Roddick leads U.S. to Davis Cup final

Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe couldn’t beat Sweden in the Davis Cup in this city 23 years ago. Andy Roddick delivered this weekend.

Behind a roaring serve, Roddick defeated Jonas Bjorkman 6-2, 7-6 (3), 6-4 Sunday at Goteborg, Sweden, in a clinching victory over Sweden that carried the United States into the finals.

The U.S. will play defending champion Russia for the title Nov. 30-Dec. 3 at a site to be announced Oct. 1, with the Americans hosting the finals for the first time since 1992. Russia defeated Germany 3-2 in the other semifinal in Moscow.

The Americans have won the most Davis Cup titles (31), but the last came in 1995.

Also on Sunday, Russia won both singles matches in Moscow, with Igor Andreev earning the decisive point by beating Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3. Earlier, Mikhail Youzhny defeated Philipp Petzschner 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

“Hungarian teenager Agnes Szavay rallied to defeat world No. 3 Jelena Jankovic 6-7 (7), 7-5, 6-2 in the Beijing Open.

Jankovic appeared to be cruising to the title after winning a tough first set in a tiebreak and then storming to a 5-1 lead in the second.

But the 18-year-old Szavay took advantage when Jankovic began to show signs of fatigue, winning six straight games to snatch the second set. The No. 6 seed then dominated the last set to wrap up the title.

“Top-seeded Tatiana Golovin beat Katarina Srebotnik 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 to win the Slovenia Open at Portoroz, Slovenia, for her second WTA title.

“Fourth-seeded Maria Kirilenko of Russia won the WTA Tour’s Sunfeast Open title, defeating Mariya Koryttseva of Ukraine 6-0, 6-2 in the final at Calcutta, India.

Soccer

U.S. to face Brazil

Cristiane scored in the 75th minute to give Brazil a 3-2 win over Australia and its first berth in the semifinals of the women’s World Cup at Tianjin, China.

Cristiane swiveled into a right-foot shot – off passes from Marta and Daniela – that rocketed into the top right corner of the net for her fourth goal in this World Cup.

Formiga and Marta also scored to set up Brazil for a semifinal with the United States in Hangzhou on Thursday.

“Isabell Herlovsen scored in the first half with help from a defensive mistake and Norway defeated host China 1-0 at Wuhan, China, to advance to the semifinals of the women’s World Cup.

Norway will play Germany on Wednesday in Tianjin.

Miscellany

American wins 400

American 400-meter runner Sanya Richards won in 49.27 seconds to match her fastest time in the world this season, winning the event at the World Athletics Final at Stuttgart, Germany.

In the women’s 100, Carmelita Jeter led a 1-2 U.S. finish. Jeter clocked 11.10, while Allyson Felix finished in 11.15.

“Now that Chadron State running back Danny Woodhead has broken the NCAA Division II career rushing record, his sights are set on the all-division mark.

Woodhead’s 160 yards on 31 carries in Saturday’s 35-7 win at Colorado Mines pushed his career total to 7,066, bettering the 6,985 by Pittsburg State’s Germaine Race (2003-06).

Woodhead, the 2006 Harlon Hill Trophy winner as Division II’s top player, is averaging 175.2 yards through four games. He needs 288 yards to break the NCAA all-division record of 7,353 by Grove City (Pa.) College’s R.J. Bowers (1997-2000).

“Texas Tech defensive coordinator Lyle Setencich stepped down, citing personal reasons in a move that came a day after the Red Raiders lost to Oklahoma State 49-45.

“American Kristie Marano won her ninth World Wrestling Championships medal and teammates Sara McMann and Katie Downing also medaled on the last day of the tournament at Baku, Azerbaijan.