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Shaky Federer gets to semis

By TIMES WIRES
Published October 7, 2006

TOKYO - Top-ranked Roger Federer rallied from a shaky start to beat Takao Suzuki 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3) on Friday and advance to the Japan Open semifinals.

Struggling with his return, Federer dropped the first set to Suzuki, who was playing in his homeland in his first ATP tournament since the Australian Open in January after a shoulder injury.

"It was a difficult match and I was afraid I might lose it," Federer said. "He mixed up his serves well and hit all the corners. I got a bit of luck here and there in the third set, which helped."

Federer will face German Benjamin Becker, who defeated fifth-ranked Jarkko Nieminen 6-7 (7-5), 7-6 (8-6), 6-4. Becker beat Andre Agassi at the U.S. Open, sending the eight-time Grand Slam winner into retirement last month.

PORSCHE GRAND PRIX: Svetlana Kuznetsova moved closer to a third straight title, defeating Jelena Jankovic 6-4, 6-1 to reach the semifinals in Stuttgart, Germany. Kuznetsova will face fourth-seeded Nadia Petrova, who breezed past Daniela Hantuchova 6-2, 6-4. Third seed Elena Dementieva withdrew from her match against Patty Schnyder because of a thigh injury.

SOCCER

U.S. assistant coach suffers heart attack

Glenn Myernick, an assistant coach for the U.S. team and a former head coach of Major League Soccer's Colorado Rapids, was in intensive care after a heart attack.

Myernick, who collapsed Thursday, was at North Suburban Medical Center in Thornton, Colo., and had not regained consciousness, former U.S. Soccer Federation president Bob Contiguglia said.

The 51-year-old Myernick, nicknamed "Mooch," coached the Rapids from 1997-2001, became an assistant to U.S. coach Bruce Arena in 2002 and also coached the U.S. Olympic team from 2002-04, when it failed to qualify for the Athens Games.

ET CETERA

BASKETBALL: Jameer Nelson and Dwight Howard collided during a scrimmage in Jacksonville, leaving both with wounds requiring stitches. Both were being held out of the evening training camp session, but the players were dressed and at the practice facility. Nelson had nine stitches over his right eye, while Howard had six stitches over his left eye. ... Shaun Livingston scored 19 points and the Los Angeles Clippers beat BC Khimki 98-91 in an exhibition game in Moscow. ... Los Angeles Lakers guard Aaron McKie had to cut his training camp practice time short because of a sore back, raising questions about the 13-year veteran's health.

WINTER SPORTS: Four-time Olympic gold medalist Janica Kostelic won't defend her World Cup overall title this season because of chronic back and knee pain. The 24-year-old Croatian said she would "pause for a year and then see what will happen." Kostelic won her third overall World Cup title last season.

FIELD HOCKEY: The U.S. team beat Olympic champion Germany 1-0 at the women's World Cup in Madrid, Spain, and can finish no lower than sixth, its highest placing in 12 years.

[Last modified October 7, 2006, 02:29:51]