Sport Briefs

TOKYO – Nine-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer says his season hinges on top performances at the four premier events in tennis, but the world number one plans to brings his A-game to the Japan Open this week.

“It is usually where a best season or a bad season can be decided for the best players,” the 25-year-old Federer – who won his third consecutive US Open last month in New York – said of the Grand Slams. Federer will make his Japan debut in Tokyo tomorrow against either Fernando Vicente of Spain or a qualifier, after receiving a first-round bye.LONDON – South African Hendrick Ramaala won England’s Great North Run for the third time on Sunday.Ramaala recorded a winning time of one hour and three seconds after breaking away over the last three miles of the Newcastle to South Shields course to finish ahead of Ethiopian Dejene Berhanu and America’s Dathan Ritzenhein.Ethiopa’s Berhane Adere, a former world champion at the half-marathon distance, won the women’s race in a time of one hour, 10 minutes and one second.Reports by Nampa-ReutersFederer will make his Japan debut in Tokyo tomorrow against either Fernando Vicente of Spain or a qualifier, after receiving a first-round bye.LONDON – South African Hendrick Ramaala won England’s Great North Run for the third time on Sunday.Ramaala recorded a winning time of one hour and three seconds after breaking away over the last three miles of the Newcastle to South Shields course to finish ahead of Ethiopian Dejene Berhanu and America’s Dathan Ritzenhein.Ethiopa’s Berhane Adere, a former world champion at the half-marathon distance, won the women’s race in a time of one hour, 10 minutes and one second.Reports by Nampa-Reuters