SPORTS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2013 Kleybanova aiming to boost 2nd class Russia

CAGLIARI: Alisa Kleybanova will summon the fighting “Mentally I am ready for things not to work out Knapp, ranked at 41. Errani and Vinci are also the instincts which helped her defeat cancer when an because I still really want to enjoy my time,” world’s top-ranked doubles pairing. Russia are four- under-powered Russia tackle favorites Italy in the Fed Kleybanova, a former top 20 player before her illness, time Fed Cup champions, having defeated Italy 4-0 in Cup final this weekend. Kleybanova, who only told www.fedcup.com. 2007 in . Meanwhile, the tournament received returned to the sport this year after being diagnosed “Our team is pretty positive. We shouldn’t be upset a much-needed boost on Thursday when the with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2011, is part of a Russian by a bad day. We have to be happy: we’re playing ten- International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced that squad which has been decimated by injuries and pull- nis, we’re playing for our team, our country, we’re the 2014 final will be put back a week with the title outs. The 24-year-old is currently ranked at 183 in the proud of it and we are in a great place. Everything is showdown to be played on November 8-9. world while her team will be led by Alexandra Panova, very good.” Next year, there will be an extra week between the ranked at 136. Kleybanova is the only player in the Russian squad ATP’s Paris Masters and the ATP World Tour Finals in Russia are missing the injured to have previously featured in the Fed Cup while their London, so the Fed Cup final will now be held in that while fellow top-30 players Maria Kirilenko, Elena squad is made up of teenagers Irina Khromacheva, space. Unlike this week, the final will no longer coin- Vesnina and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova opted instead ranked 236, and , the number cide with the WTA Tournament of Champions. “Fed to chase points and prize money at the WTA 315. Cup is celebrating its 50th birthday this year, and has Tournament of Champions in Sofia. Despite the odds The final, to be played today and tomorrow on slow enjoyed an illustrious history,” said ITF president being stacked against Russia-Panova is rated only the red clay at the Cagliari Tennis Club, will see the hosts Francesco Ricci Bitti. “By changing the date we believe 12th best player in her country-Kleybanova refuses to represented by world number seven Sara Errani, we have shown flexibility and concern for the players believe Italy are comfortably guaranteed a fourth title , the 13th-ranked player, US Open semi- in helping them to continue to represent their country to add to their 2006, 2009 and 2010 triumphs. finalist Flavia Pennetta, the number 31, and Karin in this prestigious competition.” — AFP Rose floater lifts Bulls Djokovic, Nadal,

CHICAGO: Derrick Rose made a baseline Federer, Ferrer floater with 5.7 seconds left to lift the Chicago Bulls to an 82-81 victory over the New York advance in Paris Knicks on Thursday night in his first home game since he injured his left knee 18 months PARIS: Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic overcame big servers ago. Rose had 18 points on 7-of-23 shooting Thursday to reach the Paris Masters quarterfinals. Nadal beat and committed four turnovers. But there was last year’s runner-up, Jerzy Janowicz, 7-5, 6-4, and Djokovic no doubt who was getting the ball after rallied from a set down to top John Isner 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-2. Tyson Chandler went 1 for 2 at the line to give New York an 81-80 lead with 10.8 sec- Roger Federer, defending champion David Ferrer, Juan Martin onds remaining. del Potro, Tomas Berdych, Stanislas Wawrinka and Richard The speedy point guard, who was a Gasquet also won their third-round matches. game-time decision for his return due to a The tournament has turned into a rehearsal for the ATP sore neck, got the ball on the wing and drove World Tour Finals, with the eight quarterfinalists also the eight to the baseline for the go-ahead basket, players who qualified for the London tournament next week. drawing a standing ovation from the deliri- Wawrinka and Gasquet grabbed the last two spots at the sea- ous crowd at the United Center. New York son ending-event when Berdych eliminated Milos Raonic of had one last chance but Carmelo Anthony Canada 7-6 (3), 6-4. Nadal broke for a 6-5 lead before whip- missed a long jumper. Anthony then stood ping a forehand winner down the line to take the first set. with his hands on his hips as the Bulls cele- The top-seeded Spaniard and Janowicz traded breaks early brated. in the second set before the Pole double-faulted to hand Luol Deng had 17 points for Chicago, Nadal a 3-2 lead. The US Open champion won when which matched a franchise record with its Janowicz’s forehand sailed long. “I tried to move him, because fifth consecutive win in home openers. The if he plays in a good position, he has a great shot,” Nadal said. Bulls also beat the Knicks for the sixth “I think for a moment my return was unbelievable today. I straight time. New York coach Mike returned amazing balls.” Nadal will face Frenchman Gasquet, a Woodson opted for a bigger look against 6-3, 6-2 winner over Japan’s Kei Nishikori. Chicago, inserting 7-foot Andrea Bargnani Djokovic couldn’t find a breakthrough in the first set as into the starting lineup and using guard Isner saved six break points to force the tiebreaker and won it Pablo Prigioni as a reserve. But the Bulls still when Djokovic’s backhand sailed wide. The second-seeded enjoyed a 46-24 advantage in points in the Serb raised his game in the second set, making only two paint and a 48-42 rebounding edge, led by unforced errors and breaking Isner twice. “I just needed to be Joakim Noah’s 15 boards. very tough mentally and just believe I can make a break,” Amar’e Stoudemire made his season Djokovic said. “I knew as soon as I make a break I’m going to debut for the Knicks and had five points in 10 start playing better and relaxed in a way, so that’s what hap- minutes. The power forward, who turns 31 pened.” Djokovic won the last five games of the match, finish- on Nov. 16, is coming off minor knee surgery ing off the American with a backhand volley. Djokovic over the summer and looked as if the years stretched his winning streak to 14 matches after taking the of health problems had robbed him of much China Open and the Shanghai Masters titles in October. “In of his athleticism. New York trailed 76-66 China, I have had probably the best two weeks of the year, with 7:53 remaining, but rookie Tim CHICAGO: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls leaps to pass between Tim Hardaway Jr. made a 3-pointer to spark a 12- except at the beginning of the year, so it gives me a lot of con- Hardaway Jr #5 and Tyson Chandler #6 of the New York Knicks at the United 0 run for the Knicks. Felton connected from fidence,” Djokovic said. “I feel that I’m back mentally where I long range, Iman Shumpert had a dunk and Center in Chicago, Illinois. — AFP need to be, and hopefully I can maintain this winning streak Anthony closed out the spurt with a turn- his balky neck, Rose received a thunderous CLIPPERS 126, WARRIORS 115 and I can kind of keep on playing better and better.” around jumper that put New York in front ovation from the sellout crowd when he was Chris Paul scored 42 points and had three The champion will face Wawrinka, who with 4:10 remaining. the last player introduced during the of his 15 assists on consecutive alley-oop beat Nicolas Almagro of Spain 6-3, 6-2. The seventh-seeded The last part of the game mostly consist- pregame festivities. He showed no outward dunks by Blake Griffin during a 30-second Swiss player overcame a 3-1 deficit in the first set and broke ed of turnovers and missed shots, but emotion as he ran out of the tunnel with fans span of the third quarter, leading the Almagro twice in the second. Federer also moved into the Chicago managed to survive behind Rose, waving glowing red sticks in celebration of Clippers to a victory over Golden State in quarterfinals by dismissing Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany who had both of the Bulls’ field goals in the the return of the Chicago native. their home opener. The Clippers, who won 6-3, 6-4. The fifth-seeded Federer saved three break points final period. Jimmy Butler finished with 11 After Rose got on the court, chants of “M- the franchise’s first division title last season and broke once in each set, improving his record against points and 10 rebounds for Chicago, which V-P! M-V-P!” rang out from the seats at the with a club-record 56 wins, had five players Kohlschreiber to 8-0. “I’m just really focused on trying to win lost 107-95 at NBA champion Miami in its United Center. score in double figures. Griffin had 23 points as many matches as I can, get some momentum going, and season opener on Tuesday night. Carlos It was Rose’s first real game at the Bulls’ and 10 rebounds before fouling out with getting in form,” Federer said. “I felt good again for the second Boozer added 14 points and seven boards. longtime home since he tore the anterior 3:53 remaining. Jamal Crawford and J.J. straight day here in Paris. It’s still early in the tournament, and Anthony led New York with 22 points on cruciate ligament in his knee in the first Redick finished with 17 points and DeAndre it’s a good thing that I feel so good so early. I hope to maintain 8-of-24 shooting. Chandler had 19 rebounds, game of the 2012 playoffs against Jordan had 17 rebounds and nine points. this kind of a play, and if possible try to get just a touch bet- but the Knicks were unable to open the sea- Philadelphia. Jared Dudley had 10 points. Golden State’s ter.” Federer, who won the Paris Masters in 2011, will meet del son with consecutive victories on consecu- What followed was a long and arduous Stephen Curry made nine 3s against the Potro in a rematch of last weekend’s Swiss Indoors final. The tive nights. They were coming off a 90-83 vic- rehabilitation process that raised questions Clippers and finished with 39 points and nine fourth-seeded Argentine overcame Grigor Dimitrov of tory against Milwaukee on Wednesday. about Rose’s toughness when he was unable assists. David Lee scored 22 points before Bulgaria 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. —AP Wearing strips of black tape on either side of to return last season. fouling out with 4:10 to play. — Agencies