Allgemein » defeat in the series 15-year history by 44-0 then proceeded

BRISBANE, Australia -- Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt earned three-set victories on Saturday to set up a meeting in the Brisbane International final, renewing a rivalry that stretches back to the last millennium. Federer beat No. 8-seeded Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-3 in a semifinal featuring just two service breaks, immediately after Hewitts 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 win over second-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan. The pair of 32-year-old former No. 1s have met 26 times dating back to Hewitts win at Lyon in 1999. Federer leads their head-to-head record 18-8, including 16 wins in their last 17 matches, and has 17 Grand Slam titles to Hewitts two. "We go way back," Federer said. "My rivalry with him was pretty intense. Never nasty or anything, but just good matches. "Were total opposite from one another the way we play. ... I think thats why its always an interesting matchup for both of us." Hewitt is coming back from long-term foot and toe injuries, is ranked in the 60s and is into his first final on home soil since losing the Australian Open decider to Marat Safin in 2005 -- that last time he went beyond the semifinals at a major. The last time they met in a final, Hewitt broke Federers streak of 15 wins in head-to-heads with a comeback victory in three sets at Halle in 2010. That was the last of Hewitts 28 career titles. Federer has won 77 titles, the last being at Halle last year. "You want to play against the best players, and obviously Roger and I have a good history and a lot of tough matches in the past in slams and Davis Cups and everything," Hewitt said. "Were the same age. We grew up together. Hes a great guy. I have the upmost respect for him, not only as a player but for what he does off the court as well." Hewitt handled the heat better than his Japanese opponent as the temperatures topped 104 F (40 C), and his grinding style paid dividends as the match extended to 2 1/2 hours. He "I love a battle," said Hewitt, who won the U.S. Open in 2001 and Wimbledon in 2002 and spent 80 weeks at No. 1 before Federer assumed the top ranking and held onto it for 4 1/2 years. "Mentally this is a major win to have come back and gone the distance." Federer said he struggled against Hewitt earlier in his career before getting on top in the rivalry. Now both married with kids, theyre occasional practice partners and get on well. Both players have reflected on a Davis Cup semifinal between Australia and Switzerland at Rod Laver Arena in 2003 as the turning point in their rivalry, and in Federers career. Hewitt rallied from two sets and a break down to win that match, but it still changed Federers mindset for the better. "I was ... serving for the match, ended up losing 6-1 in the fifth," Federer recalled Saturday. "It really proved to me that I could play great tennis not just for a set, two sets, but three sets or maybe even longer against the toughest guys out there. "And for me to be able to not just do it tennis-wise but physically and mentally gave me the big belief that I could hang with the best -- then I went on a run like I did." Cincinnati Reds Gear . He was signed to help with depth to the receiving corps because of the loss of Shamawd Chambers to the 6-game injured list. Reds Jerseys 2020 .2 million in 2012, according to tax returns the league has submitted. https://www.cheapredsjerseys.us/ . -- At the beginning of training camp, Andrew Bogut set a goal to play all 82 regular-season games and regain his place among the NBAs best centres. Custom Cincinnati Reds Jerseys . Interestingly, the culprits were not rookies, but well paid, experienced pros. The first gaffe came in the 24th minute of arguably the biggest early season MLS game in history between Seattle and Toronto. Sounder newcomer Marco Pappa, (with over 100 MLS games, and 39 Guatemalan Caps to his name) attempted a back pass to one of his central defenders. Reds Jerseys 2019 .Y. -- Major League Soccer has agreed to new measures to protect gay players from discrimination and harassment as a result of meetings with New Yorks attorney general.DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Philip Mack had a try and two conversions in Canadas 33-24 loss to Portugal on Saturday in the semifinal of the Dubai Sevens tournament. The Canadians had started the second day of the tournament with a 22-12 triumph over Spain in the quarter-final, led by John Moonlights two tries. In the semi, the game began poorly for Canada as a mistake from the kickoff led to Portugal crossing via Aderito Esteves wide out. Pedro Leal landed the touchline extras. It looked like Canada would rally when Harry Jones set off on an impressive break-out following Nanyak Dalas evasive work close to his own try-line. However, the ball was turned over and Portugal soon struck when Miguel Lucas went in under the posts. Leal was successful again, making it 14-0. That score was compounded by the loss of Canadian Ciaran Hearn to injury in back play. His replacement, Adam Kleeberger, scored a try soon after to reduce Portugals lead to just seven points. Mack then capitalized on a Portuguese error, racing in and make it 14-12 at the break. Manuel Costa and David Mateus extended the Portugese lead further in the opening exchanges of the second half to make it 26-12 with four minutes remaining. Moonlight and Mike Scholtz responded for Canada, cutting the lead to two points with 20 seconds left to play before Mateus landed the final scoore.dddddddddddd Later, Fiji won its first Dubai Sevens rugby title by blitzing last seasons two best teams, New Zealand in the semifinals and South Africa in the final. Fiji gave New Zealand, the World Cup and world series champion and winner of the first leg at Gold Coast, its heaviest defeat in the series 15-year history by 44-0 then proceeded to score four tries in the final before South Africa replied. Fijis sevens talent has been far less of a doubt than their consistency. They have won the series only once, in 2006, and started this series with a quarter-final loss in Gold Coast. But in their first final in five tournaments going back to last season, Benito Masilevu was over 90 seconds in, and again in the eighth minute from a patient pass by Pio Tuwai. A minute later, South Africa had a man sin-binned and Samisoni Viriviri scored from the kickoff. From 19-0 at halftime, it became 24-0 when Osea Kolinisau spoiled South Africa scrum ball and flicked it to his side and Emosi Mulevoro ran in untouched from halfway. While Jona Tuitoga was in the bin, South Africa hit back with tries to Cheslin Kolbe and Sampie Mastriet, but Kolinisau set up replacement Leo Naikasau. Chris Dry finished the scoring for South Africa. South Africa beat England 26-12 in the semifinals, and host the next leg in Port Elizabeth next weekend. ' ' '