Sports Briefs

Federer, Djokovic final

LONDON (AP):

Roger Federer defeated Britain's Andy Murray 7-5, 7-5, 6-4 yesterday to reach his 10th Wimbledon final. One more win would make Federer the first man with eight titles at The Championships, as the grass-court tournament first held in 1877 is known around these parts.

Tomorrow, the No. 2-seeded Federer faces No. 1 Novak Djokovic in a rematch of last year's final. Djokovic won that one in five sets to keep Federer stuck on seven trophies at the All England Club, tied with Pete Sampras and 1880s player Willie Renshaw, and a record 17 Grand Slam trophies overall.

Djokovic, who also won Wimbledon in 2011 and owns eight major titles, advanced by beating No. 21 Richard Gasquet 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-4.

Ashes-record target for Aussies

CARDIFF, Wales (AP):

England were 411 runs ahead in the first Ashes Test at stumps on day three yesterday, a lead which was ominous for Australia.

The day finished with the English all out for 289 under floodlights at Sophia Gardens, on top of an eye-opening 122-run lead on the first innings after Australia collapsed in the morning to be all out for 308.

That left Australia with two days to pull off a record chase in the Ashes, and the third highest in history. They will begin their victory chase today.

Scores: England 430 (Joe Root 134, Moeen Ali 77, Gary Ballance 61, Ben Stokes 52; Mitchell Starc 5-114), and 289 in 70.1 overs (Ian Bell 60, Root 60, Ben Stokes 42; Nathan Lyon 4-75, Josh Hazlewood 2-49, Starc 2-60). Australia 308 (Chris Rogers 95; James Anderson 3-43, Mark Wood 2-66, Stuart Broad 2-60).