Steffi Graf&#39;s Open era record of 22 majors, was drawn to face Polish third seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the last-four. Radwanska made the final in 2012. 
 
Reigning French Open champion Garbine Muguruza, who beat Williams to claim the trophy, could face Australian Open winner Angelique Kerber in the last-four. Muguruza begins against Italy&#39;s Camila Giorgi. 
 
The women&#39;s draw held out the tantalising prospect of an all-Williams final with Serena&#39;s sister Venus in the opposite half of the draw. 
 
Venus, 36 and a five-time champion, is seeded to face Muguruza in the last-eight while Serena could come up against Italy&#39;s Roberta Vinci who dumped her out of the US Open semi-finals in 2015. 
 
In other potential quarter-finals, Radwanska could meet Belinda Bencic while Kerber was drawn to face Simona Halep. Serena starts against a qualifier and will face either fellow American Christina McHale or Slovak veteran Daniela Hantuchova in the second round. 
 
Two-time champion Petra Kvitova meets Romania&#39;s Sorana Cirstea in her opener. British number one Johanna Konta, the first home seed in the women&#39;s draw since 1984, takes on Monica Puig in the first round. 
 
(AFP)

Djokovic begins his campaign against British wild card James Ward and could meet big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic in the last eight

Defending champion Novak Djokovic and seven-time winner Roger Federer were on Friday drawn to meet in the semi-finals of this year's Wimbledon which starts on Monday. World number one Djokovic, who is bidding to take another step closer to the first calendar Grand Slam since 1969, has defeated Federer in the last two finals at the All England Club. The draw means that second seed Andy Murray, the 2013 champion, was lined up for a semi-final against fourth seeded Stan Wawrinka. Three-time champion Djokovic completed the career Grand Slam with victory at the French Open earlier this month and now holds all four majors. It was his 12th career major and made him the first man since Jim Courier in 1992 to win the Australian and French Opens in the same year. The 29-year-old Serb begins his Wimbledon campaign against British wild card James Ward and could meet big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic in the last-eight. Murray takes on compatriot Liam Broady in the first round with a potential clash against Australia's Nick Kyrgios in the fourth round. Frenchman Richard Gasquet is a possible quarter-final rival. Federer, seeded three but enduring an injury-hit season, starts against Argentina's Guido Pella, ranked 51 in the world. The 34-year-old Swiss, the holder of a record 17 majors, could face Japan's Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals. If seedings play out, Wawrinka would come up against in-form Dominic Thiem of Austria for a place in the last-four. Defending women's champion Serena Williams, chasing a seventh Wimbledon title to equal Steffi Graf's Open era record of 22 majors, was drawn to face Polish third seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the last-four. Radwanska made the final in 2012. Reigning French Open champion Garbine Muguruza, who beat Williams to claim the trophy, could face Australian Open winner Angelique Kerber in the last-four. Muguruza begins against Italy's Camila Giorgi. The women's draw held out the tantalising prospect of an all-Williams final with Serena's sister Venus in the opposite half of the draw. Venus, 36 and a five-time champion, is seeded to face Muguruza in the last-eight while Serena could come up against Italy's Roberta Vinci who dumped her out of the US Open semi-finals in 2015. In other potential quarter-finals, Radwanska could meet Belinda Bencic while Kerber was drawn to face Simona Halep. Serena starts against a qualifier and will face either fellow American Christina McHale or Slovak veteran Daniela Hantuchova in the second round. Two-time champion Petra Kvitova meets Romania's Sorana Cirstea in her opener. British number one Johanna Konta, the first home seed in the women's draw since 1984, takes on Monica Puig in the first round. (AFP)

World champion Djokovic, Federer drawn for Wimbledon semi-final clash

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