LONDON -- Roger Federer pulled out of the ATP Finals less than one hour before his title match against Novak Djokovic on Sunday, handing a third straight title in this event to the top-ranked Serb and dealing a potential blow to Switzerlands Davis Cup ambitions. The 17-time Grand Slam champion said he hurt his back in the nearly three-hour semifinal win over Davis Cup teammate Stan Wawrinka on Saturday night in which Federer saved four match points. Unfortunately Im not match fit, the 33-year-old Swiss told the crowd at the O2 Arena. I tried everything I could last night, also today: painkillers, treatment, rest, so forth, warm-up, until the very end. But I just cant compete at this level with Novak. It would be too risky at my age to do this right now and I hope you understand. Fans appeared to be supportive with applause for Federer when he spoke. Federer is set to play for Switzerland in the Davis Cup final against France, starting Friday. If he recovers in time, Federer will be chasing the only major trophy still eluding him. France hosts the match in the northern city of Lille. Following back problems that ruined his 2013 season, Federer enjoyed a superb resurgence this season, losing to Djokovic in an epic Wimbledon final and adding five new titles to his collection. Federer, the most successful player at the ATP Finals with six wins, also made it to the semifinals at the Australian Open and the U.S. Open and won his 23rd Masters title in Shanghai last month. He remained on course for the year-end No. 1 spot until this week and had dropped just one set on the way to the final. I hurt my back late in the match yesterday against Stan, I am very disappointed and I hope to be feeling better soon, Federer added on his Facebook page. Its been an extremely difficult decision because I love playing in London and the ATP World Tour Finals have been an absolute highlight of my career. Unfortunately, my back problem does not allow me to play right now. Djokovic became the first player since Ivan Lendl from 1985-87 to win the year-end event three times in a row. He finished the season No. 1 for the third time in four years, becoming the seventh man to accomplish the feat at least three times. Besides winning his seventh Grand Slam title at the All England Club, Djokovic was also runner-up at the French Open, and won six titles. Instead of facing Federer, Djokovic is playing an exhibition set with Andy Murray, before a doubles match pitting Murray and John McEnroe against Tim Henman and Pat Cash. Fake White Sox Jerseys .com) - Mike Miller scored a season-high 21 points in a rare start and the Cleveland Cavaliers bounced back from their worst loss of the season with a 95-91 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Chicago White Sox Shirts . The defeat leaves the 41-year-old Nestor to concentrate on the mixed-doubles event after winning 12 straight matches and winning Australian titles in Brisbane and Sydney with two different partners. "This was a little bit of a let down, but all credit to them," said Nestor. https://www.cheapwhitesox.com/. Many of those eyes are in the United States of America, a country that the sport has wanted on its side for some time. On Sunday the football Gods delivered once again, only this time it was time for good old USA to experience as much heartache as joy. Stitched White Sox Jerseys . The Earthquakes (6-9-7) were coming off a 5-0 loss at home last Saturday to FC Dallas. Even with the draw, the Sounders (13-7-3) climbed back into a tie for both the Western Conference and overall top spot in MLS. Seattle, West co-leader Real Salt Lake and East leader Sporting Kansas City all have 42 points. Chicago White Sox Store . The 29-year-old Mills started three games for Oakland this season, posting a 1-1 record with a 4.41 earned-run average. He opened the season appearing in 14 games and making 12 starts for the Milwaukee Brewers triple-A affiliate in Nashville, posting a 4-2 record with a 1.MELBOURNE, Australia -- All Blacks flyhalf Tom Taylor kicked six penalties and hooker Ben Funnell scored the only try for the Crusaders as the New Zealand side laboured past the Melbourne Rebels 25-19 in Super Rugby on Friday. The seven-time champion Crusaders led 12-9 at halftime, all penalties, and the Rebels scored their only try with two minutes remaining through flanker Scott Fuglistaller, giving them a bonus point for losing by fewer than seven points. After starting with two losses, the Crusaders have won two straight heading into a bye next weekend. Taylor, playing outside recalled flyhalf Colin Slade, kicked the Crusaders to their halftime lead while fullback Jason Woodward provided all of the Rebels points. The first try of the match came in the 56th minute with the Rebels, with one win and two losses on the season, trying to hold out waves of attack before they were caught short when Kieran Read gave Funnell a free run into the right corner. The conversion and another penalty from Taylor pushed the lead to 13 points. Fuglistaller crossed late after the forwards mauled the ball. Bryce Hegarty added the conversion to ensure the bonus point. The Rebels, beaten 32-7 by the Western Force in the previous round, reinstated the lineup which easily defeated the Cheetahs in their season-opener and weree stronger defensively as they tried for a fifth consecutive win at home.dddddddddddd But persistent infringing, particularly at the scrum, enabled the Crusaders to take the lead from Taylors boot. Melbourne skipper Scott Higginbotham was frustrated with the penalty count. "We pride ourselves on our defence and how tough we are at the breakdown, and it was disappointing to give away that many penalties," Higginbotham said. Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder described the match as "ugly." "Off the back of not having a potent attack tonight, we defended with our hearts and it probably made the difference in the end," Blackadder said. "We can go into the bye in pretty good nick and we need to put a lot of work into our attack. There are a few things we can do which will certainly improve our game." Rebels coach Tony McGahan said the Crusaders experience proved to be the difference. "They were just a bit cuter than us in certain aspects and they controlled things really well," McGahan said. "We kept coming back and they kept slipping away." ------ Scores: Crusaders 25 (Ben Funnell try; Tom Taylor conversion, 6 penalties), Melbourne 19 (Scott Fuglistaller try; Bryce Hegarty conversion penalty, Jason Woodward 3 penalties). HT: 12-9. ' ' '