Roger Federer has said that he will be in the stands of St. Jakob Park to watch the Europa League semi final match between FC Basel and Chelsea.
The first leg of the semi final clash between Chelsea and Basel will be played at St. Jakob Park on Thursday and Federer will be out there to cheer for the home team.
FC Basel made its way into the final 4 of this tournament by defeating Tottenham Hotspur in the previous round. Nobody had expected them to do that, but, they put up a couple of stunning performances and surprised everybody.
When asked about the upcoming first leg semi final match between Basel and Chelsea, Federer said, “It’s a huge game for the whole Switzerland. The stadium will be jam packed and I will be there as well. I am a diehard Basel fan and I really want them to go on and win this competition.”
“Chelsea is a good team, but, I don’t think they will be able to defeat us on our home ground. I think we will pull it off by 2-1. That’s my prediction.”
“We are not the favourites. So, the pressure is not on us. The pressure is on them and it has happened very often that the favourite teams choke in such big games. Hopefully, the same will happen with Chelsea on Thursday.”
When asked about his favourite player in Basel side, Federer said, “It’s Marco Streller. He is a fine striker and a great leader as well. Also, he is one of those guys who always fire in big matches. He will be a crucial player for Basel in Thursday’s match.”
Federer has been a Basel fan since his childhood days and he follows almost all the matches of Basel.
Serena Williams has defeated Ayumi Morita of Japan in the third round of the ongoing Sony Open. Serena won the match in the straight sets by 6-3, 6-3. It took the world no. 1 American superstar just 75 minutes to defeat Morita.
Serena used a bicycle to reach Crandon Park from her hotel for this match. This was because there was huge traffic jam in Miami and it was impossible for Serena to reach the court on time if she had opted to use a car. So, she decided to use a bicycle.
After the match, Serena said, “The traffic jam was really big and I didn’t have too much time. So, I asked the hotel staff for a golf cart, but, they didn’t have that. They offered me a motorbike, but, I don’t generally use motorbike. So, I didn’t take that option. Then, they offered me a bicycle. That sounded like a good idea.”
“It was really wonderful. Reaching the court by using a bicycle and then, winning the match convincingly. I will never forget this experience.”
When asked about her opponent, Serena said, “I have faced her a few times and she is a very tough competitor. She never gives up and has got fantastic concentration skills.”
Morita broke Serena’s serve in the 2nd game of the first set and took a lead of 2-0. The Japanese player served out the 3rd game and enhanced her lead to 3-0. Serena was really in a spot of bother at that stage.
After playing poorly in the first three games, Serena gathered her focus back and took Morita apart thereafter. She got breakthroughs in the 5th, 7th and 9th game and won the first set by 6-3.
In the second set, Serena broke Morita’s serve only once i.e.in the 6th game. That serve break gave her a lead of 4-2. Thereafter, she just won her remaining service games and won the second set by the same margin of 6-3.
Serena Williams has defeated Garbine Muguruza of Spain in the second round of the Australian Open 2013. Serena won the match in the straight sets by 6-2, 6-0. This was another world class performance by the great American who took just 1 hour and 15 minutes to make her way into the next round.
But, while playing in the match, Serena suffered an ankle injury. She injured her ankle when she was ahead by 4-0 in the opening set. She immediately took the assistance of her physiotherapist and then, continued playing. Even after getting injured, Serena’s performance didn’t deteriorate, but, it was quite evident that her movement was not fluent. She was having a bit of problem in moving, but, despite that, she didn’t give the 19 years old Spaniard any opportunity whatsoever.
Serena had put up a brutal performance in her first round match. She hadn’t lost even a single game in that match. She was expected to put up another great show against Muguruza. Serena stood up to the expectations and started the match in style. With the help of two successive breakthroughs, she won the first four games in the opening set. Although, the Spaniard held her service in the fifth and the seventh game, but, she needed breakthroughs to stop Serena from winning the set. She didn’t get any breakthrough and lost the set by 2-6.
In the second set, Serena showed why she is considered as one of the best female tennis players of all times. She played some amazing shots and thoroughly entertained the spectators who were out there. She won six games on the trot and finished off the match in a hurry.
In the next match, Serena Williams will take on Ayumi Morita of Japan.
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April 29, 2013 9:23 am | 
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