SPORTS BRIEFS

LONDON (AP):

Roger Federer weathered a barrage of big hitting by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France to begin his title defence with a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 win yesterday in the opening match of the ATP World Tour Finals. Federer came into the tournament on a 12-match winning streak following titles in Basel and Paris, where he beat Tsonga in straight sets in the final a week ago.

Rafael Nadal was up against American Mardy Fish in the second match in Group B later yesterday. Group A begins today with Andy Murray facing David Ferrer and Novak Djokovic against Tomas Berdych.

Ponting, Khawaja set up enthralling finish

JOHANNESBURG (AP):

Ricky Ponting was 54 not out and Australia 142-3 at stumps on day four of the second Test against South Africa yesterday to send a captivating series to a decisive final day at the Wanderers. Ponting collected his first score of the series in a priceless 122-run partnership with Usman Khawaja (65). Australia need another 168 for a record-breaking victory to save a 41-year unbeaten record in South Africa.

Khawaja and Ponting showed real grit to lift Australia from 19-2 in their second innings before a late breakthrough from leg-spinner Imran Tahir to remove Khawaja in the day's last over. The tourists require 310 to rescue a 1-1 draw in the enthralling two-Test series. It would be the highest fourth-innings total to win a Test at the ground.

Juventus back on top

ROME (AP):

Juventus reclaimed the Serie A lead with a dominating 3-0 win over Palermo yesterday, as previous leaders Udinese fell to a 2-0 defeat at Parma. Simone Pepe put Juventus in front with a leaping header in the 20th minute, Alessandro Matri doubled the lead with a sharply angled shot in the 48th and Claudio Marchisio sealed the victory in the 65th.

Juventus and Lazio are level with 22 points each, but Juventus hold the edge on goal difference ahead of the two clubs' meeting next weekend - with head-to-head results the first tie-breaker in the Italian league. Lazio drew 0-0 at Napoli on Saturday, and Milan had their five-match winning streak snapped with a scoreless draw at Fiorentina. AC Milan and Udinese are next with 21 points each.

Jonathan Biabiany gave Parma the lead in the 58th after being left wide open inside the box for a header, and the French forward also earned a penalty kick that Sebastian Giovinco converted in the 76th. Elsewhere yesterday, Genoa edged Novara with an 86th-minute strike from Miguel Veloso as both sides ended with 10 men.