Federer’s win streak ends in surprise Masters Cup final

Roger Federer’s record-chasing run ended with a jolt Sunday with a five-set loss to David Nalbandian in the Tennis Masters Cup final in Shanghai, China.

Nalbandian, who made the elite eight-man field because of injuries to top players, ended Federer’s 35-match winning streak by rallying from two sets down for a 6-7 (4), 6-7 (11), 6-2, 6-1, 7-6 (3) victory. Federer had won his previous 24 finals and lost for only the fourth time this year.

“Roger, don’t worry, it’s not your last final,” Nalbandian joked. “You’re going to win a lot of tournaments, so let me keep this one.”

Federer, bidding for a third straight Masters Cup title, entered the tournament after a six-week layoff because of an injured right ankle.

The top-seeded Swiss finished one victory short of John McEnroe’s Open era record (82-3) for best winning percentage in a season, ending 2005 at 81-4.

Boxing

Ali center celebrated in style

The Muhammad Ali Center was dedicated in a ceremony celebrating the values of the boxing great and his ties to his hometown.

The dedication capped a weekend of hoopla surrounding the opening of the $80 million, six-story center on the edge of downtown Louisville, Ky. A Hollywood-style event Saturday night at a nearby performing arts center drew President Clinton as well as athletes, actors and singers.

Ali didn’t speak during the ceremony on a plaza overlooking the Ohio River. He stood with his family in front of the flags of 141 nations whose children have contributed to the Ali Center. He waved and pointed to the crowd as photographers crowded around.

Winter sports

Zoubkov wins bobsled World Cup

To capture a gold medal on his home track, Todd Hays knew he needed an aggressive second run.

Hays crashed after the third turn of that second run, knocking himself out of contention and allowing Russia’s Alexandr Zoubkov to win by a fairly large margin at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, the last of four days of World Cup sliding at Lake Placid, N.Y.

Hays was 0.16 seconds behind Zoubkov after the first run.

“An ankle injury, a stomach bug, a blunt skate – Apolo Anton Ohno faced more than his share of problems during the World Cup season.

On the final day, Ohno finished third behind Ahn Hyun-soo and Lee Ho-suk of South Korea in the World Cup standings in The Hague, Netherlands.

miscellany

Kenyans sweep in Philadelphia

Kenyans swept the top three places in the Philadelphia Marathon and a local runner won the women’s title.

Joseph Nderitu won in 2 hours, 21 minutes, 2 seconds, outdistancing countrymen Joshua Koros (2:22.52) and Joseph Kamau (2:23.57).

Emily Kroshus, a Philadelphia resident, completed her first marathon in 2:43.07.

“LSU and Penn State each moved up a spot in The Associated Press Top 25 football poll, taking advantage of Miami’s loss to move behind unbeaten Southern California and Texas.

The Tigers were No. 3 with 1,449 points in the media poll, ahead of the Nittany Lions’ 1,390 points.

“Columbia football coach Bob Shoop was fired, a day after a 52-21 loss to Brown left the Lions with a winless Ivy League season and a 2-8 record.

Shoop finished 7-23 in three seasons at Columbia. The Lions opened this season with consecutive non-conference wins, but then lost the rest of the way.

“Top-ranked Maryland won the NCAA Division I field hockey title for the fourth time, defeating Duke 1-0 on a goal by Jackie Ciconte in Louisville, Ky.

Ciconte scored eight minutes into the first half after capturing the ball at the 25-yard line and carrying it through the Blue Devils’ defense.

“I didn’t really see anybody open,” Ciconte said. “I just got lucky, I think.”