SPORTS SATURDAY, AUGUST 16, 2014 Photo of the day Robredo ends Djokovic bid for Cincinnati title Federer to meet Murray in q-finals

CINCINNATI: Spain’s Tommy Robredo shocked world Gael Monfils 6-4 4-6 6-3. A five-time winner at Cincinnati, number one Novak Djokovic 7-6(6) 7-5 on Thursday to Federer will now face Andy Murray in the quarter-finals move into the quarter-finals of the Western and after the Briton had to overcome a stern test against Southern Open in Cincinnati. American John Isner. Third seeded Swiss Stan Wawrinka For the 16th seeded Robredo the victory was his first rallied past 14th seed Marin Cilic 3-6 6-0 6-1 to book his over Djokovic since their first meeting in 2005, the Serb place in the last eight. sweeping their next six meetings. The Australian Open champion got off to a sluggish The loss brought a temporary halt to Djokovic’s bid to start losing the opening set to the big-hitting Croatian become the first player to win all nine ATP World Tour but then could do little wrong, blazing through the next Masters events during his career. two sets dropping just a single game along the way. It was also another setback in the Serb’s buildup to Unable to register even a single break chance in the the US Open later this month after falling to Frenchman first, Wawrinka broke Cilic five times over the next two Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the third round last week in sets to seal the win. Toronto. Eighth seed Murray, twice a Cincinnati champion, also “Many, many, many things are not clicking these two need three sets and two and a half hours to tame Isner 6- weeks on hard courts,” said Djokovic. “It’s unfortunate 7(3) 6-4 7-6(2). but it’s more than obvious I’m not playing even close to The 11th seeded Isner, a Cincinnati finalist a year ago, what I’m supposed to play. blasted 21 aces past his Scottish opponent but could not “I have to keep on working and trying to get better manage a break the entire match. for US Open. “I just don’t feel comfortable. “It’s disap- “It’s a very important match for me to win,” said pointing that I’m finishing Cincinnati again with a tough Murray. “I had lost a few close matches, matches like that loss but it’s sport. I didn’t play well in Toronto; didn’t play over the last few months. So, yeah, it was important for well here. “Hopefully it’s going to be different in New me to come through. York.” “It was a really, you know, good atmosphere to get While Djokovic has hoisted the Canada trophy three ready for the rest of the tournament, but also the US times he has not felt the same comfort level on the Ohio Open, as well.” hard courts, reaching the finals four times in 10 visits to In the women’s draw, the world number one Serena Cincinnati and losing all four. Williams cruised into the quarter-finals with a 6-2 6-2 win The Serb appeared out of his normal rhythm, particu- against . larly in the second set when he failed to gain even a sin- Williams served eight aces and broke the Italian five gle break chance. Robredo managed three break oppor- times in their hour-long match. tunities and only needed to capitalise on one to secure “I have a lot more confidence,” Williams said. “I feel the upset. “When I finish my career and when I will be sit- more relaxed. Overall feel a lot better. I’m playing a lot ting at home and talking with friends, I will remember better. Anton Evstifeev performs at the Adrenalin Games in days like this,” Robredo said. French Open champion Maria Sharapova also Moscow, Russia — www.redbullcontentpool.com The win marked his second win over a world number advanced with a victory against Anastasia one for the 32-year-old Robredo, who also beat Lleyton Pavlyuchenkova 6-4 7-6 (2). Hewitt in 2003. Sharapova’s win sets up a match against Simona Halep, who she beat in the Roland Garros final after the Federer advances Romanian beat Lucie Safarova 6-4 7-5 to advance. Li’s future ‘up in the Former world number one Roger Federer avoided Caroline Wozniacki and Jelena Jankovic also air’, says Navratilova tasting an upset of his own as he held off Frenchman advanced with straight set victories. — Reuters

SINGAPORE: ’s Grand Slam future and may not return until the inaugural is “up in the air” after an injury-hit sea- Open in her home city next son and the loss of her inspirational month. Li, ranked third in the world, coach, great Martina Navratilova has had dips in her career before but told AFP yesterday. The 18-time Grand Rodriguez, the former coach of Justine Slam champion said Li’s ability to with- Henin, was key to her most recent stand injuries was the critical question revival. as she approaches her 33rd birthday in February. Physical challenges China’s Li won the Australian Open Navratilova, who won the last of her in January but her season has nose- Grand Slam singles titles at 33, knows dived and along with splitting with only too well the physical challenges coach Carlos Rodriguez, she has also that are facing the Chinese star. been sidelined by a knee injury. “It’s a tricky thing. When you get “The body is the biggest issue for older you need to curb your schedule her, clearly, now,” Navratilova said in an and not play as much,” she said. “But interview, when asked whether Li was when you play too little then you’re not capable of winning a third Grand Slam match-tough, and then you start losing title. “She had some motivation issues a early and then you need to play more year ago after Wimbledon but then she tournaments to get the matches. “And had a good talk with Carlos and then then it really upsets your rhythm of get- wins the Australian Open the following ting ready, so it’s tricky when you get year. “So she’s had a great year, she older. You have to keep adapting.” Of won a Slam which is amazing. But now Rodriguez’s decision to stop coaching she may not play the rest of the year, so Li, Navratilova said “sometimes the it’s up in the air for her. relationship kind of runs its course”. “Game-wise, does she have a Slam? But she said she was open to taking Yes, but is the body going to cooper- up a coaching role with a top player, ate?” Navratilova was speaking during a following the example of Stefan promotional visit ahead of her WTA Edberg, Ivan Lendl, Boris Becker and Legends appearance in Singapore in Amelie Mauresmo. October, which will run alongside the “I’d like to pass on the knowledge. season-ending WTA Championships. There’s no substitute for that one-on- CINCINNATI: Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan celebrate after the win in the match against Eric Butorac and Her comments underline the questions one, getting into the nitty-gritty of the Raven Klaasen on Day 6 at the Western & Southern Open on Thursday at the Linder Family Tennis Center facing Li, who will miss the US Open game,” she said.—AFP in Cincinnati, Ohio. — AFP