Murray is in confident mood ahead of his match against Wawrinka
The Briton will meet the Swiss 10th seed from around 0130 BST.
And after coming through a titanic tussle against Jurgen Melzer in the last round, the sixth seed says he can go on and lift the trophy.
“If I improve my returns, my chances against Wawrinka are good,” he said. “My goal is to win the tournament.”
Murray’s meeting with Wawrinka has been picked as the second match of the night
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New York - Former champions Roger Federer and Andy Roddick turned in impressive straight-set wins, throwing down a challenge to rivals as they powered through into the second week of the US Open on Sunday.
Four-time winner Federer took a step closer to lifting his first major title of a subdued season as he turned in a near-flawless performance to crush Radek Stepanek 6-3, 6-3, 6-2. Rodick, the 2003 champion at his home Grand Slam, rolled Italian Andreas Seppi 6-2, 7-5, 7-6 (7-4). ‘I feel good,’ said the 26-year-old. ‘It’s
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Cruising … Federer wins 30th straight US Open match. AFP leadPicToggle(); Easy does it for Federer 
From Jim Slater in New York
Former Australian Captain September 01, 2008
ROGER Federer says a fifth consecutive US Open title would be just the thing to put him back atop the tennis world after seeing off Radek Stepanek in straight sets.
The 12-time grand slam champion won his 30th consecutive
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New York - Holder Roger Federer kept his unforced error count in single figures, turning in a near-flawless performance on Sunday to crush Radek Stepanek 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 and power into the second week of the US Open.
The Swiss second seed is bidding for his fifth straight trophy at Flushing Meadows but has been well overshadowed this season by the exploits of new number one Rafael Nadal, the French Open, Wimbledon and Olympic champion. The Swiss earned revenge after losing to Stepanek in tiebreak straight sets in Rome last
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Federer looked sharp and sent out a warning to the rest of the field
Federer swept aside the 28th seeded Stepanek 6-3 6-3 6-2.
The Swiss maestro looked to be recapturing some of his best form after his recent struggles.
Earlier, fifth seed Nikolay Davydenko, a possible quarter-final opponent for Federer, brushed aside fellow Russian Dmitry Tursunov 6-2 7-6 6-3.
Federer will face Fernando Verdasco or Igor Andreev next, while Davydenko meets .
Muller,
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leadPicToggle(); Jankovic nears return to summit 
From Jim Slater in New York
Former Australian Captain September 01, 2008
JELENA Jankovic moved closer to her first grand slam title and reclaiming the world No.1 ranking with a 3-6 6-2 6-1 triumph over Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki at the US Open.
The 23-year-old Serbian advanced to the quarter-finals of the year’s last major tennis tournament, rallying in blustery conditions at Arthur Ashe Stadium to defeat an 18-year-old who won August WTA titles at Stockholm and New Haven.
Jankovic showed all her experience and guile in the last two sets
Jankovic was sluggish in the opening set and allowed the spirited Wozniacki to break early and seal the set 6-3.However, the 23-year-old found her rhythm in the second and secured a double break to win it 6-2.And, with Wozniacki tiring, the Serb dominated the third 6-1 to set up a tie with Sybille Bammer or Marion Batoli.”I had to really play a lot more aggressive because it’s quite windy and
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New York - James Blake was seeking consolation Sunday among his notorious cheer squad dubbed the ‘J Block’ after crashing out in in straight sets to good Florida friend Mardy Fish in the US Open third round. The ninth-seeded Blake, whose game has gone off the boil since beating Roger Federer in the Olympic quarter-finals, brushed aside any criticism of his blue shirt-clad rowdy fan group.
‘These are some of my best friends, they’re the ones probably the only people in the word besides my mother who can console me right now
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New York - Roger Federer is ready for a few changes at the ATP after his summer election to the Player Council along with fellow top contenders Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
And what better place to start small reforms than in the prize money department. ‘I know that tournaments all around the world are raising prize money more and more,’ said four-time US Open champion. ‘We’re obviously very happy where tennis has gone over 40 years ago, so that’s a good thing. ‘But I agree that I still think the biggest tournaments,
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leadPicToggle(); Amputee ball girl a huge hit 
From Pablo Faggiano in New York
Fox Sports News reporter
Former Australian Captain August 31, 2008
ONE of the more fascinating female athletes at this year’s US Open isn’t one of the players. It’s amputee ball girl Kelly Bruno, the first in US Open history.
“It’s definitely harder than I expected,” Bruno said.
“For me the running is not as tiresome, but I didn’t think standing was going to be so exhausting.
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A star is born … Nishikori won’t be ranked No.126 for long. AP leadPicToggle(); Ferrer foiled by Japanese teen 
From correspondents in New York, USA
Former Australian Captain August 31, 2008
JAPAN’S Kei Nishikori stunned world No.4 David Ferrer in his US Open debut, taking a five-set marathon to become the first Japanese man in the modern era to reach the round of 16.
The 18-year-old Nishikori,
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Safina survives three-set thriller 
From correspondents in New York, USA
Former Australian Captain August 31, 2008
RUSSIAN Dinara Safina rallied to defeat upset-minded Swiss teen Timea Bacsinszky 3-6 7-5 6-2 in two hours and advance to the fourth round of the US Open.
The sixth seed’s next opponent will be Germany’s Anna-Lena Groenefeld, who became the first US Open women’s qualifier since Anna Kournikova in 1996 to reach the fourth round by defeating France’s Alize Cornet 6-4 7-5.
leadPicToggle(); Monfils ousts Nalbandian 
From correspondents in New York, USA
Former Australian Captain August 31, 2008
ARGENTINA’S David Nalbandian, the No.7 seed, was eliminated from the US Open when France’s Gael Monfils upset the South American standout 6-3 6-4 6-2.
Monfils advanced to the fourth round where he will face the winner of a later match between American pair James Blake and Mardy Fish.
More to come…
Agence France-Presse
New York - Rafael Nadal completed a comeback sweep while the Williams sisters put in a bid for more title success at the US Open, as seeds dominated on Saturday’s start of a three-day holiday weekend.
Nadal continued to impress in his first Grand Slam as a top seed, pumping out a 6-4, 6-3, 6-0 win over Serb Viktor Troicki for a spot in the fourth round. The Spaniard won the last 11 games after rallying from a 1-3 deficit in the second set. Serena and Venus, with four titles at Flushing Meadows between them, produced identical
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leadPicToggle(); Marathon Murray squeaks through 
From Greg Heakes in New York
Former Australian Captain August 31, 2008
SCOT Andy Murray rallied to beat Austrian Jurgen Melzer 6-7 (5-7) 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 6-3 in an epic third-round match at the US Open.
Murray toughed out the win, posting 18 aces in the almost four-hour match in front of a crowd of about 1200 at the Grandstand Stadium court.
“I didn’t think I was out of it, but I knew it was going to be tough to come back because he was playing really, really well,'’ Murray said.
leadPicToggle(); Serena advances to fourth round 
From correspondents in New York, USA
Former Australian Captain August 31, 2008
SERENA Williams moves another step closer to a quarter-final showdown with sister Venus, by beating Japan’s Ai Sugiyama 6-2, 6-1 in the third round of the US Open.
This was the fourth career meeting between the two WTA veterans with American Williams continuing her domination over the smaller Japanese player.
Williams has won all three encounters since their first meeting 10 years ago on grass in Eastborne.
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New York - Rafael Nadal continued to impress in his first Grand Slam as a top seed, pumping out a 6-4, 6-3, 6-0 win over Serb Viktor Troicki for a spot in the fourth round of the US Open on Saturday.
The Spaniard has gone non-stop over the past months, winning French Open and Wimbledon titles over Roger Federer before claiming the Beijing Olympic gold this month. Despite a punishing schedule, the 22-year-old is thriving on court. He won the last 11 games against the Serb after erasing a 1-3 second-set deficit to claim a runaway
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Nadal … ‘I have started playing better.’ AP leadPicToggle(); Ruthless Nadal dispatches Troicki 
From correspondents in New York, USA
Former Australian Captain August 31, 2008
WORLD No.1 Rafael Nadal raised his game to answer a challenge and surged into the fourth round of the US Open in straight sets, serving notice he can finally win this grand slam title.
The Wimbledon and French Open
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World number one Nadal was on court for less than two hours
The world number one needed treatment on his troublesome foot blisters but that failed to stop him easing to a commanding 6-4 6-3 6-0 victory.
The top seed will meet Sam Querrey in the last 16 after the American beat dangerman Ivo Karlovic.
Querrey is through to the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time after a 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 win.
Tenth seed recovered from two sets down
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Venus Williams won the US Open in 2000 and 2001
The American broke twice in each set without facing a single break point as she booked a meeting with Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska.”I felt like I had to play my game, serve huge,” said Williams.Ninth seed Radwanska cruised past Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova 6-0 6-3 in 76 minutes.The 19-year-old Pole won her only previous match against Venus, in Luxembourg two years ago.”I’m looking forward to evening the score,”
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New York - Five-time Wimbledon winner Venus Williams duplicated a victory from 2007 as she again beat Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko, producing a 6-2, 6-1 thrashing to move into the fourth round on Saturday.
Williams, seeded seventh, set up a clash with Polish ninth seed Agnieszka Radwanska, a winner over Slovak Dominika Cibulkova 6-0, 6-3. Williams beat Bondarenko at the same stage in the event a year ago. Williams lost her only previous match against the teenaged Radwanska in Luxembourg in 2006. The American spent less than
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leadPicToggle(); Davenport won’t be rushed out 
From correspondents in New York, USA
Former Australian Captain August 31, 2008
LINDSAY Davenport won’t be rushed to take a decision about her tennis future after a frustrating third-round exit from the US Open.
The 32-year-old mother has said she would ponder her future in the sport after her New York run ended.
The three-time Grand Slam winner could not have wished for a more ignominious departure.
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New York - Lindsay Davenport won’t be rushed to take a decision about her tennis future after a frustrating third-round exit from the US Open.
The 32-year-old mother has said she would ponder her future in the sport after her New York run ended. The three-time Grand Slam winner could not have wished for a more ignominious departure. Davenport stormed off the court after losing in straight sets to 2007 Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli. ‘It’s tough to make any kind of decision in a rash moment, and there was no decision made
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leadPicToggle(); Venus bounces Bondarenko 
From correspondents in New York, USA
Former Australian Captain August 31, 2008
SEVEN-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams finds herself playing the best tennis of her career at the US Open, having evolved her game to new levels and taken confidence from a Wimbledon title.
Seventh seed Williams advanced to the fourth round of the year’s last Grand Slam event with a 6-2, 6-1 rout of Ukranian Alona Bondarenko.
New York - Andy Murray just can’t get enough of the chaotic, frenetic US Open ambience as he makes a run into the second week of play.
The British number one from Scotland revels in the ambience of Flushing Meadows, where anything goes in comparison to more staid and traditional events like Roland Garros and Wimbledon. The 21-year-old prefers his tennis Gotham-style: ‘I’ve just always loved being in America. I think the people here are very upbeat. ‘They’ve always been really helpful and I love the courts here,’ he said of
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leadPicToggle(); Roddick downs fellow birthday boy 
From correspondents in New York
Former Australian Captain August 30, 2008
ANDY Roddick and Ernests Gulbis may share the same birthday but only one got to take home the prize early.
Roddick, who turned 26 on Saturday, won the battle of the US Open birthday boys, rallying to beat the younger Gulbis 3-6 7-5 6-2 7-5 in the second-round match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“He was definitely out-playing me for the first two sets,” Roddick said. “I felt like a little kid out here playing against him.
leadPicToggle(); Davenport mulls retirement 
From correspondents in New York, USA
Former Australian Captain August 30, 2008
THREE-time grand slam champion Lindsay Davenport struggled through one of the worst games of her career in a frustrating third-round US Open loss that could mark the end of her career.
The 32-year-old American mum, a former world No.1 and the 1996 Olympic champion, was eliminated by French 12th seed Marion Bartoli 6-1, 7-6 (7/3). Davenport said she would decide on her WTA future after the tournament.
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leadPicToggle(); Guccione knocked out of US Open 
From correspondents in New York, USA
Former Australian Captain August 30, 2008
AUSTRALIA’S last remaining singles player Chris Guccione has been bundled out of the US Open by talented Czech Radek Stepanek.
Guccione put up quite a battle against the world No.30 before losing their second round match 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-2.
“It would have been nice to have got past him and played Roger Federer in the third round but it wasn’t to be,” said Guccione.
leadPicToggle(); Djokovic wins then denies rumours 
From correspondents in New York, USA
Former Australian Captain August 30, 2008
SERBIAN third seed Novak Djokovic breezed into the third round of the US Open with a straight-set triumph then brushed aside rumours of romance with Paraguayan Olympic beauty Leryn Franco.
Australian Open champion Djokovic, last year’s US Open runner-up, defeated US qualifier Robert Kendrick 7-6 (10/8), 6-4, 6-4 to advance at the year’s final Grand Slam tournament, booking a date with Croatian Marin Cilic.
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New York - Roger Federer stormed ahead in his title defence at the US Open with a second-round victory on Friday against an out- classed Brazilian playing an elite match for only the second time in his career.
The Swiss second seed, who is not at the top of a Grand Slam draw for the first time in more than four and a half years, efficiently demolished Brazil’s Thiago Alves 6-3, 7-5, 6-4. The 26-year-old outsider ranked a modest 137 had qualified into the field, playing and winning his only previous Grand Slam match at Flushing
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leadPicToggle(); Federer sneaks into third round 
From correspondents in New York, USA
Former Australian Captain August 30, 2008
ROGER Federer defeated Thiago Alves 6-3 7-5 6-4 in the second round of the US Open as he attempts to salvage a season where he has yet to win on hardcourts.
Federer extended his US Open match streak to 29 victories dating back to the round of 16 in 2003 when he lost to David Nalbandian.
He hammered 19 aces and won 80 per cent of his first serve points in the two hour, 14 minute match on the main Arthur Ashe Stadium.
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leadPicToggle(); Kuznetsova crashes out of Open 
From correspondents in New York, USA
Former Australian Captain August 30, 2008
FORMER champion Svetlana Kuznetsova became the latest casualty in the women’s draw at the US Open, losing 6-3 6-7 (1/7) 6-3 to Slovenia’s Katarina Srebotnik in the third round.
This was the third career meeting between the two with Srebotnik holding a two to one edge after Friday’s two hour, 20 minute match on Louis Armstrong Stadium court.
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Murray beat Melzer in their only previous meeting earlier this year
The 21-year-old, who struggled past Michael Llodra in the second round, meets Austrian Jurgen Melzer from around 1730 BST on Saturday.
“He’s a lefty, comes to the net a lot, plays aggressive,” Murray said.
“He doesn’t give you too much rhythm. But I feel like I’m playing well just now. I’m confident and I look forward to the match.”
Murray beat the Austrian in their only previous encounter, but had to come from a set down at the Indian Wells Masters in March.
New York - Roger Federer took full advantage of his big- match experience to control eager Brazilian Thiago Alves 6-3, 7-5, 6- 4 for a victory into the third round of the US Open on Friday.
The Swiss, seeded second at a major for the first time in more than four years behind Rafael Nadal, produced 54 winners and converted on four of 15 break chances in the contest. The victory was his 29th straight at Flushing Meadows. ‘I did well, it was a really difficult match,’ Federer said of the victory over number 137 Alves, playing
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New York - Second seed Jelena Jankovic stumbled away from another potentially sticky situation, rallying through a final game consisting of 11 deuces to advance past China’s Zheng Jie 7-5, 7-5 on Friday at the US Open.
The Serb, who now stands as the woman to beat after number one compatriot Ana Ivanovic crashed out in the second round a day earlier, needed five match points to go through to the fourth round over the number 27 from China. She double-faulted away her fourth opportunity. While the record early defeat does not
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leadPicToggle(); Jankovic escapes close call 
From correspondents in New York, USA
Former Australian Captain August 30, 2008
WORLD No.2 Jelena Jankovic escaped a close call to defeat Zheng Jie of China 7-5, 7-5 in the third round of the US Open.
Jankovic is the women’s highest seed left in the draw following the upset of world No.1 Ana Ivanovic.
Zheng made Jankovic work for the win, especially in the final game which lasted 18 minutes and included 11 deuces.
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Federer was always a class above his Brazilian opponent
He was joined by third seed Novak Djokovic, who was given a decent test by American Robert Kendrick before coming through 7-6 (10-8) 6-4 6-4.
Defending champion Federer extended his winning streak in New York to 29.
He was never at his best, committing 46 unforced errors and converting only four of his 15 break points, but he was still too strong for qualifier Alves.
Alves shocked Federer - and the crowd - by breaking for the first time in the match to draw level at 3-3 in the third set.
Jankovic could reclaim the world number one spot in New York
Jankovic, who was on court for nearly three hours in her previous match, will play Victoria Azarenka of Belarus or Caroline Wozniacki in the last 16.
Wimbledon semi-finalist Zheng saved four match points in a marathon 12th game of the second set.
But after 11 deuces, Jankovic, looking to reach her first Grand Slam final, came through.
New York - Second seed Jelena Jankovic struggled to avoid the upset fate which befell top-seeded compatriot Ana Ivanovic the day before, fighting past China’s Zheng Jie 7-5, 7-5 on Friday at the US Open.
Jankovic booked into the fourth round at the final Grand Slam of the season, but took two hours, 10 minutes to go through in a dramatic afternoon on court. The Serb failed to serve out a straightforward win leading a set and 5-4. Instead, the 37th-ranked Zheng set up a battle which only ended with an 18-minute final game
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New York - Surprise British women’s contender Anne Keothavong is keeping up her protein intake at the US open with a daily diet featuring a dose of ocean fare: ‘Fish of the day is fine with me,’ said the 24-year-old.
Keothavong has duplicated her career-best showing in a Grand Slam by reaching the third round never before putting two straight wins together at a major. Her performance is the best for Britain here since 1991, when Jo Durie and Sara Gomer got this far, with Durie advancing a round further before losing to Jennifer
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