HAMBURG, Germany -- Top-seeded Roger Federer was taken to the limit on Friday before coming through for a 7-6 (4), 3-6, 7-5 victory over Florian Mayer and a place in the semifinals of the German Tennis Championships. Federer is playing his first tournament since losing in the second round of Wimbledon. A four-time champion on the clay courts of Hamburg, Federer needed two hours to overcome Mayer. Federer was down 5-1 in the second set, won the next two games but then faltered again. He double-faulted and then produced two straight forehand errors to give up the set. In the third, Federer broke serve twice, only to see the German re-break both times. But with the match on the line, the Swiss former No. 1 raised his game considerably. He broke serve with the loss of a point for a 6-5 lead and served out the match at love, hitting a service winner on match point. He next plays Argentine qualifier Federico Delbonis, who upset 14th-seeded Fernando Verdasco of Spain 6-7 (5), 7-6 (8), 6-4 to make the semifinals of a tournament for the second time in his career. Fabio Fognini of Italy beat Tommy Haas for the second time in two weeks to also advance to the semifinals. Fognini prevailed 6-2, 6-4 over the second-seeded home favourite. The 12th-seeded Italian is looking for his second straight title after winning his first tournament in Stuttgart, where he beat Haas in the quarterfinals. Fognini next faces third-seeded Nicolas Almagro of Spain, who came from behind to beat defending champion Juan Monaco of Argentina 4-6, 6-0, 6-3. The fifth-seeded Monaco beat Almagro in the Hamburg semifinals last year. Almagro was runner-up in Hamburg two years ago, while Monaco beat Haas for the title last year. Delbonis previous semifinal appearance was two years ago, also on clay and also in Germany, in Stuttgart. After fending off a pair of match points in the second set, Delbonis failed to serve out the match at 5-3. He then wasted two match points on Verdascos serve before the Spaniard double-faulted on the third. Discount Cowboys Jersesys . The nimble-footed quarterback got his wish, dashing through the snow and a weary defence all the way into the NCAA record book. Michael Gallup Jersey .Y. - Detroit goaltender Jonas Gustavsson has earned NHL first star of the week honours after winning in his first three appearances of the season. http://www.dallascowboysjerseyscheap.com/cheap-mike-white-jersey/ . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. Leighton Vander Esch Jersey . Brandon Morrow allowed five runs on six hits over three innings. He struck out two, walked one and hit a batter. Edwin Encarnacion had a two-out, bases loaded two-RBI double in the third inning. Dalton Schultz Jersey . Patrice Bergeron and Daniel Paille scored 20 seconds apart a few minutes after Stamkos was taken off the ice on a stretcher with a broken right leg, and the Bruins beat the Lightning 3-0 on Monday afternoon. OAKLAND -- The Chicago Cubs activated outfielder Jorge Soler from the disabled list and designated relief pitcher Joe Nathan for assignment on Friday.Soler, 24, batted sixth and played designated hitter in his first game since June 6, a 7-2 win over the Oakland Athletics.In his first at-bat, he hit a three-run home run in the first inning. Soler also reached on a fielders choice and scored on Javier Baezs double in the third.Soler injured his hamstring two months ago, which continued his yearly trend of spending time on the disabled list because of leg problems. Soler split his rehab time between Double-A and Triple-A and hit .162, which led manager Joe Maddon to indicate that Soler needed to work on his timing before he was recalled.The team changed course this weekend, knowing that it could install Soler in the DH role and admitting that an extended stay in the minors wasnt energizing him.I think youre going to see better, Maddon said Friday afternoon. Ive seen that with guys that have to go back to Triple-A for an extended period of time. ... Im not saying its right or wrong, it just happens.Maddon said there are no restrictions on Soler, who will be watched carefully as he restarts his season.dddddddddddd He had five home runs and a .223 batting average in 130 at-bats in the first part of this season.I want to see how he responds to all this, Maddon said.Nathan, 41, returned this season after having his second major elbow surgery and was signed by the Cubs in May, well before they added lefties Mike Montgomery and Aroldis Chapman via trades. The Cubs didnt have time to bring Nathan along as they begin their pennant push.He needed more time, Maddon said. We had so many other people to get involved. It just didnt work out immediately in a sense.The Cubs want to bring second baseman Tommy La Stella back from the minors, though he was given personal time after being optioned last weekend.Hes taking batting practice, staying active, Maddon said of La Stella. Were trying to get him back up here. 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