Roddick finally beats Federer; Williams wins
Andy Roddick ended a streak of 11 consecutive losses to Roger Federer on Thursday at the Sony Ericsson Open at Key Biscayne, Fla.
Dominating with his serve, Roddick took advantage of Federer’s suddenly shaky play down the stretch to win 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-3 in the quarterfinals. Roddick improved to 2-15 against his nemesis.
In the women’s semifinals, Serena Williams overcame a slow start to outlast Svetlana Kuznetsova 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Roddick’s opponent in the semifinals tonight will be No. 4 Nikolay Davydenko, who beat unseeded Janko Tipsarevic 6-2, 6-1.
In Saturday’s final, the eighth-seeded Williams will play No. 4 Jelena Jankovic, who beat Vera Zvonareva 6-1, 6-4.
Football
Del Rio signs extension
Jacksonville Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio signed a five-year contract extension, a reward for winning his first playoff game.
•The Cincinnati Bengals released wide receiver Chris Henry after his fifth arrest since 2005.
Golf
Scott, Wagner in lead
Adam Scott, battling illness, and Johnson Wagner each carded a course-record 63 to share the first-round lead at the Houston Open at Humble, Texas.
Charley Hoffman was two behind the leaders after a 65 and Steve Stricker was three back.
•At Rancho Mirage, Calif., Karen Stupples shot a bogey-free round of 67 to claim the first-round lead at the Kraft Nabisco Championship. Wendy Ward of Edwall, Wash., shot a 75.
Basketball
LMU set to hire Bayno
Loyola Marymount is expected to announce the hiring of former UNLV coach Bill Bayno today, according to a person with knowledge of the move.
•Jessie Evans sued the University of San Francisco for unlawful termination of his contract as men’s coach.
•California sophomore forward Ryan Anderson has decided to test his NBA value by declaring for the draft without signing with an agent.
•All-American Candace Parker was cleared by Tennessee team doctors to play against LSU in the Final Four, two days after dislocating her shoulder.
•Niya Butts is the new women’s coach at Arizona.
•The Seattle Storm hired veteran college and WNBA coach Nancy Darsch as an assistant.
Miscellany
Beckham scores in MLS
David Beckham scored his first goal in a Major League Soccer game and assisted on another to help the Los Angeles Galaxy win their home opener, 2-0 over the expansion San Jose Earthquakes.
•NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying at Texas Motor Speedway was canceled because of rain.
•Madison Square Garden will widen hallways, raise ceilings and build bigger luxury boxes and more restaurants and bathrooms in a $500 million renovation.