Nadal beats Djokovic to advance

SHANGHAI: David Ferrer of Spain got his third straight win here yesterday at the Shanghai Masters Cup to qualify for the semifinals, but it was a dazzling battle between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, two of the most entertaining players on the tour, that stole the spotlight.

Umpires: Hawk-Eye use good for tennis

SHANGHAI: Line umpires are supposed to focus on where tennis balls drop - inside or outside the line. It sounds like a simple job, but all that assumed simplicity evaporates as soon as a player gets riled up over a questionable call.

Williams sisters to team up in Australian Open doubles

SYDNEY: Venus and Serena Williams are planning to join forces in the Australian Open women's doubles competition for the first time in five years.

Murray splits up with coach Gilbert

LONDON: British No 1 Andy Murray has split up with coach Brad Gilbert after working together for 17 months.

Sports

Federer back on his game

SHANGHAI: The world's top male tennis player, Roger Federer, says the depth of the current men's tennis circuit is largely underestimated because he and world No 2 Spaniard Rafael Nadal have been winning every Grand Slam recently.

Ball boys and girls help tournament run smoothly

SHANGHAI: Cang Manqing enjoys her job at the Masters Cup, handing out towels and retrieving balls for the world's best tennis players. But she didn't compete for the coveted ball-girl job just so she could brag to friends and classmates. She prefers to bask in the strict discipline and noble history of the sport.

At 21, is Nadal's age catching up with him?

SHANGHAI: After three Grand Slams and two-and-a-half years ranked No 2, it's easy to forget Rafael Nadal is only 21.

Frenzied face-painting fans flock to Qi Zhong center

SHANGHAI: Paint is one of the most sought-after items at the ongoing 2007 Masters Cup in Shanghai. But rather than using it to create masterpieces on canvas or paper, faithful tennis fans use the material to draw national flags on their faces, showing support for their favorite tennis players.

Sports

Davydenko wins appeal against 'not trying' fine

SHANGHAI: Troubled tennis star Nikolay Davydenko received a boost on Tuesday when his appeal against a fine for "lack of effort" was upheld.

Masseuses make life more comfortable for athletes

SHANGHAI: If Andy Roddick develops some tightness in his serving arm during the course of the Masters Cup, he may find himself in the hands of Joanna Brimelow and her small team of massage therapists who specialize in rubbing out muscle tension, relieving back pain and providing soothing massages.