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 Earlier this month, the fine was rescinded on appeal.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.

SEOUL PLEASING

Roger Federer defeated Pete Sampras 6-4, 6-3 on Tuesday in Seoul. The match was the first of three Asian exhibitions, with their next meeting Thursday in Kuala Lumpur before a final get together in Macau on Saturday.

If the top-ranked Swiss star expected an easy time against Sampras, he found out early Pistol Pete still has his powerful serve. Sampras brought cheers from the crowd at Seoul's Olympic Tennis Arena with two aces in his first service game. The balding Sampras proceeded to break his opponent's serve and then moved 4-2 ahead courtesy of a drop shot.

"I feel pretty good," Sampras told Korean television after the game. "I made it competitive, which was my goal. Obviously Roger is the best player in the world and I retired five years ago. I am grateful that he invited me." Federer was equally happy with the workout a few days after winning his fourth Masters Cup.

"Pete was one of my idols growing up and it's great to play him," Federer said. "It wasn't easy for me, it wasn't easy for him as he's been retired five years.

The 36-year-old Sampras retired in 2002, a year after the only previous meeting between the pair at Wimbledon 2001. Federer won that fourth round match in five sets.

On Tuesday, all the familiar trademark volleys and serves were on display but Sampras, who has won 14 Grand Slams to Federer's 12, was slower around the court than in his 1990s heyday. And he made a number of unforced errors. Federer took advantage to come back and take the first set. Apart from three successive lobs that Federer served up to his opponent in the second game of the second set, the match was a competitive, though lighthearted affair. By that time, Federer was hitting his stride and took the second set with a minimum of fuss.

KING JOHN, THE MAD

JOHN MCENROE

It is almost half past eight on a wet Friday evening when he enters the court for the Legends Cup, but already the demons are swarming like wasps.

He thought they were playing in Brussels – they drove him to Liege!

He thought they’d be staying at a nice hotel beside the tournament venue – they drove him halfway to Luxembourg!

He’s jet-lagged; his back aches; he’s picked up an anger-rash from the press conference and just when he thought his head was going to explode, just when he thought things couldn’t get much worse, they’ve sent him out to play the lovable Frenchman, Henri Leconte.

Leconte with the sweet disposition.

Leconte with the permanent smile. Leconte charming the umpire and throwing water and cola to the crowd. Leconte.

Within four games of the opening set, Mac has had his fill . . .

“FFFUUCCCKKKKKK!” In the fifth, he savages the umpire. In the sixth, he flings his racket to the ground. He loses the set, fights his way back and then loses the match in a tie-break. Boy, is he pissed off.

One watches, waits for the storm to abate.

There’s no handshake. They exchange heated abuse at the net and Mac storms from the court without granting an interview or an autograph.

King John, the triple Wimbledon singles champion.

King John, one of the finest we’ve ever seen.

King John, the outstanding broadcaster.

King John, The Mad.

FEDERER 6-2, 6-3, 6-2

Top-ranked Roger Federer won his fourth Masters Cup title in five years Sunday, overwhelming No. 6 David Ferrer 6-2, 6-3, 6-2. It was the third consecutive dominating performance by Federer, who won his 53rd career title - including eight this year - and ran his record against Ferrer to 8-0.

The Spaniard was no match for Federer's blend of spins, power and volleying skills, managing only 10 winners to 38 unforced errors as he was forced to try to do too much with Federer getting everything back. Federer had 30 winners and 29 unforced errors.

Next up is an exhibition in Malaysia against Pete Sampras, who holds the record of 14 Grand Slam titles that Federer is chasing. The Swiss star will begin pursuit of No. 13 at the Australian Open.