ISLAMABAD (AFP) - Pakistani police have arrested a teenager who was allegedly part of a five-man squad in the plot to kill opposition leader Benazir Bhutto last month, security officials said Saturday.
The suspect, 15-year-old Aitezaz Shah, was arrested from the northwestern city of Dera Ismail Khan on Friday while planning a suicide bombing over the Muslim festival of Ashura, they said on condition of anonymity.
Shah told interrogators he had been part of a back-up team of three bombers who were tasked with killing former premier Bhutto if the original December 27 attack by two men had failed, the officials added.
Interior ministry spokesman Iqbal Cheema did not confirm the arrest.
"It is not in my knowledge so far," Cheema told AFP.
Bhutto was assassinated in a gun and suicide bomb attack at an election rally in Rawalpindi. Pakistan's government and the CIA have blamed Al-Qaeda and tribal warlord Baitullah Mehsud for her killing.
Shah, originally from the southern city of Karachi, went for training last year at a camp run by one of Mehsud's commanders in the tribal border region of Waziristan, the security officials quoted him as telling investigators.
He allegedly said the attackers in the team that killed Bhutto were called Bilal and Ikramullah -- the same names mentioned in an alleged telephone conversation between Mehsud and another militant the day after Bhutto's death.
The tape was released the day after her killing by Pakistan's interior ministry.
Shah's whereabouts at the time of the attack were not immediately clear. One security official said he was in Rawalpindi, the city where Bhutto was killed, while another said he was in the tribal area of Waziristan.
"The suspect was not in Rawalpindi at the time of attack on Bhutto. The boy told interrogators that he was in South Waziristan," a top police official quoted him as telling the interrogators.
One of the officials said Shah was arrested during a security check when he arrived in Dera Ismail Khan by taxi from the North Waziristan tribal area, which borders Afghanistan.
He allegedly told officials that he came to collect a suicide jacket for an attack at the US consulate in Karachi but the programme was changed because of tight security for Ashura, which takes place on Sunday.
Instead he was ordered to launch an attack during an Ashura procession by the minority Shiite sect on Sunday, the officials said.
A spokesman for Taliban militants in Pakistan rejected the allegations, saying that the boy arrested in Dera Ismail Khan had no link with the group.
"We are not involved in the attack and this information is meant to defame us," the spokesman Mohammad Omar said in telephone calls to reporters in Peshawar.
"He is not our man and we know nothing about him" Omar said adding that its purpose was to give credence to a CIA report about involvement of Baitullah Mehsud in Bhutto's assassination.
Sabtu, 19 Januari 2008
Israeli air strike kills Hamas in Gaza
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Israeli air strikes killed two Hamas militants in Gaza early Saturday, a day after Israel sealed the territory and bombed an empty Hamas government ministry in an intensifying campaign to halt rocket fire on Israeli border towns.
In New York, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon implored Israel to reverse its unprecedented decision to close the border crossings completely, warning that the cutoff of supplies is provoking a humanitarian crisis among 1.4 million Gazans. For the past seven months, since the violent Hamas takeover of Gaza in June, Israel had severely restricted access to Gaza, but basic food supplies and fuel were still getting through.
The Gaza blockade and the bombing of the government ministry are part of an Israeli attempt to halt a surge of rocket fire on Israeli border towns. On Friday, 16 rockets hit southern Israel, including one that damaged a daycare center. Children were inside the building at the time, but no one was hurt.
Thirty-six Gazans have been killed in Israeli attacks since Tuesday, including at least 10 civilians.
Moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday denounced the Israeli air strikes as "brutal," but also accused Hamas of trying to destroy the Palestinians' national aspirations. Abbas, who controls the West Bank, reiterated his demand that rival Hamas relinquish power in Gaza. However, the air strikes and the blockade appeared to be increasing support for Hamas among Gazans.
Hamas was defiant Saturday, saying it would keep firing rockets at Israel. "We will not surrender and we will not raise white flags," said Hamas spokesman Ayman Taha.
Friday's attack on the Palestinian Interior Ministry appeared to signal a new phase in the cross-border violence between Israel and Gaza.
An Israeli warplane bombed the empty building, flattening one wing, killing a woman at a wedding party next door and wounding at least 46 civilians, some of them children playing soccer in the street. The blast blew out windows in neighboring high-rises, left hundreds without electricity and water and terrified residents.
Five of the wounded remained in critical condition Saturday.
The attack was the first on a ministry building since the Hamas takeover, and was seen as a message to Hamas that Israel was ready to step up air strikes if rocket attacks continue. The building had been empty since it was severely damaged in a July 2006 airstrike, but was seen as a symbol of Hamas authority.
Early Saturday, Israeli forces backed by several tanks and bulldozers entered Gaza and searched homes in the town of Jebaliya. Hamas gunmen exchanged fire with the troops, and Israeli aircraft fired three missiles, killing two Hamas fighters involved in the fighting, hospital officials said.
An escalation of the Gaza fighting could complicate President Bush's efforts to prod the sides toward a final peace deal by year's end and sour talks between Israel and the Abbas government.
In New York, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon implored Israel to reverse its unprecedented decision to close the border crossings completely, warning that the cutoff of supplies is provoking a humanitarian crisis among 1.4 million Gazans. For the past seven months, since the violent Hamas takeover of Gaza in June, Israel had severely restricted access to Gaza, but basic food supplies and fuel were still getting through.
The Gaza blockade and the bombing of the government ministry are part of an Israeli attempt to halt a surge of rocket fire on Israeli border towns. On Friday, 16 rockets hit southern Israel, including one that damaged a daycare center. Children were inside the building at the time, but no one was hurt.
Thirty-six Gazans have been killed in Israeli attacks since Tuesday, including at least 10 civilians.
Moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday denounced the Israeli air strikes as "brutal," but also accused Hamas of trying to destroy the Palestinians' national aspirations. Abbas, who controls the West Bank, reiterated his demand that rival Hamas relinquish power in Gaza. However, the air strikes and the blockade appeared to be increasing support for Hamas among Gazans.
Hamas was defiant Saturday, saying it would keep firing rockets at Israel. "We will not surrender and we will not raise white flags," said Hamas spokesman Ayman Taha.
Friday's attack on the Palestinian Interior Ministry appeared to signal a new phase in the cross-border violence between Israel and Gaza.
An Israeli warplane bombed the empty building, flattening one wing, killing a woman at a wedding party next door and wounding at least 46 civilians, some of them children playing soccer in the street. The blast blew out windows in neighboring high-rises, left hundreds without electricity and water and terrified residents.
Five of the wounded remained in critical condition Saturday.
The attack was the first on a ministry building since the Hamas takeover, and was seen as a message to Hamas that Israel was ready to step up air strikes if rocket attacks continue. The building had been empty since it was severely damaged in a July 2006 airstrike, but was seen as a symbol of Hamas authority.
Early Saturday, Israeli forces backed by several tanks and bulldozers entered Gaza and searched homes in the town of Jebaliya. Hamas gunmen exchanged fire with the troops, and Israeli aircraft fired three missiles, killing two Hamas fighters involved in the fighting, hospital officials said.
An escalation of the Gaza fighting could complicate President Bush's efforts to prod the sides toward a final peace deal by year's end and sour talks between Israel and the Abbas government.
Condition of Indonesia's Suharto
JAKARTA (AFP) - Doctors treating Indonesia's elderly former dictator Suharto said Saturday his condition was "very good" and that he may soon be taken off a ventilator and allowed to return home.
The 86-year-old ex-president, who ruled Indonesia for more than three decades, was first admitted to hospital on January 4 suffering heart, lung and kidney problems.
He was connected to a ventilator a week later when he suffered multiple organ failure but has amazed doctors by his tenacity in clinging to life.
"We hope and we are working hard so that Pak Harto can return home soon but I cannot predict when. Today's (Saturday's) condition is very good," Mardjo Soebiandono, the head of a specialist team treating Suharto, told a briefing.
Pak Harto is how the former leader is referred to with a mixture of respect and affection.
Soebiandono also said that Suharto's blood pressure was stable, his lung and heart functions were improving and signs of systemic infection were decreasing.
Another team doctor, Christian Johannes, said medics had been closely monitoring Suharto's response to being slowly weaned off his ventilator, which he has been on since January 11, for the past few days.
"Today we will check his respiratory muscles... Once they improve, then we will take him off the ventilator," he said.
Johannes told AFP after the briefing that Suharto was responding well.
"Of course he can only shake his head because he has a tube in his mouth. He may be able to speak otherwise," he said.
Suharto's condition has been fluctuating almost daily and doctors have warned repeatedly that despite occasionally upbeat reports he could still deteriorate suddenly because of his age and the extent of his ailments.
Suharto, who was among Asia's most notorious strongmen of the 20th century, stepped down in 1998 amid deadly riots and mass pro-democracy protests that were sparked by the 1997 Asian economic crisis.
He dropped out of public view and avoided criminal trial for massive corruption allegations by citing poor health. Doctors have said two strokes left him with some permanent brain damage.
Half-hearted attempts to bring Suharto to justice for alleged human rights atrocities in East Timor, which he invaded in 1975, and far-flung Aceh and Papua, have also been stymied, by a lack of collected evidence.
Opinion on Suharto remains divided in Indonesia, which also enjoyed dramatic economic growth under his rule.
Around 200 orphans wearing white stopped in front of the hospital treating Suharto on Saturday and prayed for his recovery. Small protests outside the hospital have also taken place since he was admitted.
The 86-year-old ex-president, who ruled Indonesia for more than three decades, was first admitted to hospital on January 4 suffering heart, lung and kidney problems.
He was connected to a ventilator a week later when he suffered multiple organ failure but has amazed doctors by his tenacity in clinging to life.
"We hope and we are working hard so that Pak Harto can return home soon but I cannot predict when. Today's (Saturday's) condition is very good," Mardjo Soebiandono, the head of a specialist team treating Suharto, told a briefing.
Pak Harto is how the former leader is referred to with a mixture of respect and affection.
Soebiandono also said that Suharto's blood pressure was stable, his lung and heart functions were improving and signs of systemic infection were decreasing.
Another team doctor, Christian Johannes, said medics had been closely monitoring Suharto's response to being slowly weaned off his ventilator, which he has been on since January 11, for the past few days.
"Today we will check his respiratory muscles... Once they improve, then we will take him off the ventilator," he said.
Johannes told AFP after the briefing that Suharto was responding well.
"Of course he can only shake his head because he has a tube in his mouth. He may be able to speak otherwise," he said.
Suharto's condition has been fluctuating almost daily and doctors have warned repeatedly that despite occasionally upbeat reports he could still deteriorate suddenly because of his age and the extent of his ailments.
Suharto, who was among Asia's most notorious strongmen of the 20th century, stepped down in 1998 amid deadly riots and mass pro-democracy protests that were sparked by the 1997 Asian economic crisis.
He dropped out of public view and avoided criminal trial for massive corruption allegations by citing poor health. Doctors have said two strokes left him with some permanent brain damage.
Half-hearted attempts to bring Suharto to justice for alleged human rights atrocities in East Timor, which he invaded in 1975, and far-flung Aceh and Papua, have also been stymied, by a lack of collected evidence.
Opinion on Suharto remains divided in Indonesia, which also enjoyed dramatic economic growth under his rule.
Around 200 orphans wearing white stopped in front of the hospital treating Suharto on Saturday and prayed for his recovery. Small protests outside the hospital have also taken place since he was admitted.
Borobudur Temple(Indonesia)
Borobudur is a terraced temple surmounted by stupas, or stone towers; the terraces resemble Indonesian burial foundations, indicating that Borobudur was regarded as the symbol of the final resting place of its founder, a Shailendra, who was united after his death with the Buddha. The Prambanan temple complex is also associated with a dead king. The inscription of 856 mentions a royal funeral ceremony and shows that the dead king had joined Shiva, just as the founder of the Borobudur monument had joined the Buddha. Divine attributes, however, had been ascribed to kings during their lifetimes. A Mahayana inscription of this period shows that a ruler was said to have the purifying powers of a bodhisattva, the status assumed by the ruler of Shrivijaya in the 7th century; a 9th-century Shaivite inscription from the Kedu Plain describes a ruler as being "a portion of Shiva."
The divine qualities of these kings, whether of Mahayana or of Shaivite persuasion, had important implications in Javanese history and probably in the history of all parts of the archipelago that professed the forms of Indian religion. The ruler was now and henceforth seen as one who had achieved union with the supreme god in his lifetime. Kingship was divine only because the king's soul was the host of the supreme god and because all the king's actions were bound to be the god's actions. He was not a god-king; he was the god. No godlike action was more important than extending the means of personal salvation to others, always in the form of union with the god. The bas-relief of the Borobudur monument, illustrating Mahayana texts and especially the Gandavyuha--the tale of the tireless pilgrim in search of enlightenment--is a gigantic exposition of the Mahayana path to salvation taken by the king; it may be thought of as a yantra, or instrument to promote meditation and ultimate union with the Buddha. But Borobudur can also be identified as a circle, or mandala, of supreme mystical power that signified the Void of the Vairocana Buddha according to the Vajrayana persuasion of Tantric Buddhism. The mandala was intended to protect the Shailendra realm for all time. The pedagogical symbolism of the Prambanan temple complex is revealed in its iconography, dominated by the image of the four-armed Shiva, the Great Teacher--the customary Indonesian representation of the supreme deity. Prambanan affirms the Shaivite path to salvation; the path is indicated in the inscription of 856, which implies that the king had practiced asceticism, the form of worship most acceptable to Shiva. Shaivism in Java as well as Mahayana Buddhism had become hospitable to Tantric influences. An almost contemporary inscription from the Ratu Boko Plateau, which is not far from the Prambanan complex, alludes to special rites for awakening Shiva's divine energy through the medium of a ritual consort.
The divine qualities of these kings, whether of Mahayana or of Shaivite persuasion, had important implications in Javanese history and probably in the history of all parts of the archipelago that professed the forms of Indian religion. The ruler was now and henceforth seen as one who had achieved union with the supreme god in his lifetime. Kingship was divine only because the king's soul was the host of the supreme god and because all the king's actions were bound to be the god's actions. He was not a god-king; he was the god. No godlike action was more important than extending the means of personal salvation to others, always in the form of union with the god. The bas-relief of the Borobudur monument, illustrating Mahayana texts and especially the Gandavyuha--the tale of the tireless pilgrim in search of enlightenment--is a gigantic exposition of the Mahayana path to salvation taken by the king; it may be thought of as a yantra, or instrument to promote meditation and ultimate union with the Buddha. But Borobudur can also be identified as a circle, or mandala, of supreme mystical power that signified the Void of the Vairocana Buddha according to the Vajrayana persuasion of Tantric Buddhism. The mandala was intended to protect the Shailendra realm for all time. The pedagogical symbolism of the Prambanan temple complex is revealed in its iconography, dominated by the image of the four-armed Shiva, the Great Teacher--the customary Indonesian representation of the supreme deity. Prambanan affirms the Shaivite path to salvation; the path is indicated in the inscription of 856, which implies that the king had practiced asceticism, the form of worship most acceptable to Shiva. Shaivism in Java as well as Mahayana Buddhism had become hospitable to Tantric influences. An almost contemporary inscription from the Ratu Boko Plateau, which is not far from the Prambanan complex, alludes to special rites for awakening Shiva's divine energy through the medium of a ritual consort.
Japan's Prince Akishino visits Indonesia
JAKARTA (AFP) - Japan's Prince Akishino and his wife Princess Kiko met with Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Saturday as they began a week-long visit to the world's most populous Muslim nation.
Prince Akishino, Emperor Akihito's second son, is scheduled to attend the celebrations marking 50 years of Indonesian-Japanese diplomatic relations in Jakarta on Sunday.
"The president appreciates the Emperor sending the prince because this is an honour for Indonesian-Japanese relations," presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal told reporters.
The prince will visit the ancient Central Java city of Yogyakarta and surrounding areas, meet the area's Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, and visit historic Prambanan and Borobudur temples, the Japanese embassy website said.
The 42-year-old prince will stay in the country until January 24.
Japan occupied Indonesia from 1942 until the end of World War II, seizing control from Dutch colonial forces. Indonesia declared independence in 1945 but then spent four years fighting before the Dutch acknowledged the declaration.
Prince Akishino, Emperor Akihito's second son, is scheduled to attend the celebrations marking 50 years of Indonesian-Japanese diplomatic relations in Jakarta on Sunday.
"The president appreciates the Emperor sending the prince because this is an honour for Indonesian-Japanese relations," presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal told reporters.
The prince will visit the ancient Central Java city of Yogyakarta and surrounding areas, meet the area's Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, and visit historic Prambanan and Borobudur temples, the Japanese embassy website said.
The 42-year-old prince will stay in the country until January 24.
Japan occupied Indonesia from 1942 until the end of World War II, seizing control from Dutch colonial forces. Indonesia declared independence in 1945 but then spent four years fighting before the Dutch acknowledged the declaration.
Ghana for African Nations Cup
ACCRA (AFP) - The west African state of Ghana is about to take its place in the international spotlight as hosts of the 26th African Nations Cup.
It's been a bit of a scramble but the former British colony is all set for the biggest show of its short life, one that promises to upstage even last year's celebrations to mark 50 years of independence.
Sunday's opening match between the Michael Essien-led hosts against neighbours Guinea raises the curtain on what many people are predicting will be the toughest and best Nations Cup ever staged.
The squad lists of the 16 teams read like a who's who of footballing A List stars, their clubs reluctantly letting their prize jewels answer the call of Africa at the expense of their domestic calendar.
And here to see them are tens of thousands of supporters keeping the baggage handlers busy at Accra airport.
One fan arrived on Thursday with five friends from London.
"I shouldn't be here as I've just had eight months off work with a bad back, my boss and my wife are mad at me, but I wouldn't miss this for the world," he confided to AFP.
Local hopes are high that Ghana can continue the good run enjoyed by countries that have acted as hosts, Egypt and Tunisia thrilling their home crowd in 2006 and 2004 respectively.
"Everyone says we'll win, but they're probably just trying to be polite," said Godwin, one of Accra's taxi drivers who over the next three weeks will have his foot to the floor ferrying tourists from the city's stadium to their barely finished hotels.
Ghana themselves won the biennial competition twice on home turf and are looking to repeat the magic under the canny managership of Frenchman Claude Le Roy.
But they will have to do so without their injured captain, Fenerbache's Stephen Appiah.
Ghana though are so much more than a one-star team, as they can also call on the expertise of Portsmouth's Sulley Muntari and Udinese's young attacking phenomenon Asamoah Gyan.
The 2008 Nations Cup is being played out at four venues - Accra, Sekondi, Tamale and Kumasi.
Sharing the billing with the Black Stars as favourites are westcoast neighbours the Ivory Coast with Didier Drogba, Nigeria and Samuel Eto'o's always dangerous Cameroons.
But it would be a mistake to suggest the three-week footballing feast can be reduced to a shortlist of this quartet if the lessons of the 2006 World Cup are to be learned.
In Germany the natural African order of things was turned on its head with traditional heavyweights like Nigeria and Cameroon making way for novices Angola, Togo, Ghana and Ivory Coast.
It promises to be an eventful footballing safari.
It's been a bit of a scramble but the former British colony is all set for the biggest show of its short life, one that promises to upstage even last year's celebrations to mark 50 years of independence.
Sunday's opening match between the Michael Essien-led hosts against neighbours Guinea raises the curtain on what many people are predicting will be the toughest and best Nations Cup ever staged.
The squad lists of the 16 teams read like a who's who of footballing A List stars, their clubs reluctantly letting their prize jewels answer the call of Africa at the expense of their domestic calendar.
And here to see them are tens of thousands of supporters keeping the baggage handlers busy at Accra airport.
One fan arrived on Thursday with five friends from London.
"I shouldn't be here as I've just had eight months off work with a bad back, my boss and my wife are mad at me, but I wouldn't miss this for the world," he confided to AFP.
Local hopes are high that Ghana can continue the good run enjoyed by countries that have acted as hosts, Egypt and Tunisia thrilling their home crowd in 2006 and 2004 respectively.
"Everyone says we'll win, but they're probably just trying to be polite," said Godwin, one of Accra's taxi drivers who over the next three weeks will have his foot to the floor ferrying tourists from the city's stadium to their barely finished hotels.
Ghana themselves won the biennial competition twice on home turf and are looking to repeat the magic under the canny managership of Frenchman Claude Le Roy.
But they will have to do so without their injured captain, Fenerbache's Stephen Appiah.
Ghana though are so much more than a one-star team, as they can also call on the expertise of Portsmouth's Sulley Muntari and Udinese's young attacking phenomenon Asamoah Gyan.
The 2008 Nations Cup is being played out at four venues - Accra, Sekondi, Tamale and Kumasi.
Sharing the billing with the Black Stars as favourites are westcoast neighbours the Ivory Coast with Didier Drogba, Nigeria and Samuel Eto'o's always dangerous Cameroons.
But it would be a mistake to suggest the three-week footballing feast can be reduced to a shortlist of this quartet if the lessons of the 2006 World Cup are to be learned.
In Germany the natural African order of things was turned on its head with traditional heavyweights like Nigeria and Cameroon making way for novices Angola, Togo, Ghana and Ivory Coast.
It promises to be an eventful footballing safari.
Ronaldo is still the best, says Kaka
ROME (AFP) - World player of the year Kaka paid tribute to club and international team-mate Ronaldo on Thursday, claiming he is still 'Il Fenomeno'.
That nickname, meaning the phenomenon, was more common for Ronaldo in his younger days but injuries and weight problems have seen him struggle with his form these last couple of seasons.
He was even unkindly nicknamed 'El Gordo' (Fatty) by some sections of the Real Madrid crowd towards the end of his time in Spain.
But he made a match-winning comeback to the AC Milan team last weekend, scoring twice as the European champions thrashed Napoli 5-2 to end their seven-game winless drought at the San Siro.
Ronaldo formed a threatening attacking partnership with Kaka and teenage star Pato.
"It's always great to play with great players. Here at Milan we have so many champions that it's great to go out on the field with my team-mates," Kaka told Milan TV.
"I've had a few chances to play with Ronaldo in the national team and he really is 'Il Fenomeno' like everyone says because he does amazing things with the ball and when he takes to the field he shows his worth and always makes the difference."
Kaka has was also impressed with Pato's goalscoring debut against Napoli.
"I'm happy for his debut, it went very well. All strikers dream about scoring on their debut and he managed to do just that, and at the San Siro in front of our fans.
"We hope he continues like that and fits into the team's way of playing. He's a calm lad, he's playing in a team with a lot of experience that can help him a lot so he gets even better."
That nickname, meaning the phenomenon, was more common for Ronaldo in his younger days but injuries and weight problems have seen him struggle with his form these last couple of seasons.
He was even unkindly nicknamed 'El Gordo' (Fatty) by some sections of the Real Madrid crowd towards the end of his time in Spain.
But he made a match-winning comeback to the AC Milan team last weekend, scoring twice as the European champions thrashed Napoli 5-2 to end their seven-game winless drought at the San Siro.
Ronaldo formed a threatening attacking partnership with Kaka and teenage star Pato.
"It's always great to play with great players. Here at Milan we have so many champions that it's great to go out on the field with my team-mates," Kaka told Milan TV.
"I've had a few chances to play with Ronaldo in the national team and he really is 'Il Fenomeno' like everyone says because he does amazing things with the ball and when he takes to the field he shows his worth and always makes the difference."
Kaka has was also impressed with Pato's goalscoring debut against Napoli.
"I'm happy for his debut, it went very well. All strikers dream about scoring on their debut and he managed to do just that, and at the San Siro in front of our fans.
"We hope he continues like that and fits into the team's way of playing. He's a calm lad, he's playing in a team with a lot of experience that can help him a lot so he gets even better."
Roger Federer at Australian Open
MELBOURNE, Australia - Top-ranked Roger Federer had a stunningly tough fight for survival against Janko Tipsarevic before rallying for a 6-7 (5), 7-6 (1), 5-7, 6-1, 10-8 victory at the Australian Open on Saturday
Tipsarevic, ranked 49th and having never reached a singles final, played the match of his life and gave Federer everything he could handle with the packed crowd screaming on every point.
Federer, who is seeking his third straight title here and 13th Grand Slam crown, needed every one of his personal-best 39 aces to fend off the third-round challenge from the 2001 boys champion at Melbourne Park in 4 hours and 27 minutes.
"I don't often get to play five-setters unless they're against Nadal at Wimbledon," Federer said of rivalry with longtime No. 2-ranked Rafael Nadal. "It was good to be part of something like this."
He beat Nadal in five sets in the Wimbledon final last year and in four sets at Wimbledon '06.
Federer has reached the finals of the past 10 Grand Slam events, winning eight of them and losing two to Nadal — both at the French Open.
Federer was untouchable in his first two matches, dropping only six games in six sets. He had numerous chances to take control, but Tipsarevic saved 16 of 20 break points against him until Federer finally cashed No. 21 after rallying from 40-0 as the Serbian served at 8-8 in the fifth set.
James Blake, seeded 12th, came back from down two sets, then from a double break in the fourth before beating veteran Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean 4-6, 2-6, 6-0, 7-6 (5), 6-2 to keep American hopes alive with Sam Querrey falling to No. 3 Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-1, 6-3.
Fernando Gonzalez, who lost the final here last year to Federer, was ousted 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-1 by Croatia's Marin Cilic, who had never gone past the first round in three previous majors. Cilic faces Blake next.
Two of Russia's Top 10 women also were ousted.
No. 2 Svetlana Kuznetsova was beaten 6-3, 6-4 by 18-year-old Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland and No. 6 Anna Chakvetadze lost 6-7 (6), 6-1, 6-2 to No. 27 Maria Kirilenko.
Fourth-seeded Ana Ivanovic reached the fourth round with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over No. 28 Katarina Srebotnik, while No. 8 Venus Williams was facing No. 31 Sonia Mirza in a night match.
While a few Serbian flags were scattered about Rod Laver Arena — the roof was closed due to rain that postponed matches on outside courts — Federer fans dominated, including one holding a sign reading "Federer Express."
The Swiss star was nearly derailed before extending his winning streak at Melbourne Park to 17 matches, a streak tied for fourth-best behind Andre Agassi's record of 26 in a row.
Federer, who last lost a set here while beating Marcos Baghdatis in the final two years ago, started in top form again, ripping seven aces in his first four service games.
But the Serbian, looking like a grad student in his dark-rimmed glasses and short beard, forced a tiebreaker, where the only point that went against serve came with Federer facing set point at 5-6. Tipsarevic ripped a forehand crosscourt pass that dropped just inside the corner.
Tipsarevic fended off five break points in the second set before faltering in the tiebreaker.
Tipsarevic rallied from 15-40 while serving at 4-5, then broke in the next game as Federer lost two aces to successful challenges by Tipsarevic, who then held for the set.
As he has done so often, Federer seemed to find an extra gear, running off five straight games to take the fourth set and even the match.
Tipsarevic refused to yield, saving two break points while serving at 2-2 in the deciding set, then a match point at 8-8 before Federer nailed a sharply angled backhand volley winner to take the last break. Federer held to finish the match when Tipsarevic netted a backhand.
Federer shouted in relief as he pumped his fist.
Grosjean, who committed only 15 unforced errors in the first two sets, had 13 in the third as Blake started his comeback.
But Grosjean, making his 10th appearance at Melbourne Park, wasn't finished.
Counterattacking against Blake's go-for-broke style, he broke twice in the fourth set to pull ahead 4-1 before Blake ran off four games in a row.
Grosjean saved a set point while serving at 4-5 and, in the tiebreaker, took a 4-1 and then a 5-3 lead. But Blake took the last four points, three on clean winners. He hopped around the court, shouting "Yeah! Yeah!" when he leveled the match on a serve that Grosjean whacked long.
That seemed to take the steam out of Grosjean. Blake broke serve twice as he opened up a 5-1 lead in the deciding set. He held at love to finish off the match in 3 hours, 8 minutes.
"That's got to be my biggest comeback," Blake said. "Just seemed like every time there was a mountain to climb ... couldn't have been a better feeling than to accomplish what I did."
The 6-foot-5 Cilic had 14 aces against seventh-seeded Gonzalez, one of the better service returners who was just a little off the skills he displayed in beating Federer in the opening match at the Masters Cup in November.
"It was probably the best match of my life," said the 19-year-old Cilic, whose idol was Goran Ivanisevic and trained with the Croatian star as a junior. "It was fortunate we were playing indoors, it helped me with my serve without the wind."
Tipsarevic, ranked 49th and having never reached a singles final, played the match of his life and gave Federer everything he could handle with the packed crowd screaming on every point.
Federer, who is seeking his third straight title here and 13th Grand Slam crown, needed every one of his personal-best 39 aces to fend off the third-round challenge from the 2001 boys champion at Melbourne Park in 4 hours and 27 minutes.
"I don't often get to play five-setters unless they're against Nadal at Wimbledon," Federer said of rivalry with longtime No. 2-ranked Rafael Nadal. "It was good to be part of something like this."
He beat Nadal in five sets in the Wimbledon final last year and in four sets at Wimbledon '06.
Federer has reached the finals of the past 10 Grand Slam events, winning eight of them and losing two to Nadal — both at the French Open.
Federer was untouchable in his first two matches, dropping only six games in six sets. He had numerous chances to take control, but Tipsarevic saved 16 of 20 break points against him until Federer finally cashed No. 21 after rallying from 40-0 as the Serbian served at 8-8 in the fifth set.
James Blake, seeded 12th, came back from down two sets, then from a double break in the fourth before beating veteran Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean 4-6, 2-6, 6-0, 7-6 (5), 6-2 to keep American hopes alive with Sam Querrey falling to No. 3 Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-1, 6-3.
Fernando Gonzalez, who lost the final here last year to Federer, was ousted 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-1 by Croatia's Marin Cilic, who had never gone past the first round in three previous majors. Cilic faces Blake next.
Two of Russia's Top 10 women also were ousted.
No. 2 Svetlana Kuznetsova was beaten 6-3, 6-4 by 18-year-old Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland and No. 6 Anna Chakvetadze lost 6-7 (6), 6-1, 6-2 to No. 27 Maria Kirilenko.
Fourth-seeded Ana Ivanovic reached the fourth round with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over No. 28 Katarina Srebotnik, while No. 8 Venus Williams was facing No. 31 Sonia Mirza in a night match.
While a few Serbian flags were scattered about Rod Laver Arena — the roof was closed due to rain that postponed matches on outside courts — Federer fans dominated, including one holding a sign reading "Federer Express."
The Swiss star was nearly derailed before extending his winning streak at Melbourne Park to 17 matches, a streak tied for fourth-best behind Andre Agassi's record of 26 in a row.
Federer, who last lost a set here while beating Marcos Baghdatis in the final two years ago, started in top form again, ripping seven aces in his first four service games.
But the Serbian, looking like a grad student in his dark-rimmed glasses and short beard, forced a tiebreaker, where the only point that went against serve came with Federer facing set point at 5-6. Tipsarevic ripped a forehand crosscourt pass that dropped just inside the corner.
Tipsarevic fended off five break points in the second set before faltering in the tiebreaker.
Tipsarevic rallied from 15-40 while serving at 4-5, then broke in the next game as Federer lost two aces to successful challenges by Tipsarevic, who then held for the set.
As he has done so often, Federer seemed to find an extra gear, running off five straight games to take the fourth set and even the match.
Tipsarevic refused to yield, saving two break points while serving at 2-2 in the deciding set, then a match point at 8-8 before Federer nailed a sharply angled backhand volley winner to take the last break. Federer held to finish the match when Tipsarevic netted a backhand.
Federer shouted in relief as he pumped his fist.
Grosjean, who committed only 15 unforced errors in the first two sets, had 13 in the third as Blake started his comeback.
But Grosjean, making his 10th appearance at Melbourne Park, wasn't finished.
Counterattacking against Blake's go-for-broke style, he broke twice in the fourth set to pull ahead 4-1 before Blake ran off four games in a row.
Grosjean saved a set point while serving at 4-5 and, in the tiebreaker, took a 4-1 and then a 5-3 lead. But Blake took the last four points, three on clean winners. He hopped around the court, shouting "Yeah! Yeah!" when he leveled the match on a serve that Grosjean whacked long.
That seemed to take the steam out of Grosjean. Blake broke serve twice as he opened up a 5-1 lead in the deciding set. He held at love to finish off the match in 3 hours, 8 minutes.
"That's got to be my biggest comeback," Blake said. "Just seemed like every time there was a mountain to climb ... couldn't have been a better feeling than to accomplish what I did."
The 6-foot-5 Cilic had 14 aces against seventh-seeded Gonzalez, one of the better service returners who was just a little off the skills he displayed in beating Federer in the opening match at the Masters Cup in November.
"It was probably the best match of my life," said the 19-year-old Cilic, whose idol was Goran Ivanisevic and trained with the Croatian star as a junior. "It was fortunate we were playing indoors, it helped me with my serve without the wind."
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