Briefs | Davenport returns to tennis court after layoff

Tennis

Davenport loses first match back: Lindsay Davenport returned to the court Wednesday after taking almost a year off to have a child, losing a doubles match at the Pilot Pen on Wednesday in New Haven, Conn.

Davenport and partner Lisa Raymond were beaten by Cara Black and Liezel Huber 6-7 (1-7), 6-3, and 10-4 in the match tiebreaker. But for Davenport, it wasn't all about winning or losing.

"It was fun to be back," she said. "Obviously, this is the first step in a long process."

Davenport gave birth to her first child, Jagger Jonathan Leach, in June. She plans to return to singles play next month at a tournament in Bali.

In other results, top seeds Nikolay Davydenko and Svetlana Kuznetsova survived scares. Davydenko beat Donald Young 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, while Kuznetsova edged Agnieszka Radwanska, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.

Federer, Roddick could meet in quarters: Roger Federer and Andy Roddick, last year's U.S. Open finalists, could meet earlier in this year's final Grand Slam of the season with a potential quarterfinal match looming.

On the women's side, top-seeded Justine Henin found herself on the side of the bracket with both Williams sisters when the draw was announced.

Basketball

Americans roll: Carmelo Anthony had 17 points, Kobe Bryant added 14, and the United States rolled to a 112-69 win in its opening game of the FIBA Americas tournament in Las Vegas.

The Americans, who improved to 27-0 in the regional Olympic qualifier, face the U.S. Virgin Islands in the final game tonight.

In other results, Mexico beat Puerto Rico 100-89, Uruguay topped Panama 88-84, and Brazil edged Canada 75-67.

Jazz sign 7-foot Ukranian: Center Kyrylo Fesenko signed a multiyear deal with Utah.

Little League World Series

Georgia, Curacao and Arizona advance: Dalton Carriker's three-run home run in the second inning helped power Warner Robins, Ga. (2-1) to an 8-1 victory over Walpole, Mass., and a berth in the U.S. semifinals in South Williamsport, Pa. Georgia next will face Chandler, Ariz., a 9-2 victor over Coon Rapids, Minn.

In the international bracket, Taichung, Taiwan, beat Mexicali, Mexico, 4-2; and Willemstad, Curacao, defeated White Rock, British Columbia, 6-2. Japan will face Taiwan in one international semifinal today, with Venezuela vs. Curacao in the other matchup.

Auto racing

Benson holds on for trucks win: Johnny Benson held off Brendan Gaughan to win the NASCAR Trucks Series' O'Reilly 200 in Bristol, Tenn.

NHL

Peca headed to Columbus: Free-agent forward Michael Peca, who missed the last half of the season with a broken leg, has agreed to a one-year deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

College basketball

Purdue women on probation: The NCAA placed Purdue on two years' probation after it determined that a former assistant women's basketball coach wrote a paper for a player and made more than 100 impermissible recruiting calls. The women's program will also lose three scholarships, reducing the number from 15 to 13 for 2007-08.

Purdue self-reported the violations last year.

Illinois' Smith out for season: Illinois guard Jamar Smith will sit out next season following his drunken-driving conviction. The accident last February left teammate Brian Carlwell hospitalized for four days with a severe concussion.

Another surgery for Steele: Alabama point guard Ronald Steele will undergo a second arthroscopic surgery on his left knee today, but is expected to recover in time for the upcoming season.

Horse racing

Street Sense is Travers favorite: Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense was made the overwhelming 3-5 favorite for Saturday's $1 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga.

Miscellaneous

Harrah's, AEG to build Las Vegas arena: Casino giant Harrah's Entertainment Inc. announced that it will partner with AEG, the company that brought David Beckham to the Los Angeles Galaxy, to build a 20,000-seat arena in Las Vegas capable of housing an NBA or NHL team. The $500 million arena, behind the Bally's and Paris hotel-casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, is projected to open in 2010.

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