SPORTS DIGEST

MARATHON MAN MO RULES OUT TRACK RETURN

ROGER FEDERER has achieved his 1,200th win, saving two match points against Gael Monfils before pulling through 6-0, 4-6, 7-6 to reach the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open. The 37-year-old Swiss is only the second player, after Jimmy Connors, to win 1,200 ATP Tour matches. Federer, who faces Dominic Thiem next, said: ‘It was frustrating to be down 4-1 in the third, but I always thought I was going to get another look.’

MIKE DICKSON SIR MO FARAH has ruled out a track return after deciding to defend his Chicago Marathon title on October 13. The 36-year-old had hinted he may run the 10,000m for GB at the World Championships in Doha in October. But the decision to run in Chicago points to Farah placing extra emphasis on his marathon preparation ahead of Tokyo 2020 and he said: ‘To ensure I have the best chance of achieving my goal, my focus for 2019 will be solely on the roads. Winning the Chicago Marathon last year was very special.’