DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- While top-seeded Novak Djokovic had a rest day when opponent Mikhail Youzhny became ill and withdrew from their quarterfinal on Thursday, Roger Federer had to play his way into their semifinal date at the Dubai Championships. Bruce Matthews Authentic Jersey . The fourth-seeded Federer, who has won this title five times, won his 40th match at the Dubai Championships with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic. Federer made a slow start, falling behind 2-0 but quickly rebounded by winning the next six games. In the second set, Federer broke serve in the third and fifth games. "When you play someone for the first time, you never quite know what his best level is or his normal level is," Federer said. "Thats why you kind of keep pushing on, and thats also why I guess the score came out the way it did, because I never let go." Federer holds a slim 16-15 winning record over Djokovic. The Serbian, however, has beaten Federer in their last three matches, and nine of their last 12 meetings. "He is in the semis, hes already played two matches, hes been here long enough for preparing, and hes fit enough for anything anyway," Federer said of Djokovic having a quarterfinal walkover. "Every match you can get away from is a good one. "For me, it was important also probably not to be out there for three hours. Then it would have been a disadvantage. But I think were back on even terms for tomorrow." The other semifinal will feature third-seeded Tomas Berdych against seventh-seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany. Playing in his fourth quarterfinal of the season, Kohlschreibers 6-2, 6-3 win over Tunisian wild card Malik Jazirivictory was his 300th match-win on the ATP Tour. Berdych holds a 7-1 winning record over Kohlschreiber. "The record is one thing, but then always the match is going to start from zero," Berdych said. "I have seen Philipp play here and hes playing really well. "Hes playing very aggressive, very confident, too." Berdych, who was a finalist last year, fought past fifth-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4, 6-3. Berdych was on a 10-match winning streak, which includes his win at the Rotterdam tournament two weeks ago. The first set stayed on serve until Tsonga dropped his at love in the 10th game. The second set was even more tightly contested. In the fifth game, Berdych faced four break points but held on. Tsonga surrendered his serve in the eighth game when he double-faulted on break point. "It was very close," Berdych said. "I faced many break points which was very tough, but that was really the key of todays game, that I managed to save them." Jurrell Casey Authentic Jersey . Justin Dowling, Travis Morin and Francis Wathier also scored for the Stars (22-10-5), who bypassed Abbotsford for top spot in the West Division, and Mike Hedden tacked on two assists. Defenceman John Ramage was a team-worst minus-4 for the Heat (23-13-2), who dropped their fourth game in a row. White Dexter McCluster Game Youth Jersey . -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last Sunday. LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Free-agent right-hander Bartolo Colon and the Mets have reached a deal, giving the New York the starter it was seeking to replace injured ace Matt Harvey. The deal is pending the completion of a physical for the 18-game winner, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The two-year, $20 million agreement came Wednesday at the winter meetings and increased the Mets spending on free agents to more than $87 million. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because an agreement had not yet been completed. Out of baseball in 2010 because of injuries, the 2005 AL Cy Young Award winner revived his career with New York and Oakland over the past three years. Even though he will be 41 in May, Colon went 18-6 last year with a 2.65 ERA for the Athletics in a season he began by completing a 50-game suspension for a positive testosterone test. He struck out 117 and walked only 29 in 190 1-3 innings. Colon won just 14 games in four seasons after winning the Cy Young with tthe Angels. Ryan Succop Jersey. . But since 2011, hes 36-25 with a 3.32 ERA and he earned his third All-Star selection in 2013. General manager Sandy Alderson had said he preferred not to go for more than a one-year contract for a pitcher because New York had several prospects close to being ready. But after several years of budget cutting and meagre spending, the Mets have displayed some fiscal flexibility. Colons deal comes soon after the Mets finalized a $60 million free-agent contract with outfielder Curtis Granderson, securing the former Yankees outfielder by being the only team to go to a fourth year. They also gave outfielder Chris Young a $7.25 million, one-year contract this off-season. Colon will join a rotation that includes right-handers Zack Wheeler and Dillon Gee and left-hander Jon Niese. New York is still looking for a fifth starter. Oft-injured Mets righty Jenrry Mejia could be an option. Harvey had elbow reconstruction surgery and is going to miss the 2014 season. wholesale jerseys ' ' '
