Nadal improved to 58-1 at Roland Garros, including five wins over Djokovic. The French Open remains the only major title Djokovic has yet to win.

Nadal's trying to become the first man to win eight titles at the same Grand Slam event. On Sunday, he'll play the winner of the semifinal between Spaniard David Ferrer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who is trying to become the first Frenchman in 30 years to win the title.

In the women's final Saturday, No. 1-ranked Serena Williams seeks her first French Open title since 2002 when she faces defending champion Maria Sharapova, who is 2-13 against her nemesis.

They'll be hard-pressed to generate the sort of seesaw drama created by Nadal and Djokovic. In the fourth set Nadal twice was a break up, and twice found himself two points from victory before Djokovic summoned his best tennis of the day.

The Serb had said the French Open was his most important tournament this year, and he wanted to win it for his childhood coach, who died in Belgrade last week. On the verge of defeat, he dug in and won 10 of the final 13 points in the fourth set to even the match.

A rattled Nadal double-faulted in the first game of the final set, and Djokovic broke to take the lead. But there were more plot twists to come.

Serving at 4-3 in the fifth set, Djokovic came forward and successfully hit a putaway, but his momentum carried him into the net and he lost the point. Three points later he drove a forehand into the net to lose the game and even the score once again.

As the tension built, Nadal pulled off the shot of the day — and perhaps the tournament — in the 14th game of the set. Retreating for a lob, he flicked the ball on the run between his legs with his back to the net. That left Djokovic with an easy overhead, but he dumped it in the net, and the crowd roared at the improbable sequence.

The mistake didn't cost Djokovic, who won the game on the next point for 7-all. But the next blown overhead did, and it appeared to shake him as he lost the next three points and the match.

The last shot came 4 hours, 37 minutes after the first. A triumphant Nadal grinned, threw an uppercut and answered the fans' roar with applause for them. Then he gestured graciously toward the defeated Djokovic.

Chair umpire Pascal Maria docked Nadal a point in the second set for playing too slowly, and later warned Djokovic for the same violation. But the crowd was in no rush for the excitement to end, urging on Djokovic when he fell behind and then roaring for a Nadal comeback at the end.

Along with changes in the lead, there were the sort of long, scrambling rallies that are expected when Djokovic and Nadal meet. Three strokes clipped the net on one wild exchange, which included a drop shot by each player, two lunging scoops and finally a winning volley by Djokovic, who grinned at the improbable sequence as the crowd roared. In the end, Nadal was not to be denied on the surface he loves.

The Spaniard won his record seventh French Open title last year, when he beat Djokovic in the final. Since returning in February from a seven-month layoff because of a left knee injury, Nadal is 42-2, winning 21 matches in a row, and on the verge of his seventh title this year.

Paris June 7
Rafael Nadal won an epic semifinal against Novak Djokovic at the French Open to remain the King of Clay — for another couple of days, at least.

The seven-time champion twice let a lead slip away in the fourth set Friday, then came from behind in the fifth to beat the No. 1-ranked Djokovic 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7 (3), 9-7. Djokovic blew an easy overhead on the opening point on the final game and went on to lose serve at love, sending his final forehand long.

Nadal improved to 58-1 at Roland Garros, including five wins over Djokovic. The French Open remains the only major title Djokovic has yet to win.

Nadal's trying to become the first man to win eight titles at the same Grand Slam event. On Sunday, he'll play the winner of the semifinal between Spaniard David Ferrer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who is trying to become the first Frenchman in 30 years to win the title.

In the women's final Saturday, No. 1-ranked Serena Williams seeks her first French Open title since 2002 when she faces defending champion Maria Sharapova, who is 2-13 against her nemesis.

They'll be hard-pressed to generate the sort of seesaw drama created by Nadal and Djokovic. In the fourth set Nadal twice was a break up, and twice found himself two points from victory before Djokovic summoned his best tennis of the day.

The Serb had said the French Open was his most important tournament this year, and he wanted to win it for his childhood coach, who died in Belgrade last week. On the verge of defeat, he dug in and won 10 of the final 13 points in the fourth set to even the match.

A rattled Nadal double-faulted in the first game of the final set, and Djokovic broke to take the lead. But there were more plot twists to come.

Serving at 4-3 in the fifth set, Djokovic came forward and successfully hit a putaway, but his momentum carried him into the net and he lost the point. Three points later he drove a forehand into the net to lose the game and even the score once again.

As the tension built, Nadal pulled off the shot of the day — and perhaps the tournament — in the 14th game of the set. Retreating for a lob, he flicked the ball on the run between his legs with his back to the net. That left Djokovic with an easy overhead, but he dumped it in the net, and the crowd roared at the improbable sequence.

The mistake didn't cost Djokovic, who won the game on the next point for 7-all. But the next blown overhead did, and it appeared to shake him as he lost the next three points and the match.

The last shot came 4 hours, 37 minutes after the first. A triumphant Nadal grinned, threw an uppercut and answered the fans' roar with applause for them. Then he gestured graciously toward the defeated Djokovic.

Chair umpire Pascal Maria docked Nadal a point in the second set for playing too slowly, and later warned Djokovic for the same violation. But the crowd was in no rush for the excitement to end, urging on Djokovic when he fell behind and then roaring for a Nadal comeback at the end.

Along with changes in the lead, there were the sort of long, scrambling rallies that are expected when Djokovic and Nadal meet. Three strokes clipped the net on one wild exchange, which included a drop shot by each player, two lunging scoops and finally a winning volley by Djokovic, who grinned at the improbable sequence as the crowd roared. In the end, Nadal was not to be denied on the surface he loves.

The Spaniard won his record seventh French Open title last year, when he beat Djokovic in the final. Since returning in February from a seven-month layoff because of a left knee injury, Nadal is 42-2, winning 21 matches in a row, and on the verge of his seventh title this year.

He improved to 17-3 in Grand Slam semifinals and has won 20 of his past 21 matches against top 10 players.

Paris, June 7
The reshaping of women's tennis into a three-division competition is gathering pace. The French Open semi-finals here underlined how far Serena Williams has stretched clear of all her rivals, while the two women beneath her in the world rankings continue to fight over the scraps from her table. While Williams destroyed Sara Errani 6-0, 6-1 in just 46 minutes, Maria Sharapova fought toe-to-toe with Victoria Azarenka for more than two hours before winning 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 to reach the final for the second year in succession.

Williams, who is now unbeaten in her last 30 matches and has lost just three times since her remarkable defeat in the first round here 12 months ago, was merciless in her demolition of Errani, last year's beaten finalist. The 26-year-old Italian won just eight points in the first set and raised her arms in ironic celebration when she won her only game midway through the second. Williams had far too much power for the world No 5 and sealed her victory appropriately with an ace.

Although Sharapova is the defending champion, the outstanding favourite when the world's two highest-ranked players meet in Saturday's final will be the woman who won her only Roland Garros title 11 years ago. Williams has beaten Sharapova in their last 12 meetings and last lost to her nine years ago.

Sharapova's victory over Azarenka was hard won. Both women went for their shots, particularly when returning second serves, and most of the rallies were won by the player who got in the big hit first. Double faults are a recurring problem for Sharapova and she made 11 here, such was the pressure applied by Azarenka. Twenty-four hours after losing the first set against Jelena Jankovic 6-0, Sharapova dropped her opening service game to love after two double faults. This time, however, the recovery was swift as she won the next six games to take the first set.

Azarenka fought back to win the second set, after which Sharapova was grateful for a 35-minute rain delay. The Russian made the decisive break at 2-2 in the decider, though Azarenka saved four match points when Sharapova served for the match at 5-2, the Belarusian breaking back thanks to her opponent's two successive double faults. Two games later, however, Sharapova served out for the match, clinching victory with an ace.

The home focus in the men's semi-finals this afternoon will be on the meeting of David Ferrer with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who is bidding to be the first French male singles champion here for 30 years. — Agencies

Paris, June 7
Serena Williams gives pet names to her various character traits whereas Maria Sharapova, who will try to prevent the American claiming a 16th grand slam title in Saturday's French Open final, usually sticks rigidly to the ice maiden routine.

Defending champion Sharapova has been more beauty or beast in the last couple of rounds, however, mixing brilliance with woeful interludes, with aces and winners often being matched by doubles faults and wild errors. The "good" Maria, the one that served 12 aces against Victoria Azarenka in Thursday' semi-finals, will have to show up against Williams if she is to stand any chance of preventing the world number one lifting the Suzanne Lenglen Cup 11 years after her first triumph.

Second seed Sharapova needs to produce an almost flawless display if she is to become the first woman to retain her Paris title since Justine Henin in 2007.

While American Serena dropped only a set en route to the final and annihilated Saran Errani 6-0 6-1 in the semi-final, four-times grand slam winner Sharapova survived a 6-0 drubbing in the first set of her quarter-final with Jelena Jankovic and then needed more than two hours to go through the semis, grinding past Azarenka in an error-strewn clash.

"If Sharapova serves well, there will be a contest," Patrick Mouratoglou, Serena's coach, told reporters.

"Sharapova moves better (on clay) but not well enough yet." Mouratoglou believes Williams, who is on a 30-match winning streak, has her fate firmly in her own hands after prevailing in all 12 of their matches since the 2004 Tour finals. "Serena will start with a psychological advantage, for sure. The result will not depend on Sharapova but on Serena," he added. — Agencies

New Delhi, June 6
The beleaguered Rajasthan Royals management on Friday sought to distance itself from co-owner Raj Kundra, who has been accused of betting during IPL matches, saying that he had no involvement in running of the franchise and would be suspended if found guilty.

Raj Kundra

Shilpa Shetty

Reacting to reports over Kundra's involvement in betting, the Rajasthan Royals said that he would also forfeit his shares in the franchise if he has breached any regulations.

“As a franchise, we have always been clear that the same rules apply to players, management or owners. As such, our actions will be consistent as in the case of the spot fixing allegations with respect to our players," Rajasthan Royals chairman Ranjit Barthakur and CEO Raghu Iyer said in a statement. "Mr. Raj Kundra is a minority (11.7%) shareholder, and he has no involvement in the running of the franchise. We believe that Mr. Raj Kundra is a law abiding citizen and would not act contrary to law.

“If however, he is proven guilty, or has breached any regulations, he will be suspended, and he will also forfeit his shares. This is a strict governance procedure agreed to by all Rajasthan Royals shareholders, and it is consistent with our zero tolerance approach," the statement said. The statement said that Rajasthan Royals has been assisting the police in the investigations and cooperating with the authorities to ensure a thorough inquiry.

"In the last few days, various members of the RR management have been assisting the Delhi Police in their investigation for a better appreciation and understanding of the matter. "As we have stated before, we are cooperating with the authorities to ensure a thorough inquiry and will continue to share any such information that they may seek from us in the future. We are working hard as co-complainants to ensure that all information is made available to the authorities," the Jaipur-based franchise said. “We remain committed to our fans and sponsors, and we remain focused and fully committed to working with the authorities to complete their reviews," it said. Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar had said on Thursday that Kundra had confessed to betting in IPL matches, adding a new twist to the ongoing betting and spot-fixing scandal that has rocked Indian cricket. Kundra and his wife Shilpa Shetty have 11.7% stakes in Rajasthan Royals through Kuki Investment. Suresh Chellaram and Family (Tresco International Limited) have the bulk of the shares with 44.2% while Manoj Badale (Emerging Media) has 32.4% stakes. Lachlan Murdoch (Blue Water Estate Limited) has 11.7% stakes.

Rajasthan Royals has been at the centre of the spot-fixing scandal with India paceman S Sreesanth and three of their players — Ankeet Chavan, Ajit Chandila and Amit Singh — being arrested on charges of spot-fixing. All the four players are still in judicial custody.

The franchise statement is seen as a clear attempt to distance itself from Kundra as it faced the prospect of their contract being terminated. As per clause 11.3 (C) of the franchise agreement, a team can be terminated in the event of any of the owner bringing the game into disrepute. The BCCI has called an Emergent Working Committee meeting on Monday to discuss the Kundra issue and take action if required. — PTI

London, June 7
This month’s Confederations Cup is far more than just a straight dress rehearsal for next year’s World Cup finals because nothing is straightfoward as far as football in Brazil is concerned.

Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari with Neymar and Fred during a training session. — AFP

Controversies involving the government, FIFA, local sports bodies, construction companies, politicians and the police have hampered preparations since Brazil was formally announced as World Cup host in October 2007.

The Confederations Cup, starting a year before the World Cup kicks off, will define, perhaps more off the field than on it, how prepared Brazil really is for the main event.

Jerome Valcke, general secretary of world football’s governing body FIFA, who 15 months ago said organisers “needed a kick up the backside” because their progress was so sluggish, has been far more upbeat recently.

In his latest column, Valcke praises Brazil’s “modern functional football stadiums”, but stresses a key change about to be experienced by Brazilians during the Confederations Cup.

What the local fans want to see most of all is Brazil winning the warm-up tournament after victory in the last two Confederations Cups in 2005 and 2009. That would reflect an upturn in the fortunes of the side following the return last year of World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari for a second spell in charge.

Brazil shared the spoils with England in a match that ended 2-2 in the first official game at the reopened Maracana for their fourth draw in six matches under Scolari, although they dominated for long periods especially in the first half.

In the Confederations Cup, Brazil face Japan, the first team to qualify for next year’s World Cup finals, Mexico and Italy in their Group A matches while world champions Spain, Uruguay, Nigeria and complete outsiders Tahiti comprise Group B.

The draw in Sao Paulo in December pitted world and European champions Spain against the minnows from Oceania and that almost surreal match-up would produce one of the biggest shocks in international football history if Tahiti won. The fact it is taking place at all will secure it a place in football folklore.

Tahiti, ranked 138th in the world by FIFA, will face Vicente del Bosque’s side at the Maracana in their second group stage match after playing African champions Nigeria in their opener.

While Tahiti may, or may not, enjoy their time in the spotlight, for the likes of Spain, Italy, Japan and probably Mexico, Uruguay and Nigeria, the tournament offers players the chance get acquainted with Brazil before next year’s finals.

Del Bosque is taking a strong squad to Brazil as his Spain side seek to win the only international trophy that has eluded them following their European championship success in 2008. Iker Casillas and Fernando Torres are back in the side and Spain are co-favourites to win it along with the hosts. The tournament, which starts in Brasilia with the match between Brazil and Asian champions Japan on June 15, will be played in six of the cities being used next year: Brasilia, Rio, Recife, Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza and Salvador. The final will be staged at the Maracana on June 30. — Reuters

New Delhi, June 7
The second edition of the Hockey India League will be held from January 23 to February 23 next year, featuring six teams.

Ranchi Rhinos won the inaugural trophy in front of a packed stadium in Ranchi as the league was a hit with fans. Fifty foreign players from eight countries and 70 Indian players donned the jersies of the five franchises. Among the players were 60 Olympians. — TNS