Serena Williams powers into Sydney semi-finals

Williams is preparing to defend her title at the Australian Open

Serena Williams made swift progress at the Sydney International with a crushing win over Russia's Vera Dushevina in the semi-finals.

The world number one swept to a 6-2 6-2 victory that sets up a clash with Aravane Rezai in the last four.

France's world number 24 defeated Italian Flavia Pennetta 6-3 6-0.

Elena Dementieva saw off world number two Dinara Safina 6-2 6-3 and next faces sixth seed Victoria Azarenka, who beat Slovak Dominika Cibulkova 6-2 7-5.

Asked about her early-season form, Williams said: "I always try to get there usually around the semi-finals and finals of the Grand Slams.

"I'm just doing the best that I can now to get there. Hopefully I have a long way to go, which I think is always good."

In the men's event, home favourite Lleyton Hewitt remains on course for a fifth Sydney title after beating Italian Andreas Seppi 6-0 6-2 to reach the last eight.

"I could see in the early stages that conditions were going to be tough for all players out there today, and it always does get a little bit windy here at Homebush anyway.""It was perfect today, it was just what I needed," said Hewitt.

Fellow Australian Peter Luczak upset second seed Tomas Berdych 1-6 6-4 6-2, and Frenchman Julien Benneteau beat third seed Stanislas Wawrinka 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-2).

There were straight-sets wins for Richard Gasquet and Marcos Baghdatis over Benjamin Becker and Viktor Troicki respectively.

Top male tennis players to discuss World Cup proposals

Novak Djokovic was elected to the players council in June 2008

Novak Djokovic says the world's top male players are to consider proposals for a biennial World Cup that would threaten the future of the Davis Cup.

The Serb said the idea for a 32-nation event came from the ATP Player Council, of which he is a member.

"It's all fresh and it's all ideas... we have to consider other sides as well," said the world number three.

Players are set to discuss plans for the 10-day male-only tournament at next week's Australian Open.

According to The Times, World Cup matches would be shorter and, with a maximum of 25 seconds allowed between points, players would have to watch the clock.

Teams would consist of three players and a captain, with the 32 nations split into eight groups of four and 16 reaching the knockout stages.

Players are the ones who are making the show and their opinions have to be greatly considered Novak Djokovic

Each nation will be forced to make mid-match substitutions by fielding at least two players per tie.

The All England Club, the United States Tennis Association and Tennis Australia have reportedly all been informed.

Djokovic said the talks at the Australian Open, which starts on 18 January, would be "crucial for upcoming years".

"This the bottom line," he added. "Without sponsors there wouldn't be a tournament; without tournaments, you know, players wouldn't exist.

"But still, players are the ones who are making the show and their opinions have to be greatly considered.

"This time I think that slowly things will get better. But these are things that cannot happen overnight."

"The top guys are not able to play all the matches that they would love to play for their nation," said the world number 24.Croatia's Ivan Ljubicic claimed players wanted to represent their country but believed the annual Davis Cup format had become outdated.

"It's because the format is not suited for the players at the moment. Our sport is going forward so you have to change something about it.

"Maybe it was perfect 20 or 30 years ago, but now it's really too much for us - best of five sets, three days in a row - and for sure the week after you can't play, the week before you can't play.

"And it's a shame because I'm 100% sure that every player would love to play for his nation.

"In fact, I'm not going to play Davis Cup any more for the same reason."

Nadal & Djokovic reach last eight

Nadal is trying to win his fourth Masters 1000 title of the year

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic made swift progress into the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters as the event lost another two players to injury.

Top seed Nadal swept past Tommy Robredo 6-1 6-4 in the final match of the day, after world number four Djokovic had beaten Rainer Schuettler 6-4 6-2.

Nadal will next face Ivan Ljubicic, who led 11th seed Gael Monfils 6-2 3-0 when the Frenchman quit with a back injury.

Stanislas Wawrinka was 3-6 7-6 4-2 down to Radek Stepanek when he withdrew.

The Swiss was suffering with abdominal pains and joins Juan Martin del Potro, Andy Roddick and Tommy Haas as withdrawals during the week, while world number one Roger Federer (fatigue) and Britain's Andy Murray (wrist injury) had already skipped the tournament.

Soderling is among a handful of players still in with a chance of claiming one of three remaining spots up for grabs at the ATP season-ending World Tour Finals in London next month.In Thursday's other matches, ninth seed Robin Soderling had a surprisingly comfortable 6-3 6-3 win over fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and will next meetFeliciano Lopez, who defeated Jurgen Melzer 5-7 7-6 (7-3) 6-1.

"I know that if I play well, I have a chance, but this tournament won't decide who's going to play in London," said the Swede. "There's still a lot of tennis to be played."

Sixth seed Nikolay Davydenko beat 10th seed Fernando Gonzalez 6-3 7-5 to set up a clash with Stepanek.

Djokovic goes on to play eighth seed Gilles Simon, who beat Tomas Berdych 6-3 6-4.

"I've been working on physical strength and fitness a lot in last couple of months, and it's been paying off," said Djokovic.

"It's playing one of the key roles in the situations like this. When you are playing week after week, it's important to be physically strong, and that gives you advantage over your opponents."

Nadal was rarely troubled despite falling 2-0 behind in the second set against compatriot Robredo.

"I am playing well," said the Spaniard. "But I played two terrible games at the start of the second set so I have to improve in situations like this if I want to beat the top players."

Fourth seed Andy Roddick limped out of the Shanghai Masters

Roddick receives on-court treatment for his injury before retiring

Fourth seed Andy Roddick limped out of the Shanghai Masters after retiring in his second-round match against Stanislas Wawrinka on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old American, who only a day before had questioned the length of the ATP season, injured his knee while leading 4-3 in the first set.

"It was enough to make me stop a match - beyond that I don't know, that's not my profession," said Roddick.

Roddick has not yet qualified for the World Tour finals in London next month.

On Monday, Roddick called for the ATP to allow top players a break in the season or risk curtailing the careers of players like Roger Federer and Andy Murray, who are absent from Shanghai because of fatigue and a wrist injury respectively.

"Trust me, as frustrated as the Chinese fans are that we're not here, I promise you we're more frustrated," added Roddick.

Australian Leyton Hewitt also eased past big-serving American John Isner 6-2 6-4.Sixth seed Nikolay Davydenkowas the first man to reach the third round, seeing off Igor Kunitsyn 6-4 6-2.

Hewitt is almost a foot smaller than 6ft 9in Isner, but he restricted the right-hander to only five aces.

"It's a matter of just taking your chances when you get into it against those guys, and I did that exceptionally well today," said the 28-year-old.

Hewitt will play Gael Monfils after the 11th seed took the honours in one of several matches between compatriots, crushing fellow Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-2 6-2 in 54 minutes.

Chile's Fernando Gonzalez, currently in the eighth and final spot in the race to the World Tour Finals, will play Davydenko in the last 16 after beating Brazilian qualifier Thomaz Bellucci 6-3 6-4.

Swede Robin Soderling is another in the hunt for a place in London and the ninth seed helped his cause with a 6-3 6-4 first-round win over Romanian Victor Hanescu, while Tommy Haas beat Benjamin Becker 7-6 (5) 6-4 in an all-German match.

Henin given Aussie Open wildcard

Henin beat Kim Clijsters to win the Australian Open in 2004

Former world number one Justine Henin has been granted a wildcard for the Australian Open in January.

The Belgian, 27, announced in September that she would come out of retirement in 2010 after less than two years away.

And tournament director Craig Tiley has confirmed that 2004 champion Henin will play in the first Grand Slam of 2010.

"I spoke to Justine's team over the weekend and was happy to grant her request for a wildcard into the Australian Open," said Tiley.

"Justine is the ultimate competitor, the winner of seven Grand Slam titles, and we are looking forward to welcoming her back to the Australian Open.

Henin is expected to make her return to competitive tennis at the Brisbane International, starting on 3 January, ahead of the Australian Open, which begins in Melbourne on 18 January."I know Justine will not have made the decision to come out of retirement lightly and have no doubt she will be in great shape and prepared to compete against the world's best."

Del Potro into semis after scare

Del Potro is in the hunt for a maiden Grand Slam title

Sixth seed Juan Martin del Potro came back from a set and a break down to beat Croatia's Marin Cilic and reach the US Open semi-finals.

Cilic, conqueror of Andy Murray in round four, made a fine start to his first Grand Slam quarter-final.

But Del Potro broke in game six of the second set and never looked back, coming through 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-1.

In his first US Open semi, Del Potro will face Rafael Nadal or Fernando Gonzalez, who meet later on Thursday.

And he will go into that match in buoyant mood after finishing so strongly against fellow 20-year-old Cilic.

The 16th seed from Zagreb got going in sensational fashion, breaking Del Potro in game five and, after serving out the first set, again at the start of the second.

But Del Potro, who initially seemed ill-at-ease with the cold conditions on Arthur Ashe Stadium, hit back to level at 3-3 and dominated from there on in.

Cilic completely lost his range as Del Potro broke at 4-3 before the Argentine served out the second set and then wrapped up the third in 36 minutes.

The fourth set was even more one-sided until Cilic offered late resistance with a break at 0-5 - but Del Potro responded immediately to seal his triumph in two hours and 32 minutes.

Nadal powers to opening victory

US OPEN
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Date: 31 August - 13 September

The US Open is the only Grand Slam title to elude Nadal

World number three Rafael Nadal was in fine form on his return to Grand Slam action as he swept past Richard Gasquet to reach the US Open second round.

The third seed, who missed Wimbledon with tendonitis in both knees, powered to a 6-2 6-2 6-3 victory.

Nadal was always in control against the erratic Gasquet and will face Germany's Nicolas Kiefer next.

Roger Federer continues his quest for a sixth straight title against Simon Greul in Wednesday's first night match.

Earlier, France's Gael Monfils, the 13th seed, cruised into the second round with a 6-1 6-4 6-3 win over compatriot Jeremy Chardy.

And former champion Marat Safin bowed out of his final Grand Slam with a straight-sets defeat by Austria's Jurgen Melzer.

But all eyes were on Nadal, and the condition of his knees, when he emerged on court at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The last time the 23-year-old completed in a major, he saw his four-year French Open reign ended in the fourth round at Roland Garros and, during his enforced absence, he also lost his number one ranking.

His opponent Gasquet has also just returned to the Tour, following a two-month suspension after he tested positive for cocaine.

Gasquet has played only two matches since returning and he was far too rusty to trouble Nadal, who did not have to face a single break point as he eased through.

Safin bows out of final US Open

US OPEN
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Date: 31 August - 13 September

Safin waves to the crowd at Louis Armstrong Stadium after his defeat

Former world number one Marat Safin brought the curtain down on his Grand Slam career with a first-round defeat by Jurgen Melzer at the US Open.

Safin, 29, who won the US Open in 2000, lost 1-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 on his final visit to Flushing Meadows before retirement.

The Russian said afterwards: "I definitely want to get out of tennis and try something completely different.

"I have plenty of time to think about it. It's been a long ride, so I need some time off."

Safin, now ranked 58th, waved to his fans at Louis Armstrong Stadium before leaving the court and is adamant he will call time on his career at the end of the year after playing in five more tournaments.

That was the last one. It could have been better ending but it was still OK. I have no regrets. I don't care about losses anymore Marat Safin

"It's just enough", added Safin, whose other Grand Slam success came at the Australian Open in 2005.

"I achieved what I want to achieve and I want to continue doing something else.

"It's OK - it's the end. That was the last one. It could have been better ending but it was still OK. I have no regrets. I don't care about losses anymore.

Veteran Frenchman Fabrice Santoro, 36, also saw his Grand Slam career come to an end with a 6-4 6-3 6-3 defeat by 24th seed Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Murray knows Capdeville weakness

Murray played doubles with Capdeville when he was a junior

Britain's Andy Murray is confident that he knows what to expect from Paul Capdeville when he takes on the Chilean in the second round of the US Open.

Murray, seeded second, used to train with the 26-year-old world number 87 at the Sanchez-Casal academy in Barcelona.

"I know what his technique and his game is like. It's not going to be any surprises," said Murray.

"He hits everything well although he doesn't move particularly well, so I'm going to try and exploit that."

Murray, who lost to Roger Federer in last year's final, made a confident start to his campaign at Flushing Meadows with a straight-sets win over Ernests Gulbis in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The Scot played under the floodlights in a showpiece night match on Arthur Ashe Stadium and he is keen to remain the centre of attention for the rest of the fortnight.

"Obviously I want to be there," added Murray. "I think there would be something wrong if I didn't.

"I had a really good experience last year, I enjoy playing on that court, it's one of the biggest in the world and probably the coolest atmosphere out of all the slams.

"Hopefully I'll play a lot of my matches on there."

If he beats Capdeville, Murray will play Spain's Ivan Navarro - who was a shock first-round winner over 27th seed Ivo Karlovic - or American Taylor Dent in round three.

Another potentially troublesome opponent for Murray, Stan Wawrinka, also suffered a first-round exit. The 19th seed, who Murray would have met in round four, lost to Ecuador's Nicolas Lapentti.

But Murray stated: "If I lose the next round its irrelevant what those two (Karlovic and Wawrinka) have done, so I'll try and focus on the next match."

Williams sisters reach round two

Serena was forced to a second-set tie-break by Li

Wimbledon champion Serena Williams and sister Venus progressed to round two of the Bank of the West Classic in Stanford, California.

Top seed Serena was taken to a second set tie-break but battled past China's Li Na 6-3 7-6 (8-6).

Second seed Venus made light work of Stephanie Dubois, winning 6-2 6-3.

Former Stanford champions Anna Chakvetadze and Aleksandra Wozniak lost 6-4 5-7 7-6 (7-5) and 6-4 4-6 7-5 to Maria Kirilenko and Daniela Hantuchova.

The Williams sisters are competing in their first tournament since Serena beat Venus in the final at SW19, with both now looking forward to the US Open, which starts on 31 August.

"I was a little off. I'd rather be a little off now and peak during the second week of the US Open," said 11-time Grand Slam champion Serena.

Venus, who won the Stanford title in 2000 and 2002, said she was pleased with her first game back after Wimbledon.

"It was a great match to get my rhythm, hit a lot of balls and work on my shots," she added.

"It's all about the mentality. I'm working on my transition game. I'm not afraid to come in and use my size."

In the other first-round ties, Australia's Samantha Stosur upset number six seed Dominika Cibulkova 6-4 6-3, while fourth seed Jelena Jankovic cruised past American Angela Haynes 6-3 6-1.

Eighth seed Marion Bartoli of France overcame Ayumi Morita of Japan 7-6 (8-6) 6-3, with Russian qualifier Alla Kudryavtseva beating France's Julie Coin 6-1 7-6 (7-5).

Elsewhere Russia's Maria Kirilenko beat compatriot Anna Chakvetadze 6-4 5-7 7-6 (7-5) and Germany's Sabine Lisicki knocked out Lilia Osterloh 6-2 6-3.

Roddick set for return to action

Roddick fell during the Wimbledon final and has not played since

Wimbledon finalist Andy Roddick will return at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic tournament in Washington next month.

Roddick has not played since his heartbreaking defeat by Roger Federer in their marathon encounter on 5 July.

He missed the United States' Davis Cup defeat by Croatia and the Indianapolis Championships with a hip injury.

"I keep getting asked when my next tourney will be. I will see all of u in Washington in two weeks," Roddick wrote on his Twitter site.

The world number five fell during the fourth set of the Wimbledon final, but afterwards denied he had hurt himself.

Cilic celebrates Croatia's victory over the USA with a rubber to spare

Cilic celebrates Croatia's victory over the USA with a rubber to spare

Croatia knocked the United States out of the Davis Cup to reach the semi-finals for the first time since winning the competition in 2005.

Leading 2-1 overnight, Marin Cilic beat James Blake 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-2 in the reverse singles to clinch the victory.

Croatia next face the Czech Republic, who beat 2008 finalists Argentina 3-2 when Radek Stepanek saw off Juan Monaco 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 6-2 in the fifth rubber.

And holders Spain edged out Germany 3-2 to set up a last-four tie with Israel.

It needed a 6-4 6-4 6-4 win from Juan Carlos Ferrero over Andreas Beck in the deciding rubber for Spain to get over the finishing line, after Philipp Kohlschreiber's victory over Fernando Verdasco had levelled the scoreline at 2-2.

This is not the end. We'll do all we can to get even further Radek Stepanek, Czech Republic

Kohlschreiber dominated Verdasco in the opening two sets in the earlier singles but appeared to wilt in the searing heat in Marbella before digging deep to close out a 6-4 6-2 1-6 2-6 8-6 victory.

But Ferrero justified captain Albert Costa's decision to pick him instead of Tommy Robredo for the crucial match, with world number two Rafael Nadal absent through injury.

"It's been a long time since I was in the team as we are blessed with a lot of great players," said Ferrero.

"Playing the last match is always hard and we suffered right down to the last point but I am over the moon."

In Ostrava, Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro had defeated Tomas Berdych 6-4 6-4 6-4 to level the tie with the Czech Republic at 2-2.

Big-serving Del Potro hit 18 aces against Berdych and won 96% of the points on his first serve - 100% in the first set - as he sent the tie into a deciding rubber.

But Stepanek kept his nerve against Monaco, winning the first set on a tie-break on his way to a decisive victory.

"It's unbelievable," said Stepanek. "And this is not the end. We'll do all we can to get even further."

The Czech Republic led 2-1 on Saturday after Berdych and Stepanek defeated Jose Acasuso and Leonardo Mayer 6-1 6-4 6-3.

Croatia had led 2-0 after Friday's opening singles before brothers Bob and Mike Bryan gave the USA hope by beating Roko Karanusic and Lovro Zovko 6-3 6-1 6-3 on the indoor clay at Zatika Hall.

Israel had already wrapped up victory over Russia in Saturday's doubles, and they completed a 4-1 win in Tel Aviv on Sunday.

US Open prize fund bucks downturn

Roger Federer beat Andy Murray in last year's US Open men's final

The winners of this year's US Open men's and women's singles titles will each receive a record £992,000 ($1.6m) - nearly 6% up on 2008.

Total prize money will be a record £13m ($21.6m), the third straight year the purse has seen a million-dollar rise.

The top three men and women in the US Open Series can also earn up to an extra £1.6m in bonus payments.

The series of 10 tournaments culminates with the US Open at Flushing Meadows in New York from 31 August-13 September.

The bonus money, which encourages players to enter the designated events, has resulted in the largest paydays in tennis history.

Roger Federer won a combined £1.4m in 2007 and Kim Clijsters won £1.3m in 2005.