Federer enters 20th consecutive slam semis

The second-seeded Roger Federer has reached the semifinal for the 20th consecutive Grand Slam tournament after beating France's 11th-seeded Gael Monfils. The Swiss tennis star claimed a 7-6 (8/6), 6-2, 6-4 victory against his French opponent at Roland Garros on Wednesday. "I was very nervous before this match, yesterday and today. But I have a lot of experience. I know that when I step on the court, I will play well. Or very well," Federer said. "I felt some pressure before this match," he added. "I was very nervous, because I thought it would be very difficult." "Maybe I took too many risks at the beginning, but I was worried about his forehand," he further explained. The 27-year-old Federer will now meet Argentine fifth seed Juan Martin Del Potro, who'll be playing his first, for a place in the French Open final. Del Potro managed to ease past Spanish 16th seed Tommy Robredo 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in his quarterfinal match. Federer holds 13 Grand Slam singles titles, and the French Open is the only major championship he hasn't won. The Swiss national now stands just two matches away from equaling Pete Sampras's record of 14 grand slam titles.

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Gonzalez ousts Murray in French Open quarters

Chilean 12th seed Fernando Gonzalez has stormed into the French Open semifinals after defeating British third seed Andy Murray. Gonzalez snatched a 6-3, 3-6, 6-0, 6-4 victory over his British rival at Roland Garros Stadium in Paris on Tuesday. "His forehand is the biggest in tennis," Murray said of Gonzalez after the game. “If you look at some of the shots he's hit, he's hitting forehands from like a meter wide of the tramline on some points and hitting winners off them.” "Even if you try to hit a ball to his backhand, he makes his mind up that he wants to hit a forehand and he runs around it and spanks a winner. You can't do a whole lot with it," he added. The 28-year-old Gonzalez admitted that he had tried to dominate the game with his forehand. "I've been hitting the same for years and years. I always try to attack, I have no fear and I just go for it,” Gonzalez said.” I know if I have to win important matches I'll do it on that side." The 12th seed Gonzalez must now face Swedish giant-killer Robin Soderling, conqueror of four-time champion Rafael Nadal on Sunday.

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Osasuna beats Real, remains in La Liga

Osasuna has narrowly avoided relegation to the Second Division after a sensational 2-1 victory against Real Madrid in its final match at home. Gonzalo Higuain put Real Madrid ahead at Reyno de Navarra stadium in northern Spain, but Jaroslav Plasil equalized in the first half. With Osasuna still needing one more goal, Francisco Juanfran scored with a scorching volley to seal the win and its place in the top flight. Real's nightmare in this season completed when Michel Salgado and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar were both sent off for Real that crashed to a fifth successive defeat. Iranian national players Javad Nekounam and Masoud Shojaei helped their club in Sunday's match. Osasuna fans rushed on to the pitch to congratulate the players after they had pulled off a season-saving performance at the last game. Real Betis, Numancia, and Recreativo Huelva were relegated from the Spanish top-flight on Sunday.

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