Betting Odds - Graffiti Wall

Federer set to defend Masters Cup title
Roger Federer doesn’t like hearing himself announced as No. 2 in the world, and hopes his aching back doesn’t hamper his pursuit of regaining the top spot. “I just don’t like the ring of it,” the defending champion said Saturday with a smile on the eve of the season-ending Masters Cup. “It sounds a bit awkward to me. It is a challenge to get back to No. 1.” The round-robin tournament features the top eight players, and Federer will meet Gilles Simon of France on Monday.

Injured Serena out of WTA Championships (AP)
Serena Williams and Ana Ivanovic withdrew from the WTA Tour’s season-ending event on Friday before their last round-robin matches. Williams cited a stomach injury when she pulled out of her match at the Sony Ericsson Championships against Elena Dementieva, who advanced to the semifinals. “I did feel pain last night,” the U.S.

Venus beats Jankovic to reach WTA final (AP)

Venus Williams advanced to the final of the Sony Ericsson Championships with a 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 win Saturday over top-ranked Jelena Jankovic. Williams will face Vera Zvonareva, who defeated Olympic champion Elena Dementieva 7-6 (7), 3-6, 6-3 in the other semifinal at the WTA Tour’s season-ending event. Williams saved five break points before winning a grueling service game in the third set to go up…

Players defend Nadal for not playing Masters Cup
Andy Roddick understands Rafael Nadal’s decision not to play at the Masters Cup with the Davis Cup final looming later this month. “Rafa’s earned every right to pick and choose what he wants to prioritize,” Roddick said Saturday, dismissing suggestions that the top-ranked Nadal should have tried to play in Shanghai. “He’s also responsible to his teammates and his country,” said Roddick, a fixture on the U.S. Davis Cup team.

King promotes gender equality in Qatar (AP)
Billie Jean King is in the conservative Muslim sheikdom of Qatar to promote gender equality in sport, but the WTA Tour founder says change is difficult and takes time. “That’s actually one of the big reasons I wanted to come here, was to learn,” said King, who is attending the WTA’s season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha.

WTA founder King promotes equality in Qatar
Billie Jean King is in the conservative Muslim sheikdom of Qatar to promote gender equality in sport, but the WTA Tour founder says change is difficult and takes time. “That’s actually one of the big reasons I wanted to come here, was to learn,” said King, who is attending the WTA’s season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha. “I really want to listen this week more than anything.

Ailing Federer takes aim at Masters Cup (AP)

Roger Federer doesn’t like hearing himself announced as No. 2 in the world, and hopes his aching back doesn’t hamper his pursuit of regaining the top spot. “I just don’t like the ring of it,” the defending champion said Saturday with a smile on the eve of the season-ending Masters Cup. “It sounds a bit awkward to me.

Federer to meet two Andys in Masters Cup
Defending champion Roger Federer will face Andy Roddick and Andy Murray in group play at the season-ending Masters Cup next week. The draw Wednesday of the top eight players - using numbered fortune cookies - put Federer in the Red Group along with Gilles Simon. The second-ranked Federer became the top seed when No. 1 Rafael Nadal withdrew because of tendinitis in his right knee. Nadal pulled out of the Paris Masters last week.