Apple plans new spaceship headquarters

Apple is planning a new headquarters shaped like a spaceship, which it hopes will be the best office building in the world.

The ambitious plans were unveiled by Apple CEO Steve Jobs before the Cupertino City Council. Jobs broke into his indefinite medical leave to showcase the new design, which is planned to house 12,600 workers in a four-storey, ring-shaped building with a massive garden in its centre.

“It’s a little like a spaceship landed,” Jobs told the council.

“There is not a single straight piece of glass in this building. I think we do have a shot at building the best office building in the world. I really do think architecture students will come here to see this, I think it can be that good.”

Jobs said that Apple “is growing like a weed” as the success of its iPhones, iPads and Mac computers make it the world’s most valuable tech company.

“We’ve got almost 12,000 people in the area,” said Jobs. “So we’re renting buildings, not very good buildings either, at an ever greater radius from our campus and we’re putting people in those. It’s clear that we need to build a new campus.”

Apple has occupied its current campus, Infinite Loop, since 1993, but that holds just 2,600 workers. Jobs said that Apple hopes to break ground on its new headquarters next year and move in by 2015.

Rafael Nadal Won his sixth French Open against Federer

Rafael Nadal held off an inspired fightback from Roger Federer to win a record-levelling sixth title at the French Open Sunday as he beat the Swiss 7-5, 7-6 (7-3), 5-7, 6-1 in a final, interrupted briefly by rain.

Top seed Nadal moved alongside Bjorn Borg, who won his six at Roland Garros between 1974 and 1981.

Federer has not beaten Nadal in five meetings at the event, with the Spaniard winning finals from 2006-2008 and lifting a 2005 semi-final.

Nadal’s victory saved his world number one ranking and keeps Novak Djokovic from seizing the top honour for a first time. Federer remains third.

Nadal stands 45-1 at the event, with his only loss coming in 2009 against Swede Robin Soderling in the fourth round, the year Federer won the trophy.

“This is more than a tennis tournament to me,” said an emotional Nadal, who fell to his knees on the clay as Federer sent a forehand long to end the exciting confrontation after three hours, 40 minutes.

“It’s much more special than that. I’m filled with emotion, I’m very satisfied, I’m very fortunate.” Nadal was presented his trophy by Jim Courier, who won the title in Paris 20 years ago, over Andre Agassi.

Federer, who has lost four Paris finals to his rival, admitted disappointment but was pleased with his own showing over the fortnight.

“Rafa has proved again that he’s the best on clay,” said the Swiss native. “I’m sorry to lose but I played a good match.

“It’s disappointing to lose another one, but I’m proud of my two weeks here and how I played.” Federer went to the attack from the start, with his 53 winners in symmetry with 56 unforced errors. He fired 11 aces to four for Nadal and broke on five of his 15 chances. Nadal converted seven of 15.

Federer got off a flyer with a 5-2 lead in the opening set, but missed his chance to grab an early command as Nadal saved a set point in the eighth game in a clawback, which would eventually land him the set after 62 minutes, as he broke Federer’s last two times at serve.

Nadal consolidated despite brilliant strategy from Federer, who moved him well around the court, firing deep into the corners. But the Spaniard’s incredible retrieving powers saved him.

The Spaniard eventually earned a two-sets-to-love lead in a set which began with a break of the Swiss-third seed, included a Federer recovery, but ended in a tiebreaker with which Nadal ran away.

The second set was interrupted for 12 minutes after Federer saved a set point and resumed as he saved another before Nadal won in the decider.

The world number three Swiss again fought back in the third, winning his first set of the afternoon to end a streak of 19 straight for Nadal over the course of the fortnight.

Federer trailed 4-2, but steadily gained ground and broke Nadal for a 6-5 lead at the three-hour mark. But the fourth set was a blowout as Nadal swept it in 32 minutes with two breaks and a victory on first match point.

Li Na makes First Title for China

China’s long wait for a Grand Slam champion ended Saturday when Li Na beat Francesca Schiavone 6—4, 7—6 (0) in the French Open final.

The Australian Open runner—up fell flat on her back in the red clay after Schiavone hit a backhand long on match point.

The crowd at Roland Garros was dotted with red Chinese flags and a small vocal group supporting Schiavone. And despite dropping her serve for the only time late in the second set, Li won the final nine points of the match to earn her first major title.

On Sunday, five—time champion Rafael Nadal will face Roger Federer in the men’s final.

The title was only Li’s fifth in her career, and first on clay.

She was broken only once by the defending champion, while she converted two of her eight break points - one in each set. She finished with 31 winners, while Schiavone had only 12.

Li took a 3—2 lead in the first when Schiavone sent a forehand wide. She held at love in the next two games, and then won the set when Schiavone sent a forehand long.

The Chinese player opened the second set with her second break of the match, and then saved Schiavone’s first break point in the next game with an ace. But Schiavone broke back in the eighth game to even the score at 4—4.

Both players held the rest of the way, but Schiavone came within two points of winning the set on five occasions, three times at 5—5 and two more at 6—6.

Although Li has said she is not a big fan of playing on clay, her power and precision worked well against Schiavone, who last year became the first Italian woman to win a Grand Slam singles title.

For Li, the year started well but soon took a dip.

After losing to Kim Clijsters in the Australian Open final, the 29—year—old Li lost her next four matches. But she recovered her form shortly before the French Open, reaching the semifinals in Madrid.

By winning Saturday, Li is expected to jump to No. 4 in the women’s rankings, equaling the record for the highest ranking by a woman from Asia. Japanese player Kimiko Date—Krumm has also been ranked No. 4.

Both Li and Schiavone came into the final with plenty of experience. Combined, they were the oldest pair in a women’s Grand Slam final since Wimbledon in 1998, when Jana Novotna, 29, beat Nathalie Tauziat, 30.