US Open leader Kantarian leaves USTA after 9 years

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Arlen Kantarian is resigning as CEO of professional tennis for the U.S. Tennis Association, leaving after running the U.S. Open for nine years.

Kantarian told staff Thursday that he will depart at the end of the year.

The USTA was planning a formal announcement later in the day.

Kantarian is a former NFL and Radio City executive who brought instant replay to Grand Slam tennis and launched the U.S. Open Series of summer hard-court tournaments in North America.

This year's U.S. Open broke tournament records for attendance and revenue.

Roger Federer to play Davis Cup against US

Roger Federer ended speculation over his Davis Cup plans and announced Tuesday he will play for Switzerland against the United States next March.

It will be the first time in five years that the 13-time Grand Slam singles winner has broken up his early season schedule for the Davis Cup.

"I am excited to once again join my fellow Swiss teammates, who I have a great friendship with," Federer said on his Web site. "I look forward to what I am sure will be a tough weekend."

The World Group first-round series will be played March 6-8 in the U.S. at a venue to be chosen by the United States Tennis Association in the next six weeks.

Federer's participation is expected to draw more bidders hoping to host the matches.

"It has added a new dynamic and it has piqued interest around the country," USTA spokesman Chris Widmaier said.

Federer helped Switzerland rejoin the elite World Group when it beat Belgium last month.

He beat Kristof Vliegen in straight sets, then teamed with Stanislas Wawrinka, his Olympic doubles gold medal-winning partner in Beijing, to win their doubles match.

Federer last played a Davis Cup first-round match in 2004, a victory over Romania in Bucharest.

"We are obviously very pleased that he decided he will be joining the team," Swiss Tennis spokeswoman Sandra Perez said. "That increases our chances."

Swiss officials were hopeful Federer would face the U.S. because his tournament schedule takes him to California immediately after the Davis Cup for the March 9-22 Indian Wells tournament.

"Probably if we were playing the tie in Australia that would have been a little bit more difficult," Perez said.

Switzerland and the U.S. have split two Davis Cup meetings.

In 2001, Federer won three points — including singles victories over Todd Martin and Jan-Michael Gambill — when Switzerland beat the United States in the first round in his home city of Basel.

The U.S. beat the Swiss in the 1992 final at Fort Worth, Texas, wit! h Andre Agassi and Jim Courier playing singles and John McEnroe and Pete Sampras in doubles.

Federer gets past Nieminen at Swiss Indoors

BASEL, Switzerland – Two-time defending champion Roger Federer endured a shaky start before defeating Finland's Jarkko Nieminen 7-6 (6), 7-6 (1) in the Swiss Indoors second round on Thursday.

Federer had his hometown crowd in a state of anxiety as he mistimed several forehands, lost his serve three times, and volleyed below his usual standards.

"I'm still struggling with my coordination just a touch," Federer said. "I don't control the balls as good as I would like to and that then makes me doubt my footwork a little bit. It will only get better."

He repeatedly got out of trouble with aces, including one of his 11 to save a first set point when trailing 5-3.

Nieminen hadn't taken a set off Federer in nine previous matchups, including last year's final. He also was two points from claiming the first set at 5-4 and in the tiebreaker.

"He made me work hard tonight," Federer said. "It definitely sends some shocks through you when you get broken back-to-back."

Ultimately, he won the set on a wide forehand by the left-handed Finn.

Federer squandered an early break in the second set but dominated the tiebreaker, finally winning when Nieminen netted an attempted pass after 96 minutes.

In Friday's quarterfinals, the top-seeded Swiss will play Simone Bolelli of Italy, who beat Marcel Granollers of Spain 6-4, 6-2.

Second-seeded David Nalbandian, the 2002 champion and twice runner-up, beat Kristof Vliegen of Belgium 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (4) to also reach the quarterfinals.

He and Argentine countryman Juan Martin del Potro are on course to meet for the second time in two weeks, in the semifinals. Third-seeded del Potro made just four unforced errors as he cruised past Switzerland's Stephane Bohli 6-3, 6-3.

Fourth-seeded James Blake hit 18 aces as he came from behind to beat Oscar Hernandez of Spain 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-4 to reach the last eight for the first time in three visits.

"I was serving well and that got me out of a lot of trouble," Blake said.

Marcos Baghdatis loses at Swiss Indoors

BASEL, Switzerland – Marcos Baghdatis, bothered all season by injuries, lost to Marcel Granollers of Spain 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 Wednesday in the first round of the Swiss Indoors.

Baghdatis needed treatment for his back during the match. This season, the Cypriot also missed matches because of a wrist injury.

He was ranked as high as No. 14 in April and entered the match against Granollers ranked No. 43 but will drop after the loss.

"Maybe I am going to be out of the (top) 100," Baghdatis said, adding he expects to climb in the rankings soon. "I did it before and I can do it again."

Granollers won his only tour title at Houston in April, beating James Blake in the final.

The fourth-seeded Blake advanced to the second round Wednesday by defeating Germany's Nicolas Kiefer 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Also in the first round, Jarkko Nieminen of Finland defeated Argentina's Eduardo Schwank 6-2, 6-4, and Belgian qualifier Kristof Vliegen beat wild-card entry Philipp Petzschner of Germany 6-2, 6-3.

In second-round matches, sixth-seeded Igor Andreev of Russia topped Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany 7-6 (6), 6-7 (0), 7-5. Benjamin Becker beat his fellow German Andreas Beck 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Federer reaches 2nd round at Swiss Indoors

BASEL, Switzerland – Roger Federer capitalized on his strong serve Tuesday to beat 86th-ranked Bobby Reynolds of the United States 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 in the first round of the Swiss Indoors.

The top-seeded Swiss had a match point in the second-set tiebreaker despite trailing 5-1. For the match, he did not face a break point.

"It was more like a serving contest," Federer said. "He served in all corners pretty well. I was never really under pressure the entire match on my serve and that was the key. I could stay calm even if I lost the second set."

Davis Cup teammates David Nalbandian and Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina also advanced, both winning in straight sets.

The second-seeded Nalbandian beat Albert Montanes of Spain 6-4, 6-2, and the third-seeded Del Potro defeated George Bastl of Switzerland 6-2, 6-4.

Earlier, Simone Bolelli of Italy downed seventh-seeded Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 6-4, 7-5; lucky loser Andreas Beck of Germany defeated Nicolas Devilder of France 6-4, 6-4; and Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany beat compatriot Denis Gremelmayr 6-4, 7-6 (5).

Federer, then Nadal lose in Madrid Masters semis

MADRID, Spain – Rafael Nadal will end the year at No. 1 after he and Roger Federer both lost in the semifinals of the Madrid Masters on Saturday.

Andy Murray and Gilles Simon will meet in the final. The resilient Simon upset Nadal 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (6) after the fourth-ranked Murray beat Federer 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 to prevent what would have been the fifth Nadal-Federer final this season.

Once Federer lost, Nadal clinched becoming the first Spanish player in the Open era to end the year with the No. 1 ranking.

Simon goes for his fourth title in 2008 thanks to excellent shot-making throughout the final set, which was marked by long rallies and replay challenges — including the final point, when Hawkeye confirmed that Nadal's shot sailed long.

Simon saved 17 break point chances — including seven in the third set — in a match that lasted nearly 3 1/2 hours. Nadal lost for only the second time in 73 matches after taking the first set.

"I'm playing a great, great player and I don't want to miss that so I fight for every point," said a visibly drained Simon, who was taken to three sets for the fifth straight match. "When you play against Rafa in Madrid, that's not easy."

The 16th-ranked Simon, who jumps to No. 10 on Monday, won at Bucharest, Casablanca and Indianapolis. He beat Federer at Toronto in August to become the first to register wins over two separate top-ranked players in the same year since Rainer Schuettler triumphed over Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick in 2003.

Simon had saved match points against three of his previous four opponents, but the Frenchman's powerful, low groundstrokes troubled the top-ranked Nadal enough that he didn't have to do it a fourth time.

"I was a little unlucky today. I had some mistakes with the backhand, which didn't help," said Nadal, the 2005 champion. "But I'm not surprised. He's playing very well and with great confidence."

Nadal broke the tiring Simon in the sixth game before also dropping serve. Simon broke again in the 11th when one of Nadal's 55 unforced errors sailed wide, but the Spaniard rallied to force the tiebreaker.

Nadal jumped out to a 3-1 lead before Simon rattled off four straight points. Nadal saved two match points but the momentum was with Simon, whose win ensured the tournament would crown a new winner for the seventh straight year.

"I'm playing tennis for this kind of match," said Simon, who has split his two previous meetings with Murray.

Nadal lost a final-set tiebreaker for the first time since Cincinnati three years ago.

The first semifinal was a rematch of the U.S. Open championship, which Federer won. This time, Murray broke the second-ranked Federer in the final set on his seventh break point chance to reach his second Masters Series final this season. The Briton won at Cincinnati.

Murray had squandered six break point chances in the third set. Finally, Murray's deep backhand forced Federer's forehand long.

"Against Federer, you just have to ask yourself: 'Do I go for it and take a chance or sit back and wait?'" said Murray, who improved to 3-2 against Federer. "It was a great hit and probably the most important of the match."

More than half of Murray's 33 winners and eight of his 14 aces came in the final set, in which he wore Federer down with serves to his forehand.

"It worked, didn't it?" Murray said. "He missed a lot more (today) since I think he wasn't expecting it."

Federer, who cruised through the draw following a five-week layoff, has won a Masters Series title every year since 2002. He has only Paris and Shanghai left to earn his first of 2008.

"It's a frustrating loss because there's not a whole lot you can do, because the serving was so good today," Federer said. "I feel like I'm playing well. I'm moving well. That's the way I want to feel."

Earlier this year, Federer and Nadal both lost on the same in the semifinals at Indian Wells.

Federer, then Nadal lose in Madrid Masters semis

MADRID, Spain – Rafael Nadal will end the year at No. 1 after he and Roger Federer both lost in the semifinals of the Madrid Masters on Saturday.

Andy Murray and Gilles Simon will meet in the final. The resilient Simon upset Nadal 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (6) after the fourth-ranked Murray beat Federer 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 to prevent what would have been the fifth Nadal-Federer final this season.

Once Federer lost, Nadal clinched becoming the first Spanish player in the Open era to end the year with the No. 1 ranking.

Simon goes for his fourth title in 2008 thanks to excellent shot-making throughout the final set, which was marked by long rallies and replay challenges — including the final point, when Hawkeye confirmed that Nadal's shot sailed long.

Simon saved 17 break point chances — including seven in the third set — in a match that lasted nearly 3 1/2 hours. Nadal lost for only the second time in 73 matches after taking the first set.

"I'm playing a great, great player and I don't want to miss that so I fight for every point," said a visibly drained Simon, who was taken to three sets for the fifth straight match. "When you play against Rafa in Madrid, that's not easy."

The 16th-ranked Simon, who jumps to No. 10 on Monday, won at Bucharest, Casablanca and Indianapolis. He beat Federer at Toronto in August to become the first to register wins over two separate top-ranked players in the same year since Rainer Schuettler triumphed over Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick in 2003.

Simon had saved match points against three of his previous four opponents, but the Frenchman's powerful, low groundstrokes troubled the top-ranked Nadal enough that he didn't have to do it a fourth time.

"I was a little unlucky today. I had some mistakes with the backhand, which didn't help," said Nadal, the 2005 champion. "But I'm not surprised. He's playing very well and with great confidence."

Nadal broke the tiring Simon in the sixth game before also dropping serve. Simon broke again in the 11th when one of Nadal's 55 unforced errors sailed wide, but the Spaniard rallied to force the tiebreaker.

Nadal jumped out to a 3-1 lead before Simon rattled off four straight points. Nadal saved two match points but the momentum was with Simon, whose win ensured the tournament would crown a new winner for the seventh straight year.

"I'm playing tennis for this kind of match," said Simon, who has split his two previous meetings with Murray.

Nadal lost a final-set tiebreaker for the first time since Cincinnati three years ago.

The first semifinal was a rematch of the U.S. Open championship, which Federer won. This time, Murray broke the second-ranked Federer in the final set on his seventh break point chance to reach his second Masters Series final this season. The Briton won at Cincinnati.

Murray had squandered six break point chances in the third set. Finally, Murray's deep backhand forced Federer's forehand long.

"Against Federer, you just have to ask yourself: 'Do I go for it and take a chance or sit back and wait?'" said Murray, who improved to 3-2 against Federer. "It was a great hit and probably the most important of the match."

More than half of Murray's 33 winners and eight of his 14 aces came in the final set, in which he wore Federer down with serves to his forehand.

"It worked, didn't it?" Murray said. "He missed a lot more (today) since I think he wasn't expecting it."

Federer, who cruised through the draw following a five-week layoff, has won a Masters Series title every year since 2002. He has only Paris and Shanghai left to earn his first of 2008.

"It's a frustrating loss because there's not a whole lot you can do, because the serving was so good today," Federer said. "I feel like I'm playing well. I'm moving well. That's the way I want to feel."

Earlier this year, Federer and Nadal both lost on the same in the semifinals at Indian Wells.

Ginepri upsets Davydenko at Madrid Masters

Robby Ginepri upset fifth-ranked Nikolay Davydenko 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 Wednesday to reach the third round at the Madrid Masters.

Davydenko hit 35 winners to 15 for Ginepri, but committed 53 unforced errors over the final two sets.

The Russian started well against Ginepri by converting one of three break chances to win the first set.

The players traded breaks to make it 4-4 in the second set before Davydenko failed on three break opportunities in the next game. The American then closed out the match.

Both players held serve until the 10th game of the deciding set, Davydenko hitting wide to give the 63rd-ranked Ginepri a double match point that was converted when the Russian double-faulted.

Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga advanced by beating Marcel Granollers of Spain 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5).

The 58th-ranked Granollers decisively broke the Frenchman's serve in the sixth game as he hit 14 winners to take the first set.

Tsonga, ranked No. 15, won the second set thanks to his booming forehand and court speed.

Granollers led 5-3 in the third set before Tsonga broke back and held serve to force the tiebreaker.

Australian Open announces purse increase

The 2009 Australian Open will offer $15.6 million in prize money, with the men's and women's singles winners receiving an 18 percent increase.

Tournament officials said Wednesday the singles winners will receive about $1.15 million each based on current exchange rates.

The Australian Open, the year's first Grand Slam event, will be held Jan. 19-Feb. 1. It will feature the prospect of Roger Federer winning his 14th major title to equal Pete Sampras' record.

Federer lost in the semifinals at Melbourne Park to Novak Djokovic this year, then fell to Rafael Nadal in the finals at the French Open and Wimbledon. Federer beat Andy Murray in the U.S. Open final for his 13th major.

Djokovic and Maria Sharapova are the defending champions. The tournament is set for its first night women's final on Saturday, Jan. 30, following a move it made in 2005 to a night men's singles championship on the final Sunday.

Tennis Australia chief executive Steve Wood said the tournament hopes to improve on this year's attendance figure of 605,000, which bettered the 2007 total of 550,000.

"We think we're in great shape," he said.

New No. 1 Jankovic wins Porsche Grand Prix

New No. 1 Jelena Jankovic won her second title in two weeks, defeating Nadia Petrova of Russia 6-4, 6-3 Sunday in the final of the Porsche Grand Prix.

The 23-year-old Serb also won the China Open last week and the Italian Open earlier this year.

"I am really proud of myself," she said. "I am playing with a lot of confidence and I played some good tennis this week."

Jankovic was assured of taking the top ranking Monday from Serena Williams regardless of the outcome of the final. She already held the No. 1 spot for one week in August.

"I feel that every day I am getting better and better. I am really working on my game, I want to reach my full potential," Jankovic said.

Williams became the No. 1 after defeating Jankovic at the U.S. Open final, but the American will drop in the rankings after losing her opening match in Stuttgart.

Jankovic won her eighth career title after overcoming a brief lapse in the second set against the 18th-ranked Russian, who won the Stuttgart tournament in 2006.

After the win, Jankovic took a spin in the red Porsche 911 convertible given to the winner and appeared to have more trouble controlling the powerful car than the match.

She broke serve in the opening game and it was enough to give her the set against an error-prone Petrova.

"I really wanted to win this trophy, and when you want too much, sometimes it doesn't work in tennis," Petrova said. "I gave it my best."

Jankovic also broke to start the second set, but Petrova broke back to tie it at 3-3. The Russian was unable to keep the momentum, however, and dropped serve again after a series of errors. Jankovic won the match when Petrova pushed a forehand long.

"I got a bit flat in the middle of the second set, I had some tough matches behind me and I was getting tired," Jankovic said. "I tried to stay positive, to be aggressive and to switch into a higher gear, it was an important game."

Petrova had not dropped a set this week until the final. Jankovic has been playing with a painful left foot after tearing off a toe nail. She needed painkiller shots before her semifinal win over Venus Williams and got two more before the final.

Asked about her foot at the post-match news conference, Jankovic misunderstood the question and replied, "The food is great."

Realizing the mistake, Jankovic burst out laughing and then added:

"It's numb during the match and I don't feel anything, but after a couple of hours it hurts a lot," she said. "The doctor told me to wear flip-flops but I am flying to Serbia tonight, I can't go in flip-flops like I am going to the beach."

Jankovic is scheduled to play the Kremlin Cup next week. Although she left open whether she would actually show up in Moscow for the tournament, which Williams is skipping.

"I feel tired now, but mentally I am not tired, I am hungry to do well. I want to finish the year as No. 1," she said.

Serena Williams upset by Li

Serena Williams' game collapsed after she swept the first set Wednesday, leading to a 0-6, 6-1, 6-4 loss to China's Li Na that will cost her the No. 1 ranking.

By dropping the second-round match at the Porsche Grand Prix, Williams will be overtaken by Jelena Jankovic in Monday's new rankings, the WTA said. Williams gained the top spot when she beat Jankovic in the U.S. Open final three weeks ago for her ninth Grand Slam title.

Jankovic plays her first match in the tournament Thursday against Alona Bondarenko of Ukraine.

"Obviously, I want to be No. 1 but I am not focusing on that. I am focusing on winning titles and that goes hand in hand (with getting No. 1)," Williams said.

"I am not worried. It will come again if I win tournaments. I play to win titles and Grand Slams, although obviously the No. 1 is also on my mind."

Williams was playing her first match since the U.S. Open, getting a first-round bye in Stuttgart. She rolled through the first set and appeared headed for a resounding victory.

"I started making a lot of errors and I just gave it to her," she said. "Maybe I started doubting myself."

Li, ranked No. 30, said she was so nervous at the start of the match her hands were cold.

"I didn't have a chance in the first set," Li said. "But I looked at the clock and I saw it was only 20 minutes (into the match) so I told myself I could be winning in an hour. I knew I just had to hang in there."

Li also beat sister Venus Williams to reach the semifinals at the Beijing Olympics. Venus Williams is still in the Stuttgart tournament and watched Serena's defeat.

Li wasted three match points at 5-3, then fell behind 0-40 in her next service game after Williams had held for 5-4. She then put in a service winner and followed with an ace. After successfully challenging a call that her serve was out to get it to deuce, she clinched the match with her third ace of the game.

Li missed 11 months with a rib fracture last year and right-knee surgery in March.

"I believe I can go into the top 10 if I stay healthy," she said.

Fourth-seeded Elena Dementieva, the Olympic gold medalist, advanced to the third round by beating Sybille Bammer 6-1, 6-4.

Victoria Azarenka downed No. 8 Agnieszka Radwanska 6-1, 7-5 to reach the third round. Patty Schnyder beat Svetlana Kuznetsova for the first time in more than three years, gaining the second round with a 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 victory over the fifth-seeded Russian.

Schnyder is seeking her second title of the year after winning in Bali. Kuznetsova was coming off a runner-up finish at the China Open. It was her fifth final defeat of the year, with no titles. She was ranked No. 2 a year ago.

Seventh-seeded Vera Zvonareva made it to the second round by beating Daniela Hantuchova 6-3, 6-2.