Sports Digest: Roger Federer survived a ferocious claycourt battle with Spanish qualifier Nicolas Almagro at the Rome Masters yesterday, winning 6-3, 6-7, 7-5 to set up a semi-final with fourth seed David Nalbandian.
Holder Rafael Nadal extended his winning streak on clay to 51 matches by cruising past Chile's Fernando Gonzalez 6-4, 6-3 in the other half of the draw.
It was a nervy afternoon for Federer, who is at his most vulnerable on clay and has yet to win this title in five previous visits.
Federer looked comfortable when he broke in the second set after winning the first. But a double fault on his first match point opened the way for 20-year-old Almagro to come storming back to level.
Federer looked tense in the last set before Almagro wavered when serving to take the match into a deciding tiebreak.
Federer can expect another battle with Nalbandian, who has won six of their 10 previous meetings. The Argentinian was rarely stretched in beating the Croatian Mario Ancic 6-3, 6-3.
The 19-year-old Spaniard Nadal next meets fifth seed Andy Roddick or Frenchman Gael Monfils.
Justine Henin-Hardenne advanced to the German Open semi-finals with a 6-4, 7-6 victory over the Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova yesterday.
The French Open champion must wait to discover her opponent after bad light ended play in the match between world number one Amelie Mauresmo and 1999 winner Martina Hingis with the pair level at a set each.
Crumley seals win
Ireland's show jumpers held off 14 teams to win the non-Super League Nations Cup in Copenhagen yesterday, the first Nations Cup win for Ireland since mid-March of last year, reports Grania Willis.
Ryan Crumley and Cameron Hanley both jumped double clears and, with an eight and a four from Commandant Gerry Flynn, Team Ireland were level with Belgium after two rounds.
Team manager Robert Splaine nominated 23-year-old Ryan Crumley to do battle against the clock with Niels Bruynseels. The Belgian clocked 41.41 seconds, but Crumley and Baltimore were more than two seconds better.
The A team are back in action next week in the second round of the Samsung Super League in Aachen.
Meanwhile, the International Equestrian Federation's interim secretary-general Jean-Claude Falciola has stepped down. Dubliner Michael Stone, sports director for the federation, has been appointed acting secretary general.
Armstrong report soon
International Cycling Union (UCI) president Pat McQuaid said yesterday the results of the independent investigation into allegations that Lance Armstrong tested positive for EPO during the 1999 Tour de France will be announced within two weeks.
"I haven't a clue what's in the report but we will be given a copy and it is possible it will be made public," McQuaid said during a visit to the Giro d'Italia.
The American strongly denies using banned drugs and says he is the victim of a "witch hunt".
Taylor makes boxing history
Boxing history was made at the National Stadium last night when a woman opened Ireland's challenge against Russia in a senior international, reports Pat Roche.
Bray girl Katie Taylor, the reigning European lightweight champion, was precision personified in easily beating Russia's Julia Busygina on a score of 19-13.
Afterwards she said: "I felt quite confident after the first round and felt the result was never going to be in doubt."
