BEIJING: Shanghai Masters organisers have increased security for the tournament starting on Saturday after an online threat to decapitate world number one Roger Federer, a local newspaper reported on Friday.
“On October 6 I plan to assassinate Federer in order to exterminate tennis,” read a post by “Blue Cat Polytheistic Leader 07” on a Federer fan website on September 25, the newspaper’s website said.
The paper said the post was accompanied by a “very scary” computer modified image showing a decapitated Federer.
Federer may go directly from the airport’s VIP arrival hall to his hotel as part of the precautions, Yang Yibin, the tournament director, told the paper in an interview earlier in the week. It said Shanghai police were investigating.
Sana-Nuria in final of China Open
Meanwhile, Sania Mirza, on Friday, earned the opportunity to end her 2012 season with a title win as she reached the summit clash of the China Open with her partner Nuria Llagostera Vives, here.
The Indo-Spanish pair downed the team of Katarina Srebotnik and Jie Zheng 7-5, 6-1 in the semifinals.
They play the pair of Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina, who defeated Maria Kirilenko and Nadia Petrova 6-4, 7-5 in their semifinal.
Meanwhile, the Indian pair of Rohan Bopanna and Mahesh Bhupathi crashed out of the men’s doubles event with a 2-6, 6-7 (8) defeat at the hands of Carlos Berlocq and Denis Istomin.
In the singles events, Novak Djokovic needed only 53 minutes to reach the semifinals with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Jurgen Melzer.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga defeated Mikhail Youzhny 6-3, 6-2, and Feliciano Lopez outlasted Sam Querrey of the US 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
On the women’s side, Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova advanced. Azarenka topped Romina Oprandi 6-2, 6-0, and Sharapova was in charge of Angelique Kerber 6-0, 3-0 when the German retired with a right foot injury. (AP)
