In brief: French Open will pay men, women the same

The French Open will award equal prize money to male and female players throughout the tournament, falling in line with the three other Grand Slam tournaments.

The announcement Friday by the French Tennis Federation extends last year’s decision. The French Open paid the men’s and women’s singles champions the same for the first time, although the overall prize fund remained larger for men.

Equalizing the pay will increase the total purse to $20.34 million – a 7.2 percent increase from last year and a record at the French Open, which runs May 27-June 10.

Men’s and women’s singles winners will each receive $1.33 million, the highest prize money to date at a Grand Slam tournament. Wimbledon will announce its prize money later this month.

Last month, Wimbledon organizers announced equal prize money to the winners and throughout the tournament. The U.S. Open and Australian Open have paid equal prize money for years.

“Daniela Hantuchova, the 2002 champion, defeated Li Na 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 to move into the women’s title match at the Pacific Life Open in at Indian Wells, Calif.

No. 18 Hantuchova will play No. 4 Svetlana Kuznetsova, the 2004 U.S. Open champion, for the women’s crown today.

Novak Djokovic advanced to the men’s semifinals with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over David Ferrer. He will meet Andy Murray, a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8) winner over Tommy Haas.

Football

Browns add Smiths

The Browns added a pair of Smiths to their defensive line.

Robaire Smith signed a four-year contract with Cleveland, which also acquired Shaun Smith after the Cincinnati Bengals declined to match a four-year offer sheet for him.

“Coming off his first healthy season since 2003, free-agent running back Correll Buckhalter re-signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.

“Free-agent running back T.J. Duckett signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions.

“The Cincinnati Bengals signed free-agent center Alex Stepanovich to a one-year contract.

Longtime Bengals center Rich Braham retired after missing most of last season with a knee injury. Earlier this month, offensive lineman Eric Steinbach, who had played guard, tackle and center, left for a seven-year, $49.5 million deal with the Cleveland Browns.

“Tennessee agreed to terms with receiver Justin Gage, moving to fill a gaping hole on its roster.

The Titans also announced that the Dallas Cowboys would not match Tennessee’s multiyear contract offer to linebacker Ryan Fowler. The team has also agreed to a three-year deal with cornerback Nick Harper.

“A Denver district judge granted a summary judgment rejecting former Denver Broncos owner Edgar Kaiser Jr.’s attempt to force current owner Pat Bowlen to sell him part of the team.

Miscellany

U.S. women reach top

The U.S. women’s soccer team took over the No. 1 spot in the FIFA rankings following its win in this week’s Algarve Cup.

“At Auburn Hills, Mich., Oklahoma State’s Johny Hendricks’ overtime escape gave him a semifinal victory over rival Travis Paulson of Iowa State at 165 pounds and moved him within one match of a third straight NCAA wrestling title.

Moments after Hendricks extended his winning streak to 56 matches, Missouri’s Ben Askren (174) won his 85th straight with an 8-3 win over Iowa’s Eric Luedke.

“Panama’s Celestino Caballero successfully defended his WBA super-bantamweight title, stopping Mexico’s Ricardo Castillo in the ninth round at Hollywood, Fla.

“Stan Duke, who became one of the first black sportscasters in Southern California nearly 40 years ago and later served prison time for shooting his wife’s lover, died Wednesday at Santa Barbara, Calif. He was 70.