Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber Too Strong For Nadal While Federer Survives

Germany Philipp  Kohlschreiber Surprises Nadal beating 6-3 6-4 Second seed and five-time champion Roger Federer survived 25 aces from Canadian fifth seed Milos Raonic in a come-from-behind 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) win.Federer will next face Russia's Mikhail Youzhny, who he has beaten in their last 12 meetings, while Kohlschreiber will take on either the Czech Republiuc's Tomas Berdych or Germany's injury-prone former world number two Tommy Haas."I said it was going to be tough," Nadal said after his loss. "He plays well on this court. You just have to congratulate him. He played very aggressive, served well, returned well. He played better than me."I was suffering when he was serving. I didn't have that energy to change the situation."Nadal said he would now be heading back to his home in Mallorca to rest up."I can't practise on grass there but it's better not to practise for a few days. It's time to rest with my family, friends, to relax."I've played almost every match possible since Indian Wells. When I'm ready to come back, I'll go to Wimbledon."Nadal, who captured a record seventh Roland Garros title on Monday, suffered an even worse result when he last played in Halle seven years ago, losing in the first round to Alexander Waske.This time around, Nadal was in difficulty from his first service game and was quickly 2-0 down, Kohlschreiber going on to wrap the first game up in little more than 30 minutes.After saving two breaks in the opening game of the second set, Nadal then missed the chance to break the German three times on his serve in the fourth game, and Kohlschreiber kept his nerve to beat the Spaniard comfortably.Later Friday, Nadal was also ruled out of the doubles when his partner Marcel Granollers was forced to withdraw with a leg injury."For sure it's the best victory," said Kohlschreiber. "I mean he won 11 Grand Slam titles and many other titles. So, it's really great."But I'm also realistic that he didn't have his best match or his best day, but for myself, I played maybe one of the best matches here on grass so far."Federer clinched a third successive win over the highly-rated, 21-year-old Raonic.He had also dropped the opening set to the Canadian in his two previous meetings, in Indian Wells and Madrid this year."I am happy to have beaten him now because by the end of my career, he'll be serving at 300km/h," said Federer, the 16-time Grand Slam title winner.

Group D: 3-2! England sent home to Sweden

The Scandinavians are already out of the tournament England now expects the final against Ukraine. Torreiche game thanks to shaky defenses. England triumphed, thanks to its young star Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck. The Three Lions won on Friday night in Kiev a turbulent match 3-2 (1-0) against Sweden . England must continue to dream of the quarter-finals, the Scandinavians after the second bust out already. It was the first competitive victory of the English against Sweden for 44 years. Andy Carroll (23 minutes), the substitute just before Walcott (64) and Welbeck (78th) scored the goals. The Scandinavians had an own goal by Glen Johnson (49th) and a goal from Olof Mellberg oldie (59) before 63 000 spectators but even out in the meantime. "We have bent over it. It's nice to come off the bench and take. It was quite wonderful, "said Walcott, who had also prepared the winning goal. Against host Ukraine (3 points) reaches England (4) on Tuesday is now moving into a draw for the knockout stages.Then finally allowed to play Rooney. For Sweden (0) after the second defeat of the tournament, however, is terminated after the first round. So far they are punktlos the European Championships in Group D after the last game against league leaders France finish (4) In any case, in last place. Fifteen minutes later, whistling as planned, the Slovenian referee Damir Skomina on the game.The storm break from Donetsk in the first game between France and Ukraine (2-0) caused a slight delay of the second game of the day in Kiev. A strong rain ahead of the game in the capital had cooled the temperatures to a comfortable 20 degrees. England determined the initial phase - to shine without. Scott Parker (7) tried by long shot. Welbeck (15) put a header off target. If Sweden was a shot from Zlatan Ibrahimovic (20), symbol of collective harm and lack of imagination. After cross from captain Steven Gerrard of Liverpool's Andy Carroll the ball balanced on his second international goal into the net. Rooney applauded, laughing in the stands. Sweden was the response a little. A long shot by Kim Kallstrom (37) England goalkeeper Joe Hart prepared few problems. The celebrity was the first half, how rough was the second.Johnson steered the ball after a parried by Hart Mellberg shot into his own net. Shortly after Mellberg was a free kick with a header itself successfully. The emotional roller coaster drove five minutes later but again the other way. Joker Walcott struck from distance to compensate. Youngster Welbeck was even then the victory complete. Gerrard did in stoppage time would increase even more, but failed to Sweden goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson. Then sang the English, "We will rock you".

Group D: Precious success for France against Ukraine (2-0) at Euro 2012

The France team has taken an important step towards qualification for the quarterfinals by winning against Ukraine (2-0) Friday in the Donbass Arena in Donetsk. After a hiatus of more than one hour and four minutes of play only, the fault of apocalyptic weather, the Blues have dominated their subject and made ​​the difference early in the second period, in three minutes. With four points on the clock, the Blues only need a draw next Tuesday against Sweden, to punch their ticket to the quarterfinals. Match starts hellish conditions. In the hymns, the Marseillaise was even interrupted by lightning. The storm is raging, the rain is torrential. The 22 players except Shevchenko, have just enough time to hit the ball the referee, Mr Kuipers, took the wise decision to stop the game after four minutes of game platforms are evacuated, a pool is formed midfielder. Everything indicates a postponement of the meeting, but it will eventually take about an hour after the interruption. Clichy untenable On resumption, the Blues, arranged in 4-2-3-1 with Nasri in the role of playmaker , stormed half Ukrainian. On its left side, Clichy, Evra favorite, is untenable and multiplies combinations with Ribery. On a center of Manchester United, Benzema relaxes at full length but only managed to touch the leather (16th). A minute later, Menez, tenure on the right wing (at the expense of Malouda), believes open the scoring but the Parisian is offside (17th). Ukrainians expect the Tricolores in their half and proceed by cons. This is Iarmolenko at the entrance of the penalty area, signing the first shot of the Ukraine (25th), unframed. Blue Harvest On the next action, the inevitable Ménez spleen. Following an excellent job of Ribery from the left, the former Monaco crashed his shot over the right, away from the foot by Piatov. This is the best opportunity in the first period French, with the head of angry Mexes at the back post, although Boxee by the doorman Ukraine (39th). Meanwhile, Shevchenko, invisible until then, had put to Lloris. The 2004 Golden Ball makes a call in the back of Debuchy, majestically control a pass from Seline and goes to challenge the Lyon goalkeeper. The captain of the Blues, well on his feet, pushing both fists. The France returned to the locker room without having managed to translate many occasions (7 shots including six on target). Two goals in four minutes The second act begins with a new opportunity for Menez, Nasri well served by the back of the Ukrainian defense. The right winger stumbles again Piatov, missing his second face-to-face for the evening (49th). But the Parisian has the resource and, while Ukraine seems to suddenly take over (not framed Shevchenko strikes and Timochtchouk), it is he who will break the deadlock. On a pass from Benzema, Menez Crochet Hacheridi then connects with a shot from the left at ground unstoppable (53rd, 1-0), scoring his second goal for France.  Three minutes later, Cabaye enjoys a password light of Benzema, again, to double the lead with a shot from the left in the penalty area (56th, 2-0). This is the first international goal for the player to Newcastle. France leads 2-0 then, Ukraine has struck and the Donbass Arena suddenly silent. A draw will suffice against Sweden Freed, the French outperform Ukrainians exceeded, and the lack of a hair 3-0. After a long sequence conservation ball on the edge of the penalty area, uncheck Cabaye a heavy hit that fails on the edge of the left post Piatov, beaten (65th). The game gradually loses intensity and Lawrence White took the opportunity to make his three changes. Cabaye then Menez, both scorers, giving way to M'Vila (68th) and Martin (73rd), while Giroud (76th) replaces Benzema, visibly disappointed not to finish the game.The end of the game saw both teams multiply the technical approximation, Ukraine is making more contribution to Hugo Lloris. This valuable success allows the team to France to bring to his unbeaten 23. Especially, the Tricolores terminate eight games (2172 days!) Without a win in the finals of an international competition. This is the first success of the Blues face a host country.Now, the situation is clear: a draw against Sweden on Tuesday, enough to qualify for France in the quarterfinals of the Euro.

Group C : Spain 4-0 Ireland At Euro 2012

Fernando Torres scored a Brace Against the Irish-Mens

Spain Out-Classes Ireland On Match-day 6 Of Group C As Torres's Brace Routes Ireland Out Of The Euro 2012.Two goals in one game from Fernando Torres, rather than the most famous victory in the Republic’s football history, proved to be the fairytale that few had anticipated as Spain reminded the world why they are the outstanding team of this generation.Outpassed and outplayed for the entire ninety minutes, Ireland succumbed to their heaviest defeat under Giovanni Trapattoni – and their biggest at a major tournament – as they became the first team to being eliminated from Euro 2012.Yet while the dreamers had yearned to see football’s equivalent of Buster Douglas knocking out Mike Tyson, Spain had other ideas and they ended Irish hopes with goals from Torres, David Silva and Cesc Fabregas doing the damage.The innocent optimism of the Irish which preceded Sunday’s 3-1 defeat against Croatia was replaced by the dawning of harsh reality as they approached this clash against the world champions.One hopeful banner, an Irish tricolour carrying the message ‘Come on you Boys in Green – Miracles do happen,’ summed up the magnitude of the task facing Giovanni Trapattoni’s players, but even the author probably didn’t believe it.For Ireland to secure the result which would have kept their Euro 2012 ambitions alive, Gdansk would have to usurp the likes of Stuttgart, Genoa and New Jersey – scenes of previous glorious Irish triumphs – as the reference point of Ireland’s ability to defy the odds.But dreams of the miracle in Gdansk lasted a mere four minutes – a minute longer than against Croatia in Poznan – before Torres delivered the perfect response to his critics by putting Spain ahead.Two minutes earlier, Simon Cox had forced Iker Casillas into a full-stretch save with a left-foot strike from 20-yards which helped justify his controversial selection by Trapattoni.

Cox, who qualifies for Ireland through his Galway-born grandmother, has not scored a Premier League goal for West Bromwich Albion since Apr 2011, but his selection ahead of Kevin Doyle and Jonathan Walters was due to his work-rate and willingness to become a fifth body in midfield.Trapattoni’s plan was to flood the centre of the pitch and stifle Spain’s creativity, but better teams have tried that and failed and Ireland would be no different.The Ireland coach admitted prior to the game that Spain are ‘Real Madrid and Barcelona, without Lionel Messi,’ so Cox, Keith Andrews and GlennWhelan deserved sympathy for their task of having to shackle Xavi, Andres Iniesta and David Silva.Sadly, it was like watching a practice game involving ten green traffic cones at times as Spain cut Ireland apart and Torres’s goal was the perfect example.Iniesta’s sublime pass to Silva found the Manchester City man in the penalty area, yet Richard Dunne’s challenge was perfect, but for the clearance dropping to Torres, who lashed the ball past Shay Given from six yards.Torres, overlooked in favour of Cesc Fabregas against Italy on Sunday, had a point to prove and his cupped ear to the Spanish fans suggested he had made it.Poor Given. The Ireland keeper was in goal when Torres ended his six-month Premier League drought for Chelsea against Aston Villa in March and, almost two years since the forward last scored for Spain, Given was on the receiving end again.There were just four minutes on the clock and, ten years after being eliminated from the World Cup by Spain in Suwon, Ireland were facing déjà-vu all over again.Having gambled on Cox in his starting line-up, Trapattoni strangely replaced the forward with Walters at half-time, despite him arguably being Ireland’s best player in the first-half.The change did little to alter the Irish approach, however, as Keane and Walters were still totally isolated up-front, with Spain practically hiding the ball from their opponents.Whenever Ireland did win possession, they resorted to hit and hope and, in truth, their tactics were as dated and redundant as Gdansk’s crumbling, grey Lenin Shipyard.Spain, guilty of over-playing in the first-half, continued to pass the ball to death, but Silva’s 49th minute goal gave them the cushion which enabled them to toy with the Irish.

Given, at fault for two of Croatia’s goals in Poznan, was once again culpable as Spain doubled their lead.The 36-year-old inexplicably punched Iniesta’s close-range shot rather than catch it and the ball dropped to Silva on the penalty spot, who dummied Sean St Ledger and Stephen Ward before passing the ball through Dunne’s legs and into the net.Typical Spain. Why shoot when a pass will do?Silva, as magical as he had been at times for City last season, then rounded off his stunning performance by releasing Torres for his second, a right-foot strike from 15 yards, on 70 minutes.It was finished in the fashion of the Torres of old. Maybe *El Nino* still has it in him, after all.Vicente del Bosque, mindful of the forward’s fragile confidence, treated Torres to the applause of the stadium when he replaced him with Fabregas in the closing stages.But rather than play out the final ten minutes, Fabregas joined in on the act by scoring Spain’s fourth moments later.

Grigor Dimitrov eases at last 16 while Tsonga Tastes another Upset

Grigor Dimitrov defeated off Nicolas Mahut in AEGON Championship By 7-6(3), 6-4 win. Mahut, who recorded his first top 10 win in five years on Wednesday after a 6-3, 6-7, 7-6 win over world No.4 Andy Murray, was stopped in his tracks by the young Bulgarian who sealed his place in the quarter-finals with a straight sets win.In the opener, world No.72 Dimitrov had nine chances to break Mahut but the Frenchman defended well and the set was decided in a tie-break. Dimitrov clinched it 7-6(3).The second set proved to be more straight-forward for the Bulgarian who served consistently, and continually put world No.65 Mahut on the back-foot. Dimitrov ultimately took the match with a 7-6(3), 6-4 win.Dimitrov is yet to drop a set here at The Queen’s Club.Speaking after the match Dimitrov said: “I think it was one of my best wins so far. I don’t mind the grass. I enjoy it, and, I mean, you cannot predict what’s going to happen every match, and there’s tons of different players that even though they’re not supposed to be good on grass they’re playing one of their best matches on grass.”

Another Upset

The next match on Centre Court saw another upset as Ivan Dodig of Croatia saw off world No.5 and last year’s finalist, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.Tsonga, who opened on Wednesday with a 6-3, 6-2 win over British wild card Jamie Baker, was looking to do one better than his runner-up position last year. However it was not to be as he was knocked out of the AEGON Championships by world no.69 Ivan Dodig in two hours and 23 minutes.Second seeded Tsonga, became the favourite to win after top seed Andy Murray suffered defeat on Wednesday, however it became clear in the opening set that 27 year-old Dodig was going to put up a strong fight.In the second, it seemed that Tsonga was back in form as he took advantage in the drop of consistency on the Dodig serve and evened the match one set all.In the final set, which was decided in tie-break, both players slipped around the court but it was the Croat who sealed the win 7-6(3), 3-6, 7-6(5).After the match Tsonga commented: "Yeah, it was a tough game. I played well. Today the conditions were not easy, really windy. Yeah it was close but I lost today."In the quarter–finals. Ivan Dodig will play Sam Querrey (USA) who defeated eighth seed Julien Benneteau 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

KIRILENKO/PETROVA Convincingly Wins Double Crown

KIRILENKO/PETROVA Defeated Off Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci 7-6(0), 4-6, 10-4.After dropping the second set, Kirilenko and Petrova took command of the Match Tie-break to defeat the Italian pair in one hour and 52 minutes."I don't think I played my best. I think at the end, in the super tie-breaker, I did very well," said Petrova. "It's good that in the important moments, I was able to stay calm and collected and [was] able to play good tennis. Maria played very well throughout the whole match today."The Russians became the first all-country team to win the title since 1991, when Americans Mary Joe Fernandez and Zina Garrison captured the crown. Petrova, a two-time champion, having partnered Meghan Shaughnessy to victory in 2004, collected her 20th doubles title. She and Kirilenko celebrated their triumph by wearing a pair of bunny ears."That was actually a dare from Maria," revealed Petrova. "She purchased them like a week ago, and she said, 'Right, if we win this tournament, we have to put them on right away on the court.' We were already so excited last night. We stayed in separate hotels, and then putting ears on, taking pictures of ourselves and sending to each other, all excited for today."Errani and Vinci finished runner-up for the second time this season, having reached the final at the Australian Open (l. to Kuznetsova/Zvonareva).

Roger Federer Into Halle Quarter-Finals After Beating Mayer

Roger Federer World No.3 Has Beaten Florian Mayer By 6-4, 7-5 . Federer will tackle Canadian fifth seed Milos Raonic on Friday for a place in the semifinals of this Wimbledon tune-up event.Federer, who missed last year's tournament, needed just 74 minutes to see off Mayer.The Swiss star, who was champion in Halle in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008, was playing his first match since losing to Novak Djokovic in the French Open semifinals.

Rafael Nadal Another " Glorious Victory " at Halle

Rafael Nadal Start His Tour In German Grass Court at Halle. Newly-crowned French Open champion Rafael Nadal made a winning return to grass courts on Thursday, defeating Slovakia's Lukas Lacko 7-5, 6-1 in the second round of the Halle ATP tournament.The Spanish world number two, playing at the German venue for the first time since 2005, will tackle German eighth seed Philipp Kohlschreiber in the quarter-finals.Kohlschreiber, the defending champion, made the last eight with a 6-7 (5/7), 6-1, 6-3 win over Poland's Lukasz Kubot.Nadal, who captured a record seventh Roland Garros title on Monday, has won all his eight career meetings with the German.Top-seeded Nadal last played this tournament seven years ago, fresh from his first French Open title but suffered a rude awakening on his debut on grass, losing in the first round to Alexander Waske.Nadal took just 75 minutes to complete his fourth win against Lacko, who is one of the few players on tour to have won a set to love against the Spaniard, achieving the feat in Doha earlier this year.