Djokovic survives four match points to beat Tsonga at French Open

PARIS — Four times, the stands at Roland Garros were ready to erupt, a beloved Frenchman standing one point from beating the world’s top player and ending his quest for history.

Four times, Novak Djokovic had an answer for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

And so, instead of Tsonga Time at the French Open, Djokovic is still on the road to the “Novak Slam.”

Top-seeded Djokovic overcame four match points, to say nothing of the wildly partisan crowd, for a 6-1, 5-7, 5-7, 7-6 (6), 6-1 victory over Tsonga that ended near twilight yesterday in front of drizzle-soaked stands that had quickly emptied after Tsonga’s match points vanished and the final set had become academic.

Djokovic’s win was his 26th straight in the majors.

Tsonga, the No. 5 seed, had dreams of becoming the first Frenchman to win his country’s Grand Slam event since Yannick Noah in 1983.

It was the end to a remarkable day of tennis that included third-seeded Roger Federer’s comeback from two sets down for a 3-6, 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-0, 6-3 win over No. 9 seed Juan Martin del Potro. After both the winners rest their legs, they’ll meet with a spot in the final on the line.

Djokovic’s last Grand Slam loss came against Federer in that semifinal last year — a defeat that ended the Serb’s 43-match winning streak.

If Federer does it again, he’ll set the stage for his 17th Grand Slam tournament title and his first since the 2010 Australian Open.

Djokovic, meanwhile, will try to set up a chance to join Rod Laver and Don Budge as the only men to hold all four Grand Slam titles at the same time.

Purchase US Open tickets

Novak Djokovic, Djokovic, Roger Federer, Tsonga, Yannick Noah, the French Open, match points, Juan Martin del Potro

Nypost.com

Buffett spars with DC over $1B+ ResCap debt

There appears to be a cool breeze blowing across what once was a warm Warren Buffett-President Obama friendship.

Exhibit A is the unusually hostile tack Buffett took with the Obama administration this week when he asked a judge to allow an independent probe of the deals worked out between the government-owned Ally Financial and its bankrupt ResCap unit.

The deals had been OK’d by Obama’s Treasury Department.

But Buffett’s request was tossed aside yesterday when Bankruptcy Judge Martin Glenn ruled in favor of a competing request — from ResCap’s creditors’ committee.

The committee wants to look at the deals. Buffett presumably believes that fellow unsecured committee members, like monoline insurers who have reached settlements with ResCap, are biased and wanted a second probe.

ResCap seeks to release Ally from claims.

“The fact [Judge Glenn] approved the committee today was quite bad for Buffett,” a source close to the case said.

“I would have to imagine the probability of him getting an independent examiner just fell.”

A second source close to the case said, “The judge just basically told Buffett to take a hike.”

Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway owns $900 million in ResCap secured debt, of which it will get paid at face value, plus $500 million of unsecured debt that is now likely worth less than 10 cents on the dollar.

Buffett likely paid between 20 and 50 cents on the dollar for those bonds, the source said.

The Oracle of Omaha’s objection went against his typical style.

He makes a point of not buying companies in hostile bids, and is also not known for challenging bankruptcies.

“What he was trying to do was get more ammunition for a lawsuit,” the second source said. “I do not think the fight is over.”

Buffett, too, in his objection did not complain about the sale of assets to Fortress Investment Group, leading two sources to believe he was not interested in buying ResCap.

Still, there is likely more at play than Ally and ResCap, the first source said.

Buffett, who has been cozying up to the administration, wants it to add amendments to the Dodd-Frank Act that would protect non-financial firms like Berkshire from having to post collateral on its derivatives.

Yet government regulators are not budging from their move to require such collateral, the source said.

Buffett’s objection to the government-owned ResCap bankruptcy may indicate that he is through being warm and fuzzy.

Buffett in 2010 spoke out against new derivatives rules that would impact his firm.

“If we were found to be dangerous to the financial system by the Treasury Department or some commission” we would be required to post collateral on our contracts, Buffett reportedly said, adding that Berkshire was not a danger, since at the time it had 250 derivative contracts while other firms possessed a million contracts.

Posting collateral could cost Berkshire several billion dollars, the source said.

Berkshire Hathaway did not return calls for comment.

jkosman@nypost.com

Warren Buffett-President Obama, ResCap, Berkshire Hathaway, Bankruptcy Judge Martin Glenn, Ally Financial, Buffett

Nypost.com

The Rumble

A-head of the game

Brown convinced Goodell wants to solve concussion problem

The great Jim Brown, new part-owner of the Long Island Lizards lacrosse team, met Friday with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and came away encouraged by the league’s commitment to concussion vigilance.

“He’s on board 100 percent,” Brown told The Rumble. “Everything I was concerned about, he answered it with compassion for the welfare of the players.”

Brown was asked how many concussions he suffered during his Hall of Fame Browns career.

“I know I had one,” Brown said. “Sam Huff hit me behind my head and bent my neck back.”

Getty Images

Football legend and new co-owner of the Long Island Lizards Jim Brown

Brown”s bell was rung in the second quarter. No physician on the sideline back then to keep him from returning to the game. Goodell assured him that those days are over. “I couldn’t remember the plays. I would ask the quarterback, ‘What should I do?’” Brown said. “It did clear up in the third quarter.”

Brown, a lacrosse legend at Manhasset (L.I.) H.S., was approached about the Lizards by an investor group led by Andrew Murstein (Medallion Financial Corp.)

“It was the perfect fit for me,” Brown said.

Carmelo stops for ice-cold b-day treat

Carmelo Anthony stopped by the Soft Serve Fruit Co. on May 29 in Union Square for a birthday treat. He had worked up a big appetite from his workout, so he got a large banana split with a hot waffle as well as a second hot waffle topped with the Fruitastic sundae.

Anthony will join Allan Houston for the “Power by Design” free throw contest, open to the public at Flatiron Pavilion tomorrow. Each basket made by a contestant will unlock customizable features of the 2012 Jeep Wrangler. Participants who make 12 consecutive shots will be eligible for the grand prize to compete in a shooting challenge with Anthony and receive a trip for two to Las Vegas to attend a USA Basketball exhibition game.

Father of Peace helping out in Queens

Metta World Peace’s father is living up to his son’s new legal name. Ron Artest Sr. has established a new foundation targeting Queens kids from the old neighborhood ages 14 to 18 years old to help with their education. Seven programs have been established in Long Island City, where the former Artest was raised. Metta, who plays for the Lakers, blurts out “Queensbridge’’ during every national TV interview.

Artest Sr. said the programs will teach teenagers in Long Island City about SAT prep, mental health awareness, financial literacy, tutoring, basketball clinics and a “Girl E Girls’’ program.

Artest Sr., who lives now on Roosevelt Island, is also planning on a “Pros vs. Joes’’ charity basketball event in August.

Former Red Bulls trainer leads charity walk

Former New York Red Bulls head athletic trainer and current Major League Soccer Medical Coordinator John Gallucci Jr. will lead his team of more than 100 people in the the Valerie Fund Walk & JAG Physical Therapy 5K Run to benefit the The Valerie Fund, which provides support for children with cancer and blood disorders. The event will take place next Sunday in Verona, N.J.

Harris fights poverty at Yankee Stadium

“Franco’s Army to End Poverty” is being launched by the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor Foundation with a third annual fundraising event, A Celebration of Shining Moments in Yankee History, on June 13 at Yankee Stadium.

“This is a wonderful event,” former Steelers running back Franco Harris said. “To be there with the Franciscan Sisters, an organization that does so much great work throughout the world is a joy. And then, to be in the environment of Yankee Stadium with all the tradition of what the Yankees have meant to baseball and have the Stadium all to yourself is a very special night.”

Harris recalled the birth of Franco’s Army in 1972: “My rookie year was just a dream. We put together a string of wins and a couple of fans came to me and said we have to get the fans behind us but it would probably take an Army because they were so used to the Steelers being bad for so long.

“Over a big Italian dinner they said, ‘What about Franco’s Italian Army?’ I said why not? It was so much fun and became a rallying cry point for the team.”

Jim Brown, Brown, Long Island Lizards, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Ron Artest, Soft Serve Fruit Co., Medallion Financial Corp., Yankee Stadium, Franco Harris

Nypost.com

Sharapova reaches 4th round

PARIS — If love means never having to say you’re sorry, what about 6-love?

Depends which side of the French Open scoreboard you’re on, apparently.

Maria Sharapova feels not a shred of remorse about the way she has been finishing off opponents quickly — a total of five games lost through three matches at Roland Garros this year, including a 6-0, 6-0 win in the first round.

The 27th-seeded Mikhail Youzhny of Russia, meanwhile, was on the wrong end of a shutout set yesterday and decided he needed to apologize right then and there to the ticket-buyers in the seats at Court Suzanne Langlen.

Finally having won one game after losing the first eight against No. 6 David Ferrer of Spain, Youzhny used the toe of his right sneaker to carve a mea culpa in the red clay near the baseline.

He etched out “S-O-R-R-i!” — stamping the dot atop the lowercase last letter for emphasis before heading to the sideline for a changeover.

“People in the stands may not have noticed, but I think I had to do this,” Youzhny said after his 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 loss.

“There was a lot of people. That’s why I write ‘sorry’ — because I can’t show them a nice game,” he said.

“The way we played in the beginning, it was not really interesting for people.”

Ferrer, who said he didn’t see Youzhny’s lettering, was part of Spain’s 5-0 showing yesterday, led by Rafael Nadal, who continued his bid for a record seventh French Open title by overpowering Eduardo Schwank of Argentina 6-1, 6-3, 6-4.

The second-seeded Sharapova’s matches haven’t contained a shred of intrigue so far. Not surprisingly, that’s absolutely OK with her.

After a 6-2, 6-1 victory over No. 28 Peng Shuai put her in the fourth round, Sharapova was asked whether any part of her feels bad for someone paying a lot of money to watch an hour or so of tennis.

“The last thing that’s on my mind when I’m going out on court is thinking about who paid for a ticket and how long they’re going to watch my match for,” said Sharapova, who is trying to complete a career Grand Slam by winning her first French Open championship.

“I mean, I’m not sure if that’s selfish or not, but my job is to go out on the court and to try to win.

“Whether it’s 6-0, 6-0, whether it’s a tough three-set match, you’re trying to do what you have to do.”

Mikhail Youzhny, the French Open, French Open, David Ferrer, Rafael Nadal, Spain, Sharapova, Eduardo Schwank, Sharapova, Youzhny

Nypost.com

The Racket of the Future

Harry Campbell for The Wall Street Journal

BABOLAT WANTS TO give you a reason to buy a new tennis racket. Its pitch? This racket has a computer chip that can help you take a long, honest look at your forehand, backhand or serve and fix it—based on empirical evidence. Where you make contact with the ball. How hard you hit it. What kind of spin you apply. How consistent you are. If it works, it could be the first true advance in tennis rackets in a dozen years or more.

I recently tested new tennis rackets from Prince, Head and Völkl. In years past, I've hit with Wilson, Dunlop, Donnay, Yonex, Gamma and others—almost every brand on the market. One racket I tested this year, made by Asics, has a 125-square-inch head, which almost qualifies as a New York City bathroom. I liked some better than others, but I've noticed something over the last five or six years: Fact is, it's much harder than it used to be to find an awful tennis racket, and very easy to find a perfectly acceptable one—and even an excellent one—from every manufacturer on the planet.

I could have happily played for years with 10 or more of these frames, and never once complained that my equipment, rather than my flat feet or unrefined technique, made me miss a shot. Even the 125-square-inch behemoth—a racket so large your tennis partners would fall over laughing, until they realized you would never again frame a volley into the net—felt great. So which one did I buy? None of them.

Here's the problem for racket manufacturers today: Tennis rackets are too good. Some experts warn that rackets degrade over time, that their materials weaken and their performance wanes. I've found no evidence of this. Unless you have a John McEnroe-size temper, a racket can last 10, 20, 30 years, maybe more. I've played with a Head Intelligence iPrestige since 2002 and while my game isn't as good as it used to be, that's because I'm busier, heavier and slower these days. I have less hair, too, which really hurts my forehand—Andre Agassi didn't wear a wig for nothing. My rackets, I can say without reservation, are as good as ever.

Last year was a woeful one for companies that sell tennis rackets: 10% fewer rackets were sold than the year before and revenue dropped 8%, according the Tennis Industry Association, a trade group. Sales are up so far this year, yet those gains are small comfort considering 2011's performance was on par with 2004 (and that's without adjusting for inflation). For sure, the economic downturn has played a big part in this decline. My recent experiences highlight a larger problem: There's no reason to buy. Racket manufacturers continue to refine their products, tweak them and add bits of technology that may or may not make you happier on the court. But there hasn't been anything revolutionary, not like the switch from wood to graphite, or the perfection of the oversize frame.

“Inside the handle, a chip captures biomechanical information.”

"Instead of revolutionary, it's been more evolutionary," said Cory Springer, the business director for rackets at Wilson. "Is there another revolutionary advance in our future? I'm sure there is, but those things don't come along every day."

That's where, just maybe, Babolat comes in. In Paris last week, the company demonstrated a prototype of its new racket, called Play & Connect. It won't be sold until next year, and Babolat hasn't let anyone other than stars like Rafael Nadal, Kim Clijsters and Li Na (the defending French Open champion), hit with it. I've held it, and it feels like a normal racket. What's different is inside the handle: a chip that captures biomechanical information and links to your computer, smartphone or tablet via a wireless connection.

At the moment, the racket's technology can identify the type of shot a player hits (forehand, backhand, serve), the kind of spin a player imparts on the ball and the power of a swing. It also can record the point where ball meets racket, rate your consistency and measure intensity (shots per minute and amount of actual playing time, rather than time on court). Players can then compare the data to those of peers, or even pros, if those players eventually make their profiles available.

"In five, 10, 20 years, tennis without data will not be possible," said Eric Babolat, the company's CEO. "That's how convinced we are of players' interest in something more than the score."

Tennis has largely missed out on the information age and remains a "feel" sport. From pros on down to local players, one hears about shots that "felt great" or "felt terrible," but real answers are scarce. Here, at last, is technology that might give players ready access to biomechanical information that, at the moment, can't be captured unless you have tens of thousands of dollars in intricate high-speed cameras and software.

There are reasons to be skeptical of this venture. It's difficult to get better at tennis, especially as we age and have less time to practice. If six months go by and there's no improvement, will players bother looking at all these data anymore? How durable will the technology be, and will it withstand all the times a racket accidentally scrapes the court in a typical match? There also are early indications that the data need refining. The racket measures the power of a shot via a percentage (the percentage of the racket's optimum power). That's not particularly useful; miles per hour would be better. It measures type of spin (topspin or slice) but not how much spin in revolutions per second, which is far more meaningful.

"We're curious to see it," said Mr. Springer of Wilson. "But for us, it's about the practical day-to-day use of the technology. Is it going to attract a niche, or is it something that players of all skill types will use?"

Mr. Babolat isn't about to set limits on what the racket might do in the future. He sees this as a first step in a new future for tennis rackets—and for tennis players. "If I don't use it to have more pleasure, to improve my game, then I will just forget it because it was just a gadget," he said. "And we don't want to make a gadget." He's right, tennis has plenty of gadgets. It's time for something better.

A Brief History of Advanced Rackets

Dunlop Tennis

Rod Laver, Virginia Wade and John McEnroe used the Dunlop Maxply.

Dunlop Maxply

One of the most famous rackets in the sport's history and the weapon of choice for many all-time greats, including Rod Laver, Virginia Wade and John McEnroe, who began playing with it as a child and won his first Wimbledon title with it in 1981. The racket was known for its incredible feel. Its secret? It was made from six kinds of wood from three different continents. The frame's 25 layers, or plies, were multilaminated and bonded in a time-consuming process.

Central Press/Getty Images

Bjorn Borg

Donnay Borg Pro

One of the most stylish rackets ever and a favorite of Bjorn Borg, who won his last Wimbledon title with it in 1980 over John McEnroe. The Borg Pro was a heavy racket, around 13½ ounces, and had an extra-long handle to accommodate Mr. Borg's hands and his famous two-handed backhand. The 1980 Wimbledon final was widely seen as the greatest ever until Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer for the 2008 title.

Enlarge Image

Close

Getty Images

Jimmy Connors

Wilson T2000

Jimmy Connors's racket was made of steel and built by Lacoste on behalf of Wilson. Unlike wooden rackets, it wouldn't warp and had less wind resistance. Mr. Connors played with it until 1984, when he switched to another Wilson built for him, but he would again play with the T2000 before finally switching over to graphite.

Wilson

The Wilson T2000

Prince

Michael Chang, Monica Seles and Gabriela Sabatini used the Prince Graphite.

Prince Graphite

It's the racket that everyone, it seems, has either owned or played with at least once (it was one of my two childhood favorites, along with the much less popular—but oh-so cool—Yamaha Secret 4). Michael Chang, Monica Seles and Gabriela Sabatini used it. The racket's crossbar, at the top of the throat below the face, is instantly recognizable. It was supposed to stop the racket from twisting off-center on contact.

SmartMoney Glossary:
Europe.wsj.com

Brodeur fooled in OT as New Jersey loses Game One

Stanley Cup Finals against Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils." alt="Anze Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal in Game One of the Stanley Cup Finals against Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils.">

Getty Images

Anze Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal in Game One of the Stanley Cup Finals against Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils.

NEWARK — Anze Kopitar scored a spectacular goal on a breakaway with 11:47 left in overtime Wednesday night and the Los Angeles Kings beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Kopitar faked a backhand shot, put the puck on his forehand and beat a prone Martin Brodeur.

Los Angeles has won all nine of its road games in the playoffs, an NHL record. The Kings are now one win shy of the NHL record for postseason road victories.

More importantly, they are three wins away from the franchise's first NHL title. They have won 11 consecutive road playoff games dating back to last season.

Colin Fraser scored in the first period for the Kings, the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference who beat the top three teams to get to their first Stanley Cup Finals since 1993.

Anton Volchenkov tied it late in the second period for New Jersey, the East's sixth seed.

Kopitar took a pass by Justin Williams from along the left wing boards and skated in alone on Brodeur. As soon as he rifled the puck into the net, he raised his hands and banged himself into the boards, facing the crowd off to Brodeur's right.

The veteran goaltender dejectedly skated off to the locker room as the rest of the Kings piled on Kopitar.

Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick finished with 17 saves in what was a relatively easy night. Brodeur had 23 saves as the Devils lost in overtime for just the second time this postseason; they have won four times. LA is 3-0 in overtime this spring.

Martin Brodeur, Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils, Stanley Cup Finals, Martin Brodeur.Los Angeles, NHL, The Kings

Nypost.com

WATCH: CEO Tim Cook says he's aiming to put 'own mark on Apple'

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, Calif. -- Apple chief executive Tim Cook sought to clarify his image Tuesday as leader of the gadget giant in the wake of his high-profile predecessor Steve Jobs.

Cook, speaking at the "D: All Things Digital" conference in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., noted some specific areas where Apple was operating in new ways under his leadership, by expanding philanthropic efforts and more closely scrutinizing its outsourced manufacturing in China.

But Cook also cited areas where Apple has no plans to change: Staying extremely secretive about new products and fighting to protect its innovations in court if necessary.

Cook became CEO of Apple last August, when company co-founder Jobs resigned in the midst of a battle with pancreatic cancer. Jobs died a little more than a month later.

Cook would only make passing mention of two of Apple's key Silicon Valley peers, Google and Facebook. When he was asked what he thinks of Google's innovations, he responded, "I love Apple's."

Jobs was known to have taken offense at Google's mobile phone technology, which spawned a series of devices that resemble Apple's iPhone. Apple has been embroiled in patent litigation with companies making phones based on Google's mobile software, including Samsung.

Cook was also asked about Facebook, the social network that has had a conspicuously small presence on Apple devices despite boasting more than 900 million users.

"I think we can do more with them," Cook said. "They have their way of doing things, but people can say that about us as well."

Another area of further innovation for Apple will be the Siri voice-command technology featured in the latest version of the iPhone -- which has been criticized for being gimmicky and of little practical use.

"There's more that it can do, and we have a lot of people working on this," Cook said.

Cook wore a black T-shirt beneath a collared shirt and jacket that recalled Jobs' signature black turtleneck and at one point appeared on the verge of being overtaken with emotion as he recalled the period of Jobs' death as "absolutely the saddest days of my life."

Late last year, Cook said, "somebody kind of shook me and said, it's time to get on."

Now, Cook said, he is at ease with making Apple his own.

"I've never really viewed or felt the weight of trying to be Steve, it's not who I am, and it's not my goal in life. I am who I am, and I'm focused on that, and being a great CEO," he said.

Cook also said the company has now begun "micro-managing" working conditions at China-based factories that manufacture products for Apple. One goal has been to reduce overtime. "We're measuring working hours for 700,000 people, I don't know of anybody else doing that," he said.

Cook said he is making his own decisions as a leader in part due to some advice Jobs gave him prior to his death, when he asked that Cook not rely on his legacy.

"He told me to never do that, to never ask what he would do," Cook said. "Just do what was right."

Apple, RANCHO PALOS VERDES, Calif., Google, Cook, Calif., Rancho Palos Verdes

Nypost.com