HAMBURG, Germany -- Top-seeded Roger Federer was taken to the limit on Friday before coming through for a 7-6 (4), 3-6, 7-5 victory over Florian Mayer and a place in the semifinals of the German Tennis Championships. Federer is playing his first tournament since losing in the second round of Wimbledon. A four-time champion on the clay courts of Hamburg, Federer needed two hours to overcome Mayer. Federer was down 5-1 in the second set, won the next two games but then faltered again. He double-faulted and then produced two straight forehand errors to give up the set. In the third, Federer broke serve twice, only to see the German re-break both times. But with the match on the line, the Swiss former No. 1 raised his game considerably. He broke serve with the loss of a point for a 6-5 lead and served out the match at love, hitting a service winner on match point. He next plays Argentine qualifier Federico Delbonis, who upset 14th-seeded Fernando Verdasco of Spain 6-7 (5), 7-6 (8), 6-4 to make the semifinals of a tournament for the second time in his career. Fabio Fognini of Italy beat Tommy Haas for the second time in two weeks to also advance to the semifinals. Fognini prevailed 6-2, 6-4 over the second-seeded home favourite. The 12th-seeded Italian is looking for his second straight title after winning his first tournament in Stuttgart, where he beat Haas in the quarterfinals. Fognini next faces third-seeded Nicolas Almagro of Spain, who came from behind to beat defending champion Juan Monaco of Argentina 4-6, 6-0, 6-3. The fifth-seeded Monaco beat Almagro in the Hamburg semifinals last year. Almagro was runner-up in Hamburg two years ago, while Monaco beat Haas for the title last year. Delbonis previous semifinal appearance was two years ago, also on clay and also in Germany, in Stuttgart. After fending off a pair of match points in the second set, Delbonis failed to serve out the match at 5-3. He then wasted two match points on Verdascos serve before the Spaniard double-faulted on the third. Soccer Jerseys Sale . Fred Couples, captain of the U.S. side, put it all into perspective. "We know whos in charge," he said. Clearance Soccer Jerseys Online . The 29-year-old Baines has established himself as one of the top attacking full backs in the country and was the subject of two bids from United during the last off-season. Everton manager Roberto Martinez says that keeping Baines at the club is a "massive boost and exciting for the future" because he brings "maturity and football knowledge in a very specialized position on the pitch" and an "infectious and positive influence to the rest of the squad. http://www.chinajerseyssoccer.com/ . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . Cheap Nike Soccer Jerseys . Arsenal failed to take full advantage of its main rivals stumbles on Saturday as substitute Gerard Deulofeu levelled with a hard shot from a tight angle in the 84th minute to give Everton a deserved point. Ahead of a crucial fortnight that will see them play against Napoli in the Champions League, Manchester City and Chelsea, Arsenal leads by five points ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea. Soccer Jerseys Outlet . Their 38th instalment is arguably their biggest fight card to date, including three-title fights and a main event which was selected by the fans. The promotion boasts 14-straight years of business and is operated by MFC president Mark Pavelich, who is often overlooked in this country for the foundation hes established for MMA in Canada. Newcomers dont take long to impact college basketball -- not in this world of one-and-dones and transfers. Over the next two weeks, we will look at the top five newcomers in each of the 10 biggest conferences. Next up is the Big East.When the Big East rebooted with a new alignment in 2013, conference commissioner Val Ackerman told those gathered at the leagues first media day in New York City of her vision to create a powerhouse conference. She didnt preach patience or the future. She preached now. And three years later, the Big East finished third in KenPoms conference rankings, ahead of the Pac-12, Big Ten and SEC.Five of the leagues 10 members reached the NCAA tournament. And Villanova won the national championship via one of the tourneys most memorable finishes. With an abundance of talented newcomers entering the mix, expect the same success from college basketballs newest power conference. Most of this leagues best newcomers are seasoned transfers who missed last season and cant wait for another chance in 2016-17.Marcus Foster, Creighton BluejaysWe thought Fosters story ended when Kansas State coach Bruce Weber dismissed him from the program and stopped the turbulent tenure of a young man who ended his freshman season in 2013-14?as an NBA prospect (15.5 points per game, 39.5 percent from the 3-point line). His numbers fell the following season and Weber suspended him before he dismissed him.But Foster landed at Creighton, where hes now a strong contender to win Big East Newcomer of the Year and vie for the leagues player of the year award if he avoids the off-court drama that ruined his time in Manhattan, Kansas.Creighton gains a player who can excel against any team in the conference. He scored 23 points in a four-point loss to a top-five Arizona squad in 2014-15. His 6-for-11 clip helped Kansas State defeat Oklahoma and Buddy Hield that season, too. And Foster played even better as a freshman.But its this line from Weber after he dismissed Foster that still haunts him:We felt we had to make some changes. Its pretty obvious why we had to make the changes. All we can do now is move forward and worry about the guys we have.We know about his talent. But can he avoid the problems that interrupted the first chapter of his collegiate career? Thats still the question.Omari Spellman, Villanova Wildcats This entry earns an asterisk. Per ESPNs Dana ONeil, Spellman has been cleared by the NCAA to practice but not compete. For most squads, the possible loss of the top recruit in the league (18th in the Class of 2016 per RecruitingNation) would incite fear and worry. Nova returns enough talent from last seasons national championship roster to compete for another crown without the five-star recruit.Per coach Jay Wright, the issue is tied to the start of Spellmans high school career.Once you start [high school] you have four years to complete it, Wright told ONeil. When they started counting his four years, thats whats at question.But the addition of a 6-foot-9, 275-pound big man would help. Hes a force with a grown mans body who can rumble in the paint with the games veterans, but hes also versatile and capable of knocking down shots from 17 feet and out.Villanovas push for a second consecutive championship will demand another balanced season. Because Kansas just added a lottery pick in Josh Jackson. Dukes team, on paper, is more talented than the 2014-15 squad that won a national title. Kentuckys Isaiah Briscoe, Malik Monk and?DeAaron Fox?form the nations most promising backcourt.So the Wildcats dont need Spellman. Yet every contributor could help them reach their goal. Thats why Wright hopes his talented fresshman earns clearance to compete before the season begins.ddddddddddddMyles Powell, Seton Hall PiratesIsaiah Whitehead charged through last season and led Seton Hall to the NCAA tournament. But the Pirates were embarrassed in a lopsided opening-round loss to Gonzaga, the result of Seton Halls 4-for-21 mark from beyond the arc.That was Seton Hall in 2015-16, a strong defensive unit that played pickup ball on offense. You can play that style when you have a player like Whitehead, who had the strength, skill and athleticism to get to the rim when he wanted. Yet that approach comes with risks. And we witnessed that in Seton Halls loss to the Zags.Although they lost the gifted underclassmen to the NBA, they gained Myles Powell, an elite shooter who could help the program rise beyond its mediocre offensive marks (72nd in adjusted offensive efficiency per KenPom). Powell, No. 81 in the ESPN 100, is a pure shooter whom Kevin Willard will utilize often in 2016-17.Coach Willard told me he wants me to shoot, Powell told USA Today after he committed in 2015.His addition could transform, stretch and enhance an offense that, at times, became a black hole with Whitehead dominating the ball.RaShid Gaston, Xavier MusketeersXavier coach Chris Mack returns enough talent to make another run at the Big East crown. Hell also boast depth that few programs can match. The additions of top-100 prospects Quentin Goodin?(No. 92) and Tyrique Jones?(No. 94) give the coach two youngsters, along with Florida A&M graduate transfer?Malcolm Bernard, who will boost his bench. But Gaston, the coveted Norfolk State transfer who sat last year, is the programs most game-ready, experienced newcomer.And perhaps the most important addition, too. Xavier had few flaws last season. But the team surrendered a 48.6 percent mark inside the arc (160th per KenPom.com) last season. Gaston earned the MEACs Defensive Player of the Week honor four times in 2014-15.No, he didnt play the competition hell see in 2016-17. But hes a big body who can impact the game on both ends.The 6-foot-9, 240-pound power forward averaged 15.5 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game in 2014-15. His 63.1 percent clip from the 2-point range and 13.9 percent offensive rebound rate were both top-30 marks that season.Xaviers depth was its strength last season. The second unit maintained the mojo and rhythm. Gastons arrival ensures another solid rotation for Macks opponents to deal with.Kethan Savage, Butler Bulldogs The Bulldogs reached the NCAA tournament last season but then lost key players Kellen Dunham (16.2 PPG) and Roosevelt Jones (13.8 PPG). That hurts.But the return of Kelan Martin and Andrew Chrabascz should position Butler to stay in the hunt for a tournament berth.Savage, a former starter at George Washington, helps too. The guard averaged 11.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG and 2.3 APG with George Washington in 2014-15 (25 starts that season). Hes sporadic (43 percent inside the arc, 30 percent from the 3-point line), but hes also an aggressive finisher who should help Chris Holtmanns squad regain some of the offense the team lost when Jones and Dunham departed.Savages 12 points (5-for-11) helped GW defeat a top-15 Wichita State squad in 2014. But its the 1-for-13 effort in a double-overtime win over Richmond a few weeks later that should worry Butler fans. Savage must take smart shots in 2016-17 and avoid that shooters shoot mentality that led to some reckless performances. Still, hes a scorer, and thats what Butler needs. Hell make an immediate impact. ' ' '