Roger Federer is in Madrid final again - Los Angeles Times
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Roger Federer is in Madrid final again

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Roger Federer will play for his third Madrid Open title with a chance to take over the No. 2 spot in the world rankings after cruising past Janko Tipsarevic, 6-2, 6-3, in the tournament semifinals on Saturday.

The Swiss star and former No. 1 advanced to a matchup in the final against Tomas Berdych, who edged Juan Martin del Potro, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6), in the other semifinal.

A victory will push Federer ahead of Spain’s Rafael Nadal in the rankings.

On the women’s side, Serena Williams will meet top-ranked Victoria Azarenka in the final after they won their semifinal matchups in straight sets.

Williams beat Lucie Hradecka, 7-6 (5), 6-0, and Azarenka ousted fourth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska, 6-2, 6-4.

BASEBALL

A’s put Cespedes on DL

Yoenis Cespedes was put on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left hand that bothered the Oakland Athletics center fielder all of last week.

Cespedes complained of discomfort in his hand after taking batting practice Saturday and was scratched from the lineup shortly before the A’s faced the Detroit Tigers. About an hour earlier in the clubhouse, Cespedes declared himself “100%†healthy and ready to return after sitting out the four previous games.

Cespedes is eligible to come off the disabled list May 22. Oakland recalled Michael Taylor from triple-A Sacramento.

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Scott Rolen went back on the 15-day DL because of more soreness in his left shoulder, a chronic problem late in his career.

The 37-year-old infielder had surgery to clean out the shoulder last August but hasn’t fully recovered his swing. He was batting only .174 with two homers and 11 RBIs when he called the team on Saturday and suggested something had to be done.

ETC.

Pacers coach fined $15,000

Indiana Pacers Coach Frank Vogel will have to pay a $15,000 fine for comments he made Thursday about the Miami Heat.

NBA executive vice president Stu Jackson issued the decision Saturday.

Vogel called Miami the “biggest flopping team in the NBA†and told reporters that it would be “interesting†to see how much flopping the officials reward. Vogel also accused Heat players of sliding over and falling down before contact is made.

The best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals begin Sunday in Miami.

Derrick Rose had surgery on a torn knee ligament, and the Chicago Bulls said they will give an update early this week on the recovery of their star point guard.

Dion Phaneuf scored twice and Devan Dubnyk stopped 24 shots to help Canada crush Kazakhstan, 8-0, and reach the quarterfinals of hockey’s world championships at Helsinki, Finland.

Lewis Hamilton lost the pole position over a rules breach, giving Pastor Maldonado first place on the starting grid for the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona.

Six more American boxers have qualified for the Olympics with winning performances at a qualifying tournament in Brazil, allowing USA Boxing to send an impressive nine fighters to the London Games.

Including three boxers who qualified last year, the U.S. currently has the second-largest men’s team headed to London. That’s more fighters than any nation except Australia, which will send a boxer in each of the 10 men’s weight classes.

Three Arkansas football players, including wide receivers Marquel Wade and Maudrecus Humphrey, were arrested and charged with burglarizing dorm rooms.

University of Arkansas police arrested Wade, Humphrey and tight end Andrew Peterson after looking at security video in which the players allegedly walked into rooms where items had been taken. The preliminary police report valued the stolen property, including computers and textbooks, at nearly $5,000.

Razorbacks Coach John L. Smith immediately and indefinitely suspended the three players in his first test of discipline since being hired to replace Bobby Petrino last month.

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