Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

Jankovic, Kuznetsova Tested But Advance At U.S. Open

Posted: 01 Sep 2010 06:48 AM PDT

John Nestor – AHN Sports Correspondent

New York, NY, United States (AHN) – Jelena Jankovic and Svetlana Kuznetsova got all they could handle Tuesday at the U.S. Open.

The fourth seed, Jankovic needed 2 hours and 20 minutes to post a 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 victory over Simona Halep, while Kuznetsova took nearly two hours to top 39-year-old challenger Kimiko Date Krumm, 6-2, 4-6, 6-1.

Jankovic, the 2008 runner-up, committed 48 unforced errors and had seven double faults but still found a way to advance to the second round.

Kuznetsova, the 2004 U.S. Open champion had 35 unforced errors, including 19 in the second set.

But the No. 11 seed was ultimately able to capitalize of Date Krumm’s soft serving style and she converted 7-of-11 break point chances.

Japan’s Date Krumm reached back-to-back US Open quarterfinals in 1993 and 1994, eventually climbing to No. 4 in the world in 1995.

She last competed in an Open singles draw in 1996 before an 11-year retirement from 1997 to 2008.

Krumm, the oldest player in the women’s draw, became the oldest woman since Billie Jean King in March 1984 to rank in the Top 50 last week at 39 years, 11 months.

She is the only player in either singles draw to have competed in the 80′s.

Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez of Spain was also a winner Tuesday. Seeded No. 22, she topped American Jamie Hampton 6-4, 3-6, 6-0.

Other winners on the women’s side include No. 18 Aravane rezai, No. 25 Alexandra Dilghero, Patty Schnyder and Sofia Arvidsson.

In men’s action 23rd-seeded Feliciano Lopez moved on while No. 24 Ernests Gulbis was bounced in straight sets.

Feliciano posted a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 triumph over Santiago Giraldo while Jeremy Chardy sent Gulbis packing with a 6-2, 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 victory.

Both top seeds, Rafael Nadal on the men’s side and Caroline Wozniacki for the women, have first-round matches Tuesday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

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Cowboys Employees Settle Lawsuit With Jerry Jones Over Tent Collapse

Posted: 01 Sep 2010 06:35 AM PDT

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Todd Callahan – AHN Sports Reporter

Irving, TX, United States (AHN) – Cowboys employees Rich Behm and Joe DeCamillis, who were both seriously injured when a tent-like structure collapsed last year, settled their lawsuit Monday against companies owned by team owner Jerry Jones.

Frank Branson, the attorney for Behm and DeCamillis, confirmed each of his clients received $5 million in cash and benefits.

That’s on top of the collective $24 million settlement Behm and DeCamillis reached earlier this year with the companies that designed and built that tent-like structure at the team’s training facility Valley Ranch practice facility.

During a rookie practice in May of ’09, the 86-foot-tall practice facility fell apart during a thunderstorm. About 70 people were inside.

Twelve were injured, including Behm, a scouting assitant, who was paralyzed from the waist down.

DeCamillis, who was special teams coach, suffered a broken neck but was not paralyzed.

Remarkably both remained with the Cowboys.

“They’re both extremely positive personalities,” Branson told The Dallas Morning News. “They have a wonderful work ethic.”

The Dallas attorney also said Jones, the Cowboys and related organizations have treated Behm and DeCamillis like family since their injuries.

“When the time came, Mr. Jones and his organization stood up and were counted and were supportive of both Rich and Joe,” Branson said.

Jones’ companies Blue Star Land LP, facility owner Blue Star Development Co. and land owner Cowboys Center Ltd. – were found at fault because they failed to have their collapse expert review final repair plans.

Had they done their due diligence, faults in the structure would have reportedly been discovered prior to the collapse.

Cowboys lawyer Levi McCathern II has filed suit against builder Summit Structures and Cover-All Building Systems, saying they alone must take the blame for the collapse.

Summit’s engineering errors contributed to the Irving collapse, a National Institute of Standards and Technology report concluded last fall.

The federal agency warned that thousands of similar structures remain in use around the world and need to be checked for problems.

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Injuries Afoot; Ronaldo, Van Persie Suffer Ankle Injuries

Posted: 01 Sep 2010 06:35 AM PDT

Todd Callahan – AHN Sports Reporter

Madrid, Spain (AHN) – While football teams are dealing with injuries to top players in America before the season begins, soccer clubs in the Premier League also are dealing with attrition as stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Robin van Persie could miss their respective season openers.

Real Madrid confirmed its star forward Ronaldo injured his ankle during Sunday’s La Liga opener against Real Mallorca. The Portugese star could miss up to three weeks.

The 25-year-old would miss Portugal’s two qualifying matches for Euro 2012 against Cyprus and Norway.

Ronaldo also could miss Real Madrid’s Champions League opener Ajax.

Van Persie, 27, who missed five months last season with ligament damage in his right ankle, injured his left ankle Saturday as Arsenal defeated the Blackburn Rovers at Etwood Park.

Van Persie, playing in his first game of the season lasted just 35 minutes before twisting his ankle.

Arsenal estimates Van Persie will miss between 2-4 weeks, depending on how quickly the swelling subsides.

The striker could miss Arsenal’s Championship League opener against Braga on Sept 15, as well as Holland’s Euro 2012 qualifiers against San Marino and Finland.

Van Persie also will miss the league game at Sunderland and the Carling Cup third‑round tie at Tottenham Hotspur.

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U.S. Soccer, Bradley Extend Deal Through 2014

Posted: 01 Sep 2010 06:35 AM PDT

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Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – Bob Bradley is expected to coach the U.S. National team to the next level of global soccer after reaching an agreement with the U.S. Soccer Federation on a contract extension through 2014, the USSF announced Monday.

It ended speculation on the future of the 52-year-old Bradley, who was seeking a job in Europe with the federation reportedly planning on rebuilding in preparation for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The former American college coach and MLS manager, who guided the United States to the round of 16 at the recent World Cup in South Africa, had expressed interest in managerial posts in England, most recently with Aston Villa.

The United States, under Bradley’s stewardship, registered what is considered its first success in 80 years, a rare first-place group finish in the 2010 World Cup.

Team USA was eliminated in the second round after succumbing to Ghana in overtime, 2-1.

In 2009, Bradley guided the American squad over World Cup champions Spain to clinch a final berth at the Confederation Cup.

In his four years behind the sidelines of the U.S. National team, Bradley has compiled a 38-20-8 record.

Bradley, whose current contract runs through December, met with USSF President Sunil Gulati Thursday in Los Angeles.

Gulati and Bradley are set to address the extension Tuesday in New York.

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ICC President Asks Pakistan Cricket Board To Drop Fixing-Tainted Cricketers

Posted: 01 Sep 2010 06:35 AM PDT

AHN News Staff

New Delhi, India (AHN) – A day after the biggest match-fixing scandal involving Pakistani cricketers broke out, the International Cricket Council (ICC) asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to act immediately and drop tainted players — including pacemen Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir — from the team for the one-day and Twenty20 series against hosts England.

Sources said that the newly-appointed ICC president, Sharad Pawar, spoke to PCB chief Ejaz Butt and asked him to put the house in order in the larger interest of the game.

Reports coming in from London Tuesday said that senior England cricketers were shell-shocked with the scandalous things that allegedly happened in the fourth Test and were reluctant to play the ODI and T20 series unless the tainted players were dropped.

A sting operation by “News Of The World”, a British newspaper, uncovered an unholy nexus between bookmakers and Pakistani cricketers. The bookie told the interviewer that he could ‘fix’ no less than seven Pak players and even demonstrated it by asking Asif, Aamir to thrown ‘no-balls’, albeit for a sum.

Sources said Tuesday that the England Cricket Board (ECB) wanted Test skipper Salman Butt, Asif, Aamir to be dropped for the remaining series. Pakistan had lost the four-match Test series 3-1, with the visitors surrendering meekly in the last Test.

Thought public opinion is that the Pak cricketers should be recalled midway, the ECB wants the series to go on, as otherwise it would lose between 10-12 million pounds.

An undercover reporter, posing as a businessman, paid 150,000 pounds to a British bookmaker named Mazhar Majeed, who said he could ‘fix’ any player in the team. The concealed camera captured Majeed explaining how three ‘no-balls’ would be delivered on Thursday and Friday at the exact points that he wanted in the final Test at the Mecca of cricket, Lord’s. Shockingly, everything panned out as Majeed had said. He even said that the outcome of the match could be fixed, albeit at a much higher price.

The Scotland Yard police nabbed Majeed but released him on bail Monday. Four Pakistani cricketers, Butt, Asif, Amir and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, were also questioned.

Pakistan team manager, Yawar Saeed, issued a statement saying that, “I do not believe Pakistani cricket is institutionally corrupt”. Pakistan Prime Minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani, said the country had been made to “bow its head in shame”, while President Asif Ali Zardari, who is also the Patron-in-Chief of the PCB, said he would wait for the police investigations to conclude.

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Resident Proposes Beach Volleyball Courts At Connecticut High School

Posted: 01 Sep 2010 06:35 AM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Oxford, CT, United States (AHN) – A long-time resident of Oxford, who founded the town’s softball league, is reportedly planning to build pro-level beach volleyball courts at Oxford High School.

Because of the popularity beach volleyball has reached in recent years, Mike Caprio, 33, who also oversees the town’s recreational co-ed volleyball league, is seeking permission from school officials to realize his plans.

According to the website of the Valley Independent Sentinel, Caprio is proposing the place near the softball fields on the high school grounds as the site of two volleyball courts.

The initial cost for the construction of the said courts would entail about $10,000.

The construction cost would be paid through fundraising, while the minimal maintenance cost would be offset by the fees collected for the use of the facility, according to Caprio, who is first seeking the permission from the school district.

Receptive of the idea of constructing the two courts, the school board passed the proposal to a subcommittee. The project, together with its full details, will then be tackled by the full school board in September.

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Da`Sean Butler To Battle For Roster Spot With Heat

Posted: 01 Sep 2010 06:35 AM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Miami, FL, United States (AHN) – Former West Virginia standout Da’Sean Butler inked a two-year deal with the Miami Heat Monday, setting up a three-way competition for the last spot on the team’s roster.

Butler, the 2010 Big East Tournament MVP, signed a partially guaranteed contract although his spot on the Heat’s active roster remains uncertain.

With the Heat almost set for September’s training camp, the signing of Butler makes the competition for the No.15 spot interesting.

Butler will compete with rookie guards Patrick Beverley and Kenny Hasbrouck, who previously signed their two-year deals.

Butler had a stellar senior year with the Mountaineers but he sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament in West Virginia’s Final Four game against the Duke Blue Devils last April.

He’s still uncleared to participate in the initial weeks of the training camp, although the Heat are optimistic about Butler’s chance to excel as a player.

Heat president Pat Riley likened Butler to former Miami Heat swingman Caron Butler for his athleticism and all-around skill.

Butler finished as the third-leading scorer (2095 career points) in West Virginia history, just behind legends behind Jerry West and Rod Hundley.

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Titans Cornerback Finnegan Expects To Play Opener

Posted: 01 Sep 2010 06:35 AM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Nashville, TN, United States (AHN) – Tennessee Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan is recovering from a groin and hip flexor injury and expects to take the field when the team opens its regular season against the Oakland Raiders Sept. 12.

The five-year veteran led the Titans with five interceptions last season despite missing three games while dealing with a sore hamstring.

Finnegan had a Pro Bowl year in 2008, finishing with 58 tackles and five picks to earn first team All-Pro honors.

The North Carolina native has 288 tackles, 4.0 sacks and 11 interceptions in 61 games since being drafted 215th overall in 2006.

Battling to start alongside Finnegan are Ryan Mouton, Jason McCourty and rookie Alterraun Verner.

Finnegan should see increased playing time alongside one of those three Thursday when the Titans close their preseason defending champion New Orleans Saints.

Tennessee (8-8) started last season 0-6, but won eight of its next 10 games behind quarterback Vince Young.

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MLB Up For Pair Of 2010 Sports Travel Awards

Posted: 01 Sep 2010 06:35 AM PDT

John Nestor – AHN Sports Correspondent

Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN) – Major League Baseball has been nominated for two 2010 Sports Travel Awards it was announced by SportsTravel Magazine.

Events are nominated by readers of SportsTravel, a sports event magazine.

Criteria for nomination and voting include superior organization of and attendance at the event, a superior experience for the competitors and/or spectators at the event and how the site or venue served to enhance the event.

To be eligible, nominated events had to occur between July 1, 2009, and June 30, 2010

The 2009 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies has been nominated in the Professional Sporting Events’ “Best Sports Event Series or Circuit” category.

Additionally, the 2009 Civil Rights Game, played in Cincinnati, Ohio, was nominated for Best Single-Sport Event.

There are also categories for amateur and collegiate events with nominees ranging from the Cal Ripken World Series World Championship Game played in Aberdeen, Maryland to the NCAA Men’s Basketball championship game between Duke and Butler.

“The events that have been nominated are prime examples of excellence in the organization and management of sporting events,” said Timothy Schneider, publisher of SportsTravel magazine, which organizes the TEAMS Conference & Expo.

“SportsTravel readers are the leaders of the sports-event industry and they really know what it takes to execute high-quality athletic events. The SportsTravel Awards program is an opportunity to honor event organizers for a job well done.”

Votes can be cast by visiting Sports Travel’s Web site at www.TEAMSconference.com and clicking on the “Vote Now” button on the home page.

Other baseball events nominated are the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., the 2010 NJCAA Division II World Series in Enid, Okla.; the 2010 Big 12 Baseball Championships in Oklahoma City; and the 2010 NCAA College World Series in Omaha, Neb., the last CWS held at historic Rosenblatt Stadium.

The voting deadline is Monday, Sept. 13 and Sports Travel Awards winners will be announced at the annual TEAMS ’10 Conference & Expo, held in Charlotte, N.C., on Oct. 18-22.

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Federer Hopes Highlight Moment Start Of Special U.S. Open Run

Posted: 01 Sep 2010 06:35 AM PDT

John Nestor – AHN Sports Correspondent

NY, NY, United States (AHN) – Roger Federer could not have asked for more for his start at the U.S. Open.

After losing last year’s final on the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Federer opened his run at the 2010 crown with an easy victory on trhe same court. He also added what will likely be the shot of the tournament for good measure.

Juan Martin del Potro got the best of Federer in a five-set final a year ago, but is not in the field this time around due to injury.

Rafael Nadal is the top seed and players like Robin Soderling, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray lurk as potential titlists, but Federer should not be discounted.

Not here, perhaps not ever.

Nadal has won the last two Slams, but has never reached a final at the U.S. Open while Federer is looking for his seventh straight finals appearance here.

R-Fed got off to a flying start with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 thumping of Brian Dabul, who is ranked 96th in the world.

“I guess I got off to a good start. I think the lights are really good. There are some stadiums around the world where the lights are not the same, but here it feels great,” Federer said.

“I always loved coming here. Never had a bad US Open. Never had a first‑round upset somehow. Just shows again, you know, I was playing well tonight. I’m happy I got to play a night session again.”

Federer showed his appreciation by giving the crowd a highlight reel moment in the second set. After Dabul lofted a lob over his head to the baseline, Federer raced from the net behind the baseline and ripped a between-the-legs shot for a winner.

Federer pulled off a similar shot last year in the semifinals against Djokovic.

“Obviously the importance of last year’s was probably a little bit more important just because I think it was Love‑30 to go Love‑40, two points away from the match, and it was a semifinal,” Federer said.

“But maybe in terms of difficulty maybe this one was harder, because I had the feeling I had to run a longer distance and I was further back. I didn’t have time to set it up. So I felt like this one was incredible again. I turned around and couldn’t believe the shot landed in the corner.

“So the ovation was fantastic. Crowds went wild. Yeah, you could see on my reaction I couldn’t believe it.”

Federer needed just 1 hour, 33 minutes to dispatch Dabul to run his record to 16-0 in night-session matches on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The Swiss next meets Andreas Beck of Germany in the second round and seemingly has a pretty favorable draw fior the next few rounds.

Soderling and Andy Roddick lurk later in the bracket, and Federer may not quite be as dominant as in recent years, but it is the U.S. Open and Federer has already shown he has a few tricks up his sleeve to perhaps make a seventh straight final.

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