Federer Has Obstacles At the Australian Open

Regoer Federer might have to face Marcos Baghdatis, last year's surprise Australian Open finalist, in the quarterfinals. U.S. Open semifinalist Mikhail Youzhny and former top-ranked Juan Carlos Ferrero are also potential opponents before the finals. (William West - Getty Images)

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have some work to do to meet in the Australian Open final.

Defending champion Federer, bidding for his 10th career Grand Slam title, could meet last year's surprise finalist, Marcos Baghdatis, in the quarterfinals. The top-seeded Federer also has U.S. Open semifinalist Mikhail Youzhny and formerly top-ranked Juan Carlos Ferrero as potential third- and fourth-round opponents.

The second-seeded Nadal could run into Britain's Andy Murray in the fourth round, and No. 5 James Blake and two-time major winner Lleyton Hewitt also are in the bottom quarter of the draw.

French Open champion Nadal and Murray were the only players to beat Federer last year, when the Swiss star compiled a 92-5 season and appeared in the final of all four Grand Slams, winning three -- the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to achieve that feat.

Blake has a tough opener against former No. 1 Carlos Moya and could renew his testy rivalry with Australia's Hewitt in the fourth round.

In the women's draw, top-seeded Maria Sharapova meets Camille Pin of France in her first-round match and could face eighth-seeded Patty Schnyder in the quarterfinals.

Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams will open against Mara Santangelo of Italy and could meet Michaella Krajicek in the second round.

· HORSE RACING: Barbaro is bouncing back again.

The Kentucky Derby winner is spending hours in Kennett Square, Pa., in his protective sling, needed to deter sudden movement and make the colt comfortable as he fights back from his latest setback from laminitis.

"He's not down as far as he was on Tuesday," co-owner Gretchen Jackson said.

X-rays on the 4-year-old bay colt showed no additional complications in either hind leg, and chief surgeon Dean Richardson said Barbaro was "acceptably comfortable" in his recovery from having damaged tissue removed from his left hind hoof on Tuesday.

· COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Speedy wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez, a deep threat and the second-leading receiver for Ohio State, will skip his senior season and enter the NFL draft.

Two other Buckeyes are contemplating an early move to the NFL. Tailback Antonio Pittman will announce his decision on Monday at his Akron high school. Wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., who sprained his left foot in the BCS national championship game, has not made up his mind, his father said yesterday.

· BASEBALL: Now that they have Andy Pettitte, the New York Yankees want Roger Clemens, too.

"He's kind of like your perfect employee," General Manager Brian Cashman said after welcoming Pettitte back to Yankee Stadium.

Clemens pitched for the Yankees alongside Pettitte from 1999-2003, helping them win two World Series titles and four AL pennants. The pair spent the last three seasons with their hometown Houston Astros.

"If Roger is interested in coming to New York, I'd love to talk to him," Cashman said.

· COLLEGE BASKETBALL: No more tickets are available to the Maryland women's game against North Carolina on Jan. 28, the school announced. This is the second game to sell out for the Maryland women this season. The game against Duke on Feb. 18 is also sold out.

-- From News Services and Staff Reports