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. Deion Sanders Youth 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." Taco Charlton Jersey . Ending a nine-game losing streak? That gave the Milwaukee Bucks veteran forward a reason to smile. Ezekiel Elliott Cowboys Jersey . -- Athletics manager Bob Melvin is already starting to run out of superlatives to describe Scott Kazmir. http://www.shoptheofficialcowboys.com/Elite-Larry-Allen-Cowboys-Jersey/ . - The Raiders have released guard Mike Brisiel after two disappointing seasons in Oakland. SAN FRANCISCO -- Barry Zito begged and pleaded to stay in the game, wanting this moment to last a little bit longer, and manager Bruce Bochy almost obliged the pitcher. Bochy stuck with his plan to pull Zito, who still won in what likely was his final hurrah for San Francisco, and Pablo Sandoval backed him with a two-run homer as the Giants beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-4 on Wednesday night. "I just let him know, This is my game, Im going to go out there and shut them down, I feel good," Zito said. "I was frustrated." Zitos up-and-down tenure on this side of San Francisco Bay is likely through after seven years, following seven with the Oakland Athletics on the other side of the water. Tony Abreu hit a bases-loaded triple to stake Zito to a quick 3-0 lead in the second, then added an RBI double in the sixth as last years World Series champions put themselves in position for a rare home series victory if they can win Thursday nights rubber game with the NL West champion Dodgers. Zito departed with little fanfare and nary one last standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 41,377 because he was replaced between innings. Fans cheered him after the game, and Zito stuck around to sign autographs. "Definitely theres not a lot of closure in sports," he said. He outpitched Ricky Nolasco (13-11), whose late-September struggles have the Dodgers a bit concerned with the playoffs looming. The right-hander is 0-2 over his last three outings since getting victories in four consecutive starts and seven straight decisions. "Rickys shown us he can throw the ball really well and he can make good pitches," manager Don Mattingly said. "I dont think Ricky has done anything thats going to change our mind." Zito (5-11), making his first start since Sept. 2 at San Diego, snapped a 13-start winless stretch and eight-game losing streak -- including his previous four starts -- since beating Oakland on May 30. The 2002 AL Cy Young Award winner across the bay with the Athletics, Zito signed a $126 million, seven-year contract before the 2007 season. "I still remember where I was when the contract was finalized and I knew it was going to be a heck of a ride, on the field and off, and its certainly been that for me," said Zito, who lost both of his parents in recent years. Left off the roster for all three post-season rounds during the clubs run to the 2010 World Series title, Zito bounced back to win Game 5 of the NLCS last fall in St. Louis while facing elimination, then Game 1 of a surprising World Series sweep of Detroit. Zito took a comebackker to the left thigh in the fifth but stayed in to finish the inning and be in line for the win. Troy Aikman Youth Jersey. But that was it, and catcher Buster Posey offered him a handshake in the dugout. The Giants arent expected to pick up his $18 million option for 2014, but rather pay him a $7 million buyout. Zito hasnt been told anything formally, but he is prepared to move on and, he hopes, continue pitching in 2014. Zito allowed four hits and one earned run in five innings, with a strikeout and no walks. The 35-year-old pitcher lowered his ERA while with the Giants by a point to 4.62, finishing with a seven-year record of 63-80 while facing harsh criticism for most of his largely disappointing stint. "I was little worried there for a while, I didnt think I was ever going to be able to show my face in San Francisco again," Zito said. "I was like, Oh, man, they have such great spots here and restaurants, Id love to enjoy them later in my career, later in life, but I didnt think Id be able to. I think now Ill come back and at least have people have smiles on their faces." Bochy let Zito know Tuesday he would get one final start in front of the home fans. "Its been a joy to be with Barry," Bochy said. "I couldnt be happier for him right now to win tonight." Zito surrendered consecutive singles then Matt Kemps RBI double in the fourth to prompt a mound visit from pitching coach Dave Righetti, then got through the inning still holding a lead. Kemp pulled the Dodgers within two runs with an RBI single in the eighth. Then Sergio Romo finished for his 37th save in 42 opportunities leaving a runner at second. The Giants six runs were as many as they had total over their previous 49 innings -- and Nolasco matched the six he had given up in five career starts at AT&T Park before Wednesday. Following Poseys leadoff double in the second, Nolasco plunked Hunter Pence in the left leg a day after Matt Cain hit Yasiel Puig with a pitch during Tuesdays 2-1 Dodgers win. Pablo Sandoval singled to load the bases and Abreu tripled two batters later. Sandoval hit his 14th homer in the fourth. Notes: The Giants clinched the season series with a 10-8 lead, doing so in back-to-back years for the first time since 2002-03. ... Giants 2B Marco Scutaro, last seasons NLCS MVP, will have surgery Friday to repair a tendon problem in his left pinkie and have a pin inserted to help him heal. Shut down for the season Tuesday, Scutaro batted .297 with two homers and 31 RBIs in 127 games. "I tried to do whatever I can to help the team win games," he said. ' ' '