Roger Federer - Slow Motion Topspin Backhand

NO TRIFLE

One of the biggest truffles found in decades has fetched $330,000 (£165,000) at an auction held simultaneously in Macau, London and Florence.

A Macau casino owner, Stanley Ho, made the record-breaking bid for the white truffle, which weighed 1.5kg (3.3lb).

Luciano Savini and his son found the highly-prized fungus after it was dug up by his truffle dog near Pisa, northern Italy, last week.

He said he was overwhelmed by the high price paid for his discovery.

He said: "I thought we were going to beat the record, but not to really get to this amount.

"The biggest truffle of the century and the most expensive truffle of the century. There are no more words to say - it is all very beautiful."

Mr Ho outbid British artist Damien Hirst and Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed of Abu Dhabi to the prize.

US CAPTURES DAVIS CUP

DAVIS CUP FINALS: USA 3 - Russia 0

Bob and Mike Bryan (USA) def. Igor Andreev and Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) 7-6(4), 6-4, 6-2 Saturday in Portland, Oregon to clinch the 2007 Davis Cup title for the United States 3-0 over the visiting Russian team.

This is the first Davis Cup title for the U.S. since 1995. The last time the U.S. swept the first three matches in a final was in 1990 against Australia.

FOOT BONE CONNECTED TO DA KNEE BONE

Rafael Nadal's foot injury should not keep him from performing at a high level, according to his doctor.

The second-ranked Spaniard was diagnosed in 2004 with a stress fracture in his left foot. The injury has occasionally flared up.

The foot "is not at all a handicap," Dr. Angel Ruiz Cotorro said in a statement Thursday. "Rafa is in perfect condition to continue developing his professional career at the highest level in future years."

Nadal's uncle and coach, Toni Nadal, said in a newspaper interview Wednesday the injury was "very serious" and could threaten the player's career.

He later said his comments were misinterpreted, and Nadal issued a statement saying he was "fine."

Another leg problem, that came to Federer's rescue in Wimbledon [altho' no one mentions it], patellar tendonitis was not addressed.

US vs RUSSIA - DAVIS CUP

Russia have omitted top player Nikolay Davydenko from Friday's opening singles in the Davis Cup final against the USA.

Dmitry Tursunov will face Andy Roddick in the first match in Oregon, with Mikhail Youzhny playing James Blake.

World number four Davydenko will team up with Igor Andreev on Saturday to take on brothers Bob and Mike Bryan.

"We have four strong players, be it for singles or doubles, so the choice was made for tactical reasons," said Russia captain Shamil Tarpischev.

Despite his high ranking, Davydenko has a dreadful record against Roddick and Blake, having lost all 11 matches against the American pair.

And Davydenko's season has been tainted by an ATP investigation into unusual betting patterns during his unexpected loss to Martin Vassallo Arguello of Argentina in August.

He has denied any wrongdoing, but in October was fined for not trying hard enough during another defeat in the St Petersburg Open. Earlier this month, the fine was rescinded on appeal.

US team captain Patrick McEnroe said he would not be surprised if the Russians made late changes to their line-ups for Saturday and Sunday.

Russia are the defending champions, having defeated Argentina last year in Moscow.

Last year Tursunov beat Roddick in a five-set thriller to secure Russia's place in the final with a 3-2 win over the USA.

Asked if that epic defeat would provide additional motivation, Roddick said: "I don't need any added hunger."

The United States have won 31 Davis Cup titles but none in the past 12 years.

This weekend's final is taking place on indoor hard courts at the Memorial Coliseum in Portland.

Friday 30 November - opening singles:
Andy Roddick v Dmitry Tursunov
James Blake v Mikhail Youzhny

Saturday, 1 December - doubles
Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan v Igor Andreev/Nikolay Davydenko

Sunday 2 December - reverse singles: Roddick v Youzhny Blake v Tursunov

NADAL - ALL COURTS PLAYER?

Nadal is faced with having to change his type of game to become more effective on surfaces other than clay.
CLICK HERE to see the differences.

GQ

He's beaten one of tennis' toughest clay-court champions and one of the game's greatest grass-court players in the past week and now Roger Federer is once again expanding his horizons in keeping world-class company. You can soon see the Swiss stylist sharing space with former President Bill Clinton, rapper Kanye West, candidate Ron Paul, James Bond and the Flying Tomato.

Federer joins that eclectic group as one GQ Magazine's Men Of The Year in the new December issue of GQ. The magazine recognizes the 12-time Grand Slam champion as "Court King." Clad in a white Armani Exchange t-shirt, a stylish Federer resembles the young Warren Beatty in the black-and-white photo shot by Liz Collins.