Briefs | NFL: Bills fullback McIntyre is arrested in Florida

NFL

McIntyre is accused of fondling himself outside a woman's home: Buffalo Bills fullback Corey McIntyre has been arrested in Florida on accusations he fondled himself outside a Port St. Lucie woman's home.

The incident allegedly happened about two months ago, but the 30-year-old McIntyre was arrested Thursday. A spokesman for the Port St. Lucie police said a 59-year-old woman claimed McIntyre knocked on her window during the act and fled. Police said they later spotted him on a bicycle.

The charge is a misdemeanor and required a warrant for his arrest, which led to the lag time until McIntyre was jailed.

McIntyre's agent, Brett Tessler, said his client is "guilty of absolutely nothing" and looks forward to proving the accusations false. McIntyre is free on $10,000 bond.

Swimming

Phelps gets beat in North Carolina: American Michael Phelps, who won eight gold medals last year at the Beijing Olympics, lost a race for the first time in nearly a year.

Aaron Peirsol, world-record holder and two-time Olympic champion, beat Phelps in the 100-meter backstroke at the Charlotte UltraSwim in North Carolina.

Wearing his new Arena suit, Peirsol got off to a strong start and touched in 53.32 seconds.

Phelps was trailing by more than a half-second at the turn and was second in 53.79.

Phelps returned to the pool Friday and won two races after being suspended for three months by USA Swimming. A photograph of Phelps, 23, with a marijuana pipe appeared in a London tabloid in February.

Tennis

Nadal saves three match points in semifinal victory: Top-ranked Rafael Nadal of Spain saved three match points before beating No. 4 Novak Djokovic of Serbia 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (11-9) to reach the final of the Madrid Open.

"I love these matches, it's very special to play these matches," Nadal said. "If I don't fight here [in Spain], when am I going to fight?"

Second-ranked Roger Federer of Switzerland defeated fifth-ranked Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina 6-3, 6-4 in the other semifinal.

The 4-hour, 3-minute semifinal was the longest three-set match in Masters Series history.

In the women's bracket, top-ranked Dinara Safina of Russia beat Switzerland's Patty Schnyder 6-4, 6-2 to set up a final against Danish teenager Caroline Wozniacki, who advanced after a 7-6 (7-1), 6-3 victory over Amelie Mauresmo of France.

Agassi is eager to play under Wimbledon roof: Having once declined to play at Wimbledon because of its stodgy traditions, American Andre Agassi will get a good look at perhaps the biggest change to come to the All England Club.

Agassi will become one of the first players to see the Centre Court's retractable roof close over his head today, before teaming with his wife, Steffi Graf, in a mixed-doubles match against Tim Henman of Britain and Kim Clijsters of Belgium for a televised inauguration of the new structure.

College football

Marve reportedly will choose between Purdue, Tennessee: Former Miami quarterback Robert Marve will choose between a scholarship at Purdue and walking on at Tennessee early this week, according to Robert Weiner, Marve's coach at Plant High School in Tampa, Fla.

Marve said he would leave Miami at the end of last season after losing the starting job to Jacory Harris. Marve would have two seasons of eligibility remaining, starting in 2010.

Cycling

Sivtsov wins stage of Giro d'Italia: Columbia-High Road rider Kanstantsin Sivtsov of Belarus won the eighth stage of the Giro d'Italia and LPR Brakes rider Danilo Di Luca of Italy added eight seconds to his overall lead by finishing third. Di Luca leads Columbia-High Road's Thomas Lovkvist by 13 seconds.

Track and field

Lagat triumphs: Bernard Lagat, a former Washington State standout, won the 1,500 meters in 3 minutes, 36.38 seconds at the Adidas Track Classic in Carson, Calif.

Kerron Clement seemingly ran the fastest outdoor time of the season in the 400 hurdles, 48.38, but his time was wiped out because of misplaced hurdles. The eighth hurdle was too close to the seventh.

Seattle Times news services