导出博客文章HALLE, Germany -- If there is one place for Roger Federer to end a title
drought, then its Halle, a small town in western Germany that has a big tennis
stadium and a Roger-Federer-Allee leading to it. Federer walked down that alley
a winner again Sunday, ending a 10-month run of 11 tournaments without a title,
an eternity by his standards. The 31-year-old Swiss overcame a sluggish start to
beat unseeded Mikhail Youzhny 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4 at the Gerry Weber Open for his
first title since Cincinnati in August. Returning to grass in his favourite
warm-up for Wimbledon, it took the top-seeded Federer until the middle of the
second set to come out of his lethargy and start hitting shots with confidence
against a player he had never lost to in 14 previous career matches. It was the
first final on the tour this year involving players 30 or older. "Ive won a lot
but not so much in the last 10 months, although I feel Id been playing well,"
Federer said. "But the others were playing better." Federer earned his sixth
title in Halle in 11 appearances (eight finals) and his first since 2008. Four
of Federers seven Wimbledon titles have come after triumphs in Halle --
including his first Halle and Wimbledon championships in 2003. The former
top-ranked player, who is now No. 3, won his 77th career title, pulling him even
with John McEnroe at third on the all-time list. Jimmy Connors won 109 and Ivan
Lendl 94. Federer will be looking to add to his record 17 Grand Slam
championships when he defends his title at Wimbledon. "I feel fit, I feel
confident, Im excited about whats to come," Federer said. "Im very pleased with
how I played this week." Federer had beaten Youzhny in both last years semifinal
in Halle and the quarterfinal at Wimbledon, but it looked for a while Sunday
that the Russian could have discovered a key to finally beating Federer,
although he had to fend off four break points in the first game of his first
career final on grass. "He was playing well enough to win," Federer said.
Youzhny, 30, saved another break point in the 11th game, but he had the Swiss on
the defensive and Federer saved a set point in the next game before holding to
go into the tiebreaker. An error by Federer gave Youzhny a set point and the
Russian put away a volley winner to go ahead. Federer finally started finding
his range and went up when Youzhny double-faulted at break point in the eighth
game, which proved to be the turning point of the match. The Swiss hit a perfect
backhand passing shot to go up 4-3 in the third, held for 5-3 with a smash and
fired a service winner to seal his victory after two hours and two minutes.
Federer has a big following at the Halle tournament and the fans gave him a
standing ovation, while his wife Mirka let out a sigh of relief while keeping an
eye on their twin daughters. "The difference was that he was better today -- hes
been better all his life," Youzhny said, referring to his lifetime losing streak
against Federer. Federer, who finished with 12 aces, said his serve had kept him
in the match. "The first set was very close, it could have gone either way. I
had to fight very hard to stay in the second, my serve saved me today," Federer
said. "At the end I was just a bit steadier."
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and Harris English ran away with the Franklin Templeton Shootout, shooting a
14-under 58 on Sunday in the final-round scramble to break the tournament course
record. TUCSON, Ariz. -- Sefo Liufau has his groove back, and so does Colorados
offense.It came at just the right time for the Buffaloes with a season-defining
stretch up next.Liufau passed for three touchdowns and ran for another, helping
No. 16 Colorado roll over Arizona 49-24 on Saturday night for the Buffaloes
first four-game winning streak in 14 years.The victory keeps Colorado (8-2, 7-1
Pac-12, No. 12 CFP) atop the Pac-12 South with games against No. 23 Washington
State and No. 13 Utah coming up to close out the regular season.Were right where
we want to be, Lifau said.Liufau was sharp after being banged up against UCLA,
hitting 19 of 27 passes for 213 yards, including two touchdowns to Shay Fields.
Liufau also ran for a 2-yard score.Phillip Lindsay ran for 119 yards and three
touchdowns, helping the Buffaloes to their best start since opening the 2001
season 8-2.It felt great, especially with the passing game; it has not been
there, Fields said. Its something we stressed before this game.While Colorado is
on course for the Pac-12 South title, Arizona (2-8, 0-7) is in the midst of its
first seven-game losing streak since 2004.The Wildcats moved the ball well on
offense but failed to capitalize on some early chances to allow Colorado to pull
away.It hasnt been a great season, but were still going to come out and play,
Arizona quarterback Brandon Dawkins said. Were not going to hand any teams any
wins.Samajie Grant ran for 113 yards and two touchdowns and the Wildcats
outgained Colorado 417-388 in total yards. Arizona also had 13 penalties for 143
yards and three drives that ended with missed field goals by Josh Pollack.Those
are killers, Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez said of the penalties. Its hard for us
to stop somebody and we finally stop them, to give them a first down on a
penalty with poor technique. Youre not a good football team when you do those
tthings and you dont give yourself a chance to beat anybody.ddddddddddddHE
TAKEAWAYColorado: The Buffaloes played the way they were supposed to against a
downtrodden opponent to remain a game ahead of No. 13 Utah in the Pac-12
South.Arizona: The Wildcats defense was picked apart yet again and their offense
was unable to capitalize on numerous chances. Arizona has two games left to
avoid going winless in the Pac-12.LIUFAU-FIELDS CONNECTIONLiufau and Fields had
a good thing going against one of the nations worst passing defenses.In the
second quarter, Liufau hit Fields on a 47-yard pass, setting up Lindsay for a
4-yard touchdown run. Liufau followed that with a perfectly-placed pass to
Fields for a 15-yard score that put the Buffaloes up 21-10.Fields added another
score in the third quarter, a 27-yard catch that included a double move to get
open and a broken tackle to get into the end zone.Fields finished with six
catches for 108 yards.WILDCAT QUARTERBACKSArizona had both its top quarterbacks
healthy again and they split time.Dawkins threw for 107 yards on 9-of-19 passing
and ran for 81 yards before coming out late in the third quarter. Anu Solomon
was 3 of 7 for 48 yards passing and ran for 11 yards before being replaced by
Khalil Tate in the final three minutes.Brandon has run the ball well. Hes
throwing the ball well, albeit the protection was breaking down, Rodriguez said.
I think Anu went in there and did some good stuff. I may start him this week,
but its better to watch the film so I can truly judge his performance.UP
NEXTColorado hosts No. 23 Washington State next Saturday before its showdown
against the Utes on Nov 26.Arizona plays at Oregon State next Saturday, then
closes out the season against rival Arizona State. ' ' '
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