Egypt's FM highlights 'soft power' in Mali meeting with alumni    Egypt's foreign minister opens business forum in Niger, targets new partnerships    Egypt's FM delivers Al-Sisi message to Niger's leader, seeks deeper security ties    Rafah Crossing 'never been closed for one day' from Egypt: PM    Egypt will keep pushing for Gaza peace, aid: PM    Remittances from Egyptians abroad surge 70% YoY in July–May: CBE    Sudan's ambassador to Egypt holds reconstruction talks on with Arab League    Egypt's current account gap narrows, but overall BoP records deficit    Al-Sisi urges accelerated oil, gas discoveries, lower import bill    SCZONE signs $52.6m textile industry deals during China investment tour    Egypt hosts international neurosurgery conference to drive medical innovation    Egypt's EDA discusses Johnson & Johnson's plans to expand investment in local pharmaceutical sector    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi calls for boosting oil & gas investment to ease import burden    EGX to close Thursday for July 23 Revolution holiday    Egypt, Senegal sign pharma MoU to unify regulatory standards    Egyptian Drug Authority discusses plans for joint pharmaceutical plant in Zambia    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt foils terrorist plot, kills two militants linked to Hasm group    Giza Pyramids' interior lighting updated with new LED system    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Korea Culture Week in Egypt to blend K-Pop with traditional arts    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Tennis: Robredo ends Djokovic bid for elusive Cincinnati title
Published in Ahram Online on 15 - 08 - 2014

Spain's Tommy Robredo shocked world number one Novak Djokovic 7-6(6) 7-5 on Thursday to move into the quarter-finals of the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati.
For the 16th seeded Robredo the victory was his first over Djokovic since their first meeting in 2005, the Serb sweeping their next six meetings.
The loss brought a temporary halt to Djokovic's bid to become the first player to win all nine ATP World Tour Masters events during his career.
It was also another setback in the Serb's buildup to the U.S. Open later this month after falling to Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the third round last week in Toronto.
"Many, many, many things are not clicking these two weeks on hard courts," said Djokovic.
"It's unfortunate but it's more than obvious I'm not playing even close to what I'm supposed to play.
"I have to keep on working and trying to get better for U.S. Open.
"I just don't feel comfortable.
"It's disappointing that I'm finishing Cincinnati again with a tough loss but it's sport. I didn't play well in Toronto; didn't play well here.
"Hopefully it's going to be different in New York."
While Djokovic has hoisted the Canada trophy three times he has not felt the same comfort level on the Ohio hard courts, reaching the finals four times in 10 visits to Cincinnati and losing all four.
The Serb appeared out of his normal rhythm, particularly in the second set when he failed to gain even a single break chance.
Robredo managed three break opportunities and only needed to capitalise on one to secure the upset.
"When I finish my career and when I will be sitting at home and talking with friends, I will remember days like this," Robredo said.
The win marked his second win over a world number one for the 32-year-old Robredo, who also beat Lleyton Hewitt in 2003.
Federer advances
Former world number one Roger Federer avoided tasting an upset of his own as he held off Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-4 4-6 6-3.
A five-time winner at Cincinnati, Federer will now face Andy Murray in the quarter-finals after the Briton had to overcome a stern test against American John Isner.
Third seeded Swiss Stan Wawrinka rallied past 14th seed Marin Cilic 3-6 6-0 6-1 to book his place in the last eight.
The Australian Open champion got off to a sluggish start losing the opening set to the big-hitting Croatian but then could do little wrong, blazing through the next two sets dropping just a single game along the way.
Unable to register even a single break chance in the first, Wawrinka broke Cilic five times over the next two sets to seal the win.
Eighth seed Murray, twice a Cincinnati champion, also need three sets and two and a half hours to tame Isner 6-7(3) 6-4 7-6(2).
The 11th seeded Isner, a Cincinnati finalist a year ago, blasted 21 aces past his Scottish opponent but could not manage a break the entire match.
"It's a very important match for me to win," said Murray. "I had lost a few close matches, matches like that over the last few months. So, yeah, it was important for me to come through.
"It was a really, you know, good atmosphere to get ready for the rest of the tournament, but also the U.S. Open, as well."
In the women's draw, the world number one Serena Williams cruised into the quarter-finals with a 6-2 6-2 win against Flavia Pennetta.
Williams served eight aces and broke the Italian five times in their hour-long match.
"I have a lot more confidence," Williams said. "I feel more relaxed. Overall feel a lot better. I'm playing a lot better.
French Open champion Maria Sharapova also advanced with a victory against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4 7-6 (2).
Sharapova's win sets up a match against Simona Halep, who she beat in the Roland Garros final after the Romanian beat Lucie Safarova 6-4 7-5 to advance.
Caroline Wozniacki and Jelena Jankovic also advanced with straight set victories.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at@AO_Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports.)
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/108485.aspx


Clic here to read the story from its source.