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Federer overcomes gutsy Millman

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 08 Januari 2015 | 23.34

John Millman of Australia reacts after he lost a point in his match against Roger Federer. Source: Tertius Pickard / AP

JOHN Millman walked off with dejection last night from the match in which he led the great Roger Federer by a set and a break at his home city tournament, the Brisbane International.

On what had been tracking to become one of the most remarkable nights in Australian tennis history, Brisbane battler Millman refused to be intimidated by the record of Federer before losing 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 at Pat Rafter Arena.

Millman, ranked No. 156, had won three ATP Tour matches before last night and Federer 996.

But the Queenslander delivered on his vow before the match that he would not be daunted by the reputation of Federer, the man who has won more Grand Slam singles titles than any other, and fight for each point.

"I'm very disappointed and upset with the result, but I'm not discouraged,'' he said. "I took it to one of the greatest players of all time and it was a privilege to play him, but I play to win - I believe in my game and my fitness. I had opportunities but I didn't quite do it.

"I love playing at this tournament, in front of the people who have helped me through my injuries and I can show them their time isn't wasted,'' he said.

Millman will make a decision later today on whether to fly to Sydney for qualifying, which starts tomorrow.

"I have to make smart decisions with my body,'' he said.

John Millman comes unstuck against Roger Federer. Source: Getty Images

John Millman takes an early lead against Roger Federer. Source: News Corp Australia

Millman, 25, was able to check out last night with no real regrets, as he kept hitting for the lines and trusting his baseline game, undaunted by the unlikely opportunity he had given himself.

He led by a set and 3-1 with a point on his serve to move to 4-1 but was thwarted by Federer's forehand.

Federer ran off the last four games of the match, looking like a man who has solved a devilish puzzle.

"I thought I was lucky in the second set. He was playing great tennis,'' Federer said.

"First match of the year, you can't be sure what will happen.''

Federer said he had felt surprisingly tired in the first set and became tense when he was unable to convert four break points in the opening game.

"There were maybe some nerves when I realised he was playing well,'' he said.

"He was the more consistent player and was dominating the baseline.

"I started to feel better in the second set and I had to elevate my game because he wasn't letting go.

"He's a great competitor … great attitude and moves well.''

The world No. 2 will tonight play the determined Brisbane-based James Duckworth, a wildcard ranked No. 125 and one of three Australians in the men's quarter-finals.

Roger Federer prevailed in three sets. Source: News Corp Australia

Millman has some consolation in that he has ensured he will be granted an Australian Open main draw wildcard and will then play a couple of Challenger level events in Australia or overseas.

Just as he did against Andy Murray at Rafter Arena two years before, Millman won the first set to the delight of a home crowd growing in belief.

Murray edged the 2013 match in three sets, but this time Millman played a peerless game at 2-1 in the second set to break serve again with three groundstroke winners.

Federer made 19 unforced errors in the first set and the Norman Park right-hander having enough smoke on his first serve, ranging into the 190km/h range, to keep the subdued and inconsistent top seed guessing.

Millman, a wildcard entry, admits he had wondered last summer if surgery to the labrum in his right shoulder would recover enough to permit him to play tennis at the top level again.

A man without airs and graces from a family with four sisters, he relaxed on the eve of the match of his life by having a steak at the Norman Hotel with his mates.


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Kings home court to become fortress

Ben Madgen trying to get past the defence. Photo: Tim Hunter. Source: Tim Hunter / News Corp Australia

SYDNEY Kings co-captain Ben Madgen says his troops want to prove that their home court is a tough place for travelling teams to play at when they host the Townsville Crocodiles on Friday.

The Kings won five of their opening seven home games, but two double-digit defeats to New Zealand and Melbourne has seen cracks form in Sydney's bid to make the Kingdome a fortress this season.

A major factor in the back-to-back home defeats has been slow starts in the first half, allowing New Zealand and Melbourne to break out to early double-digit leads, and Madgen says the Kings will try to eradicate that problem against a Townsville outfit that has only won one of 10 road games this season.

Ben Madgen trying to get past the defence. Photo: Tim Hunter. Source: News Corp Australia

"It's very important to start well and we always try to get off to a good start," Madgen said.

"The team takes a lot of pride in protecting our home court.

"We can't afford to lose too many at home and we've dropped two in a row so we will make a stand."

Despite four consecutive defeats, Madgen says he and the rest of playing squad still have confidence in the game plan.

The group was given a harsh lesson about throwing away the game plan against Melbourne when their normal style of play brought them back into the game, only for them steer away from their plans at the offensive end to score 11 points in the final quarter.

"Our morale is still up even though we've lost a couple of games," Madgen said.

"If we execute down the stretch better we should be fine.

"We've got to stick to the game plan. We went away from it for some reason and we can't allow it to happen again.

"We know we've got some really good plans."

Ben Madgen in action. Source: News Corp Australia

Although Josh Childress is back, the Kings still have injury matters to deal with as starting centre Angus Brandt is uncertain to make a return tonight.

Brandt will again be given to the last minute to prove he is fit enough to play after he was withdrawn just before last Friday's loss against Melbourne.

Losing Brandt will be a big blow for the Kings, but Madgen said he has a lot of faith in Josh Duinker, who pulled down seven boards in his first start for the Kings.

Sydney's big men will need to step up to contain Crocodiles forward Brian Conklin, who been in great form and played a big part in Townsville's two wins against the Kings this season, and former NBA centre Mickell Gladness.


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Injuries often inflict big mental toll

Josh Childress tries to get past a Melbourne defender. Source: Adam Yip / News Corp Australia

INJURIES and sports go hand in hand. I don't think I've ever met an athlete that hasn't dealt with an injury in his or her career.

It can be extremely frustrating when you're sitting on the sidelines, unable to help your team.

Having gone through months of preseason workouts and then have something negate all of that work can be difficult to deal with.

For those that aren't aware, I partially tore my hamstring against the Perth Wildcats. Over the course of the game I felt some tightness and a little pain, however the adrenalin was pumping through my body.

It's not until after the game is over and you cool down that you really feel any damage that has been done.

Josh Childress goes to the net. Source: News Corp Australia

What I thought was minimal soreness turned out to be a lot worse and I didn't expect to be out for so long.

The last few weeks have been both mentally and physically challenging for me and a test of patience.

Any athlete will tell you that the rehabilitation process is always much tougher than the regular training regimen during a season.

Not only do you have to regain strength in the injured area, but you also have to maintain or regain your conditioning levels as well.

In my opinion, there is nothing that can recreate the conditioning needed to play a 40-minute basketball game and It probably also doesn't help that I actually dislike running.

Both coach (Damian) Cotter and (assistant) coach (Robbie) McKinlay make fun of me every day in practice for it. So I was commissioned to a stationary bike for the past two weeks and lets just say that bike seats are not the most comfortable.

Josh Childress on the sideline due to an injured knee. . Source: News Corp Australia

Fortunately, I was able to suit up last Friday against Melbourne United and as great as it was to be back, I was still a bit nervous about the possibility of re-injuring my hamstring.

One of the biggest challenges an athlete faces after dealing with an injury is getting over that mental barrier and remembering that you're healed.

You often see most return to action a bit hesitant and tentative because they are trying to protect themselves.

I am hoping that having a full week of practice and training this week will get me feeling more comfortable.

We are up against a Townsville team that plays hard and physical basketball.

Josh Childress tries to get past a Melbourne defender. Source: News Corp Australia

They have beaten us both times we have played them this season, so tonight's matchup is big for us.

I feel as though we have let too many games slip through our hands this season.

There is a very thin line between winning and losing and we have teetered that line too much.

With 11 games left in the regular season, and us sitting at 5th on the ladder, we must make a strong push over the next month and a half.

Making sure that we do not deviate from our coach's game plan will be important if we want to be successful.

Every team is hungry for wins so we must make sure that we outwork them. It will be a battle for us but I am looking forward to the challenge and it starts tonight.


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Del Potro ready to stand tall in Sydney

Tennis star Juan Martin Del Potro arrives in Sydney. Source: Stephen Cooper / News Limited

AFTER 11 months in the tennis wilderness superstar Juan Martin Del Potro has finally emerged, saying he is determined to rediscover the form that won him the US Open.

Del Potro landed in Sydney on Thursday night preparing to play in his first tournament since last February, having undergone surgery for a troublesome left wrist injury.

The world will see Del Potro play for the first time in almost a year when he takes to court at the Sydney Olympic Park tennis centre next week to defend the title he claimed against Bernard Tomic this time last year.

The Argentine has not been seen on a court since retiring hurt and conceding a first round singles match to India's Somdev Devvarman in Dubai on February 25, 2014.

Tennis star Juan Martin Del Potro arrives in Sydney. Source: News Limited

He conceded that retirement had briefly entered his thoughts during his lengthy rehabilitation.

"During the year I had very bad moments, but I was with my parents, with my friends at home, that was the past and now I am in a good place," Del Potro told The Daily Telegraph.

"I am here in Sydney once again, I would like to share fantastic moments with the fans and the players."

Del Potro, who won the US Open in 2009, has previously struggled with injury in his right wrist, which sidelined him for eight months in 2010 and prevented him from defending his Grand Slam crown.

He underwent surgery to treat that wrist then won 11 titles, including his 18th, when he powered over Tomic 6-3 6-1 to win the Sydney International last January.

Asked if that successful comeback has given him confidence that he can once again reach his full potential, Del Potro replied: "I wish to be as strong as four years ago, but I know that it's a long road.

Juan Martin Del Potro hits a backhand. Source: News Limited

"It's a long trip to feel good again, and nobody knows how I will play in this tournament.

"I am confident, I am very positive, and I will do my best as always."

The 26-year-old was supposed to have made his return in Brisbane last week but pulled out at the last minute due to continuing pain, and revealed that it has not completely subsided.

"I'm feeling OK, it's so exciting to play again, I'm having a little pain in my wrist but it is nothing dangerous which is good," he said.

"It's very important for me to just play again.

"I am so happy to be here after a year out of competition, I decided to come to play in Sydney because it's a very important tournament for me, I have great memories from last year.

"The good thing is that I will start to play again, it doesn't matter the score, how far I can I go, just play tennis. For me that is very good."

Tennis star Juan Martin Del Potro poses for a photo with fan Edwin Llamo and son Adrian. Source: News Limited

Del Potro, who has been ranked as high as world No. 4, has fallen to No. 135 due to his inactivity.

The 198cm powerhouse has shown that at his best, he can beat the world's best.

But Del Potro's challenge will be to completely overcome the injuries that have stifled his promising career.

His US Open victory marked the only time a player outside the Big Four — Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray — had won a Grand Slam between the French Open in 2005 and the US Open in 2013.


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Imran Khan marries talk show host

Pakistani opposition leader Imran Khan (L) and new wife Reham Khan. Source: HO / AFP

PAKISTAN'S legendary cricket star and politician, Imran Khan, has tied the knot, ending weeks of speculation about whether he was getting married for a second time.

Khan married Reham Khan, a former BBC journalist who now hosts a talk show on Pakistani television, during a ceremony on Thursday at his house on the outskirts of the capital, Islamabad. Party officials said it was a simple ceremony.

"We hope that this marriage will be successful, and it will be a good omen for the nation," said Naeemul Haq, a senior official with Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf political party.

Pakistani opposition leader Imran Khan (L) and new wife Reham Khan. Source: AFP

Khan, who led Pakistan to the World Cup in 1992, was previously married to British socialite Jemima Khan and has two sons, Sulaiman Isa and Kasim.

His new wife reportedly has three kids from a previous marriage. Khan's PTI is the third largest party in the parliament, and he has been one of the most vocal opponents to the current government.

Pakistan has been abuzz for weeks about the remarriage and in a press conference earlier this week, Khan promised to share some good news with the country. His former wife, Jemima, with whom he had an amicable divorce, said on Twitter that she hoped Imran would be happy in the new phase of his life.

Pakistani television showed photos of the couple in formal Pakistani wedding attire. Imran wore a gold-coloured achkan, a knee-length coat for formal occasions, and white pants, called salwar. His bride wore a more elaborate, silver-coloured wedding outfit.

Little is known about their romance, although Reham Khan has interviewed the politician on her talk show. The two are not related, and Khan is a common family name in the country.

Pakistani politician and former cricketer Imran Khan with first wife Jemima after their wedding in Paris 16 May 1995. Source: News Limited

Weddings in Pakistan are often elaborate affairs but PTI officials said only close friends and relatives were invited to the ceremony and that instead of a reception, food and clothes would be distributed to poor families.

Even so, some opposition politicians slammed Khan for getting married at a time when the nation is still mourning last month's Taliban massacre at a Peshawar school.


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Williams powers US into final

Serena Williams hits a return against Lucie Safarova at the Hopman Cup. Source: TONY ASHBY / AFP

WORLD No.1 Serena Williams has the chance to make Hopman Cup history after regaining her winning mojo to power the US into Saturday's final of the mixed-teams event.

Needing to win their tie against the Czech Republic 3-0 in order to qualify for the decider, the US shot out to a 2-0 lead following singles wins to Williams and John Isner.

Williams overcame the wobbles in the second set to beat Lucie Safarova 6-3 6-7 (1-7) 7-6 (8-6), before Isner defeated Adam Pavlasek 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 at Perth Arena.

The Czech Republic only needed one rubber win to reach Saturday's final, but the US pipped them courtesy of a 6-3 6-3 triumph in the mixed doubles.

Williams now has the chance to become the first person to win three Hopman Cup titles, with the US to take on either Poland, France or Great Britain in the final.

"It would really mean a lot for me to come out and to do well and win the event," Williams said.

"I'm excited because our backs were against the wall. We play well under pressure."

Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic plays a backhand in her singles match against Serena Williams. Source: Getty Images

The 18-time grand slam champion complained of fatigue in her recent matches against Eugenie Bouchard and Flavia Pennetta, but the 33-year-old felt energised on Thursday night.

"I have an ache here and there, but physically I feel like I can run a 10km," Williams said.

"It feels so much better than I did a couple of days ago. I feel really good now.

"I feel like I'm getting back in the groove. I'm not moving as well as I was last year. But I'm going to try to improve that. I know I can. I'm getting there.

"I needed that win. I was over losing to her in Perth. It feels really good to get through that."

Serena Williams and John Isner of the United States celebrate winning their mixed doubles match. Source: Getty Images

Williams banged her racquet in frustration during the second set of her singles win, but her fighting spirit spurred her on during a see-sawing third set.

"I just never give up," Williams said.

"I have been through so much in my life and on the tennis court, I just keep fighting and just keep doing the best that I can and just keep going for it."

Isner served 20 aces during his 67-minute demolition of world No.239 Pavlasek.

The big-serving American was full of praise for Williams' efforts.

"That was one of the best singles games I've ever seen," Isner said.

"She did her job. I was sweating bullets in the locker room watching.

"But then I was able to win my match and then win the mixed doubles."


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