Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009

Nadal knocked out of season-ending tourney

Sports In Brief

LONDON — Rafael Nadal fell out of contention for a spot in the semifinals at the ATP World Tour Finals with a second straight defeat, losing 6-1, 7-6 (4) to Nikolay Davydenko on Wednesday. It will be the first time Nadal will not reach the semis in this tourney. "I didn't arrive at this tournament with the full confidence that you need to win these matches," Nadal said. Robin Soderling mae the semis of the season-ending tournament by beating Novak Djokovic. Andy Roddick pulled out with an injury. Roger Federer clinched the year-end No. 1 ranking by beating Andy Murray.

Yachting

America's Cup champion Alinghi of Switzerland told a New York court it has the right to face American challenger BMW Oracle in the Persian Gulf port of Ras al-Khaimah. The Swiss group asked the appellate court to overturn a lower-court ruling that RAK is ineligible because the 19th century Deed of Gift prohibits racing in the Northern Hemisphere from Nov. 1 to May 1. Alinghi asked that if RAK is not reinstated, that the match be delayed until May.

Motorsports

The Indy Racing League will open its 2010 season on March 14 on the streets of Sao Paulo, the first time the IndyCar series will race in Brazil. Several prominent drivers in the series — Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan and Raphael Matos — are from Brazil. ... Jeremy Mayfield's former attorneys have filed a civil suit against the suspended NASCAR driver seeking nearly $400,000 in unpaid fees.

Cycling

Alberto Contador's Astana team was registered to race the 2010 International Cycling Union's ProTour calendar. The UCI approved the Kazakh-backed team's entry but still wants assurances that Astana can meet its budget obligations. The 2009 Tour de France champion is expected to leave the team if Astana was excluded.

Horse Racing

Ira "Babe" Hanford, who as an 18-year-old apprentice rode 20-1 shot Bold Venture to victory in the 1936 Kentucky Derby, has died. He was 91. He was the oldest-living jockey to have won the Derby and the only apprentice to have done so.

Winter Sports

Luge veteran Tony Benshoof says his back pain is under control for now, and he expects to resume his quest for a third Olympic berth at this weekend's World Cup stop in Igls, Austria.