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Jo-Wilfried Tsonga dumped Novak Djokovic out of the Australian Open after winning a see-saw quarter-final in five sets in Melbourne.

After losing a first-set tie-breaker, Djokvic then reversed the game and went a set up, but looked to be suffering from illness and after taking an injury time out his game collapsed, allowing Tsonga back in.

The French former Australian Open finalist took full advantage to book his place in the semi-finals, where he will face Roger Federer, with a 7-6 6-7 1-6 6-3 6-1 victory.

Djokovic beat Tsonga in the 2008 final to win the first grand slam of the year, but the number three seed lost his chance of a repeat performance after illness struck after winning the third set.

Tsonga eventually won an entertaining opening set after a marathon 10-8 tie-breaker, but number three seed Djokovic answered back by taking a much more clinical breaker in the second.
Serbian star Djokovic hammered his way to the third set and he looked in great shape to complete the turnaround, only for illness to strike and force him to take a medical timeout.

Apparently after vomiting in the locker room, Djokovic looked drained when he returned and Tsonga quickly powered into a 5-0 lead and levelled the match despite a late rally from the Serb.

A break in the opening game of the final set put Tsonga in charge, and a Djokovic double fault in the fifth put him 4-1 in front and well on the way to the semis.

Djokovic, also retired from his quarter-final against Andy Roddick last year, had nothing left and Tsonga cleaned up the remaining points to take him into a semi-final showdown with top seed Federer.

After not playing a five-set match in his career, Tsonga has now played two in two after his last round match against Nicolas Almagro went the distance - with the Frenchman prevailing 9-7 in the last.

Roger Federer survived a stuttering start to topple Nikolay Davydenko in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.

The world No.1 looked strangely out-of-sorts early on as the in-form Davydenko, who had been unbeaten in 2010, came storming out of the blocks.

However, having lost the first set and facing break points to avoid a second successive break, Federer dug deep to claw his way back into the match.

And having found his form, Federer, who lost to the Russian in Doha, was able to go on to record a 2-6 6-3 6-0 7-5 victory.

Federer was broken twice in the opening set as his normally reliable serve let him down, allowing Davydenko move into the lead.

And there was worse to follow as he was broken again in the second set - with the top seed forced to save break points at 3-1 down as Davydenko cranked up the pressure.
Dominant

However the sixth seed was left ruing his missed chances as Federer responded in superb fashion to break twice in quick succession, rattling off five games on the bounce to seal the set.

From being so dominant in the opening set, Davydenko suddenly found himself on the ropes as Federer broke him three times in the third set to win 11 successive games.

The one-way traffic continued in the fourth set as Federer broke for the sixth time - and when Davydenko did fashion a break point of his own, he fired an overhead smash into the net with the court at his mercy.

Davydenko finally won a game at the 14th time of asking and then held again to regain some much-needed confidence.

The tide of the match threatened to turn again as Davydenko levelled and then had three points for a second successive break.

Federer, though, held and then took the first of two break points to allow him to serve for the match.

But in a rollercoaster set, Davydenko again managed break to keep his hopes alive - only to then drop his serve after an enthralling 11th game.

Having missed out on his first chance to serve out for the match, Federer made no mistake second time around.

Bangladeshi opener Tamim Iqbal put India’s attack to the sword with a blistering 151 on the third day of the second and final Test in Dhaka on Tuesday.

The left-hander dominated a record 200-run stand for the second wicket with Junaid Siddique (55) as Bangladesh reached 228-3 in their second innings at stumps.

But the hosts still face a stiff task to save the match as they need 83 more runs with seven wickets in hand to make India bat again after conceding a 311-run lead.

The tourists lead 1-0 in the short series following their 113-run win in the opening match in Chittagong last week.

Iqbal completed his second hundred off just 101 balls, the fastest by a Bangladeshi in Tests. His stand with Siddique was also Bangladesh’s highest for any wicket in Test cricket.

Bangladesh’s previous best was 191 between Mohammad Ashraful and Mushfiqur Rahim for the sixth wicket against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2007.

“This innings is so far my best. I wanted to bat throughout the day. I played my natural game. I always enjoy scoring against India. If I had stayed unbeaten, it would have been good for the team,” said Iqbal.

“If we had not lost two wickets towards the end, we would have been on top. I hope one batsman now makes a big score and another 60 or 70 runs, then we will be in a competitive position.”

Iqbal, 20, delighted the crowd with bold strokeplay, smashing three sixes and 18 fours in his career-best knock. He spared neither seamers nor spinners as he kept playing attacking shots on both sides of the wicket.

Indian seamer Zaheer Khan struck in the third over when he had Bangladeshi opener Imrul Kayes (five) caught by substitute Dinesh Karthik, who dived forward to hold on to the ball at short cover.

The visitors then had to wait for more than 51 overs for the next breakthrough as Iqbal and Siddique bolstered the innings with their contrasting knocks.

Zaheer broke the partnership when he had Siddique caught behind. The Bangladeshi batsman, who relied more on singles and twos, hit only five fours in his 144-ball knock for his fifth Test half-century.

The Indian seamer then got a big wicket in the day’s penultimate over when he had Iqbal caught behind, claiming his third victim.

“He (Iqbal) played well. He is a very aggressive player. We were pleased to get him out at the end of the day. It was very important for us,” said India coach Gary Kirsten.

“We now need to get early wickets tomorrow. We have got two days left and the wicket is fantastic to bat on.”

India earlier declared their first innings closed at their lunch total of 544-8 in reply to the hosts’ 233, with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni making a solid 89.

The visitors added 85 to their overnight total of 459-5, with Dhoni alone contributing 67.

The Indian captain, on 22 overnight, completed his 17th Test half-century when he lofted seamer Rubel Hossain over mid-off for a boundary.

He looked set for his fourth Test hundred when he was stumped by Rahim off part-time spinner Raqibul Hasan on the stroke of lunch. He cracked two sixes and nine fours in his 167-ball knock.
Saama TV

Andy Murray produced one of the best performances of his career as he knocked defending champion Rafael Nadal out of the Australian Open.

Nadal had toppled Roger Federer to win the title last year, however he found Murray in simply irresistible form on the Rod Laver Arena.

The British No.1, who is yet to lose a set in the tournament, stormed into a 6-3 7-6 3-0 lead before Nadal was forced to retire with a knee injury.

Murray will now go on to tackle Croatian Marin Cilic for a place in the final.

Things had looked ominous for Murray as he was broken in only the third game of the match by the world No.2.

However, the Scot responded in sensational fashion as he secured the next four games on the bounce - with Nadal’s serve failing him - before going on to take the set.

The Spaniard again broke early in the second set - following a delay for a firework display to celebrate Australia Day - but was guilty of failing to consolidate his advantage as Murray responded immediately.
The 22-year-old, who had former two-weight world champion Ricky Hatton in his supporters’ box, had four break chances in the 11th game and although Nadal managed to hold, Murray took the set into a tiebreak.

Murray crucially gained the early break and never gave Nadal the chance to get into the tiebreak to move into a two-set lead.

Murray started off the third set by holding his serve before Nadal called for the physio, complaining of a problem in his right knee.

Although Nadal came back out, he never looked comfortable as Murray was able to secure the break.

Nadal, though, was not about to throw in the towel as he put the Murray serve under pressure, but he was unable to take advantage of two break chances.

And with Nadal clearly struggling he opted to call it a day, leaving Murray to progress through to the last four.
Saama TV

Manchester City are in negotiations about loaning record signing Robinho to one of two Brazilian clubs, Santos or Sao Paulo, City manager Roberto Mancini confirmed on Tuesday.

Mancini also revealed that the Brazilian, signed from Real Madrid in 2008 for a British transfer record of 32.5 million pounds, is in his squad for Wednesday’s League Cup semi-final second leg clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

“It is possible that something could happen,” Mancini said.

“This kind of thing does happen. I know in Italy there were instances when clubs paid a lot of money for a fantastic player but afterwards he needed to play at another club.

“Negotiations are happening but for now he is part of my squad.”

Robinho has only sporadically produced anything like his best form for City and appears to have grown disillusioned with life in the north of England.

A return to his homeland could offer Robinho the opportunity to secure a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad for this year’s finals in South Africa.

“The World Cup in June is a big problem for him,” said Mancini.

“He wants to play for the national team. I understand that but I must decide what is best for the team.

“I have five or six strikers to choose from, which makes it difficult for him and me.”

In Manchester City’s 2-0 Premier League defeat by Everton this month, Robinho suffered the embarrassment of being taken off by Mancini before the end of the match having only come on as a substitute.
Saama TV

Pakistan put up much more of a fight in the third ODI in Adelaide, but they could still not stop Australia from recording a 40-run victory that gave them an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series.
Harris produces superb figures to fire Aussies to series win

Replacement bowler Ryan Harris, who only played due to an injury to Peter Siddle, responded with a Man of the Match performance by taking 5-43 to help bowl the Aussies to victory.

Shaun Marsh top scored with 83 as Australia previously made 246, but Harris and Clint McKay (3-48) showcased the home side’s strength in depth in the bowling ranks by ending Pakistan’s resistance on 246 with two overs to spare.

After being blown away by 140 runs in the last game, it represents a big improvement by the tourists, but their bowlers were again unable to restrict the Australian batsmen.

Marsh led the line with a steady 83 off 113, while Shane Watson hit 33 as they produced an opening stand of 63 to form the platform for the innings.

Ricky Ponting went for a duck but Michael Clarke picked up the pace as he smacked 80 off 90 balls and adding 83 for the third wicket with Marsh before being bowled by Umar Gul.
Clarke and Mike Hussey then exploded in the final ten overs, with the duo combining for an 80-run partnership off just 33 balls as Hussey 49 came off just 28 deliveries.

Pakistan slipped to 60-4 in response with Harris trapping Kamran Akmal lbw for just one, while Salman Butt was unlucky to be given out by the same method despite TV replays suggesting otherwise - ending his bright start at 34.

Pakistan showed some fight this time around though with Umar Akmal and Fawad Alam adding 85 between them before Akmal was caught behind for 59 after trying to guide a Harris delivery down to third man.

Alam went for 33 and that brought Rana Naved in to join Shahid Afridi and the two gunslingers duly started swinging for the fences to try and blast Pakistan back into contention.

The two smacked 37 runs off three overs to have the Aussies sweating, but they both fell to Harris when trying to hand out more punishment to the bowlers.

Afridi registered 40 from just 29 balls while Rana added 33 from 28 but their brave efforts were not to be enough as Australia won to claim the series in some style.
Sky Sports

World number two Rafael Nadal believes it is only a matter of time before Australian Open quarter-final opponent Andy Murray wins a Grand Slam title.

The two players go head-to-head in Melbourne on Tuesday morning in what promises to be an enthralling last eight match-up.

Nadal, who is defending the title he won in dramatic fashion 12 months ago, has won seven of nine previous meetings with Murray but has also gone eight months without winning an ATP Tour title.

Murray, 22, who is one year Nadal’s junior, is still waiting to claim his maiden major success with his final appearance at the 2008 US Open the closest the Scot has come to breaking Britain’s 74-year wait for a male champion.
And while Nadal will be hoping to extend that drought further when they meet on the Rod Laver Arena, the Spaniard is confident Murray will lift one of tennis’ four major trophies at some stage in his career.

“He is going to have a lot of chances to win a Grand Slam and I think he is going to do it for sure,” Nadal said ahead of Tuesday’s match which starts at 7.30pm local time (8.30am GMT).

“He has enough results from the past to be confident of a win at a Grand Slam.

“I don’t think Andy has to prove anything to anybody. He can win for sure.”

Nadal and Murray have both enjoyed trouble-free passages into the last eight - the former dropping only one set during the first week.

But Murray’s form is even more impressive, overcoming Kevin Anderson, Mark Gicquel, Florent Serra and John Isner all in straight-sets.
And Nadal admits he has been impressed with the Scot’s all-round quality.

“Playing Andy is one of the toughest matches you can have on the circuit,” he said.

“To beat him you have to be able to fight at every single moment and then see what happens.

“He can play every single shot well. He serves very well. He can play defence, he can attack, he has good hands.

“He uses his sliced backhand very well and he’s able to change his hands very quickly to play drop shots.

“He has a lot of options in his game and that’s a big advantage. We both have our own weapons.”
Sky Sports

World number one Roger Federer silenced the Melbourne Park crowd with a straight-sets victory over local favourite Lleyton Hewitt in round four of the Australian Open.
The third set was a much tighter affair, Federer perhaps guilty of taking his foot off the pedal as Hewitt continued to scrap for every point on offer.

And, despite Hewitt breaking the otherwise potent Federer serve late in the set, Federer wrapped up a 6-2 6-3 6-4 victory when the Australian netted a return.

“I am happy to get through because Lleyton is a great competitor,” said Federer, who has now beaten the Australian in each of their previous 15 matches.

“He’s a champion, you always go through some tough moments against him. I’m on an incredible run against him.”

Looking forward to his match with Davydenko, Federer added: “He played very well the last couple of times we’ve played.

“I’ve always had tough ones against him. He’s really picked up his game, he used to have issues on serve but now that’s gone.

“I just hope I can get the better of him in five-set play.”

The Swiss top seed outclassed the Australian, easing to a 6-2 6-3 6-4 victory in under two hours as his title bid gathered pace.

His reward is a last-eight match-up with Russian sixth seed and ATP World Tour Finals champion Nikolay Davydenko.

Hewitt has not beaten Federer since 2003 and another defeat always looked likely when the 15-time Grand Slam king powered through the first set courtesy of two breaks.

The gulf between the current and former world number ones continued to widen in set two - Hewitt failing to force a single break point opportunity as Federer took the set 6-3.
Sky News

Look who’s cheering for Shah Rukh Khan’s IPL team cheerleaders… five of his Bollywood lovelies! King Khan has got Anushka Sharma, Deepika Padukone, Lara Dutta, Minissha Lamba and Malaika Arora-Khan on his reality series to select cheerleaders for the forthcoming Twenty20 tournament. The tall and perky Anushka Sharma, SRK’s debutant co-star in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, set the ball rolling on Saturday and even joined the aspiring cheerleaders in doing jhatkas and matkas on the TV show. Points are awarded for energy, style, chutzpah, poise, personality, attitude, grace, rhythm and fire. Naturally, the Bollywood Badshah’s jury members score high on these counts themselves. Designer Mandira Wirk worked on maintaining a high glam quotient on the screen and has dressed up Lara in a wine hued short dress, Malaika in a short olive green dress with crystals studded on it, Deepika — who walked as a model for Mandira at a fashion show in Delhi, in something really spectacular. And, there’s Shiamak Davar leading everybody through her steps. So there’s dance, glamour and Bollywood, a heady combo indeed, now let’s wait for the cricket matches.
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Andy Murray crushed giant American John Isner in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals of the Australian Open for the first time.

The Scot won 7-6 6-3 6-2 in just over two hours against the 6ft 9in 33rd seed and is yet to drop a set in four matches.

Murray’s reward is a last eight showdown with world number two Rafael Nadal after the Spaniard saw off Ivo Karlovic in four sets.

As expected, the American’s serve had Murray on the back foot early and the fifth seed looked unlikely to force a break.

Isner fired down nine aces in the first set and while Murray was largely untroubled on his own delivery - he lost just two points on serve in his first five games - Isner almost broke in the 12th game.
The American forced a set point only to miss his chance with a wide cross-court forehand off a Murray second serve.

That took the set to a tie-break where Isner’s serve let him down as he doubled faulted at 3-4 down to hand Murray an advantage he did not relinquish on his way to winning the breaker 7-4.

Murray was having to be patient to wait for a rare chance to break but the Scot was at least getting a grip on Isner’s serve and with no pressure on his own the focus was on the American’s delivery.

The breakthrough did finally come in the eighth game as he raced love-40 ahead before Isner hit a forehand wide.

Murray served out the set and then took a stranglehold on the match with a break in the sixth game of the third set.

It took one of the shots of the tournament to get it as Murray showed all of his speed around the court.

The 22-year-old did impressively just to reach an Isner smash before his jumping backhand from metres behind the baseline arrowed to the feet of the American who volleyed into the net.

It set up break point and Murray converted with a superb running backhand.

With Isner’s challenge fading Murray broke again to go 5-2 ahead.
Sky Sports