Briefs | Running: Haile Gebrselassie sets marathon world record

Running

Ethiopian wins in 2:03:59 in Berlin: Haile Gebrselassie smashed his marathon world record by 27 seconds Sunday, winning the Berlin Marathon in a city where he has had so much success.

The 35-year-old Ethiopian took advantage of excellent conditions on a relatively flat course to finish 26.2 miles in 2 hours, 3 minutes, 59 seconds. Despite an ailing calf that cost him a week of training earlier this month, he shattered the mark he set in Berlin last year and became the first man to win the Berlin Marathon three times.

"I started [training] again a week ago," he said. "Then today I had, you know, some doubts ... but it was really very good."

In the women's race, Irina Mikitenko of Germany won in 2:19:19.

Gebrselassie thanked the crowd of about 1 million for helping him set his 26th world record. "Before I came here, I knew I can do something here in Berlin because since I started running, Berlin is my lucky city," Gebrselassie said.

Tennis

Roddick displays temper, talent: No smashed racket as was the case Friday, but American Andy Roddick did show fans his volatile temper in beating Dudi Sela of Israel 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3 to win the China Open.

With a powerful underhand swoosh in the second set, Roddick sent a tennis ball high over the crowd and out of the two-tiered Beijing Tennis Center.

"I didn't break anything," he said later.

In the women's final, top-seeded Jelena Jankovic of Serbia defeated No. 4 Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia 6-3, 6-2.

Jankovic has won two titles this season and seven in her career. It was Kuznetsova's fifth final this season — and her fifth loss.

The victory puts Jankovic 21 points behind No. 1 Serena Williams of the United States in the WTA Tour rankings. Both are scheduled to play in Stuttgart, Germany, in the next event.

Tsonga captures his first title: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France upset No. 3-ranked Novak Djokovic of Serbia 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 to win the Thailand Open in Bangkok, clinching his first career ATP Tour title and avenging his loss to Djokovic in this year's Australian Open final.

Soccer

FC Dallas blanks D.C. United in MLS match: Jeff Cunningham, Andre Rocha and Kenny Cooper scored as host FC Dallas beat D.C. United 3-0 in a Major League Soccer match.

Cycling

Home country dominates: Alessandro Ballan, 28, gave Italy its third consecutive world road-race title and countryman Damiano Cunego finished second in Varese, Italy.

Paolo Bettini was seeking his third consecutive world title before retiring, but the Italian was tightly controlled by the Spanish team and finished well back in the pack.

"What is important is that an Italian won," the 34-year-old Bettini said.

Armstrong comeback issue: American Lance Armstrong, a seven-time Tour de France winner, might not be able to start his comeback in January in Australia because of doping rules that apply to riders coming out of retirement.

Elite riders need to be in the sport's anti-doping program for six months before they can race, cycling's governing body said. The UCI will discuss with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency whether Armstrong has met that requirement.

Horse racing

Street Hero prevails: Street Hero beat Midshipman by three-quarters of a length to take the Grade I Norfolk for 2-year-olds at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.

Alex Solis rode Street Hero, who is owned and trained by Myung Kwon Cho. The colt ran 1-1/16 miles in 1 minute, 42 seconds and paid $14.20 to win in the $250,000 race.

In the Oak Tree Mile on turf, jockey Garrett Gomez posted his 3,000th career victory when he triumphed aboard Hyperbaric ($5.20 to win).

Velazquez wins No. 4,000: John Velazquez rode his 4,000th career winner, guiding Rogue Agent to victory in a race for $16,000 claiming horses at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

Trainer dies after being struck by horse: Trainer Jack Wilson, 88, died after being struck in the face and chest Saturday night by one of his horses, 2-year-old Forbidden Dreams, in the saddling area at Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pa.

NHL

Canucks rise to 4-0: Kyle Wellwood scored the deciding goal in the fifth round of a shootout as the Vancouver Canucks beat the host Anaheim Ducks 5-4 in an exhibition game to improve to 4-0. Earlier in the day, Anaheim signed forward Teemu Selanne, 38, to a two-year, $5.25 million contract.

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