Harris and Trump make final push in must-win Pennsylvania    Drones and snipers on standby to protect Arizona vote-counters    India's Modi condemns violence after Canada temple incident    Elon Musk can keep giving $1m to voters, judge rules    Al Ahli extends perfect start with 5-1 victory over Al Shorta    Mitrovic's hat-trick leads Al Hilal to 3-0 victory over Esteghlal    Tourism Development Fund launches "Tourism Empowerment" programs to enhance sustainable growth of SMEs    Saudi crown prince, Tunisian president review bilateral relations in phone call    SFDA Chief visits premier biotechnology and medical firms in China    Al-Khereiji: Collective action in combating terrorism is a must for achieving stability and prosperity    Saudi Awwal Bank becomes the Kingdom's first bank obtaining ISO certification for quality management system in operations    10 cooperation agreements signed during Saudi-Turkish Business Forum in Istanbul    Saudi Arabia's non-oil revenues grow 6% in 9 months while Q3 budget posts SR30 billion deficit    Quincy Jones, titan of US music, dies aged 91    Enhancing zakat, tax, and customs compliance takes center stage at the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Conference 2024    Neymar expected to join Al Hilal squad for AFC clash against Esteghlal, says coach Jesus    Al Qadsiah secure 2-0 victory over Al Ettifaq in first Eastern Derby since 2021    Hidden sugars in Asia's baby food spark concerns    HONOR unveils pre-order of the stunning HONOR MagicBook Art 14 Featuring an ultra-slim design, HONOR Eye Comfort Display and AI Cross-OS WorkStation    Teri Garr, Young Frankenstein and Tootsie star, dies at 79    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Muted Eid celebrations for millions of Nigerian Muslims    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



McHale tops Kvitova; Federer, Nadal thru
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 13 - 03 - 2012

Former winners Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal breezed through with straight-set wins Sunday as a flu bug wreaked havoc on the men's and women's draws at the Indian Wells tournament.
Reigning Wimbledon champion and WTA Player of the Year Petra Kvitova was knocked out early when 19-year-old American Christina McHale fought back to beat the Czech 2-6, 6-2, 6-3.
But the biggest problem eating into the draw Sunday was a stomach virus that has forced at least eight players to withdraw or retire within the last two days, including men's 14th seed Gael Monfils and women's ninth seed Vera Zvonareva.
Third seed Federer defeated wild card Denis Kudla 6-4, 6-1 in a second round night match on centre court.
The Swiss master said he was also feeling a bit sick, but not as bad as his family members and not enough to be thrown off his game.
Federer hammered eight aces and won 79 percent of his first serve points in the 57 minute contest.
“We are fighting something of our own in our family,” said Federer who is travelling with his wife and two young twin daughters.
Federer, who won Indian Wells three straight years from 2004-2006, advances to the third round where he will face hard-serving Canadian Milos Raonic, who beat Carlos Berlocq in straight sets 6-4, 6-2. It will be the first career meeting between the former world No. 1 Federer and Raonic who has already won two singles titles on the tour this year.
David Ferrer of Spain, who could face Federer in the quarterfinals, was a 6-2, 6-2 winner over Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria.
Nadal, a two-time Indian Wells champ, routed Leonardo Mayer 6-1, 6-3.
It marked the Spaniard's first match since losing to world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in a monumental five hour, 53 minute final at the Australian Open.
“It's fantastic. I am happy to start with a victory,” the world No. 2 said.
Nadal advanced to the third round, where he will face fellow Spaniard Marcel Granollers, who beat Tommy Haas of Germany 6-3, 2-6, 6-3.
Ninth seed Juan Martin del Potro defeated Australia's Marinko Matosevic 7-5, 6-2 in their second round match.
Sixth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga advanced to the third round when Michael Llodra pulled out of their all-French clash with a knee injury. Tsonga was ahead 4-1 in the first set when Llodra packed it in.
Tsonga will next face Czech Radek Stepanek, who crushed Belgium's Xavier Malisse 6-2 6-1.
“She's moving very well, so she played a lot of shots back,” Kvitova said. “My serve was not too good. So it was tough.”
McHale finished the match by winning her service game to nothing, with a backhand slice winner sealing the victory.
“I just kind of hung in there early in the second. She played one service game where she gave me a couple of loose errors and then I just kind of kept hanging in there, and then I got more comfortable as the match went on,” McHale said.
Top seed Victoria Azarenka defeated two-time grand slam winner Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1, 6-2, extending her season-long winning streak to 19-0.
World No. 1 Azarenka advanced to the fourth round where she will face Julia Goerges who beat Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain 6-3, 6-4.
Azarenka faced Goerges three times in 2011, winning two semifinals encounters at Madrid and Luxembourg. Li Na of China beat countrywoman Jie Zheng 6-1, 6-3.


Clic here to read the story from its source.