Page 18 - AT

A18 SPORTS
Friday 16 November 2018

Federer advances to record-extending 15th ATP Finals semi

By SAM JOHNSTON to 0-40 attempting to close
Associated Press out the opening set at 5-4,
LONDON (AP) — Roger Fe- but the 20-time Grand
derer is peaking at the right Slam champion found his
time — again. first serve when it mattered
The six-time champion ad- most to hold.
vanced to the last four of Anderson hadn’t faced a
the ATP Finals for a record- break point in winning his
extending 15th time with a first two matches. Federer,
6-4, 6-3 victory over Kevin though, broke him twice
Anderson on Thursday. more in the second set to
Federer, chasing the 100th claim top spot in the group
title of his career, needed and likely avoid a semifinal
only a set to advance and meeting with top-ranked
produced his best perfor- Novak Djokovic.
mance at the season-end- “That was a little bit disap-
ing tournament to end the pointing because I felt like
round-robin stages with a I played some really good
2-1 win-loss record. tennis so far,” Anderson
“I’ve always tried to pace said. “But the plus side is I’m
myself in a way ... that I through to the semis. That
would have something left feels great.”
in the tank,” Federer said. Having struggled in an Switzerland’s Roger Federer plays a return to South Africa’s Kevin Anderson during their ATP World
“I’m happy that this is an- opening loss to Nishiko- Tour Finals men’s singles tennis match at the O2 arena in London, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018.
other week like this. (It) ri and relied mainly on Associated Press
didn’t look like it maybe 72 his serve when defeat- handed the break straight He used a backhand slice won a 21-shot rally to get
hours ago.” ing Thiem, Federer finally back with a series of errors. to break for 4-3 and the back to deuce, but there
Dominic Thiem’s 6-1, 6-4 found some timing with his However, Federer steadied same shot brought up two was to be no repeat this
victory over Kei Nishikori ground-strokes to apply himself and made a deli- match points at 3-5, 15-40. time. Two more Anderson
earlier had left Federer with consistent pressure on An- cate drop volley to break “I think I had an aggressive- forehand errors ended the
a modest task and ensured derson’s serve. once more in the following playing mindset,” Federer match and Federer won
that Anderson became the The previously impenetra- game, before eventually said. “A good variation as the group by virtue of their
first South African ever to ble Anderson serve wilted, closing out the set to main- well with my slice.” head-to-head record.
reach the semifinals. with two double faults gift- tain his record of having Having saved a match With Djokovic clear favor-
Federer looked as if he was ing Federer a 4-3 lead. only missed the semifinals point on his way to securing ite to top his group, which
about to give up a break Much to the surprise — once in 16 appearances at a five-set quarterfinal victo- concludes Friday, Federer
advantage for the second and disappointment — of the tournament. ry over Federer at Wimble- has boosted his chances of
time in as many service the partisan crowd at the Federer lost just four points don, Anderson threatened avoiding the in-form Serb
games when he dropped O2 Arena, the Swiss great on serve in the second set. another comeback as he until the final.q

Pulisic back as U.S. loses 3-0 at England; no goal for Rooney

By ROB HARRIS new Wembley. Chester, Pennsylvania.
AP Global Soccer Writer Rooney, who joined Ma- He showed his speed in
LONDON (AP) — Chris- jor League Soccer’s D.C. the first half, breaking in
tian Pulisic played just his United in July, entered in alone on goal, but Pick-
second match with the the 58th minute in his 120th ford was quick off his line.
U.S. national team in 13 international appear- This marked the first time
months, and the Ameri- ance, the most among Pulisic played together
cans failed to muster England outfield players. with midfielders Weston
much of an attack in a 3-0 The best chance for the McKennie, Tim Weah and
loss to England on Thurs- 33-year-old striker was in Tyler Adams, who entered
day night that marked stoppage time, when his during the second half.
Wayne Rooney’s farewell low shot was saved by After a giveaway by Pu-
with the Three Lions. Guzan to the frustration lisic, England went ahead
Jesse Lingard and Trent of a crowd of 68,155. His in the 25th minute when
Alexander-Arnold scored finished with an England England’s Fabian Delph, right, and England’s Dele Ali, left, and Dele Alli took the ball into
Unites States Christian Pulisic, center, vie for the ball during the
in a 104-second second record 53 goals. international friendly soccer match between England and the the corner and passed to
span midway through the U.S. center backs John United States at Wembley stadium, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018. Lindgard the top of the
first half, just after Pulisic Brooks and Matt Miazga Associated Press penalty area. Lingard
was denied by goalkeep- had trouble closing down at Genk, Belgium. and Tobago last October took a touch as Miazga
er Jordan Pickford, and England, a World Cup Pulisic, now 20, is the top that ended a streak of failed to close him down,
Callum Wilson beat Amer- semifinals, and the Ameri- player on a rebuilding seven straight World Cup then lofted the ball to the
ican goalkeeper Brad Gu- cans dropped to 4-3-4 un- American team that does appearances for the U.S., far corner over Guzan’s
zan in the 77th minute. The der interim coach Dave not have a competitive Pulisic had played just outstretched arm
United States is 0-3 and Sarachan going into match until the CONCA- once for his country, in a Wilson dribbled into the
has been outscored 7-0 in Sarachan’s likely finale, CAF Gold Cup in June. May exhibition against penalty area in the 27th
three matches at old and against Italy on Tuesday Since the loss at Trinidad Bolivia near his home in at Brooks and Miazga. q