Federer stops Djokovic, next up is Nadal in final

Roger Federer stopped Novak Djokovic from equaling one major tennis record, and now he has a chance to keep Rafael Nadal from matching another.

The 16-time Grand Slam champion moved into the French Open final for the fifth time, and he did it by spoiling Djokovic's perfect season and ending his 43-match winning streak.

"Rafa and Novak and other guys have stopped me, too. It's just the way it goes," Federer said after beating Djokovic 7-6 (5), 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (5) as darkness was settling over Court Philippe Chatrier. "I said it earlier, I wasn't here to spoil the party."

Federer's next opportunity to do just that will come Sunday, when he meets Nadal in the final of the French Open for the fourth time. The top-ranked Spaniard, who defeated Andy Murray 6-4, 7-5, 6-4, can equal Bjorn Borg's record of six titles at Roland Garros with a victory.

Read more: http://www.seattlepi.com/sports/article/Federer-stops-Djokovic-next-up-is-Nadal-in-final-1408315.php#ixzz1OIE6bUDR

Ceiling Fight Could Strain Economy Even Before August,

As politicians fight over the federal debt ceiling, Americans could start feeling the consequences of Congressional gridlock even before that limit is hit.

Moody's Investors Service warned on Thursday that if lawmakers have not made progress in negotiations to raise the debt limit by mid-July, the ratings agency plans to reassess the nation's sterling credit rating for a possible downgrade. The warning, coming after Standard & Poor's lowered its outlook on U.S. debt to "negative" in April, underscores that the current political stalemate in Washington has already begun to dampen the nation's economic prospects.

A downgrade from Moody's on U.S. debt, or even the imminent threat of one, could itself begin to choke the economic processes that still have not fully recovered from the Great Recession. It would imply that a credit default is possible, likely causing yields on Treasury debt to rise and pushing up interest rates across the board.

Teacher, 64, punched student in the face 'who called her a c***'

Dramatic video footage of the moment a 64-year-old art teacher punched a student several times in the face after he allegedly called her obscene names and backed her against a wall has been cleared.

Though Sandra Hadsock, of Hernando County, was originally charged with child abuse and can be seen clearly punching the student in the video, the State Attorney's Office has decided not to file criminal charges, saying it is not clear whether she wasn't acting in self defence.

The video, taken by one of the other students in the classroom, shows the teenager towering over the teacher at the wall.

Dirk Nowitzki Channels Michael Jordan With The Tongue Wag

Just when the Heat and their fans braced for the sort of premature celebration that ushered in this Big Three era last July, Dirk Nowitzki gave all of Miami the finger. Roll.

What we saw Thursday night was the trademark of a great player, once again, refusing to be betrayed by his body. Just as Isiah Thomas pogo-sticked his way on one leg in 1988, and Michael Jordan sniffled around the court in 1997, the 2010 NBA Finals offered something almost as dramatic. It gave us Nowitzki capping a stunning finish by dropping a layup going left, the ball gently rolling off a torn finger with 3.6 seconds left, the Mavericks fighting back from the brink to seize control of the series.

And that was preceded by a lefty layup that tied the score, then a three-point sucker punch with 26 seconds left that temporarily gave the Mavericks a 93-90 lead.

"I've got all the faith in the world in him," said Shawn Marion.

Great players find a way, as Nowitzki did in the closing freeze-frame moments of Game 2 when he put up the biggest shots, twice with his left, and shut up the building.

Finals Game 2 NBA Dallas Mavericks Miami Heat

Following their impressive win in Game 1 on Tuesday, the Miami Heat will look to maintain their homecourt advantage and take a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals tonight against the Dallas Mavericks. Isn't it nice that there is only one day in between the first two games of the series? Following the Eastern Conference Finals in which it took 8 days to play 3 games, this is a welcome change.

The first game of the series saw each teams point guards having a hard time. Dallas starter Jason Kidd did all right in the 1st half, hitting 2-of-6 from the field, while Heat starter Mike Bibby missed all 3 of his opening half shots. Neither of them did anything noticeable in the 2nd half though they didn't spend much time on the floor. Reserves Mario Chalmers and J.J. Barea got some minutes, but they were ineffective as well.