Serbia’s top female swimmer on winning streak-Higl: I am stunned by result in Sweden

Serbian swimmer Nadja Higl has been on a series of winning results, with the latest success coming from the short-course World Cup in Sweden, where Higl won the gold. She also managed to swim the national record in the 200m breaststroke event 2:18. 54.
Following her win at the World Cup in Durban, South Africa, this has come as yet another gold medal for Higl in her preparations for the European short course Championships to take place 10 through 13 December in Istanbul.
Higl was far from being euphoric after the magnificent result, leaving behind European record-holder Rikke Moller-Pedersen of Denmark.
- I am pleased with the result as everything went fine. I swam the best that I could and my style proved to be enough for a win. To be perfectly honest, ahead of the race I hadnt believed I could enter the top three because my opponents were excellent swimmers, says Higl.
The Serbian fell just short of breaking the European record.
- I talked with my brother about how I should swim, and I did everything the way wed agreed and it seems even he was a bit stunned with the result I achieved. Now we are moving on and focusing on the European Championships in Istanbul, said the reigning 200m breaststroke world champion.



SOurce: mirosport.net

Djokovic downs Soderling in Paris! SF vs Nadal!

Third-seeded Novak Djokovic booked his place in the semi-finals of the BNP Paribas Masters (2,750,000), the last ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament of the year, beating world no.10 Robin Soderling of Sweden in three sets 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 in 1 hour and 57 minutes.
Soderling opened match with a solid service hold to 15. Djokovic started slowly and handed the Swede three break points in the second game, but saved them with great serves. No.9 seed missed his fourth chance with a forehand into the net and Novak held with a service winner. The 22-year-old made a break in the third game and then increased his lead to 3-1. Soderling broke back in the eighth game to equalise the result, but Nole broke him once again and won the set 6-4.
Djokovic lost his rhythm in the second set. Soderling was dominating. The Swede made two breaks and took it 6-1 in just 27 minutes.
World no.4 made a crucial break in the eighth game of the third set and then served it out for final score 6-3.
“It was a real struggle”, said Djokovic after the match. “In the second set I wasn’t moving very well; I was fighting myself, letting him play and control the match. I managed to focus when I needed to and hold the nerves and I’m happy to be in the semi-finals.”
Novak will play against world no.2 Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals. The Spaniard beat no.8 seed defending champion Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in straight sets 7-5, 7-5.
Djokovic and Nadal have met 19 times, Rafa leads 14-5. Nole won their last match in Cincinnati 6-1, 6-4.
The 22-year-old Serb has advanced to four ATP World Tour Masters 1000 finals this season (Miami, Monte Carlo, Rome, Cincinnati).
The semi-final match is scheduled on Saturday at 14.30 CET.


Source:mirosport.net