Brazil perform great escape to win Confed Cup

Brazil defended their Confederations Cup title on Sunday with a crushing come-from-behind 3-2 victory to inflict a cruel loss on tenacious underdogs the United States. The five-time world champions looked out for the count after Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan put the Americans two up at half-time but they bounced back with a Luis Fabiano brace drawing them level with 16 minutes left.

It set the scene for an exciting finale and captain Lucio made it a memorable night with a powerful header from an Elano corner with six minutes remaining. The victory sparked wild celebrations on the bench with Brazil now having won a gruelling seven games over the past 20 days - five at the Confederations Cup and two in World Cup qualifying.

It was their third Confederations Cup crown following triumphs in 1997 and 2005. Brazil had won 14 of their 15 previous encounters with the US and beaten Bob Bradley's men 3-0 in the group stages. But since that match the US fortunes changed dramatically.

After trouncing Egypt 3-0 to sneak into the knockout rounds on goals scored after finishing equal of points and goal difference with Italy, they shocked European champions Spain 2-0 in the semi-finals. But their luck ran out against Brazil.

On a cold winter's night, Bradley's giantkillers began in an attacking frame of mind with Fulham's Dempsey making the first attempt on goal with a long distance strike that fizzed wide after just two minutes.

Brazil started feeding the ball to Maicon on the right and he lofted several crosses into the box that put the US under pressure before Real Madrid's new signing Kaka glanced a header wide. Dunga said before the match he wanted an early goal but it was the US who stunned Brazil after 10 minutes.

West Ham's Jonathan Spector fed Dempsey with a defence-splitting through ball and the number eight cleverly put his shot under the diving Julio Cesar. Brazil immediately charged back with Robinho attempting to angle a side-footed shot past Everton stopper Tim Howard but the United States kept up the pressure and Dempsey went close once again.

It was end to end stuff and Felipe Melo forced a fine save from Howard who was called into action again soon after to deny Maicon before the US pounced again with a lightening quick counter-attack. The dangerous Landon Donovan picked the ball up in his own half and found the sprinting Davies on the left.

It was two against two and the US came off better with Davies returning the ball to Donovan who crashed the ball into the net after 27 minutes. Brazil looked hard for a way back but Howard was a rock in goal and they went to the break needing something special. Fabinao provied it seconds after the restart when he caught the US napping, turning well from 17 yards to beat Howard and get his team back in the match.

Maicon had two good opportunities to draw them level as Brazil pressed with searching passes into the US penalty area, while Kaka saw his header come agonisingly close when Howard pushed the ball onto the crossbar.

The US had lost composure and it was a desperate rearguard action with Howard forced into action time and again and the equalisier was inevitable. Kaka crossed from the left and Robinho's shot hit the bar with Fabiano meeting the rebound. Brazil were on a mission and it was no surprise when Lucio bagged the winner to break American hearts.

Earlier, European champions Spain clinched the third-place playoff 3-2 in an extra time thriller against South Africa in Rustenburg with unsettled Liverpool star Xabi Alonso netting the winner.

Roger Federer into Wimbledon quarter-finals

Roger Federer thrived in 35-degree temperatures to clinch an 11th win in 11 meetings against big-serving Swede Robin Soderling on Monday and reach the Wimbldon quarter-finals. In a repeat of the French Open final, where the great Swiss clinched a record-equalling 14th Grand Slam title, Federer won 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/5) over the man who dramatically ended Rafael Nadal's Roland Garros reign.

Federer, chasing a sixth Wimbledon title, will be appearing in his 25th Grand Slam quarter-final where he'll face Croatia's Ivo Karlovic, who has fired 102 aces in three rounds, or Spanish left-hander Fernando Verdasco.

Soderling, who also lost in straight sets in the second round here in 2008 to Federer, paid heavily for a sloppy service game when he cracked to trail 4-5 courtesy of a netted forehand. Federer clinched the opener when the Swede went long with a second service return.

The Swede dropped just three points on serve in the second set, but Federer was the more composed in the tie-breaker, refusing to give Soderling the pace on which he thrives. Soderling finally carved out his first break points of the match in the ninth game of the third set, but Federer stood firm to lead 5-4.

The Swede 13th seed glanced a chance at 5/4 in the tie-breaker, but Federer went to 5/5 and then match point when his opponent served a third double fault. The match was Federer's when the Swede went wide with a dispirited drive.

Germany's rejuvenated Tommy Haas, the oldest man left in the draw at 31, reached his first Wimbledon quarter-final with a 7-6 (10/8), 6-4, 6-4 win over Russian 29th seed Igor Andreev.

Haas, seeded 24, and who saved two match points in his third round marathon victory over Croatia's Marin Cilic, next faces either Serbian fourth seed Novak Djokovic or Israel's Dudi Sela.

Djokovic was a semi-finalist in 2007 while Sela is the first Israeli in the last 16 here in 20 years. A win for the world number 46 would make him the first Israeli man or woman to make a Grand Slam quarter-final in the Open era.

Later Monday, third seed Andy Murray faces Swiss Olympic doubles gold medallist Stanislas Wawrinka as he continues his bid to become the first British men's champion since Fred Perry in 1936.

Lleyton Hewitt, the 2002 champion, takes on Czech Radek Stepanek while two-time runner-up Andy Roddick meets Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic. Hewitt was the only Australian man in the main draw. Former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero takes on Gilles Simon of France.

Sania out of women's doubles

Sania Mirza's run in Wimbledon women's doubles ended when she and Chia-Jung Chuang of Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) went down 2-6, 3-6 to Russia's Alla Kudryavtseva and Monica Niculescu of Romania in the second round on Saturday. The 15th-seeded Indo-Taiwanese pair frittered away opportunities and could convert only one of their seven break points. They in return were broken four times in the 87-minute match.

Sania and Chuang dropped their serve twice in the first set while wasting five chances to break their opponents. The two, however, with an early break in the second set showed signs of a fightback, but Kudryavtseva and Niculescu broke back in the fourth game to make it 2-2.

Another break in the sixth game put Kudryavtseva and Niculescu 4-2 ahead and they soon made it 5-2 with an easy hold in the next game before serving out the set and the match in the ninth. Sania with American Bethanie Mattek reached the doubles quarter-final here last year where they lost to eventual winners Venus and Serena Williams.

Sania's challenge in the singles is already over, losing in the second round to good friend Sorana Cirstea of Romania. The Hyderabadi is still alive in the mixed doubles event where she is partnering compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi.

Spain beat South Africa for new world record

David Villa and Fernando Llorente scored the goals that gave Spain a 2-0 win over South Africa on Saturday for a world record 15th straight victory. Valencia's Villa broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute and substitute Llorente sealed the game with 18 minutes left to ensure the European champions finished top of their group at the Confederations Cup.

It means they play the runner-up in Group B, likely Italy or Egypt, in the semi-finals next Wednesday. Despite losing, South Africa still make the last four and a potential clash with Brazil after Iraq failed to beat New Zealand in the other group game being played simultaneously. The win meant Spain have now posted 15 consecutive victories, surpassing the old record of 14 held by Australia, Brazil and France.

They also matched the 35-match unbeaten streak held by Brazil between 1993 and 1996, with Spain's run stretching back to November 2006 when they lost to Romania. "I'm very happy with way things have gone, we have an excellent team," said Spain coach Vicente del Bosque. "Winning 15 matches in a row is a huge success by this team and we want to go on like this. "I think we controlled the match well, passed well and had most of the possession."

South Africa came into the game with expectations around the country high and the match was played in front of a sell-out and deafening crowd at the 40,000-capacity Free State Stadium. South Africa coach Joel Santana was pleased his team stayed in the competition, saying it was good for the country which hosts the World Cup next year.

"Today the team was not good but Bafana Bafana have qualified. It's good for the people, good for the players and good for our preparations for the World Cup," he said. "I'm very happy. This experience is crucial for the World Cup." With their semi-final berth assured before the game even started, Del Bosque, who was now won all 13 matches since he took over, rested seven players.

He gave Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina a start and brought back Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, but retained the formidable Fernando Torres and Villa up front. Liverpool midfielder Albert Reira nearly got them off to a flyer with a 40-yard freekick spectacularly turned around the post by goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune in the fourth minute.

Villa, a transfer target of Real Madrid, sent a header just over the bar a minute later as Spain made their intentions clear. They were keeping possession well and creating opportunities with South Africa on the back foot. It was not until the 18th minute that the hosts had their first sniff of goal when Teko Modise blasted a freekick over the bar.

Spain kept up the pressure and Matthew Booth was forced to clear off the line before South Africa wasted a glorious chance when Everton's Steven Pienaar put Bernard Parker in the clear only for the striker to send his shot wide. It wasn't just the home side wasting opportunities with an unmarked Villa blasting his shot high after a darting run by Torres as they went to the break all square.

The fireworks began six minutes into the second half when Fabregas was brought down by South African captain Aaron Mokoena and the referee rightly pointed to the spot. Villa stepped up but Khune saved and then dealt with the rebound from Carlos Puyol.

The crowd went crazy but they were silenced barely a minute later when Villa beautifully controlled a lob by Reira and buried the ball in the net. Llorente made sure of three points when he met a Xavi corner to slot the ball home from the six yard line and South Africa were fortunate not to concede more.

Saina sets up title clash with Lin Wang in Indonesian Open

Always ready for any challenge, Saina Nehwal's entry into a Super Series final on Saturday is not a surprise at all. Badminton world's most promising player last season had remarked prior to the Asian leg of events that there was still time before she consistently made finals of Super Series events.

"There's a long way to go before I win a Super Series," the World No. 8 had said, clearly not fancying her chances in the final. On Saturday in Jakarta, the Hyderabadi teen turned things around in dramatic fashion, stunning former World No. 2 Lu Lan of China 25-23, 21-19 to storm into the final of the Indonesia Super Series, her maiden entry at this level.

"She was very, very happy and pleasantly surprised," national coach Gopi Chand told TOI. "Crossing the semifinal was becoming a hurdle for her and she was delighted to have beaten a top Chinese player." Saina will take on World No. 3 Wang Lin of China in the final on Sunday. Lin beat World No. 5 and No. 8 seeded compatriot Xie Xingfang 21-19, 21-13 in the other semifinal.

Although the sixth-seeded Indian lost in three close games to Lin in the quarterfinals of the Singapore Super Series last week, Gopi feels the loss would not play on Saina's mind. "I really think she has a very good chance of winning the title. She told me she was moving very well today. She won a lot of points at the net and on her half-smashes. If she manages to get an initial lead, I'm sure it would pep her up," said Gopi.

Saina started off well against Lu, a former World Championship bronze medallist, and led 11-9 in the first changeover. Lu, ranked just below Saina at No. 9, was forced to play catch up. Lu, seeded No 7, bounced back stronger in the second, racing to a 6-0 lead. Saina reduced the gap by attacking Lu on the backhand corner and, at 9-13, the Indian reeled off six consecutive points to surge ahead 15-13. Saina maintained the point difference and clinched the match after 39 minutes on her first match point.

Gerrard reveals 2013 retirement plan

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has admitted that he could retire from the game when his current contract expires in 2013, in an interview with France Football magazine published on Tuesday. Gerrard made his debut for the club in 1998 and has since gone on to win two FA Cups, one League Cup, one UEFA Cup and the 2005 Champions League, when he inspired his side to a memorable comeback from 3-0 down against AC Milan.

"I will be 33 at the end of my contract in 2013 and I don't know if I will go any further," said Gerrard, 29, who was named the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year for 2008-09 after scoring 24 goals in all competitions. "If I do retire, then I will know that from the start to the end of my career I only had one club. And I don't want to think about wearing any other shirt in the future.

"I was close to leaving in the past, maybe twice, most notably in 2005. That year we were a long way off the Premier League title and Chelsea's interest turned my head. "It was a difficult moment for me. However, now when I look back I am very happy that I chose to stay here. It has given me real pride."

The only major trophy to elude Gerrard in his Liverpool career is the Premier League title, as the Merseyside giants haven't finished a season at the summit of English football since 1990. But Rafa Benitez's side pushed eventual champions Manchester United all the way last season, and Gerrard believes they will be able to mount an even stronger challenge next term.

"I think the experience of defeat will help us next season," he said. "When you're a player, it's always hell to see other players lifting trophies. "The team made huge progress last season. Today we are much closer to the title than in the past. "Manchester United have more depth in their squad than us, we have to be realistic. "But if we can add two or three quality players to what we already have, we'll be at their level. The summer recruitments will be crucial."

Sania loses in doubles, Bhupathi advances in Aegon International

India's Sania Mirza and Chia-Jung Chuang of Chinese Taipei bowed out of the Aegon International tennis with a first-round defeat against fourth-seeded Australians Samantha Stosur and Rennae Stubbs 5-7, 4-6 on Tuesday. Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles of Bahamas advanced to the men's doubles second round, defeating Australian Stephen Huss and England's Ross Hutchins 4-6, 7-6 (4), 10-3.

Second seed Bhupathi and Knowles will face American Travis Parrott and Slovak Filip Polasek, who got the better of Russian Teimuraz Gabashvili and Dmitry Tursunov 4-6, 6-3, 10-4. Top seed Leander Paes and Czech Lukas Dlouhy will take on Polish Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski in the first round.

Kaka rescues Brazil in 4-3 thriller

Real Madrid's new signing Kaka rescued Brazil with a last-gasp penalty to hand the defending champions a thrilling 4-3 win over Egypt in the Confederations Cup on Monday. Brazil were leading 3-1 with first-half strikes from Kaka, Luis Fabiano and Juan cancelling out Mohamed Zidan's effort before Egypt drew level with two second-half goals inside a minute.

The game looked destined for a draw until substitute Ahmed al-Muhamadi deliberately handled the ball on the Egyptian goal-line and was sent off, leaving Kaka to coolly convert from the spot in the 91st minute. Once again the match was played in front of thousands of empty seats, despite FIFA president Sepp Blatter's criticism that organisers had not done enough to sell tickets for Spain's game with New Zealand on Sunday.

But there was a carnival atmosphere inside the ground that was ignited by an incredible opening 12 minutes that saw three goals. Kaka produced a piece of magic, and exploited hesitancy in the Egyptian defence, to open the scoring in the fifth minute.

Barcelona full-back Daniel Alves chipped the ball into the box and Kaka took one touch to lob it over a defender then rounded another before slotting it past goalkeeper Essam al-Hadary. But Brazil's jubilation did not last long with Egypt back on level terms four minutes later when Wael Gomaa crossed from the right and Zidan rose above Alves to send a powerful header into the net.

There was more drama to come in a breathless opening spell with Brazil taking the lead again after 12 minutes when Elano's free kick found Luis Fabiano, who cleverly directed his header into the bottom left-hand corner. After three goals in seven minutes, the game calmed down somewhat although both Elano and Juan had chances for Brazil, while at the other end Hosni Abd Rabbou went close with a long-range drive.

Brazil got their third eight minutes before the break when Juan climbed above the defence to plant a header past Al-Hadary from Elano's well-placed corner. Egypt had plenty to prove here after crashing 3-1 to Algeria in World Cup qualifying last week - a result which has put their place at next year's tournament in doubt and the African Nations Cup holders showed their mettle, rattling Brazil with quick goals that drew them level.

After a clever build-up Sayed Moawad pulled the ball back from down the left to Mohamed Shawky, who thundered a right-footed strike past Julio Cesar. Before a dazed Brazil had time to recover, Egypt had another with Zidan finding the net barely seconds after the restart.

It sparked a new urgency to the game with the crowd getting behind the underdogs. Brazil coach Dunga took off Manchester City pair Robinho and Elano soon after and replaced them with Benfica midfielder Ramires and AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato but it was Kaka who ultimately saved the day.

Brazil next face CONCACAF Gold Cup winners United States on Thursday before a heavyweight bout with fellow contenders and world champions Italy on June 21. Egypt play Italy on Thursday before meeting the United States. Only the top two teams from each group go through to the semi-final.

Dementieva begins Wimbledon run-in with victory

Olympic champion Elena Dementieva began her warm-up for Wimbledon with a swift 6-2, 6-2 win over fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko at the Eastbourne International on Monday. With the 35-year-old event including a men's tournament for the first time, second seed Dmitry Tursunov of Russia had to battle hard to beat Italian Fabio Fognini 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

Former women's world number one Ana Ivanovic's struggle to get back to the top continued when she lost a seesaw match with Russian seventh seed Nadia Petrova 6-1, 4-6, 6-4. Serbian Ivanovic, who has dropped to 13th in the rankings, was in sight of victory at 4-1 up in the third set but double-faulted to allow Petrova to break and then surrendered meekly.

"I think I could have played a lot better and that is why I was a little bit disappointed because I was practising really well," said Ivanovic, who parted company with coach Craig Kardon last week. Top seed Dementieva, a Wimbledon semi-finalist last year, looked to have a fight on her hands when Kirilenko saved three breakpoints in a 14-minute opening game which went to deuce seven times.

Kirilenko, who had lost in seven previous first rounds this year, buckled however as the set progressed and allowed Dementieva to go 5-2 ahead.

Torres hits hat-trick as Spain rout New Zealand

Fernando Torres bagged a hat-trick as European champions Spain crushed New Zealand 5-0 to open their Confederations Cup campaign in emphatic style on Sunday. The Group A victory, their 13th consecutive win, extended their unbeaten run to 33 games as they look to overturn Brazil's world record 35 matches without defeat between 1993 and 1996.

Yet despite Spain being the world's number one ranked team and packed with star names, the Royal Bafokeng Stadium was half empty, something that will worry FIFA with the World Cup in South Africa less than a year away. The match was always going to be a David versus Goliath battle and it was all Spain, with Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas and Valencia's David Villa also getting on the scoresheet.

"We did what we had to do, we started with a good rhythm and played good football and were leading 4-0 after 24 minutes," said Spain coach Vicente del Bosque. "The second half was a question of saving energy for our next match." Torres said it was a fantastic start for the team. "It was great for the team and for me it is always important to score. I got three so I'm very happy," he said.

They opened their account after six minutes when Fabregas slotted the ball to Torres on the edge of the box and he cooly curled his shot into the top right hand corner.

It was 2-0 eight minutes later after Villa cut the ball back for Torres, who side-footed it past flailing goalkeeper Glen Moss. The Liverpool striker collected his hat-trick inside 17 minutes as the one-sided game threatened to become an embarrassing rout.

Joan Capdevila crossed from the left and Torres outjumped the defence to powerfully head the ball home for his 22nd international goal. It was the second hat-trick for his country - the other coming against San Marino in a 2006 World Cup qualifier.

New Zealand's confidence was shattered as their defence, missing injured Blackburn star Ryan Nelsen, was run ragged. With Spain keeping possession and pressing forward, Fabregas got their fourth on 24 minutes with a simple tap-in after Capdevila squared the ball into his path.

The only other time the two teams have met was at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1997 when Spain won 13-0 and All Whites coach Ricki Herbert looked a worried man in the dugout with another double-figure demolition appearing possible.

He took off striker Jeremy Brockie, replacing him with Jeremy Christie to shore up the defence, and the tactic worked with the score remaining the same at the half-time whistle. But it didn't stay that way for long with Villa scoring the fifth just three minutes after the restart following a comical miskick from defender Andy Boyens gifted him the ball and the Valencia striker made no mistake.

Torres was substituted with 20 minutes left as Spain took their foot off the gas, conscious that they have another game on Wednesday. "The first 25 minutes were very tentative and on the world stage against the world's top team we got punished for a lot of things," said Herbert. "I made some changes and we grew a bit in the second 45 and were more disciplined."

With hosts South Africa drawing 0-0 with Iraq, Spain top Group A with three points.They next meet Iraq in Bloemfontein while New Zealand look to salvage some pride against South Africa on the same day in Rustenburg. The top two from the group qualify for the semi-finals.

Sania in semis of Aegon Classic

Sania Mirza's impressive run at the Aegon Classic continued as the Indian ace sealed a semi-final berth by beating 16th seed Hungarian Melinda Czink in straight sets on Friday. The unseeded Indian survived some anxious moments in the dying minutes of the match before pulling off a 6-1, 7-6 (4) in the quarter-finals of the $220,000 WTA event being played in the build up to the Wimbledon.

Sania will next face winner of the other quarter-final match between 13th seed Slovakian Magdalena Rybarikova and unseeded Polish Urszula Radwanska. Sania went ahead by breaking Melinda at love in the fourth game. The Hungarian double faulted and the Indian pounced on the first chance and held next game to surge to a 4-1 lead.

Melinda struggled with her serve and a flurry of double faults again helped Sania's cause as the Indian capitalised on her rival's error to get one more break in the sixth game and served out the set in the game. The double fault bug bit the Indian too in the second set as she committed two in the fourth game to hand a 3-1 lead to the Hungarian.

Sania though returned the compliment in the next game when she converted the second breakpoint and held her serve in the next to make it 3-3. The Hyderabadi broke Melinda in the ninth game to create that little vital gap but squandered a match point in the next game to let Melinda draw parity.

Again she survived few anxious moments in the 12th game before stretching it to a tie-breaker, where she outplayed her rival to make the next round. With this win Sania also equalled the win-loss record against Melinda 1-1 as she had lost her first match against the Hungarian when the two had clashed in Kolkata in 2005.

Saina squeezes into second round of Singapore Open

Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal survived some anxious moments before getting past qualifier Maja Tvrdy of Slovenia in a thrilling three-game opening tie at the Singapore Open Super Series in Singapore City on Wednesday. Sixth seed Saina came from behind to beat Maja 18-21, 21-11, 21-16 in a 50-minute gruelling battle in their women's singles match.

However, compatriot Aditi Mutatkar suffered a first round defeat against Judith Meulendijks of the Netherlands after she went down 21-14, 21-19 in a just over half an hour clash in another match. It was also curtains for India's mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju as the duo went down to sixth seeded Chinese pair of Zhongbo Xie and Yawen Zhang 21-13, 21-14 in 23 minutes.

Saina said initially she was struggling to adjust to the conditions of the court. "It was a difficult match. She was a solid player. She was better aware about the conditions while I struggled initially. I was making many unforced errors, hitting the shuttle outside and conceded the game," she said.

"But in the second and third game, I could control the shuttle better and I involved her in long rallies. She was finding it difficult and made many unforced errors," Saina added. The 20-year-old Hyderabadi will next face Indonesian Adrianti Firdasari in the second round tomorrow. Firdasari beat qualifier Korean Moon Hi Kim 23-21, 21-15.

"I have played against Firdasari, she is a very good player. Our count so far is 1-1. I had beaten her last year here, while she defeated me in Korea. So I will have to play very well," she said.

Sania in WTA Aegon Classic pre-quarters

Sania Mirza quelled a late challenge from world number 49 and 11th seed Anne Keothavong to sail into the pre-quarterfinals of the $220,000 WTA Aegon Classic on Wednesday. The unseeded Indian beat the British number one 6-1, 7-6 (5) in the second round after battling it out for one hour and 27 minutes.

Sania will now run into the winner of the match between local wild card Elena Baltachs and Russian fifth seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova for a place in the last-eight stage. Sania dominated the first set and did not give any chance to Anee, whom the Indian broke thrice to take lead.

However, Anee shrugged off the rustiness in the second set and put up a brave fight to stretch it to a tie-breaker, where Sania held her nerves and converted her second match point. Sania had beaten Tatiana Poutchek in the first round on Tuesday night.

Real Madrid sign Kaka from AC Milan

Real Madrid have signed Brazilian midfielder Kaka from AC Milan, the Primera Liga club said on their website on Tuesday. The 27-year-old international has agreed to a six-year contract to become the first player to join Real since Florentino Perez returned to the presidency this month.

Reports said the transfer fee was around 68 million euros ($94.05 million) which would make it the second biggest ever after Zinedine Zidane joined Real from Juventus for around 73 million euros in 2001. Kaka completed a routine medical earlier on Monday in Recife, where Brazil face Paraguay at home in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.

Kaka said he was leaving the Italians on good terms. "Everything I've always done for Milan has been by mutual agreement, from the moment I arrived until my departure today," he said. "I'm leaving by the front door." "I've won everything that I wanted as a player and this is a new motivation for me." "I'm sure Real Madrid will build a competitive team which can start winning titles again."

The official unveiling in Madrid is likely to take place at the end of the month, after the Confederations Cup in South Africa. "We are working on building a good team, an important team, and this has only just begun," Perez told radio station Onda Cero. Milan thanked Kaka for his contribution.

"AC Milan thanks the man Kaka and the champion Kaka for his decisive contributions to so many victories obtained in the last six years," the Serie A club said in a statement. "His loss on the field, though serious, can be filled. It will, however, be very difficult to fill the void left by Kaka the man." Kaka has long been a target for Real Madrid since former president Ramon Calderon promised to sign him in his election campaign in 2006 but failed to deliver.

Calderon resigned in January paving the way for Perez to come back three years after he stood down, and he was returned unopposed to the post. Perez has promised to deliver a "spectacular sporting project" built around the world's greatest players, and local media have spoken of a 300 million euro war chest which will be used to finance a second 'Galactico era' at the Bernabeu.

Having lured the likes of Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane and David Beckham to Real earlier in the decade, Perez's flagship first signing on his return was Kaka, a move seen as both a declaration of intent and a dig at his predecessor.

He has also spoken of interest in Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo, Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery, Liverpool's Xabi Alonso and Valencia duo David Villa and David Silva. New coach Manuel Pellegrini is the man tasked with blending these talents into a team capable of challenging treble-winners Barcelona.

Kaka will not face much competition in midfield which was one of Real's weakest areas last season as they lacked flair players capable of opening up sides in big games. His arrival will also cheer Real fans clamouring for a more entertaining brand of football, and who had often chanted "Where is Kaka?" at player presentations under Calderon over the last couple of years.

Federer wins maiden French Open title

Roger Federer gloriously completed a career Grand Slam on Sunday by capturing a record-equalling 14th major with a 6-1, 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 win over Robin Soderling in the French Open final. The 27-year-old world number two finally won a Roland Garros crown at the 11th attempt and in his fourth successive final having come up heartbreakingly short in the last three showdowns against Spanish nemesis Rafael Nadal.

His victory, ironically over the Swedish 23rd seed who shocked four-time Nadal in the last 16, took him level with great friend Pete Sampras as the holder of 14 Grand Slam titles. He also moved into a select group made up only of Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson and Andre Agassi as men who have won all four of the Grand Slam events.

"It was probably my greatest victory, I was under big pressure. I did it and it's phenomenal," said Federer who broke down in tears after being presented with the trophy by Agassi, the 1999 champion, and while the Swiss national anthem was played.

Soderling, who has now lost 10 times in 10 meetings with Federer, admitted the Swiss was a deserving winner. "Roger was too good for me today, he played much better. He is a worthy winner and for me he is the best player in history," said Soderling. "He gave me a lesson in how to play tennis."

Any doubts over Federer's ability to overcome his Paris jinx were quickly dashed as the Swiss star, playing in a record-equalling 19th Grand Slam final and riding a tidal wave of support, dominated Soderling. He broke the first game on a Soderling double fault and was soon a second break to the good to lead 4-0 when a sweetly-timed drop shot left the Swede stranded behind the baseline.

Soderling, the first Swede in the Roland Garros final since his coach Magnus Norman finished runner-up to Gustavo Kuerten in 2000, stopped the rot with a hold to trail 4-1, but Federer quickly nipped further ahead to 5-1. Soderling's uncompromising forehand, which was a dagger to the heart of Nadal, was looking more like a blunt instrument in the damp and chilly conditions.

His service game crumbled again in the seventh game as Federer claimed the opening set. It had taken just 23 minutes with the Swiss losing just two points on serve. The final was then delayed by a worrying security breach during the fourth game of the second set with Federer ahead 2-1.

A spectator, dressed in red, waved a flag of the Barcelona football club in the world number two's face before he was wrestled off Court Philippe Chatrier by security guards. But the Swiss star wasn't disrupted from his elegant stride, either by the intruder or the rain which started to steadily fall.

Although Soderling slowly rediscovered his service power, it was Federer who was comfortably dictating the points and he fired down four aces in the tie-break to open up a two-sets lead. He was a break ahead in the third set to lead 1-0 before Soderling carved out, and squandered, his first break point of the match in the fourth game.

Federer then sent down his 16th ace of the tie to stretch to 4-2. He came out to serve for a place in history but faltered to 30-40 with a wild, running forehand. With pregnant wife Mirka looking anxiously on, he averted the crisis and went to match point with a confident volley and claimed victory when Soderling netted a service return after 1hr 55min on court.

Federer slumped to the Paris clay in celebration and in tears as he secured his place as arguably the greatest player of all time.

Paes, Dlouhy win French Open men's doubles

India's Leander Paes and Lukas Dlouhy of the Czech Republic won the French Open men's doubles title on Saturday with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over Wesley Moodie of South Africa and Belgium's Dick Norman.It was 35-year-old Paes's fifth men's Grand Slam doubles title having won twice here in 1999 and 2001 with compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi, 1999 Wimbledon with Bhupathi and the 2006 US Open with Martin Damm.

"Dick and Wesley served really huge and made it difficult for us. They did a great job in getting to the final," said Paes who has now won 40 career doubles titles. Paes and Dlouhy first teamed up at Roland Garros last year, losing in the last 16 to eventual champions Pablo Cuevas and Luis Horna. They then finished runners-up to Mike and Bob Bryan in the 2008 US Open final.

"We started playing together at Roland Garros last year. We lost then to the champions so we made it a point that we would come back and try and win it this year," added Paes, who has also won four Grand Slam mixed doubles titles.

Roger Federer kept his dream of a maiden French Open title alive

World number two Roger Federer kept his dream of a maiden French Open title alive when he battled past Argentine fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro 3-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 in a nail-biting semi-final on Friday. The Swiss, playing in his 20th consecutive grand slam semi-final, was one set from defeat when he turned on the style to set up a final with Swede Robin Soderling, who ushered out four times champion Rafael Nadal in the fourth round.

"I am a bit lucky but I fought," said Federer, who will on Sunday equal Ivan Lendl's record of 19 grand slam final appearances. "I have an outstanding record against him (Soderling) but he played a fantastic match against (Fernando) Gonzalez," he added after the Swede earlier won in five sets against the Chilean.

"He (Soderling) has a lot of credit since he is the one who knocked out Rafa, who was the man to beat in this tournament," added the 13-times grand slam champion, who has beaten the Swede in all their nine previous encounters. Federer, looking to equal Pete Sampras's record of 14 grand slam titles, got off to a miserable start as Del Potro relied on his big serve and punishing forehand to dictate the play.

Backed by a 15,000 capacity Centre Court crowd, he prevailed after three hours 29 minutes on his second match point to book his place in a fourth consecutive final on the Paris clay. Federer had started confidently, moving Del Potro around the court and setting up two break chances in the second and fourth games.

The Argentine saved them with an ace and a service winner before taking control of the match, stepping into the court to dominate the points. He broke for 3-2 when Federer netted a forehand and the same error from the Swiss in the ninth game gave Del Potro the first set after 38 minutes.

The 20-year-old Argentine had never taken a set from Federer in five previous matches. The Swiss forced a tiebreak in the second after all games went with serve and that is when he showed glimpses of his brilliant best. He won the tiebreak 7-2 when Del Potro sent a forehand long, triggering a prolonged roar from the crowd.

It failed to unsettle the towering Argentine, who broke in the first game of the third set and continued to look comfortable on his service games. At 15-15 in the seventh game, it looked like Federer was warming Del Potro up at the net, simply feeding the Argentine with the ball instead of finding a passing shot.

Del Potro won the game when Federer sent a chipped forehand long. As the clock ticked past the two-hour mark, the Argentine bagged the set, his Swiss opponent firing a forehand wide. Federer then started to mix up his game with sliced shots and was rewarded for his tactical change when the Argentine dropped serve in the fourth game of the fourth set by firing a forehand long to the delight of the partisan fans.

He broke again in the sixth game, following up on serve to send the contest into an unpredictable decider. With his teeth now sinking firmly into his prey, Federer stole his opponent's serve in the first game of the fifth set as Del Potro's game continued to crumble.

The Argentine briefly regained his poise in time to break back for 3-3, only to drop serve again with a double fault. Federer could sense victory and kept his composure. Del Potro saved one match point on his own serve but was helpless on the second when Federer followed a big first serve with a forehand winner to end the match.

Kaka decision on Monday, says Berlusconi

A decision on the future of AC Milan playmaker Kaka will be taken on Monday, club owner Silvio Berlusconi said on Wednesday. Milan's forward Ricardo Kaka jubilates after he scores at a Serie A match. Real Madrid and Chelsea, now coached by former Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti, have both been linked in the media with world record deals for the 27-year-old Brazilian.

"I will talk with Kaka next Monday and on Monday I will be able to reveal the decision," he told the recording of an Italian television programme. "It is early to think about what happens next." Chelsea denied on Wednesday they had made an offer for the player, which Sky Sports News reported as a bid of 73.5 million pounds ($122 million).

"We have never made an offer to AC Milan for Kaka and therefore not one of this extraordinary level," the Premier League club said in a statement on their website (www.chelseafc.com). "As a consequence we have not discussed a salary with the player either. Any reports to the contrary are untrue."

Italian prime minister Berlusconi compared the situation to the sale of Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko to Chelsea in 2006. "I can only say that we were very attached to Sheva," he said. "When an offer arrived that we could not equal, because I had a great friendship with him, I did all I could to convince him but in the end I left it up to him.

"It is always our lads who must decide where they want to play. Now we will see." Kaka, the 2007 world player of the year, almost joined Manchester City in January for a world record fee in excess of 100 million euros ($142 million). However, he opted to stay at the San Siro despite Milan sanctioning the move.

Berlusconi has said it will again be difficult to hold onto the player given the amount of money involved but Kaka reiterated on Monday that he wanted to stay with Milan, who finished third in Serie A this term. Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani, who said economic factors were hurting the club when he unveiled new coach Leonardo on Monday, fuelled the transfer rumours on Tuesday when he was spotted in Madrid.

The Rossoneri said he was solely there as a guest for the re-election dinner of Real president Florentino Perez, who has long courted Kaka. A sprinkling of Milan fans protested against the sale of Kaka outside the club's city centre offices on Wednesday.

Federer silences Monfils to book semis spot

World number two Roger Federer was back to his brilliant best as he eased past local favourite Gael Monfils 7-6, 6-2, 6-4 to book his place in the French Open semi-finals on Wednesday. The Swiss will play his 20th consecutive grand slam semi-final against either Argentine fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro or Spain's Tommy Robredo, seeded 16th.

After three successive matches in which he dropped sets, Federer finally found his groove on Wednesday, much to the frustration of Monfils. Federer, the hot favourite after four-time champion Rafael Nadal was knocked out in the fourth round, saved a set point in the first-set tiebreak before clinching it 8-6 with a forehand volley winner.

It was then much easier for the Swiss, who is gunning for the only major title to have eluded him. He broke Monfils in the first and third games of the second set, moving the 11th-seeded Frenchman from left to right and often finishing off the points at the net.

Monfils called on the trainer at change of ends before the decider as he appeared to be in distress. Federer, who is chasing a record-equalling 14th grand slam crown, snatched the decisive break in the ninth game when the Frenchman netted a forehand.

He put him out of his misery on his first match point with a backhand winner after two hours 10 minutes. "I was very nervous before this match, yesterday and today," said Federer. "But I have a lot of experience. I know that when I step on the court, I will play well. Or very well."

Federer ran into a spot of bother when he contested a call following a Monfils dropshot that appeared to be wide. He was briefly booed by the 15,000-capacity Centre Court crowd but normal service quickly resumed. "It is very important to me, to have the crowd with me," he said.

Kaka signs for Real Madrid

Brazilian playmaker Kaka has signed for Real Madrid from AC Milan in a 65-million-euro deal, Spanish radio station Cadena Ser reported on Tuesday. Newly-installed Real president Florentino Perez sealed the deal with AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani and Bosco Leite, father and agent of the 2007 world and European player of the year, Cadena Ser said.

Kaka, currently in Brazil with the national team ahead of a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay, will sign up for five years and a salary worth nine million euros a year, it added. AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi had hinted at 27-year-old Kaka's departure moments before Cadena Ser had claimed he was indeed moving.

"I do not know if we can keep Kaka at Milan because they (Real) have offered him so much money," Berlusconi was quoted as saying by Italian press agency Ansa. It comes on the same day as Kaka - who was courted by English Premiership side Manchester City back in January - was telling La Gazzetto dello Sport he had no intention of quitting Milan.

"I'll tell you this for the last time, the very last. I don't want to leave Milan. To the millions of Milan fans, I tell you that I've made my choice. I've said I want to stay. Leave me in peace, please," Kaka told La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper. "I want to continue to win with Milan. And from today, all discussion is over."

Should his transfer be confirmed officially it comes a day after Milan lost their coach Carlo Ancelotti, who agreed to take over as manager of English FA Cup winners Chelsea. It had been hoped that his connection with Milan would have persuaded Kaka to also move, but those hopes appear to have been dashed.

Federer keen to avoid burden of expectation

Roger Federer is just three wins away from both a career Grand Slam and joining Pete Sampras as a 14-time major winner, but he's desperate to avoid sinking beneath a tidal wave of expectations. With four-time champion Rafael Nadal, who defeated the great Swiss star in the last three finals here, beaten for the first time at Roland Garros, Federer has been widely-tipped to cruise to a first French Open title.

That would make him only the sixth man in history to have won all four Grand Slam titles. But the 27-year-old insists that Rafa or no Rafa, there is still work to be done on the claycourts which have, year in, year out, resembled more of a scrapyard for him than a playground.

"I'm used to any kind of a situation, so (Nadal's defeat) doesn't affect me in a big way," said Federer who battled back 6-7 (4/7), 5-7, 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 to beat German veteran Tommy Haas in the fourth round on Monday. "You are aware of it. You try and stay in the draw, but at the end of the day you're focusing on your shots and your match and on how you play and the game plan against that player."

If Federer can get past French 11th seed Gael Monfils on Wednesday and then either Juan Martin Del Potro or Tommy Robredo in the semi-finals, he may start thinking that finally the tennis gods, at least those in this south-west corner of Paris, are on his side.

"I think if you make it to the final then it's a different scenario because whoever I play then I probably have a decent record against which wouldn't be the case with Rafa, knowing that he has all the experience and the confidence of winning here," said Federer. "Definitely it changes it up if I were to make the final. But we're not there yet."

Federer, with five Wimbledon, five US Open and three Australian Open victories, has known nothing but heartache in Paris. Nadal has swept past him in the last three finals while in 2004, the year before the Spaniard began his remarkable domination, Federer lost in the third round to an inspired former champion Gustavo Kuerten.

That defeat was the last time he failed to get at least to a semi-final at a Grand Slam. Federer also insists that Nadal will be back and warns players like Robin Soderling, whose defeat of the champion sent shockwaves through tennis, they need to keep proving they can compete.

"It's not an easy task, because how often does it happen in your life?," said the world number two. "It happens just a few times, and it's hard to back them up. I went through it when I beat Sampras at Wimbledon and then lost to Tim (Henman). I didn't play that bad against Tim, but you just realize that not only Sampras can play tennis, but Henman can and there are so many other players that play so well.

"Just because you beat this one particular player, it doesn't mean you're going to now beat everybody easily. You have to keep on playing dream tennis, and that's a hard thing to do sometimes." Wednesday's second quarter-final sees fifth-seeded Argentine Del Potro facing Spanish 16th seed Robredo who is playing in his fourth last eight clash here.

This is Del Potro's first Roland Garros quarter-final and follows similar runs at the US Open and Australian Opens. Del Potro, just 20 and the youngest man left in the men's tournament, takes a 1-0 career lead over the 27-year-old Robredo into his tie. "He is specialized on clay, and so far his season has been excellent," said Del Potro.

Robredo reached the last eight here in 2003, 2005 and 2007 and the has the most claycourt wins this season with a 25-6 record.

Holder Ivanovic blames dizziness for defeat

Holder Ana Ivanovic relinquished her French Open crown after suffering dizzy spells in a 6-2, 6-3 defeat by Belarussian teenager Victoria Azarenka on Sunday. The Serb, who has suffered a dip in form since winning at Roland Garros last year and has slipped from number one to eighth in the world, said she had started to feel unwell after the first point in the fourth game when she was a break down.

"I just suddenly started feeling so dizzy, and I completely lost my balance," Ivanovic told a news conference after the fourth-round defeat. "Ever since then it was really hard. I struggled with looking up. I started feeling very dizzy, and I was struggling a little bit to find my balance."

After struggling with a knee injury before the claycourt grand slam and with rivals Dinara Safina and Svetlana Kuznetsova in blistering form, Ivanovic's departure was never going to make the sort of splash men's champion Rafael Nadal's exit did.

"I don't know if I can say that I'm surprised that I beat Ana, because I think I deserve to beat her. I played very well," said Azarenka. "I didn't let her play her game. I was just being I think too aggressive. "It's the first time I ever made the quarter-finals (of a grand slam). It's something really big for me. It's a new step, and I'm just really looking forward for the challenge to see how well I with do in my next step."

The ninth-seeded Azarenka, who has won three titles this year, took command after breaking in the third game and clinched the first set when Ivanovic's forehand clipped the netcord and bounced back into her side of the court. The 19-year-old Belarussian surged to a 5-2 lead in the second before Ivanovic, her title hanging by a thread, fought back with a couple of excellent passing shots and a dropshot to break.

Despite the crowd cheering "Ana, Ana", her resistance was short-lived as Azarenka served out the match to set up a quarter-final against world number one Safina, who has torn through the draw dropping just five games along the way. "She was just killing people so far," said Azarenka. "I just need to get ready, really well and play my best tennis to beat her."