Tennis: Federer Rules Again

David Nalbandian, who by-passed the umpire during the dispute that ended with him alleging that 'Gentleman Tim' Henman was no gentleman last Thursday, by-passed the rules altogether during his semi-final defeat by Roger Federer in the Masters Series in Madrid.

Serving to save the first set, the world No 4 from Argentina was allowed by umpire Romano Grillotti to make a HawkEye line call challenge at set point against him, even though he had already attempted a backhand passing shot.

Nalbandian should have been denied the challenge because he had played the ball, but when Federer's shot was shown as in anyway, Nalbandian collapsed, the second set of his 6-4, 6-0 defeat lasting 21 minutes. Federer, the world No 1, reached the final in Madrid for the first time and is a hot favourite to beat Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic today.

Rest cure for Murray

Andy Murray might not play again on the ATP Tour until 2007. The Scot says he is not sure what there is to gain from playing another tournament this year, which suggests he will miss next week's Paris Masters, the last major event for which he is eligible.

Having started the year ranked 64th in the world and third in Britain, the 19-year-old is now nineteenth and first respectively, while 2006 has also seen him claim his first tour title - in San Jose - and beat world No.1's past and present in Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt and Roger Federer.

'He's a top player now, capable of winning big titles,' said Ivan Ljubicic, who was put out of the Masters Series event in Madrid by Murray. 'A grand slam is a possibility, I think.Wimbledon? Well, why not.'

The main concern since Murray's win in San Jose has been his inability to follow up big wins with further coups or to perform well at successive tournaments. 'It's been a good month/bad month, good month/bad month year,' admits Murray, whose record has been 36 wins and 24 losses in 25 events.

All of which points to stamina still being an underlying problem. That is something that his coach, Brad Gilbert, who is a devotee of hard work, is an expert at fixing. Murray's two months off before next season are unlikely to be restful.

Sharapova on song

Maria Sharapova boosted her chances of finishing the year as the women's world No 1 by reaching the final of the Zurich Open with a 7-6, 6-2 victory over Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia.

Sharapova served 13 aces in the match despite pain in her right foot that forced her out of the quarter-finals in Moscow last week. 'I felt better, more in control, and was moving around the court better,' Sharapova said. 'I had a few lows. I got up a break in the second and then let her back into it. But I definitely played a lot of points well and even though I got broken I felt in control.'

Sharapova was given a warning when her coach and father Yuri shouted from the stands. On-court coaching is allowed at this tournament - one of five this season at which the WTA is testing the concept - but only once a set and during breaks.