Federer, Djokovic to meet for U.S. Open crown

Flushing Meadows, NY (Sports Network) - Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic will play for the U.S. Open title on Sunday after each won semifinal matches on Saturday.
The top-seeded Federer posted a 7-5, 6-1, 7-5 victory over Russia's Nikolay Davydenko, while the third-seeded Djokovic beat the heat and Spain's David Ferrer, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3, in the opener of Saturday's afternoon twinbill.
Federer continued his amazing play in Grand Slam competition, reaching a final for the 10th straight time. He will try for his fourth consecutive U.S. Open title and his 12th overall Grand Slam crown.
Standing in his way is the 20-year-old Djokovic, who was the last man to beat the Swiss superstar. Federer lost to the young Serb in the final of the Montreal Masters last month.
A victory Sunday afternoon would put Federer just two Grand Slam titles behind the record of 14 set by Pete Sampras. Federer would also become the first player to win four straight U.S. Open titles since the great Bill Tilden won six in a row from 1920-25....Full Story

Baddeley and Byrd lead; Woods one back at Cog Hill

Lemont, IL (Sports Network) - Overnight leader Jonathan Byrd and Aaron Baddeley are tied atop the leaderboard after Friday's second round of the BMW Championship, but three-time winner Tiger Woods lurks only one shot back.
Byrd shot a 69 on Friday, while Baddeley fired a six-under 65 to finish 36 holes at nine-under-par 133.
Woods managed his second consecutive, four-under 67 to come in at minus-eight.
Woods collected his first birdie at the par-three sixth, then hit an amazing hook shot to the ninth to set up another birdie. He took advantage of the next par five, the 11th, with another birdie, but got derailed a bit at the par- three 14th when he left with bogey.
Woods responded with birdies at 15 and 17 to get within one of the lead.
"It was a very interesting round," acknowledged Woods. "I was hitting it close on every hole, then I felt terrible on the greens. Then in the middle of the round, I couldn't hit a shot but felt great on the greens. It was a weird combo."
Woods can move into first on the FedEx Cup Playoff Points race this week. Leader Phil Mickelson took over the top spot after his win last week at the Deutsche Bank Championship, but took the week off this week....Full Story

Henin, Kuznetsova will play for U.S. Open title

Flushing Meadows, NY (Sports Network) - In a rematch of last year's French Open final, Justine Henin and Svetlana Kuznetsova will square off in Saturday's title match at the 2007 U.S. Open.
The top-seeded/world No. 1 Henin held off 12th-seeded American Venus Williams 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 in the second of Friday's semifinals at Ashe Stadium. The steady Henin has yet to drop a set at this '07 fortnight.
The first set was extremely tight before Henin was able to dominate in the tiebreak. The Belgian then ran out to a 3-0, 40-15 lead in the second set, only to see Williams fight back to level things at 3-3.
Henin fought off three break points in the seventh game of the second stanza, went on to win the game and ultimately advanced three games later by breaking Williams, who sent one final backhand wide after two hours of hard-hitting tennis.
Williams wound up with 35 unforced errors and had her serve broken four times en route to defeat. The American broke Henin on three occasions.
Henin improved to 2-7 lifetime against Williams, who had won their previous seven matchups, dating back to 2001, a year in which the American topped the Belgian in the Wimbledon finale. Williams was a perfect 3-0 in their Grand Slam meetings before Friday, but the two had never met in New York...Full Story

Federer, Djokovic on collision course in New York?

Flushing Meadows, NY (Sports Network) - The men's semifinals will be staged Saturday at the U.S. Open, where top-seeded and three-time defending champion Roger Federer will take on fourth-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko and third- seeded Serbian Novak Djokovic will tangle with 15th-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer. Three of the top-four seeds are still standing at this hardcourt fortnight.
The world No. 1 Federer is a seemingly unstoppable 9-0 lifetime against Davydenko, including a victory in this year's French Open semis. The super Swiss also topped the gritty Russian in last year's U.S. Open semifinals and is 3-0 versus Davydenko in Grand Slam action.
The 26-year-old Federer has already reached a record nine straight Grand Slam finals, going 7-2, and owns 11 major titles, including the last two Aussie Opens and the last five Wimbledon championships. His two major finals losses came at the hands of Rafael Nadal at the French Open over the last two seasons.
Federer is 26-0 at the U.S. Open since reaching the top of the ATP rankings in 2004...Full Story

Browns CB Bodden arrested

Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - Cleveland Browns cornerback Leigh Bodden was arrested at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport Wednesday night.
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Bodden was stopped by police after putting his 2004 GMC Yukon in reverse in the one-way arrivals area. He then refused to pull over and argued with police officers before he was arrested and charged with aggravated disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and various traffic violations.
Bodden posted a $1,000 bond and was released early Thursday morning. His attorney then entered not guilty pleas in Cleveland Municipal Court to all the charges.
Bodden's playing status for Sunday's season opener against Pittsburgh is uncertain.

Mickelson beats Woods for Deutsche Bank crown

Norton, MA (Sports Network) - Phil Mickelson got up and down for birdie on the 18th hole Monday and won the Deutsche Bank Championship, the second event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
Mickelson's closing birdie gave him a five-under 66, and he completed the championship at 16-under-par 268 at the TPC of Boston
Tiger Woods, the 2006 winner, needed an eagle on the last to possibly force a playoff, but he was only able to two-putt for birdie. Woods shot a 67 to post a 14-under-par 270 total and was joined in a tie for second place by third- round leader Brett Wetterich and Arron Oberholser.

Steelers sign Simmons to five-year extension

Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - The Steelers Sunday signed guard Kendall Simmons to a contract extension that will keep him in Pittsburgh through the 2011 season.
The 6-foot-3, 315-pound Auburn product was Pittsburgh's first-round pick (30th overall) in the 2002 NFL Draft, and has since started 60 regular-season games, including 14 as a rookie, and six playoff appearances.
Simmons twice has overcome adversity to bolster the Steelers offensive line. After discovering he suffered from a diabetic condition causing him to lose 30 pounds, Simmons still started all 16 games that year. And, an anterior cruciate ligament tear in his right knee during training camp in 2004 had him sidelined for that year on the season-ending reserve/injured list.

Kanaan wins as Franchitti and Dixon crash on final lap

Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Tony Kanaan easily captured the Detroit Indy Grand Prix on the Belle Isle street course. Meanwhile, series points leaders Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti had final lap incidents which jumbled the drivers standings.
The No.11 Andretti Green Racing driver crossed the finish line 0.4865 seconds ahead of Danica Patrick.
The victory was Kanaan's fifth of the season and 12th of his IndyCar career.
Helio Castroneves brought the field to the green flag for the penultimate IndyCar event of 2007. Early on it appeared that most drivers were satisfied to stay in position. Certainly at the top where Franchitti was following pole winner Castroneves. Behind the lead pair were Kanaan, points leader Dixon and Marco Andretti.
Castroneves' lead was 1.3249 seconds after 10 of 90 laps around the tight, 2.125-mile, 14-turn Raceway at Belle Isle course. As they got later into the green-flag run, Franchitti began to eat into the margin cutting it under one second.
While Franchitti was closing slightly on Castroneves, the top-four cars, including Kanaan and Dixon, had pulled away by more than 12 seconds from the remainder of the field.
On lap 20, as the leaders began to close on lapped traffic all, but Castroneves decided it would be a good time to pit. The three came out in the same order they entered, Franchitti, Kanaan and Dixon.
Castroneves struggled with getting by the slower traffic on the narrow course and by the time he came in on lap 25, he ended up being 14.4829 seconds behind the trio.
"I called him in, but it may have been too late," said Team Penske's Tim Cindric.
Luckily for Castroneves, a full-course caution on lap 27 allowed the No.3 Penske driver to close on the leaders. The race got underway on lap 30, but only for a second, as Vitor Meira, Sam Hornish Jr. and Patrick got together on the restart.
They finally cleaned the track and got underway with still more than 50 laps to go. But Castroneves wasn't able to keep up with the three leaders and he was fading back by about three seconds.
At the halfway point, Franchitti and his AGR "wingman" Kanaan were still one- two and 2.2 seconds ahead of Dixon.
Another caution flag and when everyone except Buddy Rice, Patrick and Wheldon made a pit stop, Kanaan beat Franchitti back onto the track. But Kanaan's pit crew only got 13 gallons into the tank, meaning he would have to stop again...and soon.
Rice, who had stopped earlier, was the new leader. With the number of caution- flag laps, it appeared that it might be a "timed race" - not make the advertised 90-lap distance. Should that happen all pit strategies would change drastically. Rice planned to pit in about 10 laps, but then could go until the maximum time for a timed race and maybe "steal" a win. The No.15 peeled off and made it's stop falling to eighth overall.
Patrick, Wheldon and Franchitti now led the way as the field passed the 60- lap mark. Dixon was fourth, still clinging to his championship points lead.
Wheldon pulled into pit lane on lap 63 and Franchitti slipped into second place behind Patrick, who also still had to pit. One lap later Patrick went for fuel and tires and Franchitti inherited the lead with Dixon and Kanaan just behind.
On lap 67 Castroneves and Tomas Scheckter collided in turn one to bring out a full-course yellow. Both championship leaders took the opportunity to get additional fuel and this time Dixon beat Franchitti off pit lane. Dixon came out third, behind Kanaan and Rice. Franchitti was sixth with 20 laps to go. The race went back to green on lap 71.
Franchitti flew around A.J. Foyt IV for fifth and then slid past teammate Patrick for fourth. He was within 1.8 seconds of Dixon, but could he catch and pass him?
Dixon was not just watching Franchitti, but was also gaining on Rice, the second-place car. By lap 76 all four lead cars, including leader Kanaan, were within 1.7 seconds of each other.
Officials announced 10 minutes to go (on lap 80) and the four leaders were still nose to tail. Just two minutes left and it was still Kanaan, Rice, Dixon and Franchitti.
On the final lap, Dixon tried to get past Rice and they collided. While they were spinning, Dixon collected Franchitti as the caution flags flew.
Kanaan went on to win his fifth victory of the season with Patrick avoiding all of the incidents and taking second. Franchitti crawled across the finish line in sixth and Dixon finished eighth.
"I'm protesting this," said Michael Andretti. He indicated that Dixon intentionally took Franchitti out after the incident with Rice.
Franchitti will take a slim three-point lead (587-584) into the season's final race. That event is set for Sunday, September 9th at the Chicagoland Speedway.

Nadal cruises into fourth round at the Open

Flushing Meadows, NY (Sports Network) - Spaniard Rafael Nadal rebounded from a tough first set to earn a straight-set victory, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2, 6-1, over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Sunday at the U.S. Open.
Nadal, the second seed in the tournament, downed France's Tsonga to reach the fourth round of the Open.
Also advancing on Sunday was Nadal's countryman David Ferrer, the 15th seed, who outlasted 24th-seeded David Nalbandian of Argentina, 6-3, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 7-5. Juan Ignacio Chela, Nalbandian's countryman, did not suffer a similar fate, as he upended Croatian Ivan Ljubicic, the No. 12 seed, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Juan Monaco, the 23rd-seed, also advanced, downed Agustin Calleri 7-6 (7-5), 6-2, 6-4, in an all-Argentinian third-round matchup.

Ronaldinho shines as Barcelona downs Bilbao

Barcelona, Spain (Sports Network) - Ronaldinho scored two first-half goals to lead Barcelona to a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao at Estadio Camp Nou on Sunday.
Nestor Susaeta pulled a goal back for Bilbao in the second half but Yaya Toure got it right back for Barca one minute later to give the Catalan side its first win of the campaign.
After being help scoreless by Racing in its opening game, Barcelona came out attacking in the first half and put on a great display.
Ronaldinho was given a chance at a free kick from 25 yards out just eight minutes in, and the Brazilian sent a trademark shot into the upper corner of the net for a 1-0 Barca lead. He bent the ball around the wall and kissed it off the far post before it settled into the back of the net for a 1-0 Barca lead.
Another free kick from just outside the box nearly made it a two-goal game as Ronaldinho sent a dipping shot just over the net.
The home side continued to press its advantage and a nice 1-2 between Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry led to a penalty kick for Barca...Full Story

Warren wins playoff at Johnnie Walker

Perthshire, Scotland (Sports Network) - Marc Warren capped an up-and-down Sunday with a birdie at the second playoff hole to beat Simon Wakefield and become the first Scotsman to win the Johnnie Walker Championship.
Warren made just four pars in a final-round, four-under 69 that was marked by equal stretches of inconsistency and steadiness. He holed a 10-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole in regulation to tie Wakefield for the lead at 12-under 280.
Tied for the third-round lead, Wakefield played in the final pairing and needed a successful up-and-down from in front of the 18th green for a birdie and the win. But he left his chip 12 feet short, then missed his birdie try on the right edge to settle for a 70 and force the playoff...Full Story

Serena advances at U.S. Open

Flushing Meadows, NY (Sports Network) - American Serena Williams downed Marion Bartoli in straight sets to advance to the U.S. Open quarterfinals on Sunday.
The eighth-seeded Williams overcame a persistent thumb injury to top the 10th- seeded Frenchwoman 6-3, 6-4.
Williams will now move on to face the winner of a night match between No. 1 Justine Henin and No. 15 Dinara Safina.

Eagles sign veteran DT

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The Philadelphia Eagles signed veteran defensive tackle Kimo von Oelhoffen to a one-year contract Sunday and placed defensive tackle Ian Scott on the minor injured reserve list.
The 26-year-old von Oelhoffen was released by the New York Jets as part of their final roster cutdown.
A sixth-round selection in the 1994 draft by Cincinnati, von Oelhoffen has recorded 395 tackles, 26 1/2 sacks, three forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries in 192 career games with the Bengals (1994-99), the Pittsburgh Steelers (2000-05) and the Jets (2006). He has played in 105 consecutive regular and postseason contests.
von Oelhoffen's most productive season came in 2003 with the Steelers, when he tallied 40 tackles and eight sacks.
Meanwhile, Scott will be released by the Eagles when he is deemed healthy.