Olympics-2008

A cameraman takes video of a "transformer" ice sculpture displayed in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, June 24, 2009. The sculpture, made of 400 kilograms of ice, is on display on Wednesday, to meet the movie "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" world premiere.

Jounalists take video and photos of a transformer ice sculpture displayed in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, June 24, 2009.

Photo taken on June 24, 2009 shows an ice sculpture of "transformer" displayed in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province.

LONDON: The only way to ensure tennis never becomes a victim of match-fixing is to hand out lengthy bans to anyone caught up in it, Roger Federer said on Wednesday.

British media reported that tennis authorities were investigating suspicious betting patterns in Juergen Melzer's first-round victory over Wayne Odesnik at Wimbledon on Tuesday after some bookmakers suspended their markets.

"It has no place in tennis those kind of things," world No 2 Federer told reporters after his second-round win over Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez on Wednesday.

"But it's hard to control. I'm sure the (tennis governing bodies) ATP and the ITF, we're trying our best to catch those guys if there are any out there.

"I think we should have massive bans on those who get caught so they get really scared of doing it," he added.

Roger Federer of Switzerland returns the ball to Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain during their match at the Wimbledon tennis championships, in London June 24, 2009.

The Tennis Integrity Unit, set up by the sport's governing bodies to investigate allegations of match-fixing, was alerted by several betting operators who had noted suspicious activity around Tuesday's match.

Media reports said one high street betting firm withdrew its odds after thousands of pounds in cash were staked at several London shops on a straight sets win for Melzer.

The Austrian won 6-1 6-4 6-2. Both Melzer and American Odesnik deny any wrongdoing.

Online betting exchange Betfair reported that odds on a three-set victory for the 26th seeded-Melzer had tumbled from their pre-match level of evens to 1-5.

According to media reports, all but 1,000 pounds ($1,657) of the 255,000 staked on Betfair's correct-score market came down on a Melzer win in straight sets.

"Those (incidents of match-fixing) are things definitely we're trying to fight," said Federer.

"We have a good set up, so we can't avoid that there are some funny results sometimes here and there.

"That doesn't mean it's really happening. I never knew it existed until a few years ago when all of a sudden I heard about it. So I've been shocked to hear it.

"We always hope that the players also want the best for the sport. That's what it comes down to," added the Swiss.

Corruption in tennis came under the spotlight in 2007 when a match in Poland between Nikolay Davydenko and Martin Vasallo Arguello was reported for irregular betting patterns. Both players were cleared of any wrongdoing.

Since then a number of players have been fined and banned for betting on matches they were not involved in dating back several years but no one has been found guilty of match-fixing in tennis.

In this Jan. 31, 1993 file picture, Michael Jackson performs during the halftime show at the Super Bowl XXVII in Pasadena, Calif.

LOS ANGELES: Michael Jackson, the child star turned King of Pop who set the world dancing to exuberant rhythms for decades, died on Thursday, the Los Angeles Times said. He was 50.

"Pop star Michael Jackson was pronounced dead by doctors this afternoon after arriving at a hospital in a deep coma, city and law enforcement sources told The Times," the newspaper reported on its website.

Jackson had been taken ill at his home and found not breathing by paramedics who rushed him to a hospital, the paper said.

The paper's report followed news of Jackson's death first reported by the TMZ entertainment website, which said that the singer suffered a cardiac arrest. There was no immediate comment from spokespersons for Jackson.

Known as the "King of Pop," for hits that included "Thriller" and "Billie Jean," Jackson's dramatic stage presence and innovative dance moves were imitated by legions of fans around the world.

His one-gloved eccentric style also earned him plenty of critics and another nickname, "Wacko Jacko."

Jackson, who had lived as a virtual recluse since his acquittal in 2005 on charges of child molestation, had been scheduled to launch a comeback tour from London next month.

TMZ said on its website that Jackson suffered a cardiac arrest on Thursday afternoon at his Holmby Hills home and paramedics were unable to revive him. "We're told when paramedics arrived Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back," the site said.

Earlier, the Los Angeles Times said the singer had been rushed to a Los Angeles-area hospital by fire department paramedics. The newspaper said paramedics performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation at the singer's home before taking him to the UCLA Medical Center hospital.

US pop star Michael Jackson gestures during a news conference at the O2 Arena in London March 5, 2009 file photograph.

[Agencies]

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa: Spain warned on Sunday there are plenty more victories left in them after setting a new world record by beating South Africa 2-0 for their 15th consecutive win.

Spain's Diego Lopez (left) is challenged by South Africa's Kagisho Dikgacoi during their Confederations Cup soccer match at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday. Spain won 2-0.

Goals from David Villa and Fernando Llorente were enough to tame the Confederations Cup hosts late Saturday and ensure the European champions top their group.

Real Madrid target Villa broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute and Athletic Bilbao's Llorente sealed the game with 18 minutes left.

They now play the runner-up in Group B, likely Italy or Egypt, in the semifinals in Bloemfontein next Wednesday.

The win meant Spain have posted 15 victories in a row, surpassing the old record of 14 held by Australia, Brazil and France.

They also matched the 35-match unbeaten streak held by Brazil between 1993 and 1996, with Spain's run stretching back to November 2006 when they lost to Romania.

"Winning 15 matches in a row is a huge success by this team and we want to go on like this," said coach Vicente del Bosque.

"We've played a very good first part of this competition and we are now heading to the semis. We don't know yet who we will meet but we will certainly have an opponent with huge potential."

Barcelona midfielder Xavi, the man-of-the-match, paid tribute to Del Bosque, who has won all 13 matches since he took over.

"Of course we are very happy with the way the team is playing and Vicente doing a tremendous job," he said.

"The idea is to continue this run and try and make it better."

Despite losing, South Africa still make the last four and a potential clash with Brazil after Iraq failed to beat New Zealand in the other group game being played simultaneously.

South Africa coach Joel Santana said his team staying in the competition was good for the country which hosts the World Cup next year.

"Against Spain, the team was not good but Bafana Bafana have qualified. It's good for the people, good for the players and good for our preparations for the World Cup," he said.

"This team has been together for two or three years and it is one of the best we have ever had."

With their semifinal berth assured before the game even started, Del Bosque rested seven players.

He gave Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina a start and brought back Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, but retained the formidable Fernando Torres and Villa up front.

Liverpool midfielder Albert Reira nearly got them off to a flyer with a 40-yard freekick spectacularly turned around the post by goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune in the fourth minute.

Valencia striker Villa sent a header just over the bar a minute later as Spain made their intentions clear.

They were keeping possession well and creating opportunities with South Africa on the back foot. It was not until the 18th minute that the hosts had their first sniff of goal when Teko Modise blasted a freekick over the bar.

Spain kept up the pressure and Matthew Booth was forced to clear off the line before South Africa wasted a glorious chance when Everton's Steven Pienaar put Bernard Parker in the clear only for the striker to send his shot wide.

(China Daily)

A table tennis competition between foreign diplomats living in China was held at the Beijing Gymnasium last Saturday.

Some 100 foreign diplomats from 37 embassies and international organizations, including Australia, Pakistan, Venezuela and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), participated in the contest, which was organized by the Maldives embassy in China.

"We are organizing this event to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China," Ahmed Latheef, the Maldives Ambassador to China, told chinadaily.com.cn.

Mr. Latheef said that as the national sport of China, ping-pong is "the best choice" for foreign diplomats to commemorate the 60th anniversary.

"It is an important milestone which we thought, as diplomats, will celebrate jointly with the people of China to mark this important occasion." said Mr. Latheef.

As a table tennis player himself, Mr Latheef represented Maldives in table tennis in 1973 at the AAA Friendship Invitational Tournament and in 1990 at the Asian Games.

Foreign diplomats and organizers pose for a photo before the "2009 Diplomats' Table Tennis Tournament" at the Beijing Gymnasium in Beijing, June 20, 2009.

Being the second of its kind, this year's "Diplomats' Table Tennis Tournament" marked 60th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China".

The first tournament, initiated and also organized by the Maldives embassy in China, was held last year to observe the 50-day countdown to the 2008 Olympic Games.

The Maldives Ambassador to China, Ahmed Latheef (2nd L, front), who won Men's Singles during last year's Tournament, plays an exhibition match at the opening ceremony of the "2009 Diplomats' Table Tennis Tournament" at the Beijing Gymnasium, June 20, 2009.

The Russian embassy became the biggest winner in the end, claiming the team champion, and both the champion and the second place in the men's singles.

The contest included team matches, singles for men and women, as well as a friendly match between the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs team and one made up of foreign diplomats, as in the previous tournament.

"Today's competition is fantastic," said Mr. Ser Sim, Project Manager from the Australian embassy, during a rest session. "It's my second time here and the event is much better organized. I really enjoyed it."

Dr. Bernard Coquelin, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative, readily concurs. But he says there is much more than competition.

"The purpose is the friendship and also partnership among all the diplomats," he explained, "And I think that is a more important message we should really put forward for all the international communities."

He said that he will definitely return if the tournament continues next year.

Chekunkov O.(2nd L) and Primak Vadim (L) from the Russian embassy play with Bambang (R) and Firdous from the Indonesian embassy during team's finals of the "2009 Diplomats' Table Tennis Tournament" at the Beijing Gymnasium, June 20, 2009.

Dr. Bernard Coquelin, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative, returns a shot during men's singles of the "2009 Diplomats' Table Tennis Tournament" at the Beijing Gymnasium, June 20, 2009.

(chinadaily.com.cn)

WIMBLEDON, England - The new roof wasn't tested. Roger Federer was - briefly.

The retractable roof stayed open Monday at Wimbledon, and Federer fell behind early in the opening match on Center Court before charging past Yen-hsun Lu of Chinese Taipei, 7-5, 6-3, 6-2.

Roger Federer of Switzerland serves to Chinese Taipei's Lu Yen-hsun during their Wimbledon tennis championships in London, June 22, 2009.

In his first match since winning the French Open, Federer failed to convert his first four break-point chances, then lost serve to trail 3-2. But he immediately broke back, broke again in the final game of the opening set and dominated from there.

"I'm very happy with my first round," Federer said. "I thought it was a very solid performance."

Seeking his sixth Wimbledon title, Federer won for the 41st time in his past 42 matches at the All England Club. The lone loss came in last year's final to Rafael Nadal, a match hailed by some as the sport's best ever.

The tournament began in cloudy but dry weather. When it rains, the translucent roof on the 87-year-old stadium will be closed so play can continue.

"I guess the moment will come that I'll play indoors here," Federer said. "But you don't really hope for it during the match."

The No 2-seeded Federer is a strong favorite to win his 15th major title, which would break the record he shares with Pete Sampras.

Advancing on the women's side were 2002-03 champion Serena Williams and 2004 winner Maria Sharapova. No 17 James Blake was the first seeded player eliminated, but fellow Americans Mardy Fish and Vince Spadea advanced. No 4-seeded Novak Djokovic also won.

Federer made his entrance sporting a sleek new white warmup outfit with gold trim that included a jacket with a turned-up collar, a vest, slacks and two-toned shoes. The crowd roared when he appeared, and he responded with a wave and smile.

There were more cheers - and a few whistles of approval - when he removed his jacket to reveal the vest.

"Kind of a little bit more modern look - a bit more military jacket this time, but obviously staying true to Wimbledon with the white colors," Federer said. "I hope people like it."

By the time the match started, Federer had stripped down to shorts and a short-sleeve shirt. He was assigned to play the first match on Centre Court after defending champion Nadal withdrew Friday because of sore knees.

"Rafa deserves it obviously more than I do this year," Federer said. "But somebody had to do it, so I'm very happy that they chose me. It gets your heart beating, that's for sure."

After being broken early, Federer held every service game. He finished with 10 unforced errors and hit 42 winners from all over the court.

One winner was a running backhand from several steps beyond the sideline, which he ripped up the line into the corner to win the point. It was a spectacular shot even by Federer's standards, and the stoic Swiss celebrated with a raised fist as the crowd roared.

(Agencies)

PRETORIA: Brazil whipped up a storm against a hapless US team on Thursday, turning on the full samba style as they sauntered to a 3-0 victory with goals from Felipe Melo, Robinho and Maicon.

Brazil's Maicon (C) scores during their Confederations Cup soccer match against the US at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria June 18, 2009.

As storm clouds moved in during the second half of the Confederations Cup Group B game, the Americans knew they had failed to weather it, finishing with 10 men after midfielder Sacha Kljestan was sent off in the 56th minute.

Brazil, so lucky to beat Egypt 4-3 with a controversial late penalty in their first match, were back to their spectacular best, scoring two absolutely sublime goals.

Having opened the scoring as early as the seventh minute when Felipe Melo, the midfielder who is rapidly emerging as one of the key men in the team, rose at the far post to head home a Maicon free kick, Brazil took total charge.

Their second in the 20th should be shown over and again as the ultimate in breakaway perfection.

DaMarcus Beasley failed to control a Landon Donovan corner in the Brazilian penalty area. The ball was pushed forward to Kaka, who turned and touched to Ramires as the Brazilians hared upfield.

Ramires strode forward powerfully, drawing the lone American defender Jonathan Spector towards him, then slipped it through Spector's legs to Robinho who calmly stroked it home past helpless American keeper Tim Howard.

It was a breathtaking goal, surpassed only by their third in the 62nd minute. Maicon, Ramires and Felipe Melo combined in an intricate passing movement down the right before Kaka threaded the ball back to Maicon who chipped a delicate right-foot shot over Howard from an acute angle.

Like the second, it sent the Loftus Versfeld Stadium crowd into delirium.

The Americans had their share of bad luck though. Kljestan was harshly judged for a relatively mild foul on Ramires, reducing his team to 10 men for the second successive game.

In the final eight minutes substitutes Benny Feilhaber and Conor Casey both struck the bar as they searched for a consolation goal.

In the later match, the African champions Egypt stunned the world champions Italy with a 1-0 win, which means the three teams - Brazil, Italy and Egypt - all have chance to advance to the semifinals.

The United States, still without a point after losing their opening game 3-1 to Italy, face almost certain elimination.

(Agencies)

JOHANNESBURG: Egypt scored their greatest ever victory with a thoroughly deserved 1-0 win on Thursday over world champions Italy who had never previously lost to an African team.

The shock result means Group B in the Confederations Cup hangs in the balance with all four teams still able to progress to next week's semifinals.

Mohamed Hommos's goal five minutes before halftime clinched the first points of the tournament for the African champions, who narrowly lost 4-3 to Brazil in their opening game.

Egypt's Mohamed Hommos (C) scores past Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon during their Confederations Cup soccer match at Ellis Park in Johannesburg June 18, 2009.

Most of the Egyptians and coach Hassan Shehata shed tears of joy at the final whistle as they became the first African side in 15 attempts to beat the Italians.

Key second half saves from veteran goalkeeper Essam Al Hadari, who had an inspired match, kept the Italians at bay while Vincenzo Iaquinta hit the crossbar with just minutes remaining as Egypt weathered a late onslaught.

"All the teams today are very good. You always have to be at your best," said Italy coach Marcello Lippi. "We tried some different things. It didn't go very well.

"We didn't do the things we'd prepared and wanted to do. We played a bad first half. We did very well in the second. Their keeper made three or four very difficult saves."

Lippi made five changes to the team that started against the US on Monday, with the return of fit-again captain Fabio Cannavaro, winning his 124th cap - two short of Paolo Maldini's all-time Italian record of 126.

Cannavaro, typically, added steel to the Italian defence, while Giuseppe Rossi, who came on as a substitute and scored twice against the US, added youthful zest to the attack.

Both teams enjoyed plenty of possession in their first meeting since Italy beat Egypt 5-1 in a World Cup qualifier 55 years ago, but it was a still a real surprise when the Egyptians took the lead five minutes before the break.

Italy only had themselves to blame, leaving Hommos unmarked to score with a powerful header from Mohamed Aboutrika's perfect inswinging corner.

The Italians had also trailed the US 1-0 at the break in their opening match, before coming back strongly to win.

But Egypt held their nerve and their ground despite Italy bringing in attacking reinforcements Luca Toni, Simone Pepe and Riccardo Montolivo in the second half.

They might have known it was not to be their night when Al Hadari made two fine stops in two minutes in the first half from Iaquinta after 24 minutes and Rossi, who forced the keeper into another fine save when he palmed the ball over the bar.

Egypt, despite winning only once in their last five matches and getting off to a poor start in their final World Cup qualifying group, never looked overawed by the Italians.

Mohamed Shawky and Sayed Moawad gave as good as they got in the midfield battle for supremacy, with Italy's Gennaro Gattuso, De Rossi and Andrea Pirlo battling to cope with the inventiveness of the African champions' approach play.

Both teams threatened after the break, and Al Hadari made another excellent save from Montolivo after 74 minutes to keep Egypt in the lead.

Iaquinta almost equalised for Italy five minutes from time, only to see his long range curling shot hit the bar and Italy's hopes of winning the game bounce away with it.

Egypt's coach Hassan Shehata and his players hailed Thursday's win as a proud achievement and have set their sights on the tournament's semifinals.

"This is a great result," Shehata said after an emotional night for the Egyptians, whose 1-0 victory over the world champions is their best ever result.

"We had a good game against Brazil technically but the result did not go our way. But this gives us great hope for the semifinals," he added.

"It was a great feeling, a fantastic victory and we are very proud," said striker Mohamed Zidan, who went off with a hamstring injury and said he was unsure of playing in the final Group B match against the United States on Sunday.

"We have realised that we have to stand up together to show some good performances," added Zidan, who scored twice against Brazil in the 4-3 loss in the opening group game on Monday.

Brazil, who beat the United States in Pretoria earlier on Thursday, lead the standings with six points while Italy and Egypt have three.

Brazil and Italy meet in Pretoria on Sunday while the Egyptians play the Americans, who have yet to pick up a point, in Rustenburg at the same time.

Despite losing both games the US still have a remote chance of getting through to the last four if Brazil beat Italy in Pretoria on Sunday and the Americans win handsomely against the African champions.

(Agencies)

Houston Rockets' center Yao Ming has spoken for the first time about his highly anticipated move to the Cleveland Cavaliers as an "x-factor" after Chinese businessman Huang Jianhua's purchase of a minority stake in the franchise last month sparked the rumors.

"It's (joining Cavaliers) still unknown," said the NBA all-star giant of his potential partnership with 2009 NBA MVP Lebron James during an interview with Shanghai TV. "Whether he is Chinese (Huang Jianhua) or foreign (Rockets boss Leslie Alexander), they are just bosses."

Yao is maintaining his faith in the Rockets, who for the first time in six years advanced to the second round of the Western Conference playoffs before losing to eventual champions Lakers in the conference semis.

"I have a strong feeling for the Rockets. I had a very successful season with the team and it has given me hope (to win the championship).

The 28-year-old giant's contract is worth $75 million over 5 years and expires in 2011.

A get-out clause for the last season means Yao can opt out after the next NBA playoffs in 2010.

According to NBA rules, if Houston want to extend the contract, they have the privilege to renew it beyond 2011 with him this summer. But once Yao decides to get out of the contract in 2010, the Rockets have to compete with other teams for his services.

So far the Rockets have shown no sign they would like to let him go.

Huang told Chinese media last week that Yao would be chased by every team in the NBA if he chose to move on.

Huang, also a good friend of Rockets boss Alexander, has played a key role in the sponsorship deals between the Rockets and several Chinese companies.

Yao has never been beyond the Western Conference semifinals in six years with the Texan club, and admitted he was envious of compatriot Sun Yue, the LA guard who won a championship ring with the Kobe Bryant-spearheaded Lakers earlier this week.

"I am a bit jealous, it would be heartless to stay indifferent," he said.

Yao, who said last year the Beijing Games would be his last Olympics, will not play for China at this August's Asian Championships because of a foot injury.

Although ruled out, Yao is still concerned with the national team's development and has called for an infusion of new blood to ensure the side can cope when he retires.

"One day I will retire," he told Shanghai TV. "A team that wants to continue and improve has to have fresh blood."

Yao said Chinese basketball should be less concerned with fielding the strongest possible team for every tournament than giving young players more court time to increase their experience.

China Daily/Reuters

LONDON: Will Roger Federer reclaim his Wimbledon throne? Will Rafael Nadal's knees permit him to defend his title? Can Andy Murray finally put the worn-out Fred Perry statistic to bed?

Roger Federer of Switzerland holds up his trophy during the presentation ceremony after winning the men's final against Robin Soderling of Sweden at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris June 7, 2009

Those are the three burning questions as the All England Club's famous lawns get their final trim before the start of the year's third grand slam on Monday.

A sun-kissed first week is in store, according to the weather forecasters, but the British climate can be unpredictable, just as the men's game has been in recent weeks.

Who would have thought Federer -- who was ashen-faced 12 months ago when his pursuit of a sixth consecutive Wimbledon title was ended by Nadal in a stupendous final and hysterical after another defeat by the Spaniard in Melbourne -- would breeze into London as the French Open champion?

The cards fell favorably for the Swiss master in Paris when first Novak Djokovic, then Nadal and then Murray, were all knocked out allowing him the relatively straightforward task of beating Swede Robin Soderling to equal Pete Sampras's record haul of 14 grand slam titles.

After finally claiming the French crown and completing his career grand slam, Federer remarked that he could now play without pressure -- safe in the knowledge that few would deny he is the greatest player ever to swing a racket.

"Now, going into the grasscourt season, and Wimbledon, and being on top of the world, it's a fantastic feeling," said newly-married and soon to be father Federer.

It was all a bit different last year when Nadal, having humiliated Federer in the final at Roland Garros, promptly won the Queen's Club grasscourt title and then pole-axed the Swiss in the place he calls his own backyard.

A month later Nadal took Federer's world number one ranking and although the Swiss hit back to win the US Open it seemed that a seismic shift had occurred in the sport.

Spain's Rafael Nadal serves against Australia's Lleyton Hewitt during the Tennis Classic at Hurlingham tournament in west London June 18, 2009.

ACHING KNEES

Nadal's return to London as defending champion has been overshadowed by injury worries. He withdrew from Queen's to rest his aching knees but the pain from the tendinitis has thrown his participation into doubt.

"I will give 200 percent to be 100 percent for the most important date in world tennis," Nadal said last week -- the Mallorcan well aware that only at full throttle would he have a real chance of scaling the heights of a year ago.

While weather and sporting fortunes are fickle, one thing is nailed on this year -- the loudest dose of Murray-mania yet.

It has taken British fans a while to warm to the 22-year-old Scot but his US Open final appearance last year, his rise to number three in the world and last week's title at Queen's Club have raised expectations that he is on the verge of becoming the first home men's champion at Wimbledon since Perry in 1936.

Apart from a blip at the Australian Open, Murray's progress has been spectacular. He reached consecutive Masters Series finals, losing to Nadal in Indian Wells and beating Djokovic in Miami, then reached the last eight for the first time in Paris.

Gone are the sulky days when Murray would often suffer mid-match lapses. He has always had an uncanny ability to control a tennis ball as if it is on a piece string but those skills are now backed up with mental resolve, stamina and searing power when required.

With Raphael Nadal struggling, Federer's likely title rivals at Wimbledon will be Andy Murray (pictured) who's bidding to become the first British men's champion since Fred Perry in 1936, former two-time runner-up Andy Roddick and world number four Novak Djokovic.

GOOD BENCHMARK

"I think I could win against either of them (Federer and Nadal) on grass," Murray said after his Queen's Club triumph. "But I'd have to play my best. I don't think average against them is going to cut it.

"I'll need to be playing good tennis anyway to reach the semi-finals but I'd like to get the chance to play either of them this year. Normally Queen's is a good benchmark to see where all the other players are at. For me it was perfect preparation."

Of the other contenders, Djokovic appears to be suffering a dip in form just at the wrong time, losing early in Paris and then to Tommy Haas in the Halle final.

Slimmed-down American Andy Roddick, twice defeated in Wimbledon finals by Federer, will bring his rocket-powered serve to the party once again and will be dangerous if he has fully recovered from the ankle injury he sustained at Queen's Club.

There will also be a few bets placed on Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro. The gangly 20-year-old has come of age this year with wins over Murray and Nadal and nobody will relish having him in their quarter.

(Agencies)