Skip to main content

Federer beaten in Italian Open after boys’ birth

By WTOP Staff

ANDREW DAMPF
AP Sports Writer

ROME (AP) — Roger Federer’s focus appeared to drift away from the Foro Italico.

And that was understandable.

After all, the 17-time Grand Slam winner was playing for the first time since the birth of his second set of twins last week.

Federer let a lead to slip away and was beaten 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6) Wednesday in the second round of the Italian Open by 47th-ranked Jeremy Chardy of France.

When Federer’s boys, Leo and Lenny, were born, the fourth-ranked Swiss player withdrew from last week’s Madrid Open. He only decided to come to Rome a few days ago.

“This one is totally OK if it doesn’t hurt,” Federer said. “I tried everything. I can’t do more than that on the court.”

Federer had a match point in the tiebreaker but Chardy saved it with an improbable cross-court forehand on the run when it looked like Federer was about to close the match out.

“That passing shot is a tough one for me to take, because he’s not going to make that very often,” Federer said. “But it happens and credit to him to fight his way back into the match and get it.”

Later, top-ranked Rafael Nadal also faced stiff resistance from his French opponent before ultimately wearing down 30th-ranked Gilles Simon for a 7-6 (1), 6-7 (4), 6-2 win that lasted 3 hours, 18 minutes — opening his bid for an eighth Rome title.

Nadal hit 32 winners but just three with his backhand, which has become a point of concern recently.

Also, Wimbledon champion Andy Murray eliminated Marcel Granollers of Spain 6-2, 7-5.

Women’s title-holder Serena Williams showed no problems — and no taping — from a left thigh injury that forced her to withdraw from Madrid. The top-ranked American beat 28th-ranked Andrea Petkovic 6-2, 6-2.

“I’m not 100 percent but I’m getting there,” Williams said, adding that the conditions at the U.S. Open prepared her for the heavy wind gusts at the Foro Italico. “If I can play in New York, I can play anywhere.”

Maria Sharapova, the 2011 and 2012 Rome champion, had to rally in the second set to get by Puerto Rican qualifier Monica Puig 6-3, 7-5.

After cruising through the first set, Federer began to commit unforced errors at an alarming rate and Chardy quickly took advantage.

“I wasn’t able to stretch the lead when I had it,” Federer said.

Federer committed 43 unforced errors — 20 in the second set alone — to Chardy’s 28. Federer also struggled to dictate play with his first serve.

“But at the end, it was shot here or there that decided the match,” Federer said.

Chardy hadn’t beaten a top-10 player since defeating Juan Martin del Potro in the third round of last year’s Australian Open.

Federer and wife Mirka also have twin girls, Myla Rose and Charlene Riva, who turn 5 in July. But even with all the family distractions, Federer didn’t appear worried about his preparations for the French Open, which starts in 11 days.

“Everything is under control,” Federer said, recalling that he reached the final of the Monte Carlos Masters last month. “I still feel good, my body is good, my mind is good and it’s just unfortunate for one passing shot today I don’t get another opportunity to play this week.”

Also advancing was 11th-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who edged Kevin Anderson of South Africa 7-6 (14), 7-6 (5); and 12th-seeded Grigor Dimitrov, who eliminated Ivo Karlovic of Croatia 7-6 (3), 6-4; and 15th-seeded Tommy Haas, who defeated Igor Sijsling of the Netherlands, 7-6 (6), 6-1.

In women’s play, third-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska beat Paula Ormaechea of Argentina 6-3, 6-2 and will next face 2010 French Open winner Francesca Schiavone, who rallied past Garbine Muguruza 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (5).

Fourth-seeded Simona Halep rallied past American opponent Madison Keys 5-7, 6-0, 6-1 then withdrew from the tournament due to abdominal muscle injury.

Tenth-seeded Sara Errani swept aside Ekaterina Makarova 6-2, 6-3; and 13th-seeded Carla Suarez Navarro beat 1999 champion Venus Williams 6-4, 6-2.

Suarez Navarro then advanced to the quarterfinals upon Halep’s withdrawal.

Also, Varvara Lepchenko upset 16th-seeded Sloane Stephens 6-2, 6-2 in an all-American match; American qualifier Christina McHale rallied to beat Italian wild card Camila Giorgi 1-6, 6-3, 6-1; and Australian veteran Sam Stosur defeated Elena Vesnina of Russia 6-2, 6-3.

___

Follow Andrew Dampf at http://twitter.com/asdampf

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote