Federer, Nadal Are Ready for a Showdown

Top-ranked Roger Federer and defending champion Rafael Nadal will meet in the Monte Carlo Masters final after winning their semifinals Saturday at Monaco.

Federer beat 12th-seeded Fernando Gonzalez, 6-2, 6-4, and No. 2-ranked Nadal downed Gaston Gaudio, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1.

Federer reached his 12th consecutive final, equaling John McEnroe’s mark set in 1984. Only Guillermo Vilas (13 straight in 1977) and Ivan Lendl (18 between 1981 and ‘82) have reached more in a row.

Nadal leads Federer, 3-1, head-to-head and today’s match will be their first outdoor meeting since Nadal topped Federer in the French Open semifinals last June. Federer’s only loss in 34 matches this year was to Nadal at Dubai.

Nadal extended his winning streak on clay to 41 matches, the third-longest in the Open era, behind Vilas (53) and Bjorn Borg (46).

Jamea Jackson won in her Fed Cup debut and Jill Craybas saved a match point before winning to give the United States a 2-0 lead over Germany in the quarterfinals at Ettenheim, Germany.

Jackson beat German No. 1 Anna-Lena Groenefeld, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5, and Craybas beat Julia Schruff, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5, to put the Americans one win away from a place in the semifinals.

In other quarterfinal matches, Spain held a 2-0 lead over Austria, two-time defending champion Russia and Belgium were tied, 1-1, and Italy and France were also tied, 1-1.

For Russia, Elena Dementieva upset No. 2-ranked Kim Clijsters, 6-4, 6-3, before Justine Henin-Hardenne beat Nadia Petrova, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-3, at Liege, Belgium.

BOXING

Klitschko Stops Byrd to Win the IBF Title

Wladimir Klitschko stopped Chris Byrd in the seventh round of a one-sided fight to gain the International Boxing Federation heavyweight title at Berlin.

The Ukranian’s right hook finished off the American 41 seconds into the round, the second time Byrd was floored in the fight.

GOLF

Sorenstam Shoots 64 to Take LPGA Lead

Defending champion Annika Sorenstam shot an eight-under-par 64 -- her third straight round in the 60s -- to take the third-round lead in the Florida’s Natural Charity Championship, an LPGA event at Stockbridge, Ga.

A year ago, Sorenstam had essentially wrapped up the tournament by the end of the third round, taking a 10-stroke lead to Sunday and winning by the same margin. This time, she’ll go to the final 18 holes with a one-stroke cushion over 36-hole leader Sung Ah Yim, who posted a bogey-free 68.

Stuart Appleby remained in position to join Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson as the only two-time winners on the PGA Tour this year, shooting a three-under 69 to take a two-stroke lead in the Shell Houston Open at Humble, Texas.

Appleby had five birdies to finish at 14 under.

Mathias Gronberg birdied the 18th for a 67 and a 12-under total. Jerry Smith (69) and Bob Estes (66), who lives in Austin, were four shots back at 10 under.

Jay Haas shot a four-under 68 to take a two-stroke lead over Craig Stadler in the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf, a Champions Tour event at Savannah, Ga.

Jerry Pate (69), winner of the Outback Steakhouse Pro Am in February, was another stroke back at seven under, and Bob Murphy (69) followed at six under.

MOTOR RACING

Castroneves Dominates to Win Indy Japan 300

Pole-sitter Helio Castroneves won the Indy Japan 300 at Motegi, claiming his second straight IndyCar Series win of the season.

Castroneves, who won the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg earlier this month, dominated throughout the 300-lap race and crossed the finish line 6.3851 seconds ahead of defending champion Dan Wheldon.

Michael Schumacher earned the 66th pole of his career for the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola, Italy, breaking the record he shared with Ayrton Senna.

Schumacher, still seeking his first win this season, covered the track where Senna was killed 12 years ago in 1 minute 22.795 seconds in a Ferrari.

Yamaha’s Chad Reed beat Kawasaki’s James Stewart in the Amp’d Mobile World Supercross GP/AMA Supercross Series race at Irving, Texas.

PRO FOOTBALL

Linebacker Arrington Signs With the Giants

LaVar Arrington signed with the New York Giants, giving him a chance to play twice a year against his former team and helping fill a huge gap at linebacker for the NFC East champions. Arrington, a former Washington Redskin, agreed to a $49-million, seven-year deal, according to Kevin Poston, one of his agents.

Clint Dolezel threw six touchdown passes and also ran for a score to help the Dallas Desperados (11-2) to a 62-59 win over the Georgia Force (7-6) in an Arena Football League game at Atlanta.... Joe Hamilton threw five touchdowns to help the Orlando Predators (9-4) to a 52-13 rout of the Tampa Bay Storm (6-7) at Orlando, Fla.... Chris Sanders threw six touchdown passes and ran for two more to lead the Kansas City Brigade (3-10) to a 58-52 victory over the host Nashville Kats (7-6).

GYMNASTICS

Kupets Wins Two Titles

One night after leading Georgia to the NCAA women’s title, freshman Courtney Kupets shared titles on the uneven bars and balance beam at Corvallis, Ore.

UCLA senior Kate Richardson won the floor exercise, overtaking Kupets.