Fast Break

Tennis

Federer focuses on Open

For all of Roger Federer’s titles at Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and the Australian Open – and there are 10 and counting – his career may be defined eventually by how he fared at the French Open.

Federer is well aware of that. It’s why he tweaked his schedule and his practice routine in the months before heading to Paris. It’s why he ratcheted up his commitment to fitness training, knowing what a grind playing on red clay can be.

“There’s more focus on the French Open, and it would be just so nice to win it,” he said, “so I’m going to give myself the best possible chance.”

The year’s second Grand Slam tournament begins today and pretty much everyone expects to see Federer face two-time defending champion Rafael Nadal in the men’s final, just like last year.

Softball

Huskies qualify for Series

The University of Washington advanced to the Women’s College World Series for the eighth time and first since 2004 after the Huskies defeated Alabama 7-5 Saturday in Seattle.

The Huskies (40-17) won the best-of-3 series in two games over the Crimson Tide (56-9) by scoring twice in the top of the seventh on an RBI single and an errant throw to the plate.

The Series begins Thursday in Oklahoma City.

Mixed martial arts

Liddell goes down in first

Quinton Jackson upset Chuck Liddell to win the UFC light-heavyweight title at UFC 71, dethroning the champion with a hard right to the chin in the first round.

“I made a mistake and got caught,” said Liddell, the reigning rock star of mixed martial arts and the face of the UFC.