Novak Djokovic joins Rafael Nadal in semis at ATP Finals

After nearly a year of global travel and dozens of matches, most of Novak Djokovic’s rivals are complaining about their mental and physical fatigue.

Not the Serb. He thrives in the rigors of a tough autumn finish.

Unbeaten since losing the U.S. Open final to Rafael Nadal, Djokovic joined Nadal in the ATP World Tour Finals semifinals at London, overcoming Juan Martin del Potro on Thursday.

After extending his winning streak to 19 matches with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 victory over the hard-hitting Argentine, Djokovic said he was playing the best tennis of his season.

“I just feel well at this particular part of the year,” the six-time Grand Slam winner said. “I know most of the players are exhausted physically, mentally, emotionally, after a long season. But, you know, I try to find that as an opportunity for me, you know, to get extra motivated to kind of push myself to the limit and deliver the goods when needed.”

ETC.

Woods is well off the lead in Turkey

Playing only 10 holes because of rain and flooding, Tiger Woods struggled with his driver and was well off the lead in the first round of the Turkish Airlines Open at Antalaya that was cut short because of fading light.

Woods and most of the field were unable to complete their round after the start was delayed three hours. He was at one under after 10 holes following a bogey on No. 9 in the next-to-last event of the European Tour season.

Paul Casey was at seven under through 14 holes at the Colin Montgomerie-designed Maxx Royal course. Ricardo Gonzalez and Thorbjorn Olesen were the clubhouse leaders after six-under 66s. Fifteen players finished their round before darkness halted play.

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Heavy fog allowed Brian Gay a quick nap, and he no longer felt so sluggish after traveling halfway around the world from Shanghai to Sea Island, Ga.

Gay had enough energy to make eight birdies on his way to a seven-under 63, giving him a share of the lead with Briny Baird among early starters in the McGladrey Classic. The opening round could not be completed because of a fog delay lasting nearly two hours.

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Rickie Fowler had six birdies over his last eight holes en route to an eight-under 63 to take a two-stroke lead after the first round of the Australian PGA at Gold Coast.

Fowler’s round took some of the attention from Adam Scott’s first tournament back home since becoming the first Masters champion from Australia. Scott was two strokes back after shooting a 65 playing in the afternoon groups affected by gusty winds at Royal Pines.

Scott was tied with fellow Australians Matthew Ballard and David McKenzie.

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Carl Pelini wants his job back at Florida Atlantic, asking school officials to rescind the resignation letter that he now claims he was forced to sign after being confronted with allegations that he used illegal drugs.

Pelini, who was FAU’s head coach for 20 games, said he denied using the drugs, later identified in other documents as marijuana and cocaine. When FAU announced his resignation Oct. 30, Athletic Director Patrick Chun said Pelini and now-former defensive coordinator Pete Rekstis both acknowledged that they used drugs.

Chun released a statement through an athletic department spokeswoman, saying he stands “by my statement and decision from last week.”

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Terrance Broadway threw two touchdown passes and ran for two scores to help host Louisiana Lafayette beat Troy, 41-36, for its seventh straight victory.

The Ragin’ Cajuns (7-3, 4-0 Sun Belt) stopped Troy (5-5, 3-3) on a fourth-and-goal play from the four with 2:01 left when Trevence Patt knocked away Corey Robinson’s pass to Eric Thomas in the end zone.

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A New Jersey grand jury indicted New York Jets running back Michael Goodson and another man on weapons charges, stemming from a traffic stop last spring.

Goodson and Roselle resident Garant Evans were discovered by police in Denville, in northwestern New Jersey, early on the morning of May 17 in a car stopped in the middle of Interstate 80.

Police said at the time they recovered a loaded .45-caliber handgun and one hollow-point bullet.