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New England Sports Ventures (NESV) completed its protracted takeover of Liverpool Football Club Friday, its owner confirmed.

The $480 million-deal was agreed after previous owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett withdrew their temporary restraining order blocking the sale on the grounds that it undervalued the club.

"I can't tell you how happy I am that we finally got to this stage," said John W. Henry, the head of NESV, which also owns the Boston Red Sox baseball team.

"We're going to do a lot of listening. We have a lot to learn, but our actions will hopefully speak louder than words."

The deal eliminates the English Premier League Club's debt obligation -- believed to be around $377 million -- to the club's main creditor, the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). Crucially, this will prevent the club's holding company, Kop Football Holdings, from going into administration, the British equivalent of bankruptcy. This carries a nine-point penalty for Premier League clubs.
Liverpool Chairman Martin Broughton, whom Hicks and Gillett hired to find a buyer, said in a statement: "I am delighted that we have been able to successfully conclude the sale process which has been thorough and extensive.

"The Board decided to accept NESV's offer on the basis that it best met the criteria we set out originally for a new owner. NESV is buying Liverpool in order to put it on an excellent financial footing and continue to develop it internationally.

"This is a good deal which comprehensively resolves the pressing issue of the Club's debt and should give staff, players and fans great confidence regarding the future of Liverpool F.C."
Meanwhile, Hicks and Gillett are now planning a $1.6 billion damages action, claiming the sale is "illegal."

A statement on behalf of the pair read: "It's an extraordinary swindle and it will result in exactly the wrong thing for the club and the fans."

Liverpool takeover saga explained

Earlier Friday, Hicks was believed to be trying to offload his shares in the club to a U.S. hedge fund which already controls George Gillett's 50 percent ownership, Britain's Press Association said.

However the Premier League, which oversees the game in England, rejected Mill's requests to undergo a fit and proper person test, saying it could only negotiate with the Liverpool board, the BBC reported.

The board, headed by Broughton, approved the deal with NESV last week without the consent of Hicks and Gillett as a way to rescue the club from its financial problems. But the pair said through their lawyers that superior offers had been "on the table and were not chosen."

A subsequent bid to veto the sale was rejected by a London court, before Hicks and Gillett obtained the restraining order in a Texas court on Wednesday in an effort to delay the deal.
On Thursday the case was taken to a London court for a second time, but English judge Mr. Justice Floyd said the move by Hicks and Gillett amounted to "unconscionable conduct," and granted anti-suit injunctions to nullify decisions taken in Texas.

The American duo, who assumed control of the club in 2007, were given until 1500 GMT (1100 EST) on Friday to comply with the ruling, a spokesman for Broughton told CNN.

"The Independent Directors of Liverpool Football Club are delighted with the verdict of Mr. Justice Floyd in the High Court this afternoon which now requires Mr. Hicks and Mr. Gillett to withdraw their Texas Restraining Order by 4 p.m. tomorrow," the club said in a statement.
"We are glad to have taken another important step towards completing the sale process."

Henry, meanwhile, had pledged to fight Hicks' "last desperate attempt" to hang on to Liverpool.
"We have a binding contract," he wrote on his Twitter account late Thursday. "Will fight Mill Hicks Gillett attempt to keep club today. Their last desperate attempt to entrench their regime."
NESV promised that if its offer was successful, it would keep all acquisition debts away from Liverpool's football operations and stabilize the club in order to return it to its glory days.
One win in seven games has left them 18th in the 20-team Premier League table and at risk of relegation if their fortunes fail to improve. The club faces one of its biggest matches of the season this Sunday against city rivals Everton.

The club has earned a joint record of 18 English titles -- but none since 1990. It is also England's most successful club in European football, winning five European Cups, most recently in 2005.


More at: edition.cnn.com
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Marred by series of controversies in the build-up, the Delhi Commonwealth Games today got the ultimate pat on the back from the CGF Chief Michael Fennell, who declared the mega-event as "truly exceptional". Delivering his address during a spectacular and colourful closing ceremony, Fennell said,"Today, we bring down curtains on 19th CWG Delhi. Delhi, you have delivered a truly exceptional Games.

"Security, transport and other services have been of highest quality. The venues were world class and it was a truly outstanding show by the athletes."

"Now we set our eyes on 2014 Glasgow Games and look forward to athletes participating in all events in large numbers," said Fennell.

Preparations for the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony were in chaos on Wednesday night as Indian organisers made a series of last-minute changes and Scottish performers were left without security passes they required to take part.

About 350 volunteers from throughout Scotland are in New Delhi to perform an eight-minute show to promote the next Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.

But on Wednesday night, Indian officials had still not issued security accreditation passes to 40 of the performers while British officials and members of the Glasgow Games Organising Committee were left in the dark over when they will perform their showcase.

Frustrated insiders said it was another example of the chaos which had characterised the Games in New Delhi and that the last-minute confusion was "par for the course".

India's preparations for hosting the Games had been beset by construction delays, corruption allegations, terrorism fears and tropical diseases, as heavy monsoon rains caused an outbreak of dengue fever.

In the fortnight before the Games began, a footbridge leading to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium collapsed injuring 27 workers, one of whom remains in a coma. Officials drafted in hundreds of housekeeping staff from the city's five star hotels to clean up athletes' accommodation after photographs revealed flooded rooms, human excrement in the showers and animal paw prints on the beds.

But British officials, and members of a delegation led by Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond, have been frustrated in their attempts to finalise arrangements for Glasgow's showcase in the closing ceremony, because of the failure of their Indian counterparts to decide their own programme.

As late as Wednesday night Indian officials were working on new plans to include a performance by disabled dancers.

A spokesman for the Commonwealth Games Federation confirmed there had been problems in issuing accreditation passes to some Scottish performers, but said its security advisors had been assured by New Delhi's Commissioner of Police that the matter would be resolved.

"The Indian creative-ideas people have been through changes in the last week, but we have an eight-minute segment and that's not affected," a Glasgow Games spokesman said.

Organisers believe their problems will be resolved in time but are concerned the growing Indian programme could affect broadcast times and the television audience for Glasgow's showcase.


Sources: telegraph.co.uk


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India equaled its best ever performance in the Commonwealth Games bagging a gold in athletics. With this the Gold medal tally has gone upto 30. India had achieved this feat in the 2002 Manchester games for the first time.
In Athletics, there was surprise in store as Krishna Poonia of India won the gold in women’s discuss even as the hosts won all the three medals.

In boxing, Olympic bronze medalist Vijendra Singh suffered a shock defeat in 75 kg category.

Suronjoy Singh, Manoj Kumar and Paramjeet Somata have entered the finals in their respective weight categories.

Jai Bhagwan, Amandeep Singh and Dilbagh Singh lost their bouts and had to settle for bronze.

The first medal of the day for the hosts came in shooting as Tejaswini sawant and Meena Kumari won bronze in women’s 50 meter Rifle Prone pairs.

Tejaswini Sawant said she had hoped to win more than a bronze in the competition.

In Skeet pairs shooting, Mairaj Ahmad Khan and P Allan Danials finished fifth. The Gold in this event was won by Cyprus.

In Badminton, India’s Saina Nehwal and Aditi Mutatkar have advanced to the quarter-finals of the Women’s Singles event. Saina defeated Caroline Black of Nigeria, 21-0,21-2 while Aditi defeated Kirsty Gilmour of Scotland 21-11, 21-17.

In Rugby, India lost its Rugby sevens match against Wales by 7-53.

In Weightlifting, one gold will be decided today, in men’s 105 plus Kilogram weight category. Sarabjit carries the Indian medal hopes in this event.

In Women’s Hockey, India defeated Canada 3-nil in a final classification match.

In Table-Tennis, Indian duo, Sharad Kamal and Shubhjeet Saha have entered the Men’s Doubles quarter-finals by defeating Australia’s Justin Henn and Shimon Gerreda.

With five more bronze today India continues in second position with 30 Gold, 23 Silver and 28 Bronze. Australia continues to head the table with a total haul of 62 gold, 40 silver and 39 Bronze. England has 26 gold, 47 Silver and 34 bronze.

Meanwhile, the New Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games has been hit by a doping controversy in the same 100 meter Women’s event that earlier saw the disqualification of Australia’s Sally Pearson who was stripped off her medal for a false start.

A Nigerian gold medalist of women’s 100 meters Oludamola Osayomi was tested positive in dope Examination. In the dope test methyle hexalimine stimulate was found. Addressing the customary press conference at Main Press Center, the President of the Games Federation Mr Michael Fennel said the athlete tested positive has requested for ‘B’ sample test and the hearing will be held later today.

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria, President Solomon Ogba told a website that, the Nigerian athlete took medication for her toothache and they strongly suspect that it was the reason that led to her failed drug test.

The Organizing Committee Chairman, Suresh Kalmadi today said Big video Screens will be put up during road events including Marathon and Cycling events along with the route. He said cycling events will be held at Noida- Greater Noida Expressway and all arrangements have been completed.

Indian players will also be seen in action in Table-tennis and Squash tonight.

Source: Mizoramexpress.com

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The Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014 could be left millions of pounds in the red by over-optimistic estimates of ticket sales and a lack of interest from broadcasters, according to an official inquiry.

Holyrood’s public audit committee warned it was “sceptical” the Glasgow organisers’ predictions of ticket sales would be realised. Some stadiums are nearly empty at the current Delhi event.
The committee’s report also said the BBC’s interest in showing the event was lukewarm and it expected little interest from other bidders for broadcast rights.

It voiced concerns that the cost of the Commonwealth games could hit £523 million, on top of a £75 million overrun that has already been confirmed.

MSPs also raised concerns about the management of the event’s budget, as the Games’s organisers failed to take account of pension costs and inflation in their forecasts until May this year.

Hugh Henry, the audit committee’s convener, said: “Early action should be taken to ensure maximum revenue is generated should sales figures indicate less than expected uptake.
“We are concerned that inflation had not been built into budget projections earlier and that the strategic partners continued to deal in 2007 prices.”

When Glasgow won the Games, the estimated cost was £373 million but this rose to £454 million last year. However, this increased to £523.6 million in May when inflation was added for the first time.

During their inquiry, MSPs asked why the income target figure was increased by £13 million to £88 million. The organisers told them there would be an “increased appetite” for the Games following the London 2012 Olympics.

However, John Scott, the chief executive of Glasgow 2014, admitted that revenue from ticket sales had been downgraded.

The original estimates were based on the Manchester games in 2002 but the number of people living within easy travelling distance of Glasgow is about a third smaller.

The 2014 games will also have 20 per cent more tickets to sell as larger venues are being used.
“The committee is sceptical about the ticket sale projections for the games which seem overly ambitious,” the report concluded.

The organisers have also been forced to “downgrade” their revenue forecast from selling the broadcasting rights after initially assuming the BBC would step in.

Mr Scott told MSPs: “This now may not necessarily be the case and they would have to work with the BBC to persuade them of the value of the product.”

The organisers also admitted “there would be little competition for the rights”.
MSPs also questioned why pension contributions were not included in the 2007 cost and recommended a £3 million cap be set on these.

A Glasgow 2014 spokesman said: “We are confident that our ticketing strategy will ensure that we meet our revenue and spectator targets.

“It is important to remember that Glasgow 2014 will come shortly after what will be a hugely successful Olympic Games in London.”

Murdo Fraser, the Scottish Tory deputy leader and a member of the audit committee, said: “The Gathering ended up as a financial disaster due to wildly optimistic revenue projections. We cannot afford the same to happen to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.”

Site: Telegraph.co.uk

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Top seeds Somdev Devvarman of India and Anastasia Rodionova of Australia both chalked up straight sets wins to reach the quarter-finals of the Commonwealth Games tennis tournament on Wednesday. Devvarman, the world number 100, defeated Amresh Jayawickrene of Sri Lanka 6-0, 6-1 to reach the last eight, while Russian-born Rodionova ousted Larikah Russell of the Bahamas 6-1, 6-3.

On a day when seeds were again well on top, the only major casualty was English third seed Katie O'Brien who fell 1-6, 7-6, 7-5 to India's Rushmi Chakravarthi.

Devverman, who has broken into the World top 100 this year after enjoying a successful college career in the United States, said that he wanted to move further up the rankings next year into the top 75.

Whilst saying he was pleased with his own game in Delhi, he voiced concern over the Australian threat to his becoming the first-ever Commonwealth Games tennis champion.

"Australia has the deepest team," he said. "They're all seeded. They're all considered favourites, but it will be exciting."

Australians winning through to the last eight included second seed Peter Luczak and third seed Matt Ebden.

Losing out was Scotland's Jamie Murray, brother of world number four Andy, who lost 7-5, 6-0 to English fourth seed James Ward.

The biggest threat to Rodionova is expected to come from Indian glamour girl Sania Mirza, and she comfortably won through 6-0, 6-2 against Brittany Teei of the Cook Islands.

Hugely popular in India as the first female player to win a WTA tournament and through her recent marriage to top Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, Mirza said that playing at home was a distinct advantage.

"It's a little bit expected in a way as I haven't played for a while in India and they are very loud and vocal. But I'd rather have them for me than against me. And they really pull you through."
Quickest win of the day went to Sally Peers, the Australian fourth seed who needed just 26 minutes to see off Irufa Mahir of the Maldives 6-0, 6-0.
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Two pairs of shooters were bang on target while the grapplers made a clean sweep of all three titles at stake as India grabbed five gold medals to climb to the second spot in the medals table below Australia in the Commonwealth Games today.

The Indian men's 10m air rifle pair of Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra and world record holder Gagan Narang started the gold rush for the country in the morning which was sustained by women shooters Rahi Sarnobat and Anisa Sayeed who picked up the pairs 25m pistol event for women in style.

Two more silver medals came India's way from the Dr Karni Singh shooting range before greco-roman style grapplers Ravinder Singh (60 kg), Sanjay (74 kg) and Anil Kumar (96kg) made a clean sweep of all three gold medals on offer from the wrestling mat to round off a splendid day for the hosts.
The two silver medals were earned by Deepak Sharma and Omkar Singh, in the men's 50m pistol pairs event, and the woman's duo of world champion Tejaswini Sawant and Lajjakumari Gauswami, who stood second in the pairs 50m rifle 3 position.

The five gold and two silver medals boosted the hosts' overall medal tally to 5-4-2 on the second day of competitions after the weightlifers gave the country two silver and as many bronze medals yesterday. The three wrestling gold medals pitchforked India to the second place behind Australia after England overtook the home country briefly through their first two golds from the pool won by Liam John Tancock (men's 50m backstroke) and Francesca Jean Halsall (women's 50m butterlfly).

The day commenced in scintillating fashion for India when Bindra and Narang ended the first day's gold medal drought with a Games record of 1193, overtaking their own mark of 1189 set four years ago in Melbourne, to clinch the men's 10m air rifle pairs event.

Their feat was followed by a superb display of calm nerves and dead centre shooting by the women's duo of Rahi Sarnobat and Anisa Sayyed who added the second gold in the women's 25m pistol pairs event with a championship record of 1156 to boot.

Sharma and Omkar ended up second in the men's 50m pairs event (1187) behind Lim Swee Hon and Gai Bin of Singapore.

Later Tejaswani and Lajjakumari finished second in the women's 50m air rifle 3 position, by equalling the 2006 Games mark of 1143 points, Singapore's Aquilah Sudhir and Jasmine Xiang Wei who broke the previous record by six points.

"Many thought I am a dictator, since I had imposed a gag order on the shooters prior to the Games. But whatever I was doing, I was doing for the country. And we have got the reward for that," said a beaming national coach Sunny Thomas after his team members won a medal in each of the four events they took part in during the day.

Read more: Timesofindia.indiatimes.com

NEW DELHI: Figuratively, he may have "touched the sky with glory" innumerable times. This time, he will literally do it in the most potent supersonic fighter jet in the country's air combat fleet.

From a master-blaster on the cricketing field, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar smoothly made the transition to an "air warrior" on Friday when he was conferred with the honorary rank of Group Captain by Air Chief Marshal P V Naik in the presence of the over 90-year-old Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh.
And the next thing on the agenda of Group Captain Tendulkar, who as a teenager was fascinated by the Tom Cruise-starrer 'Top Gun', is a spin on the twin-seater Sukhoi-30MKI "air dominance" fighter.

"We all want, at some stage, to 'touch the sky with glory'," said Tendulkar, referring to the IAF motto, which epitomises his own life as an iconic cricketer. Tendulkar got his rank, with epaulettes and all on his smart new blue uniform, equivalent to a colonel in the Army, on Friday. After the Sukhoi sortie, "We will also pin the 'wings' on him," said ACM Naik.

Amid all the talk of integrity, dedication and discipline of armed forces, the match-fixing scandal currently rocking the cricketing world was bound to come up. "Integrity is extremely important... we need a clean image. I am sure the ICC will take all the correct steps to ensure this. My job is to stick to cricket and worry about scoring more runs," said Tendulkar.

Asked if mind-boggling sums being offered in T-20 leagues like IPL were making young cricketers more vulnerable to the lure of lucre, Tendulkar said, "The priorities have to be right. The priority is to play cricket in the cleanest way and in the right spirit. When I started playing cricket, it was not about money... If I make more money and less runs, I won't be able to sleep at night." What next for the batting maestro? A Bharat Ratna? "It's the biggest honour. It's the dream of every Indian. Who will not like to get Bharat Ratna," replied Tendulkar.


But that is something for the future. As of now, Tendulkar is thrilled with his new Group Captain rank. "This is a special day. I am extremely proud to be a member of the IAF family," he said. He is also looking forward to the Sukhoi sortie, even though the joyride he had undertaken in an Impala jet trainer of the South African Air Force in 1996 had proved to be "a frightening experience".


"There was restricted space (in the cockpit)... Then, there were instructions about how to eject," he joked.

But he can rest assured that IAF will take all care to ensure he is comfortable in the fourth-generation Sukhoi, with the pilot eschewing hair-raising combat manoeuvres and sticking to a simple cruising flight of just around 1,000-kmph or Mach 1.


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Read more: Timesofindia.indiatimes.com

NEW DELHI: Tejaswini Sawant scripted history on Sunday by becoming the first Indian woman shooter to clinch a gold medal at the World Championships with a world-record equalling score in the 50m Rifle Prone event in Munich, Germany.

Sawant shot a score of 597 (100,100,100,99,99,99), equalling the 1998 record set by Marina Bobkova of Russia.

The 29-year-old, who clinched gold medals in the Commonwealth Games Air Rifle event, was level with Poland's Ewa Joanna Nowakowska in the final score but managed to clinch the top honours with a better perfect score tally of 41.

Kazakhstan's Olga Dovgun settled for the bronze with a score of 596.

An elated Tejaswini said she only wanted to give her best in the event and was not event thinking about a medal let alone the world record.

"The way we were training, I thought I would be getting my personal best. I was not thinking about a medal or a world record. Having got both, I can't even explain how I am feeling right now. It's just amazing," the shooter from Kolhapur told PTI from Munich.

"My coaches, including Kazakh coach Stanislav Lapidus, made some plans for me and I am glad that everything worked accordingly," she added.

Tejaswini said although pursuing shooting is no easy task in small towns like hers, she made it big due to her parents' support.

"There are difficulties but instead of complaining, I think it is better to use them as motivation and work harder. That's what my parents taught me while they supported my dreams," she said.

"The more problems you face in pursuit of your dreams, the more delightful your success becomes. As far as problems of ammunition shortage are concerned, at least I have never faced them. My practice has never been held up because of such issues," she added.

Tejaswini said the morale-boosting historic triumph also sets her up perfectly for the Commonwealth Games this October.

"The preparations has been on for a long time and this has just added to my confidence. I can't describe how happy I am right now," she said.

National coach Sunny Thomas was equally elated for his ward.

"She is only the fifth world-record holder in India after Gagan Narang, Suma Shirur, Ronjan Singh Sodhi, Asher Noria. What she did today is truly remarkable," Thomas said.

Asked whether he expected her to achieve the feat, Thomas said more then Prone, he was hoping for a medal from her in the Rifle 3 Position event.

"She was shooting well since yesterday. So I knew she would do something. I was expecting her to win a medal in 3 Position and we were disappointed when she didn't. But she more then made up for it in Prone," he said.

"She is the first woman to do it for India and it is a proud moment for the country," he added.

Read more: Timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Football World Cup finals matches Prikwaertar last day today. Spain is counter neighboring Portugal and Japan will face the team of Paraguay.

Spain and Portugal in the first-ever World Cup will come face to face. Match with keen interest because Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Spain Khavi Harnaandej Deko will tackle and David Via. Akelpremiyoan chance today to see good football.

In 2008 after becoming European champions Spain, this time with Brazil in the Pasnsdiada teams are being counted. the team presented its offensive potential has not fully field. After losing 0-1 to Switzerland in the early stages of Spain's game was great and the team has won from Honduras and Chile.

Trouble is that the team's star striker Fernaando Toaress game seem so good and so far a total of four goals in matches for the team of David Via has three goals.

Portugal and Spain are aware of the weaknesses during the game will take advantage of plenty.

Portugal mid-fielder

Araual Maereless that they play to win and they know that Spain will face considerable difficulties. Spain coach Avisente send a Boske carefully watching Ronaldo of Portugal, but Portugal's defense strategy is the most feared them.

Ivory Coast Ackrwjoah And, North Korea, they do not distinguish any of the team has found. Meanwhile, Portugal have not created any good games despite the more rounded. Ronaldo the best player in club matches in the World Cup but their performance is not great.

Japan vs Paraguay

Winning team combat team will be one of Japan or Paraguay. Japanese coach Tceshi Okaada that can beat Paraguay. He said that if his players are able to give my 100 per cent, they must win. Highest expectations of Japan are beginning to Ahonrda Ceesuce round machine.

Coach Ahonrda hope that will also perform great. Okaada that Paraguay will be concentrated defensive game against Italy because he made 1-1, but defeated Slovakia 2-0 to be considered weak without any score with New Zealand's draw their match. Confident of victory

Confident of victory

Japan captain Amakoto Hosebe say that Japan will play aggressively. Back to invade team's strength is his armor. Denmark in the match against Gamba Osaka midfielder's superb free kick with Ahonrda shown. Okaada also know that the defeat of Paraguay would be a big win for Asian countries. South Korea played against Uruguay, according to him good. Osaka to Asia that Japan's team at the World Cup final chance to make space.

The current champion Roger Federer Wimbledon Grand Slam tennis tournament with ease singles quarterfinals of the men have entered due to retire while the third seed Jelena Ayancovich Carolyn Vojniaqui experiencing the vicissitudes of the tournament had to be out.

Star Swiss top seed in the tournament on Monday in straight sets to Austrian Juergen Maelzar 6-3, 6-2 6-2. The fourth round of the fight was so one-sided 16th-seeded Federer to break Maelzar the service was not any kind of trouble. Kim Jung beauties in two Belgian women's singles fourth round match Claisters a brilliant comeback after losing the first set, the 17th seed 2-6 to Henin, 6-2, 6-3 defeat.

By breaking the court came down on both retirement and then it was the third fight. Claisters also won three. Meanwhile, fourth-seeded Serbian Jelena Ayancovich Somar fourth-round match due to a back injury midway, leaving the competition got out of the Ninth-seeded Li of China had not entered the quarterfinals. Former champion and second seed Venus Williams at the Australian Jarmila Growth 6-4, 7-6 quarterfinal victory and created space.

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1. Lionel Messi

2. Wayne Rooney

3. Cristiano Ronaldo

4. Wesley Sneijder

5. Kaka

6. Didier Drogba

7. David Villa

8. Daniele De Rossi

9. Fernando Torres

10. Robin van Persie

Roger Federer of Switzerland remains top of virtually unchanged men’s tennis rankings issued on Monday

by the ATP with one change seeing Britain’s Andy Murray move up one place to fourth.

Federer has 10,690 points to lead from Serb Novak Djokovic (7,390) and Spain’s Rafael Nadal (6,480).

ATP Top 10 as of May 3 (previous ranking in parentheses):

1. Roger Federer, Switzerland, 10,340
2. Novak Djokovic, Serbia, 6,970
3. Rafael Nadal, Spain, 6,480
4. Andy Murray, Britain, 5,565
5. Juan Martin del Potro, Argentina, 5,545
6. Nikolay Davydenko, Russia, 5,235
7. Robin Soderling, Sweden, 4,805
8. Andy Roddick, United States, 4,780
9. Fernando Verdasco, Spain, 3,735
10. Jo—Wilfried Tsonga, France, 3,220

Source: Thehindu.com