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Results Based News

Federer hits back to reach Final

Author: Craig Williams
Date: 06/06/2009

Roger Federer will start Sunday's French Open Final against Robin Soderling as the overwhelming betting favourite to become the first man since Andre Agassi to complete tennis' Grand Slam.

The Swiss former number one was once again taken to five sets before eventually beating fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro 3-6 7-6 2-6 6-1 6-4.

Having come from two sets down to beat Tommy Haas in the fourth round, Federer once again needed to use all his battling qualities to see off a man who he had already beaten on five occasions in the past.

The 27-year-old knows Sunday's match will not be straightforward though as Soderling has built on his victory against Rafael Nadal last weekend and showed his quality in beating Fernando Gonzalez in another five-set semi-final.

In a fluctuating encounter, the 23rd-seeded Swede dominated the first two sets before letting Gonzalez back into the contest.

The Chilean took the next two sets to take the tie into a decider and seemed to be in control when he surged 4-1 ahead.

However, Soderling kept his nerve and won five consecutive games to clinch a famous victory.

Heikki Kovalainen gave embattled McLaren a rare reason to smile this season after recording the fastest time during Friday's second practice session for the Turkish Grand Prix.

The Finn's fastest lap was a fraction of a second quicker than the Renault of Fernando Alonso.

Nico Rosberg in the Williams was the fastest in the morning session but seventh in the afternoon as the pace noticeably dropped with teams beginning to focus on race preparation.

Lewis Hamilton was second in the morning but finished one place behind runaway world championship leader Jenson Button for Brawn GP in 13th spot during the afternoon.

Netherlands secured an amazing four-wicket victory against England in an incident-packed opening match in the World Twenty20 at Lord's.

The underdogs won the match off the last ball on an overthrow.

Needing two runs to win the match, Netherlands went for a quick single, Stuart Broad picked up the ball and threw it the stumps.

However, he was inaccurate, no-one was backing up and the minnows were able to scamper through for two runs.

The hosts made a very bright start with Ravi Bopara (46) and Luke Wright (71) putting on 102 runs for the first wicket but they eventually slumped to a disappointing total of 162-5 when they had looked on course to score at least 20 more runs at one stage.

Despite losing Alexei Kervezee (1) early on, the Netherlands soon took the initiative with Darron Reekers (20) slogging two sixes off only 13 balls while Tom de Grooth slammed 49 from 30.

Peter Borren kept the underdogs on course by blasting 30 runs off only 25 balls allowing Ryan ten Doeschate (22 not out) to guide Netherlands to a superb win.

St Helens moved three points clear at the top of rugby league's Super League following a comfortable 30-6 victory over Hull FC.

Saints took full advantage of second-placed Hull KR's own 22-6 defeat at Huddersfield to move further ahead at the summit.

Paul Wellens scored a hat-trick of tries and further scores from Lee Gilmour, Maurie Fa'asavalu and teenager Jonny Lomax secured an easy win for Saints.

Scott Moore, Luke Robinson, Lee Mossop and Paul Whatuira scored the Huddersfield tries which downed a previously in-form Rovers side at the Galpharm Stadium.

Elsewhere on Friday, Wigan were 34-18 winners over Salford in an entertaining encounter at the JJB Stadium.

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