Novak Djokovic capped one of tennis's greatest seasons with a awe-inspiring US Open triumph on Monday that could just signal an end to the sport's obsession with "Rafa v Roger" finals.
The 24-year-old Serb broke the pain barrier to beat defending champion Rafa Nadal 6-2 6-4 6-7 6-1 and claim his third grand slam title of the year, underlining that the balance of power in the men's game had well and truly shifted.
Seven-times grand slam winner Mats Wilander said Djokovic was on target for a rush of major title after winning a first in New York and the fourth of his career.
"He's jumped up a level," Wilander told Reuters. "I think this is the very beginning. He may be riding the wave, but it's not like the wave is going to end. This is how good he is."
Djokovic struggled with rib pain, lower back pain and cramping and needed a medical timeout and pain killer to carry on in a punishing final but stubbornly refused to yield.
Serbia's Davis Cup hero had also saved match points against Roger Federer in the semi-finals, underlining the steel that has produced an astonishing 64-2 record and 10 titles this year.
"At this level you need those tough matches against top guys," said the Australian Open and Wimbledon champion. "To get confidence that you can really win majors and win the big matches.
"I guess it just clicked in my head. Throughout the last couple of years I didn't change my game in any major way. I think most of the strokes are the same that they were.
"It's just that I'm hitting the shots that I maybe wasn't hitting in the last two, three years now. I'm going for it. I'm more aggressive and I have a different approach to the semi-finals and finals of major events."
Djokovic showed his go-for-broke attitude in surviving his semi-final when, down match point in the fifth set after clawing his way back from two sets down, he ripped an all-or-nothing forehand return across court for a jaw-dropping winner that destroyed Federer's spirit.
"I was always kind of trying to wait for their mistakes," the Serb, who replaced Nadal as world number one earlier this year, said about his attitude in the past.
"Not really having the positive attitude and kind of belief that I can win."
Even when his body looked like giving out on him, Djokovic dug deep with a determination and courage normally associated with Nadal himself.
"I had the rib problem and they had to mobilize my back as well and some cramps in the leg," said Djokovic, who had grabbed at his back after several overhand shots and serves.
"I felt the most discomfort and pain with my serve, so I tried to go more for the precision rather than for speed," said the Serb, forced to spin in deliveries at about 90 miles per hour.
"I had to make the points very short, because it's obvious that he is the one that's physically fitter than me on the court today after the third set was done.
"I knew that and I had to go for my shots, and I did."
Nadal was gracious in his praise of Djokovic.
"This season he's (been) fantastic. His level is really, really high," 10-time major winner Nadal told reporters after congratulating the winner on the court.
"Obviously, I'm disappointed now. But this guy's done unbelievable things. So just congratulate Novak. What you did this year is probably impossible to repeat."
Showing posts with label Breaking News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Breaking News. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Djokovic Ends Obsession With Rafa And Roger
Novak Djokovic capped one of tennis's greatest seasons with a awe-inspiring US Open triumph on Monday that could just signal an end to the sport's obsession with "Rafa v Roger" finals.
The 24-year-old Serb broke the pain barrier to beat defending champion Rafa Nadal 6-2 6-4 6-7 6-1 and claim his third grand slam title of the year, underlining that the balance of power in the men's game had well and truly shifted.
Seven-times grand slam winner Mats Wilander said Djokovic was on target for a rush of major title after winning a first in New York and the fourth of his career.
"He's jumped up a level," Wilander told Reuters. "I think this is the very beginning. He may be riding the wave, but it's not like the wave is going to end. This is how good he is."
Djokovic struggled with rib pain, lower back pain and cramping and needed a medical timeout and pain killer to carry on in a punishing final but stubbornly refused to yield.
Serbia's Davis Cup hero had also saved match points against Roger Federer in the semi-finals, underlining the steel that has produced an astonishing 64-2 record and 10 titles this year.
"At this level you need those tough matches against top guys," said the Australian Open and Wimbledon champion. "To get confidence that you can really win majors and win the big matches.
"I guess it just clicked in my head. Throughout the last couple of years I didn't change my game in any major way. I think most of the strokes are the same that they were.
"It's just that I'm hitting the shots that I maybe wasn't hitting in the last two, three years now. I'm going for it. I'm more aggressive and I have a different approach to the semi-finals and finals of major events."
Djokovic showed his go-for-broke attitude in surviving his semi-final when, down match point in the fifth set after clawing his way back from two sets down, he ripped an all-or-nothing forehand return across court for a jaw-dropping winner that destroyed Federer's spirit.
"I was always kind of trying to wait for their mistakes," the Serb, who replaced Nadal as world number one earlier this year, said about his attitude in the past.
"Not really having the positive attitude and kind of belief that I can win."
Even when his body looked like giving out on him, Djokovic dug deep with a determination and courage normally associated with Nadal himself.
"I had the rib problem and they had to mobilize my back as well and some cramps in the leg," said Djokovic, who had grabbed at his back after several overhand shots and serves.
"I felt the most discomfort and pain with my serve, so I tried to go more for the precision rather than for speed," said the Serb, forced to spin in deliveries at about 90 miles per hour.
"I had to make the points very short, because it's obvious that he is the one that's physically fitter than me on the court today after the third set was done.
"I knew that and I had to go for my shots, and I did."
Nadal was gracious in his praise of Djokovic.
"This season he's (been) fantastic. His level is really, really high," 10-time major winner Nadal told reporters after congratulating the winner on the court.
"Obviously, I'm disappointed now. But this guy's done unbelievable things. So just congratulate Novak. What you did this year is probably impossible to repeat."
The 24-year-old Serb broke the pain barrier to beat defending champion Rafa Nadal 6-2 6-4 6-7 6-1 and claim his third grand slam title of the year, underlining that the balance of power in the men's game had well and truly shifted.
Seven-times grand slam winner Mats Wilander said Djokovic was on target for a rush of major title after winning a first in New York and the fourth of his career.
"He's jumped up a level," Wilander told Reuters. "I think this is the very beginning. He may be riding the wave, but it's not like the wave is going to end. This is how good he is."
Djokovic struggled with rib pain, lower back pain and cramping and needed a medical timeout and pain killer to carry on in a punishing final but stubbornly refused to yield.
Serbia's Davis Cup hero had also saved match points against Roger Federer in the semi-finals, underlining the steel that has produced an astonishing 64-2 record and 10 titles this year.
"At this level you need those tough matches against top guys," said the Australian Open and Wimbledon champion. "To get confidence that you can really win majors and win the big matches.
"I guess it just clicked in my head. Throughout the last couple of years I didn't change my game in any major way. I think most of the strokes are the same that they were.
"It's just that I'm hitting the shots that I maybe wasn't hitting in the last two, three years now. I'm going for it. I'm more aggressive and I have a different approach to the semi-finals and finals of major events."
Djokovic showed his go-for-broke attitude in surviving his semi-final when, down match point in the fifth set after clawing his way back from two sets down, he ripped an all-or-nothing forehand return across court for a jaw-dropping winner that destroyed Federer's spirit.
"I was always kind of trying to wait for their mistakes," the Serb, who replaced Nadal as world number one earlier this year, said about his attitude in the past.
"Not really having the positive attitude and kind of belief that I can win."
Even when his body looked like giving out on him, Djokovic dug deep with a determination and courage normally associated with Nadal himself.
"I had the rib problem and they had to mobilize my back as well and some cramps in the leg," said Djokovic, who had grabbed at his back after several overhand shots and serves.
"I felt the most discomfort and pain with my serve, so I tried to go more for the precision rather than for speed," said the Serb, forced to spin in deliveries at about 90 miles per hour.
"I had to make the points very short, because it's obvious that he is the one that's physically fitter than me on the court today after the third set was done.
"I knew that and I had to go for my shots, and I did."
Nadal was gracious in his praise of Djokovic.
"This season he's (been) fantastic. His level is really, really high," 10-time major winner Nadal told reporters after congratulating the winner on the court.
"Obviously, I'm disappointed now. But this guy's done unbelievable things. So just congratulate Novak. What you did this year is probably impossible to repeat."
Djokovic Ends Obsession With Rafa And Roger
Novak Djokovic capped one of tennis's greatest seasons with a awe-inspiring US Open triumph on Monday that could just signal an end to the sport's obsession with "Rafa v Roger" finals.
The 24-year-old Serb broke the pain barrier to beat defending champion Rafa Nadal 6-2 6-4 6-7 6-1 and claim his third grand slam title of the year, underlining that the balance of power in the men's game had well and truly shifted.
Seven-times grand slam winner Mats Wilander said Djokovic was on target for a rush of major title after winning a first in New York and the fourth of his career.
"He's jumped up a level," Wilander told Reuters. "I think this is the very beginning. He may be riding the wave, but it's not like the wave is going to end. This is how good he is."
Djokovic struggled with rib pain, lower back pain and cramping and needed a medical timeout and pain killer to carry on in a punishing final but stubbornly refused to yield.
Serbia's Davis Cup hero had also saved match points against Roger Federer in the semi-finals, underlining the steel that has produced an astonishing 64-2 record and 10 titles this year.
"At this level you need those tough matches against top guys," said the Australian Open and Wimbledon champion. "To get confidence that you can really win majors and win the big matches.
"I guess it just clicked in my head. Throughout the last couple of years I didn't change my game in any major way. I think most of the strokes are the same that they were.
"It's just that I'm hitting the shots that I maybe wasn't hitting in the last two, three years now. I'm going for it. I'm more aggressive and I have a different approach to the semi-finals and finals of major events."
Djokovic showed his go-for-broke attitude in surviving his semi-final when, down match point in the fifth set after clawing his way back from two sets down, he ripped an all-or-nothing forehand return across court for a jaw-dropping winner that destroyed Federer's spirit.
"I was always kind of trying to wait for their mistakes," the Serb, who replaced Nadal as world number one earlier this year, said about his attitude in the past.
"Not really having the positive attitude and kind of belief that I can win."
Even when his body looked like giving out on him, Djokovic dug deep with a determination and courage normally associated with Nadal himself.
"I had the rib problem and they had to mobilize my back as well and some cramps in the leg," said Djokovic, who had grabbed at his back after several overhand shots and serves.
"I felt the most discomfort and pain with my serve, so I tried to go more for the precision rather than for speed," said the Serb, forced to spin in deliveries at about 90 miles per hour.
"I had to make the points very short, because it's obvious that he is the one that's physically fitter than me on the court today after the third set was done.
"I knew that and I had to go for my shots, and I did."
Nadal was gracious in his praise of Djokovic.
"This season he's (been) fantastic. His level is really, really high," 10-time major winner Nadal told reporters after congratulating the winner on the court.
"Obviously, I'm disappointed now. But this guy's done unbelievable things. So just congratulate Novak. What you did this year is probably impossible to repeat."
The 24-year-old Serb broke the pain barrier to beat defending champion Rafa Nadal 6-2 6-4 6-7 6-1 and claim his third grand slam title of the year, underlining that the balance of power in the men's game had well and truly shifted.
Seven-times grand slam winner Mats Wilander said Djokovic was on target for a rush of major title after winning a first in New York and the fourth of his career.
"He's jumped up a level," Wilander told Reuters. "I think this is the very beginning. He may be riding the wave, but it's not like the wave is going to end. This is how good he is."
Djokovic struggled with rib pain, lower back pain and cramping and needed a medical timeout and pain killer to carry on in a punishing final but stubbornly refused to yield.
Serbia's Davis Cup hero had also saved match points against Roger Federer in the semi-finals, underlining the steel that has produced an astonishing 64-2 record and 10 titles this year.
"At this level you need those tough matches against top guys," said the Australian Open and Wimbledon champion. "To get confidence that you can really win majors and win the big matches.
"I guess it just clicked in my head. Throughout the last couple of years I didn't change my game in any major way. I think most of the strokes are the same that they were.
"It's just that I'm hitting the shots that I maybe wasn't hitting in the last two, three years now. I'm going for it. I'm more aggressive and I have a different approach to the semi-finals and finals of major events."
Djokovic showed his go-for-broke attitude in surviving his semi-final when, down match point in the fifth set after clawing his way back from two sets down, he ripped an all-or-nothing forehand return across court for a jaw-dropping winner that destroyed Federer's spirit.
"I was always kind of trying to wait for their mistakes," the Serb, who replaced Nadal as world number one earlier this year, said about his attitude in the past.
"Not really having the positive attitude and kind of belief that I can win."
Even when his body looked like giving out on him, Djokovic dug deep with a determination and courage normally associated with Nadal himself.
"I had the rib problem and they had to mobilize my back as well and some cramps in the leg," said Djokovic, who had grabbed at his back after several overhand shots and serves.
"I felt the most discomfort and pain with my serve, so I tried to go more for the precision rather than for speed," said the Serb, forced to spin in deliveries at about 90 miles per hour.
"I had to make the points very short, because it's obvious that he is the one that's physically fitter than me on the court today after the third set was done.
"I knew that and I had to go for my shots, and I did."
Nadal was gracious in his praise of Djokovic.
"This season he's (been) fantastic. His level is really, really high," 10-time major winner Nadal told reporters after congratulating the winner on the court.
"Obviously, I'm disappointed now. But this guy's done unbelievable things. So just congratulate Novak. What you did this year is probably impossible to repeat."
Peace, Harmony And Unity: Narendra Modi To Fast For Three Days
NEW DELHI: Bouyed by the Supreme Court verdict in Gulbarga Society riot case, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hit out at his detractors for "defaming" him for the 2002 riots and announced he would undertake a three-day fast for peace, harmony and unity in his state.
"One thing is apparent from the Supreme Court's judgment. The unhealthy environment created by the unfounded and false allegations made against me and government of Gujarat, after 2002 riots, has come to an end. For the past ten years, it has become fashionable to defame me and the state of Gujarat," Modi said in an open letter to Gujarat people.
The controversial chief minister, who is increasingly being seen as BJP's poster boy who could play a larger role in national politics in the run up to 2014 Lok Sabha polls, insisted those defaming him could not tolerate any positive development of Gujarat.
He charged these people have not left any stone unturned to defame his state.
"It is difficult to say whether this campaign of defamation will stop even after the judgment of the Supreme Court. But one thing is certain that the credibility of those who have been spreading lies and defaming Gujarat has come to its lowest ebb. The people of this country will not trust such elements anymore," he said.
Modi said that as part of his responsibility to strengthen social harmony and brotherhood, he is planning to start a movement called "Sadbhavana Mission".
"As part of this Sadbhavana Mission, I have resolved to fast for three days from Saturday, 17th September 2011. My fast will conclude on 19th September. I deeply believe that this fast will further strengthen Gujarat's environment of peace, unity and harmony," Modi said.
"One thing is apparent from the Supreme Court's judgment. The unhealthy environment created by the unfounded and false allegations made against me and government of Gujarat, after 2002 riots, has come to an end. For the past ten years, it has become fashionable to defame me and the state of Gujarat," Modi said in an open letter to Gujarat people.
The controversial chief minister, who is increasingly being seen as BJP's poster boy who could play a larger role in national politics in the run up to 2014 Lok Sabha polls, insisted those defaming him could not tolerate any positive development of Gujarat.
He charged these people have not left any stone unturned to defame his state.
"It is difficult to say whether this campaign of defamation will stop even after the judgment of the Supreme Court. But one thing is certain that the credibility of those who have been spreading lies and defaming Gujarat has come to its lowest ebb. The people of this country will not trust such elements anymore," he said.
Modi said that as part of his responsibility to strengthen social harmony and brotherhood, he is planning to start a movement called "Sadbhavana Mission".
"As part of this Sadbhavana Mission, I have resolved to fast for three days from Saturday, 17th September 2011. My fast will conclude on 19th September. I deeply believe that this fast will further strengthen Gujarat's environment of peace, unity and harmony," Modi said.
Peace, Harmony And Unity: Narendra Modi To Fast For Three Days
NEW DELHI: Bouyed by the Supreme Court verdict in Gulbarga Society riot case, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hit out at his detractors for "defaming" him for the 2002 riots and announced he would undertake a three-day fast for peace, harmony and unity in his state.
"One thing is apparent from the Supreme Court's judgment. The unhealthy environment created by the unfounded and false allegations made against me and government of Gujarat, after 2002 riots, has come to an end. For the past ten years, it has become fashionable to defame me and the state of Gujarat," Modi said in an open letter to Gujarat people.
The controversial chief minister, who is increasingly being seen as BJP's poster boy who could play a larger role in national politics in the run up to 2014 Lok Sabha polls, insisted those defaming him could not tolerate any positive development of Gujarat.
He charged these people have not left any stone unturned to defame his state.
"It is difficult to say whether this campaign of defamation will stop even after the judgment of the Supreme Court. But one thing is certain that the credibility of those who have been spreading lies and defaming Gujarat has come to its lowest ebb. The people of this country will not trust such elements anymore," he said.
Modi said that as part of his responsibility to strengthen social harmony and brotherhood, he is planning to start a movement called "Sadbhavana Mission".
"As part of this Sadbhavana Mission, I have resolved to fast for three days from Saturday, 17th September 2011. My fast will conclude on 19th September. I deeply believe that this fast will further strengthen Gujarat's environment of peace, unity and harmony," Modi said.
"One thing is apparent from the Supreme Court's judgment. The unhealthy environment created by the unfounded and false allegations made against me and government of Gujarat, after 2002 riots, has come to an end. For the past ten years, it has become fashionable to defame me and the state of Gujarat," Modi said in an open letter to Gujarat people.
The controversial chief minister, who is increasingly being seen as BJP's poster boy who could play a larger role in national politics in the run up to 2014 Lok Sabha polls, insisted those defaming him could not tolerate any positive development of Gujarat.
He charged these people have not left any stone unturned to defame his state.
"It is difficult to say whether this campaign of defamation will stop even after the judgment of the Supreme Court. But one thing is certain that the credibility of those who have been spreading lies and defaming Gujarat has come to its lowest ebb. The people of this country will not trust such elements anymore," he said.
Modi said that as part of his responsibility to strengthen social harmony and brotherhood, he is planning to start a movement called "Sadbhavana Mission".
"As part of this Sadbhavana Mission, I have resolved to fast for three days from Saturday, 17th September 2011. My fast will conclude on 19th September. I deeply believe that this fast will further strengthen Gujarat's environment of peace, unity and harmony," Modi said.
Peace, Harmony And Unity: Narendra Modi To Fast For Three Days
NEW DELHI: Bouyed by the Supreme Court verdict in Gulbarga Society riot case, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hit out at his detractors for "defaming" him for the 2002 riots and announced he would undertake a three-day fast for peace, harmony and unity in his state.
"One thing is apparent from the Supreme Court's judgment. The unhealthy environment created by the unfounded and false allegations made against me and government of Gujarat, after 2002 riots, has come to an end. For the past ten years, it has become fashionable to defame me and the state of Gujarat," Modi said in an open letter to Gujarat people.
The controversial chief minister, who is increasingly being seen as BJP's poster boy who could play a larger role in national politics in the run up to 2014 Lok Sabha polls, insisted those defaming him could not tolerate any positive development of Gujarat.
He charged these people have not left any stone unturned to defame his state.
"It is difficult to say whether this campaign of defamation will stop even after the judgment of the Supreme Court. But one thing is certain that the credibility of those who have been spreading lies and defaming Gujarat has come to its lowest ebb. The people of this country will not trust such elements anymore," he said.
Modi said that as part of his responsibility to strengthen social harmony and brotherhood, he is planning to start a movement called "Sadbhavana Mission".
"As part of this Sadbhavana Mission, I have resolved to fast for three days from Saturday, 17th September 2011. My fast will conclude on 19th September. I deeply believe that this fast will further strengthen Gujarat's environment of peace, unity and harmony," Modi said.
"One thing is apparent from the Supreme Court's judgment. The unhealthy environment created by the unfounded and false allegations made against me and government of Gujarat, after 2002 riots, has come to an end. For the past ten years, it has become fashionable to defame me and the state of Gujarat," Modi said in an open letter to Gujarat people.
The controversial chief minister, who is increasingly being seen as BJP's poster boy who could play a larger role in national politics in the run up to 2014 Lok Sabha polls, insisted those defaming him could not tolerate any positive development of Gujarat.
He charged these people have not left any stone unturned to defame his state.
"It is difficult to say whether this campaign of defamation will stop even after the judgment of the Supreme Court. But one thing is certain that the credibility of those who have been spreading lies and defaming Gujarat has come to its lowest ebb. The people of this country will not trust such elements anymore," he said.
Modi said that as part of his responsibility to strengthen social harmony and brotherhood, he is planning to start a movement called "Sadbhavana Mission".
"As part of this Sadbhavana Mission, I have resolved to fast for three days from Saturday, 17th September 2011. My fast will conclude on 19th September. I deeply believe that this fast will further strengthen Gujarat's environment of peace, unity and harmony," Modi said.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
‘Us, Uk Spy Agencies Had Links With Gaddafi’
London: American and British spy agencies built close ties with Libyan intelligence services during the 'War on Terror', according to documents which says, prisoners were offered to the Muammar Gaddafi regime for interrogation under a controversial "rendition" programme.
Secret files have been unearthed in Tripoli that reveal the astonishingly close links that existed between British and American governments and Muammar Gaddafi, the Independent said. The documents were discovered from the office of the former spy chief of Gaddafi.
The documents chart show how prisoners were offered to the Libyans for brutal interrogation by the Tripoli regime under the highly controversial "rendition" programme, and also how details of exiled opponents of the Libyan dictator in the UK were passed on to the regime by MI6.
The papers show that British officials actually helped write a draft speech for Colonel Gaddafi while he was trying to rehabilitate his regime from the pariah status to which it had sunk following its support for terrorist movements.
Further documents disclose how, at the same time, the US and UK acted on behalf of Libya in conducting negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
With the efforts they had expended in cultivating their contacts with the regime, the British were unwilling, at times, to share their "Libya connection" with the closet ally, the US. In a letter to his Libyan intelligence counterpart, an MI6 officer described how he refused to pass on the identity of an agent to Washington.
The documents, many of them incendiary in their implications, were found at the private offices of Moussa Koussa, Col Gaddafi's right hand man, and regime security chief, who defected to Britain in the days following the February revolution.
Secret files have been unearthed in Tripoli that reveal the astonishingly close links that existed between British and American governments and Muammar Gaddafi, the Independent said. The documents were discovered from the office of the former spy chief of Gaddafi.
The documents chart show how prisoners were offered to the Libyans for brutal interrogation by the Tripoli regime under the highly controversial "rendition" programme, and also how details of exiled opponents of the Libyan dictator in the UK were passed on to the regime by MI6.
The papers show that British officials actually helped write a draft speech for Colonel Gaddafi while he was trying to rehabilitate his regime from the pariah status to which it had sunk following its support for terrorist movements.
Further documents disclose how, at the same time, the US and UK acted on behalf of Libya in conducting negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
With the efforts they had expended in cultivating their contacts with the regime, the British were unwilling, at times, to share their "Libya connection" with the closet ally, the US. In a letter to his Libyan intelligence counterpart, an MI6 officer described how he refused to pass on the identity of an agent to Washington.
The documents, many of them incendiary in their implications, were found at the private offices of Moussa Koussa, Col Gaddafi's right hand man, and regime security chief, who defected to Britain in the days following the February revolution.
‘Us, Uk Spy Agencies Had Links With Gaddafi’
London: American and British spy agencies built close ties with Libyan intelligence services during the 'War on Terror', according to documents which says, prisoners were offered to the Muammar Gaddafi regime for interrogation under a controversial "rendition" programme.
Secret files have been unearthed in Tripoli that reveal the astonishingly close links that existed between British and American governments and Muammar Gaddafi, the Independent said. The documents were discovered from the office of the former spy chief of Gaddafi.
The documents chart show how prisoners were offered to the Libyans for brutal interrogation by the Tripoli regime under the highly controversial "rendition" programme, and also how details of exiled opponents of the Libyan dictator in the UK were passed on to the regime by MI6.
The papers show that British officials actually helped write a draft speech for Colonel Gaddafi while he was trying to rehabilitate his regime from the pariah status to which it had sunk following its support for terrorist movements.
Further documents disclose how, at the same time, the US and UK acted on behalf of Libya in conducting negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
With the efforts they had expended in cultivating their contacts with the regime, the British were unwilling, at times, to share their "Libya connection" with the closet ally, the US. In a letter to his Libyan intelligence counterpart, an MI6 officer described how he refused to pass on the identity of an agent to Washington.
The documents, many of them incendiary in their implications, were found at the private offices of Moussa Koussa, Col Gaddafi's right hand man, and regime security chief, who defected to Britain in the days following the February revolution.
Secret files have been unearthed in Tripoli that reveal the astonishingly close links that existed between British and American governments and Muammar Gaddafi, the Independent said. The documents were discovered from the office of the former spy chief of Gaddafi.
The documents chart show how prisoners were offered to the Libyans for brutal interrogation by the Tripoli regime under the highly controversial "rendition" programme, and also how details of exiled opponents of the Libyan dictator in the UK were passed on to the regime by MI6.
The papers show that British officials actually helped write a draft speech for Colonel Gaddafi while he was trying to rehabilitate his regime from the pariah status to which it had sunk following its support for terrorist movements.
Further documents disclose how, at the same time, the US and UK acted on behalf of Libya in conducting negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
With the efforts they had expended in cultivating their contacts with the regime, the British were unwilling, at times, to share their "Libya connection" with the closet ally, the US. In a letter to his Libyan intelligence counterpart, an MI6 officer described how he refused to pass on the identity of an agent to Washington.
The documents, many of them incendiary in their implications, were found at the private offices of Moussa Koussa, Col Gaddafi's right hand man, and regime security chief, who defected to Britain in the days following the February revolution.
‘Us, Uk Spy Agencies Had Links With Gaddafi’
London: American and British spy agencies built close ties with Libyan intelligence services during the 'War on Terror', according to documents which says, prisoners were offered to the Muammar Gaddafi regime for interrogation under a controversial "rendition" programme.
Secret files have been unearthed in Tripoli that reveal the astonishingly close links that existed between British and American governments and Muammar Gaddafi, the Independent said. The documents were discovered from the office of the former spy chief of Gaddafi.
The documents chart show how prisoners were offered to the Libyans for brutal interrogation by the Tripoli regime under the highly controversial "rendition" programme, and also how details of exiled opponents of the Libyan dictator in the UK were passed on to the regime by MI6.
The papers show that British officials actually helped write a draft speech for Colonel Gaddafi while he was trying to rehabilitate his regime from the pariah status to which it had sunk following its support for terrorist movements.
Further documents disclose how, at the same time, the US and UK acted on behalf of Libya in conducting negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
With the efforts they had expended in cultivating their contacts with the regime, the British were unwilling, at times, to share their "Libya connection" with the closet ally, the US. In a letter to his Libyan intelligence counterpart, an MI6 officer described how he refused to pass on the identity of an agent to Washington.
The documents, many of them incendiary in their implications, were found at the private offices of Moussa Koussa, Col Gaddafi's right hand man, and regime security chief, who defected to Britain in the days following the February revolution.
Secret files have been unearthed in Tripoli that reveal the astonishingly close links that existed between British and American governments and Muammar Gaddafi, the Independent said. The documents were discovered from the office of the former spy chief of Gaddafi.
The documents chart show how prisoners were offered to the Libyans for brutal interrogation by the Tripoli regime under the highly controversial "rendition" programme, and also how details of exiled opponents of the Libyan dictator in the UK were passed on to the regime by MI6.
The papers show that British officials actually helped write a draft speech for Colonel Gaddafi while he was trying to rehabilitate his regime from the pariah status to which it had sunk following its support for terrorist movements.
Further documents disclose how, at the same time, the US and UK acted on behalf of Libya in conducting negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
With the efforts they had expended in cultivating their contacts with the regime, the British were unwilling, at times, to share their "Libya connection" with the closet ally, the US. In a letter to his Libyan intelligence counterpart, an MI6 officer described how he refused to pass on the identity of an agent to Washington.
The documents, many of them incendiary in their implications, were found at the private offices of Moussa Koussa, Col Gaddafi's right hand man, and regime security chief, who defected to Britain in the days following the February revolution.
Iran's First Nuke Power Plant Connected To Grid
Tehran: Iran's first nuclear power plant has started adding electricity to the national grid, media reported on Sunday, coming on stream on Saturday night after years of delays.
"The Bushehr nuclear power plant joined the national grid on Saturday at 23:29 with the power of around 60 megawatts," the ISNA news agency reported.
Hamid-Khadem Qaemi, spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organisation, told Iran's Arabic language TV station al-Alam the plant would be officially inaugurated by September 12, by which time it would be operating at 40 per cent capacity.
The agency was not immediately available to comment.
The $ 1-billion, 1,000-megawatt plant on the Gulf coast is the first of what Iran hopes will become a network of nuclear facilities that will reduce its reliance on its abundant fossil fuels.
Started by Germany's Siemens in the 1970s before Iran's Islamic revolution, the project was later taken over by Russian engineers and has since suffered a series of delays.
The West fears Iran's nuclear program is aimed at making atomic weapons, which Tehran denies.
Experts say firing up the Bushehr plant will not bring Iran any closer to building a nuclear bomb because Russia will supply the enriched uranium for the reactor and take away spent fuel that could be used to make weapons-grade plutonium.
"The Bushehr nuclear power plant joined the national grid on Saturday at 23:29 with the power of around 60 megawatts," the ISNA news agency reported.
Hamid-Khadem Qaemi, spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organisation, told Iran's Arabic language TV station al-Alam the plant would be officially inaugurated by September 12, by which time it would be operating at 40 per cent capacity.
The agency was not immediately available to comment.
The $ 1-billion, 1,000-megawatt plant on the Gulf coast is the first of what Iran hopes will become a network of nuclear facilities that will reduce its reliance on its abundant fossil fuels.
Started by Germany's Siemens in the 1970s before Iran's Islamic revolution, the project was later taken over by Russian engineers and has since suffered a series of delays.
The West fears Iran's nuclear program is aimed at making atomic weapons, which Tehran denies.
Experts say firing up the Bushehr plant will not bring Iran any closer to building a nuclear bomb because Russia will supply the enriched uranium for the reactor and take away spent fuel that could be used to make weapons-grade plutonium.
Iran's First Nuke Power Plant Connected To Grid
Tehran: Iran's first nuclear power plant has started adding electricity to the national grid, media reported on Sunday, coming on stream on Saturday night after years of delays.
"The Bushehr nuclear power plant joined the national grid on Saturday at 23:29 with the power of around 60 megawatts," the ISNA news agency reported.
Hamid-Khadem Qaemi, spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organisation, told Iran's Arabic language TV station al-Alam the plant would be officially inaugurated by September 12, by which time it would be operating at 40 per cent capacity.
The agency was not immediately available to comment.
The $ 1-billion, 1,000-megawatt plant on the Gulf coast is the first of what Iran hopes will become a network of nuclear facilities that will reduce its reliance on its abundant fossil fuels.
Started by Germany's Siemens in the 1970s before Iran's Islamic revolution, the project was later taken over by Russian engineers and has since suffered a series of delays.
The West fears Iran's nuclear program is aimed at making atomic weapons, which Tehran denies.
Experts say firing up the Bushehr plant will not bring Iran any closer to building a nuclear bomb because Russia will supply the enriched uranium for the reactor and take away spent fuel that could be used to make weapons-grade plutonium.
"The Bushehr nuclear power plant joined the national grid on Saturday at 23:29 with the power of around 60 megawatts," the ISNA news agency reported.
Hamid-Khadem Qaemi, spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organisation, told Iran's Arabic language TV station al-Alam the plant would be officially inaugurated by September 12, by which time it would be operating at 40 per cent capacity.
The agency was not immediately available to comment.
The $ 1-billion, 1,000-megawatt plant on the Gulf coast is the first of what Iran hopes will become a network of nuclear facilities that will reduce its reliance on its abundant fossil fuels.
Started by Germany's Siemens in the 1970s before Iran's Islamic revolution, the project was later taken over by Russian engineers and has since suffered a series of delays.
The West fears Iran's nuclear program is aimed at making atomic weapons, which Tehran denies.
Experts say firing up the Bushehr plant will not bring Iran any closer to building a nuclear bomb because Russia will supply the enriched uranium for the reactor and take away spent fuel that could be used to make weapons-grade plutonium.
Iran's First Nuke Power Plant Connected To Grid
Tehran: Iran's first nuclear power plant has started adding electricity to the national grid, media reported on Sunday, coming on stream on Saturday night after years of delays.
"The Bushehr nuclear power plant joined the national grid on Saturday at 23:29 with the power of around 60 megawatts," the ISNA news agency reported.
Hamid-Khadem Qaemi, spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organisation, told Iran's Arabic language TV station al-Alam the plant would be officially inaugurated by September 12, by which time it would be operating at 40 per cent capacity.
The agency was not immediately available to comment.
The $ 1-billion, 1,000-megawatt plant on the Gulf coast is the first of what Iran hopes will become a network of nuclear facilities that will reduce its reliance on its abundant fossil fuels.
Started by Germany's Siemens in the 1970s before Iran's Islamic revolution, the project was later taken over by Russian engineers and has since suffered a series of delays.
The West fears Iran's nuclear program is aimed at making atomic weapons, which Tehran denies.
Experts say firing up the Bushehr plant will not bring Iran any closer to building a nuclear bomb because Russia will supply the enriched uranium for the reactor and take away spent fuel that could be used to make weapons-grade plutonium.
"The Bushehr nuclear power plant joined the national grid on Saturday at 23:29 with the power of around 60 megawatts," the ISNA news agency reported.
Hamid-Khadem Qaemi, spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organisation, told Iran's Arabic language TV station al-Alam the plant would be officially inaugurated by September 12, by which time it would be operating at 40 per cent capacity.
The agency was not immediately available to comment.
The $ 1-billion, 1,000-megawatt plant on the Gulf coast is the first of what Iran hopes will become a network of nuclear facilities that will reduce its reliance on its abundant fossil fuels.
Started by Germany's Siemens in the 1970s before Iran's Islamic revolution, the project was later taken over by Russian engineers and has since suffered a series of delays.
The West fears Iran's nuclear program is aimed at making atomic weapons, which Tehran denies.
Experts say firing up the Bushehr plant will not bring Iran any closer to building a nuclear bomb because Russia will supply the enriched uranium for the reactor and take away spent fuel that could be used to make weapons-grade plutonium.
Djokovic Goes Past Davydenko At Us Open
New York: Always eager to entertain U.S. Open fans with more than his tennis skills, Novak Djokovic dusted off some dance moves this time.
Djokovic cut a rug on court while music blared over the Arthur Ashe Stadium loudspeakers on Saturday night after he improved to 60-2 in 2011 by beating 39th-ranked Nikolay Davydenko 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows.
During his post-match interview, Djokovic decided to change the subject and make note of someone in the stands who'd been grooving to songs played during changeovers.
"Need to congratulate the dancer up there. He was amazing. Let's just talk about him. ... Leave tennis aside. You, man, you can dance. Really. Unbelievable," Djokovic said.
And that's when the 24-year-old Serb requested some music so he could dance a bit, too.
It's the sort of extroverted display that Djokovic has engaged in during past U.S. Opens. After one match, he demonstrated his spot-on impersonations of other top players, including Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal. After another, he played some points for fun with seven-time major champion John McEnroe.
Djokovic is nothing but serious when it comes to his tennis, though. Especially this season.
The top-seeded Djokovic is trying to win his third Grand Slam championship of the year and fourth of his career.
He's seeking his first title at the U.S. Open, where he was the runner-up to Roger Federer in 2007 and to Nadal last year.
"I know most people expect top players to get to the late stages of the tournament, so there's extra pressure on us," Djokovic said. "But it's a challenge we're ready to accept. This is what we work all our lives for, to be on this court."
Davydenko is a four-time major semifinalist, including twice at the U.S. Open, but he wasn't able to provide too much resistance against Djokovic on Saturday.
Next up for Djokovic is a match against 22nd-seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine, who eliminated Ivo Karlovic of Croatia 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.
Djokovic cut a rug on court while music blared over the Arthur Ashe Stadium loudspeakers on Saturday night after he improved to 60-2 in 2011 by beating 39th-ranked Nikolay Davydenko 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows.
During his post-match interview, Djokovic decided to change the subject and make note of someone in the stands who'd been grooving to songs played during changeovers.
"Need to congratulate the dancer up there. He was amazing. Let's just talk about him. ... Leave tennis aside. You, man, you can dance. Really. Unbelievable," Djokovic said.
And that's when the 24-year-old Serb requested some music so he could dance a bit, too.
It's the sort of extroverted display that Djokovic has engaged in during past U.S. Opens. After one match, he demonstrated his spot-on impersonations of other top players, including Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal. After another, he played some points for fun with seven-time major champion John McEnroe.
Djokovic is nothing but serious when it comes to his tennis, though. Especially this season.
The top-seeded Djokovic is trying to win his third Grand Slam championship of the year and fourth of his career.
He's seeking his first title at the U.S. Open, where he was the runner-up to Roger Federer in 2007 and to Nadal last year.
"I know most people expect top players to get to the late stages of the tournament, so there's extra pressure on us," Djokovic said. "But it's a challenge we're ready to accept. This is what we work all our lives for, to be on this court."
Davydenko is a four-time major semifinalist, including twice at the U.S. Open, but he wasn't able to provide too much resistance against Djokovic on Saturday.
Next up for Djokovic is a match against 22nd-seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine, who eliminated Ivo Karlovic of Croatia 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.
Djokovic Goes Past Davydenko At Us Open
New York: Always eager to entertain U.S. Open fans with more than his tennis skills, Novak Djokovic dusted off some dance moves this time.
Djokovic cut a rug on court while music blared over the Arthur Ashe Stadium loudspeakers on Saturday night after he improved to 60-2 in 2011 by beating 39th-ranked Nikolay Davydenko 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows.
During his post-match interview, Djokovic decided to change the subject and make note of someone in the stands who'd been grooving to songs played during changeovers.
"Need to congratulate the dancer up there. He was amazing. Let's just talk about him. ... Leave tennis aside. You, man, you can dance. Really. Unbelievable," Djokovic said.
And that's when the 24-year-old Serb requested some music so he could dance a bit, too.
It's the sort of extroverted display that Djokovic has engaged in during past U.S. Opens. After one match, he demonstrated his spot-on impersonations of other top players, including Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal. After another, he played some points for fun with seven-time major champion John McEnroe.
Djokovic is nothing but serious when it comes to his tennis, though. Especially this season.
The top-seeded Djokovic is trying to win his third Grand Slam championship of the year and fourth of his career.
He's seeking his first title at the U.S. Open, where he was the runner-up to Roger Federer in 2007 and to Nadal last year.
"I know most people expect top players to get to the late stages of the tournament, so there's extra pressure on us," Djokovic said. "But it's a challenge we're ready to accept. This is what we work all our lives for, to be on this court."
Davydenko is a four-time major semifinalist, including twice at the U.S. Open, but he wasn't able to provide too much resistance against Djokovic on Saturday.
Next up for Djokovic is a match against 22nd-seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine, who eliminated Ivo Karlovic of Croatia 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.
Djokovic cut a rug on court while music blared over the Arthur Ashe Stadium loudspeakers on Saturday night after he improved to 60-2 in 2011 by beating 39th-ranked Nikolay Davydenko 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows.
During his post-match interview, Djokovic decided to change the subject and make note of someone in the stands who'd been grooving to songs played during changeovers.
"Need to congratulate the dancer up there. He was amazing. Let's just talk about him. ... Leave tennis aside. You, man, you can dance. Really. Unbelievable," Djokovic said.
And that's when the 24-year-old Serb requested some music so he could dance a bit, too.
It's the sort of extroverted display that Djokovic has engaged in during past U.S. Opens. After one match, he demonstrated his spot-on impersonations of other top players, including Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal. After another, he played some points for fun with seven-time major champion John McEnroe.
Djokovic is nothing but serious when it comes to his tennis, though. Especially this season.
The top-seeded Djokovic is trying to win his third Grand Slam championship of the year and fourth of his career.
He's seeking his first title at the U.S. Open, where he was the runner-up to Roger Federer in 2007 and to Nadal last year.
"I know most people expect top players to get to the late stages of the tournament, so there's extra pressure on us," Djokovic said. "But it's a challenge we're ready to accept. This is what we work all our lives for, to be on this court."
Davydenko is a four-time major semifinalist, including twice at the U.S. Open, but he wasn't able to provide too much resistance against Djokovic on Saturday.
Next up for Djokovic is a match against 22nd-seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine, who eliminated Ivo Karlovic of Croatia 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.
Djokovic Goes Past Davydenko At Us Open
New York: Always eager to entertain U.S. Open fans with more than his tennis skills, Novak Djokovic dusted off some dance moves this time.
Djokovic cut a rug on court while music blared over the Arthur Ashe Stadium loudspeakers on Saturday night after he improved to 60-2 in 2011 by beating 39th-ranked Nikolay Davydenko 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows.
During his post-match interview, Djokovic decided to change the subject and make note of someone in the stands who'd been grooving to songs played during changeovers.
"Need to congratulate the dancer up there. He was amazing. Let's just talk about him. ... Leave tennis aside. You, man, you can dance. Really. Unbelievable," Djokovic said.
And that's when the 24-year-old Serb requested some music so he could dance a bit, too.
It's the sort of extroverted display that Djokovic has engaged in during past U.S. Opens. After one match, he demonstrated his spot-on impersonations of other top players, including Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal. After another, he played some points for fun with seven-time major champion John McEnroe.
Djokovic is nothing but serious when it comes to his tennis, though. Especially this season.
The top-seeded Djokovic is trying to win his third Grand Slam championship of the year and fourth of his career.
He's seeking his first title at the U.S. Open, where he was the runner-up to Roger Federer in 2007 and to Nadal last year.
"I know most people expect top players to get to the late stages of the tournament, so there's extra pressure on us," Djokovic said. "But it's a challenge we're ready to accept. This is what we work all our lives for, to be on this court."
Davydenko is a four-time major semifinalist, including twice at the U.S. Open, but he wasn't able to provide too much resistance against Djokovic on Saturday.
Next up for Djokovic is a match against 22nd-seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine, who eliminated Ivo Karlovic of Croatia 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.
Djokovic cut a rug on court while music blared over the Arthur Ashe Stadium loudspeakers on Saturday night after he improved to 60-2 in 2011 by beating 39th-ranked Nikolay Davydenko 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows.
During his post-match interview, Djokovic decided to change the subject and make note of someone in the stands who'd been grooving to songs played during changeovers.
"Need to congratulate the dancer up there. He was amazing. Let's just talk about him. ... Leave tennis aside. You, man, you can dance. Really. Unbelievable," Djokovic said.
And that's when the 24-year-old Serb requested some music so he could dance a bit, too.
It's the sort of extroverted display that Djokovic has engaged in during past U.S. Opens. After one match, he demonstrated his spot-on impersonations of other top players, including Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal. After another, he played some points for fun with seven-time major champion John McEnroe.
Djokovic is nothing but serious when it comes to his tennis, though. Especially this season.
The top-seeded Djokovic is trying to win his third Grand Slam championship of the year and fourth of his career.
He's seeking his first title at the U.S. Open, where he was the runner-up to Roger Federer in 2007 and to Nadal last year.
"I know most people expect top players to get to the late stages of the tournament, so there's extra pressure on us," Djokovic said. "But it's a challenge we're ready to accept. This is what we work all our lives for, to be on this court."
Davydenko is a four-time major semifinalist, including twice at the U.S. Open, but he wasn't able to provide too much resistance against Djokovic on Saturday.
Next up for Djokovic is a match against 22nd-seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine, who eliminated Ivo Karlovic of Croatia 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.
Serena Overwhelms Azarenka At Us Open
New York: If anyone still harbored any doubts about whether Serena Williams is back at her best, she put on a pretty persuasive performance during the first 17 minutes of her third-round match on Saturday at the U.S. Open.
That's how long Williams needed to build a 5-0 lead en route to a 6-1, 7-6 (5) victory at Flushing Meadows over one of the best players the women's field had to offer: fourth-seeded Victoria Azarenka, a Wimbledon semifinalist two months ago.
Listen to Azarenka describe how it felt to stand across the net from Williams during her superb start:
"What's it like? It's painful," said Azarenka, who won eight points in those opening five games. "To have somebody just going at you like that, it's a little bit painful."
Eventually, though, Azarenka straightened her own play out enough to make things interesting in the second set. She erased four match points, broke when Williams served for the match at 5-3, and left Williams saying she wasn't pleased.
"She won the first set very easily, and it was a little bit too easy, so then she got tested — and she needed to be tested," said Williams' mother, Oracene Price.
Williams passed the test, and showed off her fitness, which is much improved from when she lost in the fourth round at Wimbledon. At the end of one point, she did the splits. On another, she raced all the way over to the blue sign near the stands to smack a forehand winner.
She and Azarenka described the level of play as being worthy of a Grand Slam semifinal, rather than the Week 1 matchup that it was. But they wound up being drawn to meet this early because Williams is seeded only 28th, a reflection of her lower-than-usual ranking as a result of nearly a year's absence from the tour because of a series of health scares.
The 29-year-old American already owns 13 major championships, including three at the U.S. Open, which is why, when she was asked how she can play so well now, Williams replied: "I mean, I was a pretty good player before. So just trying to get back into that rhythm and feel it again."
In the fourth round, Williams will face former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic of Serbia, the 2008 French Open champion, who is seeded 16th.
"It's exciting, at least for me. I think she's the hottest player out there at the moment. She's been playing so well lately. It is going to be a good challenge," Ivanovic said after ending Sloane Stephens' surprising run by beating the 18-year-old American 6-3, 6-4 in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday night.
Ivanovic acknowledged that Williams will be the "favorite, that's for sure" but also said: "I know I can give her a tough match. She beat me in the past, but maybe I can go for revenge on Monday."
The woman who's seeded No. 1, Caroline Wozniacki, eliminated Vania King of the United States 6-2, 6-4, and will continue her bid for a first Grand Slam title against 15th-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova, owner of two major trophies.
Also into the fourth round with victories on Saturday were 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy, who got past Chanelle Scheepers of South Africa 5-7, 7-6 (5), 6-3; No. 17 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, who beat 2008 U.S. Open runner-up Jelena Jankovic of Serbia 6-4, 6-4; and No. 10 Andrea Petkovic of Germany, who defeated No. 18 Roberta Vinci of Italy 6-4, 6-0 to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the second year in a row.
"Grand Slams are very stressful," Petkovic observed. "I think any player that you ask — and if he answers honestly — it's a lot of stress."
That, as much as anything, could explain why so many players have been quitting during matches because of injury or illness: No. 9 Tomas Berdych (shoulder) and No. 31 Marcel Granollers (abdominal muscle) did so Saturday, raising the total retirements in men's and women's singles to a record 14 by the third round.
Also advancing Saturday were No. 8 Mardy Fish, the top-seeded American, who has yet to drop a set after beating Kevin Anderson of South Africa 6-4, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3); No. 20 Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia; No. 22 Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine; and 2003 French Open champion and U.S. Open runner-up Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain. Tipsarevic (Berdych's opponent) and Ferrero (Granollers') play each other next.
On Monday, Fish faces a potentially difficult match against No. 11 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga — the 2008 Australian Open runner-up who beat No. 19 Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 — and so was pleased to finish off Anderson in three sets.
"I'll be physically fine in two days," Fish said. "But, you know, I'm 29. I don't wake up in the morning feeling like I'm 20."
That's how long Williams needed to build a 5-0 lead en route to a 6-1, 7-6 (5) victory at Flushing Meadows over one of the best players the women's field had to offer: fourth-seeded Victoria Azarenka, a Wimbledon semifinalist two months ago.
Listen to Azarenka describe how it felt to stand across the net from Williams during her superb start:
"What's it like? It's painful," said Azarenka, who won eight points in those opening five games. "To have somebody just going at you like that, it's a little bit painful."
Eventually, though, Azarenka straightened her own play out enough to make things interesting in the second set. She erased four match points, broke when Williams served for the match at 5-3, and left Williams saying she wasn't pleased.
"She won the first set very easily, and it was a little bit too easy, so then she got tested — and she needed to be tested," said Williams' mother, Oracene Price.
Williams passed the test, and showed off her fitness, which is much improved from when she lost in the fourth round at Wimbledon. At the end of one point, she did the splits. On another, she raced all the way over to the blue sign near the stands to smack a forehand winner.
She and Azarenka described the level of play as being worthy of a Grand Slam semifinal, rather than the Week 1 matchup that it was. But they wound up being drawn to meet this early because Williams is seeded only 28th, a reflection of her lower-than-usual ranking as a result of nearly a year's absence from the tour because of a series of health scares.
The 29-year-old American already owns 13 major championships, including three at the U.S. Open, which is why, when she was asked how she can play so well now, Williams replied: "I mean, I was a pretty good player before. So just trying to get back into that rhythm and feel it again."
In the fourth round, Williams will face former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic of Serbia, the 2008 French Open champion, who is seeded 16th.
"It's exciting, at least for me. I think she's the hottest player out there at the moment. She's been playing so well lately. It is going to be a good challenge," Ivanovic said after ending Sloane Stephens' surprising run by beating the 18-year-old American 6-3, 6-4 in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday night.
Ivanovic acknowledged that Williams will be the "favorite, that's for sure" but also said: "I know I can give her a tough match. She beat me in the past, but maybe I can go for revenge on Monday."
The woman who's seeded No. 1, Caroline Wozniacki, eliminated Vania King of the United States 6-2, 6-4, and will continue her bid for a first Grand Slam title against 15th-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova, owner of two major trophies.
Also into the fourth round with victories on Saturday were 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy, who got past Chanelle Scheepers of South Africa 5-7, 7-6 (5), 6-3; No. 17 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, who beat 2008 U.S. Open runner-up Jelena Jankovic of Serbia 6-4, 6-4; and No. 10 Andrea Petkovic of Germany, who defeated No. 18 Roberta Vinci of Italy 6-4, 6-0 to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the second year in a row.
"Grand Slams are very stressful," Petkovic observed. "I think any player that you ask — and if he answers honestly — it's a lot of stress."
That, as much as anything, could explain why so many players have been quitting during matches because of injury or illness: No. 9 Tomas Berdych (shoulder) and No. 31 Marcel Granollers (abdominal muscle) did so Saturday, raising the total retirements in men's and women's singles to a record 14 by the third round.
Also advancing Saturday were No. 8 Mardy Fish, the top-seeded American, who has yet to drop a set after beating Kevin Anderson of South Africa 6-4, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3); No. 20 Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia; No. 22 Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine; and 2003 French Open champion and U.S. Open runner-up Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain. Tipsarevic (Berdych's opponent) and Ferrero (Granollers') play each other next.
On Monday, Fish faces a potentially difficult match against No. 11 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga — the 2008 Australian Open runner-up who beat No. 19 Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 — and so was pleased to finish off Anderson in three sets.
"I'll be physically fine in two days," Fish said. "But, you know, I'm 29. I don't wake up in the morning feeling like I'm 20."
Serena Overwhelms Azarenka At Us Open
New York: If anyone still harbored any doubts about whether Serena Williams is back at her best, she put on a pretty persuasive performance during the first 17 minutes of her third-round match on Saturday at the U.S. Open.
That's how long Williams needed to build a 5-0 lead en route to a 6-1, 7-6 (5) victory at Flushing Meadows over one of the best players the women's field had to offer: fourth-seeded Victoria Azarenka, a Wimbledon semifinalist two months ago.
Listen to Azarenka describe how it felt to stand across the net from Williams during her superb start:
"What's it like? It's painful," said Azarenka, who won eight points in those opening five games. "To have somebody just going at you like that, it's a little bit painful."
Eventually, though, Azarenka straightened her own play out enough to make things interesting in the second set. She erased four match points, broke when Williams served for the match at 5-3, and left Williams saying she wasn't pleased.
"She won the first set very easily, and it was a little bit too easy, so then she got tested — and she needed to be tested," said Williams' mother, Oracene Price.
Williams passed the test, and showed off her fitness, which is much improved from when she lost in the fourth round at Wimbledon. At the end of one point, she did the splits. On another, she raced all the way over to the blue sign near the stands to smack a forehand winner.
She and Azarenka described the level of play as being worthy of a Grand Slam semifinal, rather than the Week 1 matchup that it was. But they wound up being drawn to meet this early because Williams is seeded only 28th, a reflection of her lower-than-usual ranking as a result of nearly a year's absence from the tour because of a series of health scares.
The 29-year-old American already owns 13 major championships, including three at the U.S. Open, which is why, when she was asked how she can play so well now, Williams replied: "I mean, I was a pretty good player before. So just trying to get back into that rhythm and feel it again."
In the fourth round, Williams will face former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic of Serbia, the 2008 French Open champion, who is seeded 16th.
"It's exciting, at least for me. I think she's the hottest player out there at the moment. She's been playing so well lately. It is going to be a good challenge," Ivanovic said after ending Sloane Stephens' surprising run by beating the 18-year-old American 6-3, 6-4 in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday night.
Ivanovic acknowledged that Williams will be the "favorite, that's for sure" but also said: "I know I can give her a tough match. She beat me in the past, but maybe I can go for revenge on Monday."
The woman who's seeded No. 1, Caroline Wozniacki, eliminated Vania King of the United States 6-2, 6-4, and will continue her bid for a first Grand Slam title against 15th-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova, owner of two major trophies.
Also into the fourth round with victories on Saturday were 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy, who got past Chanelle Scheepers of South Africa 5-7, 7-6 (5), 6-3; No. 17 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, who beat 2008 U.S. Open runner-up Jelena Jankovic of Serbia 6-4, 6-4; and No. 10 Andrea Petkovic of Germany, who defeated No. 18 Roberta Vinci of Italy 6-4, 6-0 to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the second year in a row.
"Grand Slams are very stressful," Petkovic observed. "I think any player that you ask — and if he answers honestly — it's a lot of stress."
That, as much as anything, could explain why so many players have been quitting during matches because of injury or illness: No. 9 Tomas Berdych (shoulder) and No. 31 Marcel Granollers (abdominal muscle) did so Saturday, raising the total retirements in men's and women's singles to a record 14 by the third round.
Also advancing Saturday were No. 8 Mardy Fish, the top-seeded American, who has yet to drop a set after beating Kevin Anderson of South Africa 6-4, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3); No. 20 Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia; No. 22 Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine; and 2003 French Open champion and U.S. Open runner-up Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain. Tipsarevic (Berdych's opponent) and Ferrero (Granollers') play each other next.
On Monday, Fish faces a potentially difficult match against No. 11 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga — the 2008 Australian Open runner-up who beat No. 19 Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 — and so was pleased to finish off Anderson in three sets.
"I'll be physically fine in two days," Fish said. "But, you know, I'm 29. I don't wake up in the morning feeling like I'm 20."
That's how long Williams needed to build a 5-0 lead en route to a 6-1, 7-6 (5) victory at Flushing Meadows over one of the best players the women's field had to offer: fourth-seeded Victoria Azarenka, a Wimbledon semifinalist two months ago.
Listen to Azarenka describe how it felt to stand across the net from Williams during her superb start:
"What's it like? It's painful," said Azarenka, who won eight points in those opening five games. "To have somebody just going at you like that, it's a little bit painful."
Eventually, though, Azarenka straightened her own play out enough to make things interesting in the second set. She erased four match points, broke when Williams served for the match at 5-3, and left Williams saying she wasn't pleased.
"She won the first set very easily, and it was a little bit too easy, so then she got tested — and she needed to be tested," said Williams' mother, Oracene Price.
Williams passed the test, and showed off her fitness, which is much improved from when she lost in the fourth round at Wimbledon. At the end of one point, she did the splits. On another, she raced all the way over to the blue sign near the stands to smack a forehand winner.
She and Azarenka described the level of play as being worthy of a Grand Slam semifinal, rather than the Week 1 matchup that it was. But they wound up being drawn to meet this early because Williams is seeded only 28th, a reflection of her lower-than-usual ranking as a result of nearly a year's absence from the tour because of a series of health scares.
The 29-year-old American already owns 13 major championships, including three at the U.S. Open, which is why, when she was asked how she can play so well now, Williams replied: "I mean, I was a pretty good player before. So just trying to get back into that rhythm and feel it again."
In the fourth round, Williams will face former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic of Serbia, the 2008 French Open champion, who is seeded 16th.
"It's exciting, at least for me. I think she's the hottest player out there at the moment. She's been playing so well lately. It is going to be a good challenge," Ivanovic said after ending Sloane Stephens' surprising run by beating the 18-year-old American 6-3, 6-4 in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday night.
Ivanovic acknowledged that Williams will be the "favorite, that's for sure" but also said: "I know I can give her a tough match. She beat me in the past, but maybe I can go for revenge on Monday."
The woman who's seeded No. 1, Caroline Wozniacki, eliminated Vania King of the United States 6-2, 6-4, and will continue her bid for a first Grand Slam title against 15th-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova, owner of two major trophies.
Also into the fourth round with victories on Saturday were 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy, who got past Chanelle Scheepers of South Africa 5-7, 7-6 (5), 6-3; No. 17 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, who beat 2008 U.S. Open runner-up Jelena Jankovic of Serbia 6-4, 6-4; and No. 10 Andrea Petkovic of Germany, who defeated No. 18 Roberta Vinci of Italy 6-4, 6-0 to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the second year in a row.
"Grand Slams are very stressful," Petkovic observed. "I think any player that you ask — and if he answers honestly — it's a lot of stress."
That, as much as anything, could explain why so many players have been quitting during matches because of injury or illness: No. 9 Tomas Berdych (shoulder) and No. 31 Marcel Granollers (abdominal muscle) did so Saturday, raising the total retirements in men's and women's singles to a record 14 by the third round.
Also advancing Saturday were No. 8 Mardy Fish, the top-seeded American, who has yet to drop a set after beating Kevin Anderson of South Africa 6-4, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3); No. 20 Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia; No. 22 Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine; and 2003 French Open champion and U.S. Open runner-up Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain. Tipsarevic (Berdych's opponent) and Ferrero (Granollers') play each other next.
On Monday, Fish faces a potentially difficult match against No. 11 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga — the 2008 Australian Open runner-up who beat No. 19 Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 — and so was pleased to finish off Anderson in three sets.
"I'll be physically fine in two days," Fish said. "But, you know, I'm 29. I don't wake up in the morning feeling like I'm 20."
Serena Overwhelms Azarenka At Us Open
New York: If anyone still harbored any doubts about whether Serena Williams is back at her best, she put on a pretty persuasive performance during the first 17 minutes of her third-round match on Saturday at the U.S. Open.
That's how long Williams needed to build a 5-0 lead en route to a 6-1, 7-6 (5) victory at Flushing Meadows over one of the best players the women's field had to offer: fourth-seeded Victoria Azarenka, a Wimbledon semifinalist two months ago.
Listen to Azarenka describe how it felt to stand across the net from Williams during her superb start:
"What's it like? It's painful," said Azarenka, who won eight points in those opening five games. "To have somebody just going at you like that, it's a little bit painful."
Eventually, though, Azarenka straightened her own play out enough to make things interesting in the second set. She erased four match points, broke when Williams served for the match at 5-3, and left Williams saying she wasn't pleased.
"She won the first set very easily, and it was a little bit too easy, so then she got tested — and she needed to be tested," said Williams' mother, Oracene Price.
Williams passed the test, and showed off her fitness, which is much improved from when she lost in the fourth round at Wimbledon. At the end of one point, she did the splits. On another, she raced all the way over to the blue sign near the stands to smack a forehand winner.
She and Azarenka described the level of play as being worthy of a Grand Slam semifinal, rather than the Week 1 matchup that it was. But they wound up being drawn to meet this early because Williams is seeded only 28th, a reflection of her lower-than-usual ranking as a result of nearly a year's absence from the tour because of a series of health scares.
The 29-year-old American already owns 13 major championships, including three at the U.S. Open, which is why, when she was asked how she can play so well now, Williams replied: "I mean, I was a pretty good player before. So just trying to get back into that rhythm and feel it again."
In the fourth round, Williams will face former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic of Serbia, the 2008 French Open champion, who is seeded 16th.
"It's exciting, at least for me. I think she's the hottest player out there at the moment. She's been playing so well lately. It is going to be a good challenge," Ivanovic said after ending Sloane Stephens' surprising run by beating the 18-year-old American 6-3, 6-4 in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday night.
Ivanovic acknowledged that Williams will be the "favorite, that's for sure" but also said: "I know I can give her a tough match. She beat me in the past, but maybe I can go for revenge on Monday."
The woman who's seeded No. 1, Caroline Wozniacki, eliminated Vania King of the United States 6-2, 6-4, and will continue her bid for a first Grand Slam title against 15th-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova, owner of two major trophies.
Also into the fourth round with victories on Saturday were 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy, who got past Chanelle Scheepers of South Africa 5-7, 7-6 (5), 6-3; No. 17 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, who beat 2008 U.S. Open runner-up Jelena Jankovic of Serbia 6-4, 6-4; and No. 10 Andrea Petkovic of Germany, who defeated No. 18 Roberta Vinci of Italy 6-4, 6-0 to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the second year in a row.
"Grand Slams are very stressful," Petkovic observed. "I think any player that you ask — and if he answers honestly — it's a lot of stress."
That, as much as anything, could explain why so many players have been quitting during matches because of injury or illness: No. 9 Tomas Berdych (shoulder) and No. 31 Marcel Granollers (abdominal muscle) did so Saturday, raising the total retirements in men's and women's singles to a record 14 by the third round.
Also advancing Saturday were No. 8 Mardy Fish, the top-seeded American, who has yet to drop a set after beating Kevin Anderson of South Africa 6-4, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3); No. 20 Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia; No. 22 Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine; and 2003 French Open champion and U.S. Open runner-up Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain. Tipsarevic (Berdych's opponent) and Ferrero (Granollers') play each other next.
On Monday, Fish faces a potentially difficult match against No. 11 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga — the 2008 Australian Open runner-up who beat No. 19 Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 — and so was pleased to finish off Anderson in three sets.
"I'll be physically fine in two days," Fish said. "But, you know, I'm 29. I don't wake up in the morning feeling like I'm 20."
That's how long Williams needed to build a 5-0 lead en route to a 6-1, 7-6 (5) victory at Flushing Meadows over one of the best players the women's field had to offer: fourth-seeded Victoria Azarenka, a Wimbledon semifinalist two months ago.
Listen to Azarenka describe how it felt to stand across the net from Williams during her superb start:
"What's it like? It's painful," said Azarenka, who won eight points in those opening five games. "To have somebody just going at you like that, it's a little bit painful."
Eventually, though, Azarenka straightened her own play out enough to make things interesting in the second set. She erased four match points, broke when Williams served for the match at 5-3, and left Williams saying she wasn't pleased.
"She won the first set very easily, and it was a little bit too easy, so then she got tested — and she needed to be tested," said Williams' mother, Oracene Price.
Williams passed the test, and showed off her fitness, which is much improved from when she lost in the fourth round at Wimbledon. At the end of one point, she did the splits. On another, she raced all the way over to the blue sign near the stands to smack a forehand winner.
She and Azarenka described the level of play as being worthy of a Grand Slam semifinal, rather than the Week 1 matchup that it was. But they wound up being drawn to meet this early because Williams is seeded only 28th, a reflection of her lower-than-usual ranking as a result of nearly a year's absence from the tour because of a series of health scares.
The 29-year-old American already owns 13 major championships, including three at the U.S. Open, which is why, when she was asked how she can play so well now, Williams replied: "I mean, I was a pretty good player before. So just trying to get back into that rhythm and feel it again."
In the fourth round, Williams will face former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic of Serbia, the 2008 French Open champion, who is seeded 16th.
"It's exciting, at least for me. I think she's the hottest player out there at the moment. She's been playing so well lately. It is going to be a good challenge," Ivanovic said after ending Sloane Stephens' surprising run by beating the 18-year-old American 6-3, 6-4 in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday night.
Ivanovic acknowledged that Williams will be the "favorite, that's for sure" but also said: "I know I can give her a tough match. She beat me in the past, but maybe I can go for revenge on Monday."
The woman who's seeded No. 1, Caroline Wozniacki, eliminated Vania King of the United States 6-2, 6-4, and will continue her bid for a first Grand Slam title against 15th-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova, owner of two major trophies.
Also into the fourth round with victories on Saturday were 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy, who got past Chanelle Scheepers of South Africa 5-7, 7-6 (5), 6-3; No. 17 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, who beat 2008 U.S. Open runner-up Jelena Jankovic of Serbia 6-4, 6-4; and No. 10 Andrea Petkovic of Germany, who defeated No. 18 Roberta Vinci of Italy 6-4, 6-0 to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the second year in a row.
"Grand Slams are very stressful," Petkovic observed. "I think any player that you ask — and if he answers honestly — it's a lot of stress."
That, as much as anything, could explain why so many players have been quitting during matches because of injury or illness: No. 9 Tomas Berdych (shoulder) and No. 31 Marcel Granollers (abdominal muscle) did so Saturday, raising the total retirements in men's and women's singles to a record 14 by the third round.
Also advancing Saturday were No. 8 Mardy Fish, the top-seeded American, who has yet to drop a set after beating Kevin Anderson of South Africa 6-4, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3); No. 20 Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia; No. 22 Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine; and 2003 French Open champion and U.S. Open runner-up Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain. Tipsarevic (Berdych's opponent) and Ferrero (Granollers') play each other next.
On Monday, Fish faces a potentially difficult match against No. 11 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga — the 2008 Australian Open runner-up who beat No. 19 Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 — and so was pleased to finish off Anderson in three sets.
"I'll be physically fine in two days," Fish said. "But, you know, I'm 29. I don't wake up in the morning feeling like I'm 20."
Rohit Sharma Ruled Out Of Odi Series
Chester-le-Street: India's injury woes refused to end as young batsman Rohit Sharma was on Saturday ruled out of the remainder of the five-match ODI series against England after suffering a fracture in the index finger of his right hand here.
Sharma was hit by a Stuart Broad delivery in the 38th over of the Indian innings during the first ODI here.
He has been advised rest for three weeks to recover from his injury and it automatically puts him out of the remaining four ODIs.
Sharma retired hurt after facing that ball. He went for a check up and a fracture was confirmed though no official word has come from the BCCI yet on his availability for the series.
It has been a disastrous tour for India as many leading players, including Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and Yuvraj Singh suffered injuries at various stages of the tour.
Tendulkar had to miss Saturday's opening match due a toe injury.
Sharma was hit by a Stuart Broad delivery in the 38th over of the Indian innings during the first ODI here.
He has been advised rest for three weeks to recover from his injury and it automatically puts him out of the remaining four ODIs.
Sharma retired hurt after facing that ball. He went for a check up and a fracture was confirmed though no official word has come from the BCCI yet on his availability for the series.
It has been a disastrous tour for India as many leading players, including Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and Yuvraj Singh suffered injuries at various stages of the tour.
Tendulkar had to miss Saturday's opening match due a toe injury.
Rohit Sharma Ruled Out Of Odi Series
Chester-le-Street: India's injury woes refused to end as young batsman Rohit Sharma was on Saturday ruled out of the remainder of the five-match ODI series against England after suffering a fracture in the index finger of his right hand here.
Sharma was hit by a Stuart Broad delivery in the 38th over of the Indian innings during the first ODI here.
He has been advised rest for three weeks to recover from his injury and it automatically puts him out of the remaining four ODIs.
Sharma retired hurt after facing that ball. He went for a check up and a fracture was confirmed though no official word has come from the BCCI yet on his availability for the series.
It has been a disastrous tour for India as many leading players, including Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and Yuvraj Singh suffered injuries at various stages of the tour.
Tendulkar had to miss Saturday's opening match due a toe injury.
Sharma was hit by a Stuart Broad delivery in the 38th over of the Indian innings during the first ODI here.
He has been advised rest for three weeks to recover from his injury and it automatically puts him out of the remaining four ODIs.
Sharma retired hurt after facing that ball. He went for a check up and a fracture was confirmed though no official word has come from the BCCI yet on his availability for the series.
It has been a disastrous tour for India as many leading players, including Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and Yuvraj Singh suffered injuries at various stages of the tour.
Tendulkar had to miss Saturday's opening match due a toe injury.
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