PARIS – Quickly and rather quietly, Roger Federer is back in the French Open semifinals.
There will be absolutely nothing low-key — or, it seems safe to say, easy — about what comes next for the 16-time Grand Slam champion: a showdown against Novak Djokovic, who is 41-0 this year and unbeaten in his last 43 matches overall.
BOSTON – Vezina Trophy finalist Tim Thomas stopped every shot and gave the Boston Bruins a chance for the biggest prize of all — the Stanley Cup.
Forget their 20-year absence from the finals. Don’t talk about their epic playoff collapse of last season. And certainly don’t mention their powerless power play.
HOUSTON – A person familiar with the situation says the Houston Rockets are close to hiring Kevin McHale as their new coach.
The person says the team is negotiating a contract with McHale. The person spoke Friday on condition of anonymity because the deal is not yet complete.
PARIS – If Caroline Wozniacki truly was torn up inside about her latest loss at a Grand Slam tournament, she certainly hid it well.
Wozniacki smiled and shrugged while deflecting questions about being No. 1 in the rankings despite never having won a major title. Her wait for a breakthrough was extended Friday, when she was beaten 6-1, 6-3 by 28th-seeded Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia in the third round of the French Open.
PARIS – Top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki’s quest for a first major title was derailed Friday when she was beaten by Daniela Hantuchova 6-1, 6-3 in the third round of the French Open.
The Dane has been No. 1 in the WTA rankings nearly all season but never really challenged her Slovak opponent on Court Suzanne Lenglen, having her serve broken five times.