In brief: Blake bests Roddick to win RCA title
James Blake beat Andy Roddick 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5) to win the RCA Championships in Indianapolis on Sunday afternoon.
It was Blake’s second career win over Roddick in eight tries as he defended his status as the highest ranked American man. Blake, the tournament’s No. 1 seed, is ranked sixth in the world; Roddick, the second seed, is ranked 11th. Roddick still hasn’t won a tournament this year.
It was the first time the two had met in an ATP final since Roddick defeated Blake last year in Washington.
Roddick didn’t come away from the tournament empty-handed. He and Bobby Reynolds beat Paul Goldstein and Jim Thomas 6-4, 6-4 to win the doubles championship.
“Unseeded Vera Zvonareva completed her sweep of the Western & Southern Financial Group Women’s Open in Mason, Ohio, beating fourth-seeded Katarina Srebotnik 6-2, 6-4 to win her second tournament of the year.
“Third-seeded David Ferrer of Spain rallied to beat fifth-seeded Jose Acasuso of Argentina 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (3), 7-5, 6-4 in the Mercedes Cup final in Stuttgart, Germany.
Football
Chiefs, Law reach deal
Pro Bowl cornerback Ty Law agreed to a five-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Law spent last season with the New York Jets, leading the NFL with 10 interceptions.
“Officers trying to arrest Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Matthias Askew after a parking violation used a Taser to subdue him and charged him with resisting arrest in Cincinnati.
Basketball
Pacers trade Johnson
The Indiana Pacers will send point guard Anthony Johnson to the Dallas Mavericks for veteran floor leader Darrell Armstrong and two young players, Armstrong’s agent said.
Armstrong, forward Josh Powell and swingman Rawle Marshall are headed to the Pacers in a sign-and-trade deal that can’t be completed until the NBA office opens today.
“Free agent guard Fred Jones will sign with the Toronto Raptors, his agent said. Jones, a former slam-dunk champion, spent the first four years of his NBA career with Indiana.
Miscellany
Canadiens sign Ryder
The Montreal Canadiens avoided salary arbitration with forward Michael Ryder by giving him a big raise, signing their top goalscorer to a one-year deal worth $2.2 million.
“Buffalo Sabres captain Daniel Briere was awarded a one-year, $5 million contract by an arbitrator. The Sabres have 48 hours to decide whether they will sign Briere or allow him to become an unrestricted free agent.
“Viktor Zyemstev chased down Canada’s Tom Evans in the final stages of the marathon course to win the 2006 Ironman USA Lake Placid triathlon by more than a minute, finishing in 8 hours, 38 minutes, 18 seconds, at Lake Placid, N.Y.
“Big Time Hero romped to an upset win in the $625,000 Rainbow Futurity in Ruidoso Downs, N.M., beating favorite Remember Me Rose by three-quarters of a length. Big Time Hero was a 30-to-1 shot in the race.