Another late night at US Open (AP)
Soon after Rafael Nadal and Mardy Fish started playing, they heard "After Midnight" by Eric Clapton come wafting over the speakers at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Time for another episode of the late show at the U.S. Open. Nadal wound up winning, ending the match at 2:10 a.m. Thursday. Most of the upper deck was empty by then, and television showed many fans asleep.
Karlovic, Ljubicic withdraw at Olympics (AP)
Ivo Karlovic of Croatia withdrew from the Olympics because of a stomach illness Saturday, less than two weeks after his upset of top-ranked Roger Federer at the Cincinnati Masters. Fellow Croatian Ivan Ljubicic also pulled out of singles due to back trouble. He still plans to play doubles in the tournament, which begins Sunday.
Hoffman's Game 2 technical upgraded to flagrant (AP)
The technical foul Indiana's Ebony Hoffman received in Game 2 of the Fever's first-round series against Detroit was upgraded to a flagrant foul by the WNBA on Monday. Hoffman was also fined for the play in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game in which the Shock's Plenette Pierson was knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury that is expected to rule her out of Game 3.
Saints to play at Superdome on Sunday (AP)
The New Orleans Saints are returning to the Louisiana Superdome for their NFL season-opener Sunday. Forced to flee to Indianapolis ahead of Hurricane Gustav, the Saints will be able to open their season as scheduled against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team announced Tuesday. "We will once again showcase to a national audience that the city of New Orleans is made up of resilient people and that we...
Hammon, Riley prolong Shock skid (AP)
Bill Laimbeer has seen a lot of strange things in his long basketball career, but nothing quite like the last week. Laimbeer's Detroit Shock lost four straight games, got national attention for a fight with Los Angeles that cost them two of their best players, signed 50-year-old Nancy Lieberman and dropped out of first place in the Eastern Conference.
Reluctant Tursunov opens with tennis victory over fellow Russian (AFP)
AFP - Defending champ Dmitry Tursunov rallied from a 4-1 deficit in the second set to beat doubles partner Igor Kunitsyn 6-3, 7-5 at the ATP Indianapolis Tennis Championships.
Top seed Gicquel advances at Dutch Open (AP)
Top-seeded Marc Gicquel of France defeated Thiemo de Bakker of the Netherlands 7-6 (6), 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals of the Dutch Open on Wednesday. Defending champion Steve Darcis of Belgium also advanced, beating Alberto Martin of Spain 6-1, 7-6 (5). Teimuraz Gabashvili upset seventh-seeded Martin Vassallo Arguello 6-4, 6-0, and Christophe Rochus defeated Philipp Petzschner 6-3, 6-4.
Federowicz's 9th-inning slam keeps Carolina alive (AP)
AP - Tim Federowicz's grand slam in the top of the ninth inning Friday night sent North Carolina to a 7-3 victory over LSU in a College World Series elimination game disrupted twice by rain in two days.
Melrose returns to NHL as coach of Tampa (AP)
When the Tampa Bay Lightning called, Barry Melrose was eager to listen. Out of coaching for 13 years, he missed the passion and competition of the NHL. Countless hours of watching games as a television analyst intensified his desire to return to the bench, and it didn't hurt that he'd be able to work with talent like Vincent Lecavalier and Steve Stamkos.
Lions ink Bodden to 4-yr. $27M extension (AP)
The Detroit Lions and cornerback Leigh Bodden have agreed on a $27 million, four-year contract extension, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Thursday night. The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the negotiations were confidential, said Bodden's deal included a $2 million signing bonus and a $8.6 million roster if he's on the team next March.
Federer starts Madrid campaign with win over Stepanek (AFP)
AFP - Roger Federer kick-started the final leg of his long 2008 season as he pegged back exuberant Czech Radek Stepanek 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) to advance into the third round of the Madrid Masters on Wednesday.
Source: AIG out as Davis Cup sponsor (AP)
Insurance giant AIG is out after nearly a decade as the main U.S. Davis Cup sponsor, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Thursday. American International Group Inc. will not renew its contract when it expires at year's end, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because no official announcement was planned.
Madden to skip game after 476 straight (AP)
John Madden will miss calling an NFL game this weekend after working 476 in a row. The 72-year-old Sunday Night Football analyst, who travels by bus because of a fear of flying, will take a break to spend time with his family instead of making three straight cross country trips, NBC said Monday. Madden went from Jacksonville, Fla., to San Diego last week; he would have had to return to Florida for...
Phelps qualifies 2nd-quickest in 100 butterfly (AP)
AP - Michael Phelps has qualified second-fastest for the 100-meter butterfly semifinals, minutes after winning his sixth gold medal of the Beijing Olympics.
Banged-up Bills place CB Youboty on IR (AP)
Bills cornerback Ashton Youboty was placed on season-ending injured reserve Friday due to a foot injury, further depleting Buffalo's already banged-up defense. The third-year player who had served as the team's nickel back this season had missed the past three games with plantar fasciitis. Fourth-year linebacker Teddy Lehman, who was released by Detroit this summer, was signed to fill Youboty's...
Hantuchova moves into Pilot Pen quarters (AP)
Second-seeded Daniela Hantuchova survived three match points in a 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (4) victory over Olga Govortsova of Belarus in a second round match Wednesday night at the Pilot Pen. "It was very close and I still can't believe I won it," said Hantuchova, who is ranked No. 12 in the world. "The crowd helped me very much and I am very excited to be in the quarterfinals." It is the fourth time...
Confident Romo ready to return for Cowboys (AP)
AP - Tony Romo laughed at the notion his return to the Dallas lineup will be the complete cure for the struggling Cowboys.
Taylor on Redskins' minds as camp opens (AP)
There are tangible reminders of Sean Taylor at Redskins Park. The wooden plaque near new head coach Jim Zorn's office, for example. Or the Pro Bowl safety's locker room stall, still arranged precisely as it was the day he died. And then there are the reminders no one can touch or see, the vivid memories of Taylor that allowed him to make his way into his former teammates' thoughts Sunday, when the...
Blackhawks excited about Winter Classic (AP)
Dustin Byfuglien remembers the fun he had playing outdoor hockey as a kid in Minnesota. The 23-year-old Blackhawks right winger will get a chance to relive the experience -- at least for a day -- when Chicago hosts the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings on New Year's Day at baseball's Wrigley Field.
Reluctant Tursunov opens with victory over fellow Russian (AFP)
AFP - Defending champ Dmitry Tursunov is resisting any pressure to perform after rallying from a 4-1 deficit in the second set to beat doubles partner Igor Kunitsyn 6-3, 7-5 at the Indianapolis Championships.
Keane helps Ireland to unconvincing win (AFP)
AFP - Robbie Keane scored his 35th international goal to give Ireland an unconvincing 1-0 World Cup qualifier win over Cyprus here Wednesday that owed too much to the towering defending of centre back Richard Dunne.