Torres, 40, swims to American record
Dara Torres, the oldest national champion in U.S. swimming history, set an American record in the 50-meter freestyle at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis Saturday, in her bid toward a possible fifth Olympics appearance.
Competing in the pool in which she qualified for her first Olympics as a teenager in 1984, two years after her first national championship, the 40-year-old Torres came in at 24.53 seconds, a personal best that beat her American record of 24.63 set in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Tennis
Roddick reaches final
Andy Roddick outlasted Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5) Saturday to reach the final of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington, D.C., for the third time.
Roddick had 12 aces, but saved his best shot to set up a match point. With Karlovic serving at 5-all in the second-set tiebreaker, the American sprinted across the court to reach the Croatian’s backhand volley, and curled his backhand winner up the line.
“He normally goes to the open court on his volley, so as soon as I hit the return I just took off,” said Roddick, who won here in 2001 and 2005. “I didn’t actually see it land, but the crowd let me know it was in.”
Roddick will face American John Isner in today’s final.
•Maria Sharapova used a big first serve to reach the finals of the Acura Classic in Carlsbad, Calif., by defeating Anna Chakvetadze 6-3, 6-2.
Sharapova snapped her fellow Russian’s 12-match winning streak. Sharapova, in her third final of the season, will defend her title against Patty Schnyder of Switzerland.
Horse racing
Curlin back in action
Preakness winner Curlin returns after a two-month break from the Triple Crown, taking on several familiar opponents in today’s $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J.
The 3-year-old chestnut colt soared to stardom with overpowering victories in his first three races, then finished an admirable third in the Kentucky Derby. Two weeks later, he avenged the loss with a thrilling victory over Derby winner Street Sense in the Preakness, and ran a gallant second in the Belmont Stakes, losing by a head to the filly Rags to Riches.
•Donato Hanover held off a challenge by the talented filly Pampered Princess on the final turn and fended off Adrian Chip down the stretch to capture the $1.5 million Hambletonian at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, N.J.
The victory was the 13th straight for Donato Hanover.
Soccer
Beckham still sidelined
David Beckham said he’s seven to 10 days away from starting a game because of a left ankle injury and probably won’t be available off the bench today when his Los Angeles Galaxy play Toronto FC.
Boxing
Chavez Jr. triumphs
WBC lightweight champion David Diaz refused to let Erik Morales make history at his expense, denying his bid to become the first Mexican to win world titles in four weight classes with a thrilling unanimous decision at Rosemont, Ill. Morales announced his retirement afterward.
On the undercard, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. remained unbeaten, stopping Louis Brown in the fifth round.
Hydroplanes
Villwock wins heat
Dave Villwock won heat 1B of the Chevrolet Cup at Seafair on Seattle’s Lake Washington, establishing himself as the favorite to win the trophy when the final heat is held this afternoon.
Villwock, who has won every race this season, cruised to his heat victory aboard Ellstrom E-Lam Plus with a speed of 137.803 mph.