Briefs | Tennis: Serena Williams to lose No. 1 ranking

Tennis

Serena Williams upset: Serena Williams' game collapsed after she swept the first set Wednesday, leading to a 0-6, 6-1, 6-4 loss to China's Li Na that will cost Williams the No. 1 ranking.

By dropping the second-round match at the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany, Williams will be overtaken by Jelena Jankovic in Monday's new rankings, the WTA said. Williams gained the top spot when she beat Jankovic in the U.S. Open final three weeks ago for her ninth Grand Slam title.

"I am not worried. It will come again if I win tournaments," Williams said. "I play to win titles and Grand Slams, although obviously the No. 1 is also on my mind."

Williams was playing her first match since the U.S. Open, getting a first-round bye in Stuttgart. She rolled through the first set and appeared headed for a resounding victory.

"I started making a lot of errors and I just gave it to her," Williams said. "Maybe I started doubting myself."

Ferrer, Roddick advance: Defending champion David Ferrer beat Jesse Levine of the United States 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 at the Japan Open in Tokyo, and second-seeded Andy Roddick joined the Spaniard in the third round by defeating Ivo Minar 7-6 (11-9), 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-2).

Moya wins: Spain's Carlos Moya beat top-seeded Ivo Karlovic of Croatia 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) in the second round of the Open de Moseille in Metz, France.

Federer withdraws from Stockholm Open: Roger Federer has withdrawn from next week's Stockholm Open, saying he needs to rest before starting his quest to reclaim the top spot in the world rankings.

Cycling

Armstrong rejects French offer to retest samples: The French anti-doping authority has thrown down a challenge to seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, proposing he agree to retesting of his 1999 urine samples to see whether a French newspaper was right when it reported they contained traces of EPO, a banned blood-boosting hormone that enhances endurance.

Armstrong, who is launching a comeback next year, rejected the request in a statement saying an independent investigation concluded that Tour de France samples from 1999 have been compromised and could not be tested to provide any meaningful results.

NBA

Warriors sign Dickau: The Golden State Warriors plan to meet with the representative for point guard Monta Ellis next week to discuss any potential disciplinary action or fine because of his moped-related ankle injury.

Ellis, who signed a $66 million, six-year contract in July, will miss training camp and at least several weeks of the regular season after hurting himself in his native Mississippi.

To give themselves some insurance in the backcourt, Golden State signed journeyman Dan Dickau, the former Gonzaga and Washington guard from Prairie High School in suburban Vancouver, Wash.

Gordon accepts one-year deal with Bulls: Chicago guard Ben Gordon accepted the Bulls' one-year, $6.4 million tender offer just before the deadline.

Oden rolls ankle: Portland center Greg Oden is OK after rolling his right ankle during the first day of camp. After walking with a slight limp, he finished practice by riding a stationary bike.

Spurs moves: The Spurs signed forward Charles Gaines and waived guard Brian Morrison, a graduate of Kirkland's Lake Washington High School.

Soccer

Barcelona wins in Champions League: Lionel Messi scored two late goals to give FC Barcelona a 2-1 victory at Shakhtar Donestsk in the Champions League. AS Roma escaped by rallying to a 3-1 victory at Bordeaux. Liverpool defeated PSV Eindhoven 3-1, and Atletico Madrid beat Marseille 2-1. Chelsea drew 0-0 at unheralded CFR Cluj.

D.C. United forward suspended: D.C. United forward Jaime Moreno will be suspended for two games for a blow to an opposing player's head Sunday against FC Dallas.

Cruz Azul tops D.C. United: Pablo Zeballos scored in the 56th minute to give Cruz Azul of Mexico a 1-0 victory over host D.C. United in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Hockey

Predators' Radulov wrong to sign with Russian club: Russian forward Alexander Radulov was wrong to sign with a club in his home country while under contract with the Nashville Predators, ice hockey's world governing body ruled. But the International Ice Hockey Federation said it had no legal basis to suspend him because there is no agreement in place to regulate international transfers.

Canucks beat Flames: Rookie Jannik Hansen scored two goals and linemates Ryan Kesler and Alexander Burrows both had three assists to lead the host Vancouver Canucks to a 6-1 exhibition victory over the Calgary Flames.

Horse racing

Maram, Elusive Bluff secure Breeders' Cup spots: Maram and Elusive Bluff won 2-year-old turf stakes by identical neck margins at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., securing spots in $1 million Breeders' Cup races at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.

The victory in the Pilgrim ensures Elusive Bluff a berth in the Juvenile Turf on Oct. 25. Maram is headed to the Juvenile Fillies on Oct 24.

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