Sharapova keeps win streak alive

Maria Sharapova, unbeaten since August, reached the Generali Ladies final, in Linz, Austria, with a 7-5, 7-5 victory Saturday over Patty Schnyder of Switzerland.

The top-seeded Sharapova will play for the title today against defending champion Nadia Petrova in an all-Russian final. Petrova, seeded second, defeated Nicole Vaidisova of the Czech Republic 6-1, 6-2.

Sharapova stretched her winning streak to 15 matches, with her last defeat coming to Elena Dementieva in Los Angeles this summer.

“Third-seeded Mario Ancic beat wild-card Ernest Gulbis 6-2, 6-3 to reach the St. Petersburg Open final in St. Petersburg, Russia, where he will face defending champion Thomas Johansson.

Johansson beat wild-card Igor Kunitsyn 6-3, 7-6 (3) to advance to the final.

Basketball

Kobe undecided

Kobe Bryant wouldn’t say if he’ll play in the Lakers regular-season opener against the Phoenix Suns Tuesday night, but coach Phil Jackson said Bryant has told him he will be available.

The Lakers practiced at Staples Center and Bryant participated in much of the session.

Bryant has been recovering from right knee surgery and didn’t play in any of the Lakers’ exhibition games.

“New Mexico State junior forward Tyrone Nelson rejoined the team, four days after being suspended by coach Reggie Theus for disciplinary reasons.

Nelson, the Aggies’ leading scorer last season, has been suspended twice by Theus since August.

When Theus disciplined Nelson on Tuesday, he would not say what Nelson did to get suspended.

Nelson, from Hempstead, Texas, was a first-team All-WAC performer last season, averaging 17.8 points a game.

Miscellany

Texcess a success

Texcess found success for the first time in nearly two years, winning the $250,000 California Cup Classic by three-quarters of a length at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.

It was jockey Victor Espinoza’s third victory on the 10-race card for California-bred horses worth $1.3 million.

“Kermit Cintron stopped Mark Suarez in the fifth round to win the vacant IBF welterweight title in West Palm Beach, Fla.