U.S., Australia move into Davis Cup quarters

The United States and Australia, the winningest teams in Davis Cup history, won Sunday to fill the tournament’s last quarterfinal berths.

The Americans, champions 31 times but not since 1995, secured an eventual 4-1 win over Romania in San Diego when third-ranked Andy Roddick fired 17 aces in beating substitute Razvan Sabau 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 in the first reverse singles. Sabau played after Victor Hanescu tore ligaments in his ribcage during Saturday’s doubles.

Australia, which won its 28th and last title in 2003, proved its depth of talent was better than Switzerland’s when Chris Guccione beat George Bastl 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (7) in the final rubber to win 3-2.

They joined defending champion Croatia, Argentina, Belarus, Chile, France and Russia, which clinched berths on Saturday after winning the doubles.

On April 7-9, Croatia will welcome Argentina in a repeat of the 2005 semifinals, France will take on Russia, Australia will host Belarus and Chile will visit the United States.

Australian Open champion Amelie Mauresmo won her second consecutive title of 2006, defeating Mary Pierce 6-1, 7-6 (2) in an all-French final at the Gaz de France in Paris.

The top-seeded Mauresmo, ranked No. 2, was coming off a victory at the year’s first major two weeks ago.

Mauresmo overcome poor play early on to extend her winning streak to 11 matches.

Israeli teenager Shahar Peer won her first WTA title with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Jelena Kostanic in a final at the Pattaya Women’s Open in Pattaya, Thailand, that was interrupted for 1 1/2 hours because of rain.

Miscellany

Stadler wins Walker

Kevin Stadler eagled the final hole for the third straight day, capturing the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth, Australia, with a 3-under 69 for a two-stroke victory over Nick O’Hern.

Needing a birdie on the par-5 18th to avoid a playoff, Stadler made a stunning 3-iron approach from 200 yards that caught the right side of the large green and rolled within a foot of the hole.

“I don’t know what happened there,” Stadler said. “It was obviously the best shot I hit all week.”

Stadler, the 26-year-old son of 1982 Masters champion Craig Stadler, had a 20-under 268 total on The Vines Resort’s Lakes Course.

Melanie Troxel became the sixth female driver in NHRA history to win a Top Fuel event, beating David Baca with a quarter-mile run of 4.582 seconds at 321.65 mph in the season-opening NHRA Winternationals in Ponoma, Calif.

Robert Hight won the Funny Car competition, and Greg Anderson topped the Pro Stock field in the $2 million event at Auto Club Raceway.

Scott Hatteberg agreed to a one-year, $750,000 contract with Cincinnati, giving the Reds more flexibility at first base.

Hatteberg batted .256 with seven homers and 59 RBIs last season for Oakland, which declined his contract option for 2006.

Russian Olympic champion Yelena Isinbayeva broke her indoor world record in the pole vault, clearing 16 feet, 1 1/4 inches.

Isinbayeva cleared the height on her second attempt at the Pole Vault Stars, an annual event in Donetsk, Ukraine, organized by pole vault great Sergei Bubka.