Federer Stops Nadal

Monday, May 21, 2007

Roger Federer had the perfect response to questions about his status as the world's top-ranked player -- he ended Rafael Nadal's 81-match winning streak on clay.

Federer beat Nadal, 2-6, 6-2, 6-0, yesterday in the final of the Hamburg Masters to win his first clay-court title in two years and snap out of a slump during which he failed to win a title in four events. It was his worst run since he became No. 1 in February 2004.

Federer also gave himself a major boost one week before the French Open, the second major of the year and the only Grand Slam he hasn't won.

"It was an incredible performance from my side," Federer said. "I had a great day, it's nice to be playing well again. It's my first title on clay in a couple of years."

Nadal, who had never lost to Federer on clay in five previous matches and leads the overall series 7-4, was impressed.

"He is unbelievable," the Spaniard said.

Nadal, ranked No. 2 in the world behind Federer, had been unbeaten on the surface since April 2005, a run that included 13 titles. . . .

Pete Sampras relied on his still powerful serve to defeat Todd Martin, 6-3, 1-6, 10-6, in the Athens Champions Cup final.

· SWIMMING: Olympic champion Michael Phelps lost for the first time in six individual finals at the Eric Namesnik Memorial Grand Prix, finishing second to Club Wolverine teammate Erik Vendt in the 1,500 freestyle in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Vendt won in 15 minutes 31.29 seconds, while Phelps swam a 15:34.18.

"It feels pretty good [to beat Phelps], but it is my event," Vendt said. "He was coming into my territory, but I think it's good for him. It's a good starting point for him."

Phelps said his start was too relaxed, forcing him to chase Vendt.

Six weeks after winning seven gold medals and setting five world records at the world championships in Melbourne, Australia, Phelps returned to competition at the Grand Prix, swimming the six individual events in a finals setting that mirrors the format that will be used at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"[The] training I've had over the last month and a half is really going to help in the long run and I think it's already showing," he said.

· HORSE RACING: On the morning after Curlin edged Street Sense by a head in the Preakness, trainer Carl Nafzger said he's leaning against running Derby winner Street Sense in the Belmont on June 9.

"Right now, I don't think we probably will," Nafzger said. "There's not really any reason to go there right now."

Nafzger could change his mind after talking with owner James Tafel, but even if Street Sense shows up, the Belmont won't be the same without a Triple Crown on the line.

· FOOTBALL : New York Jets kick returner Justin Miller was arrested early yesterday and charged with third-degree assault after a fight at a New York City nightclub.

"I want to apologize to everyone for this situation, including my family, my teammates, the Jets organization, our fans and the entire NFL," the cornerback said in a statement released by the team.

ESPN.com reported that the 23-year-old Pro Bowl returner was arrested after allegedly punching a woman in a nightclub. He was apprehended following a police chase at 4:20 a.m. According to the report, police said Miller swung at a man, but hit the woman when the man ducked out of the way.

· TRACK: Olympic champion Meseret Defar of Ethiopia broke the world record in the women's two-mile run at the Adidas Track Classic in Carson, Calif. Defar won in 9:10.47 seconds, lowering the mark of 9:11.97 set by American Regina Jacobs in 1999.

-- From News Services