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Foot injury forces Seles out of Open, could end career

NEW YORK - Monica Seles pulled out of the U.S. Open with a left foot injury that has sidelined her since May and could end her career.

The nine-time major champion, including the 1991-92 U.S. Opens, hasn't played a competitive match since losing in the first round of the French Open.

"Monica has been advised by her doctors that the stress fracture in her left foot is not yet healed 100 percent," her agent, Tony Godsick, said. "She is very disappointed, as she loves the U.S. Open and the New York crowds."

After she lost to Nadia Petrova at the French Open, Seles, 29, said she needed time off to see if her injured feet will heal enough to allow her to play without pain.

"I know I'm in the later stages of my career," she said at the time. "I don't have the luxury of taking five to six months off. At the same time, I don't want to have surgery."

CINCINNATI MASTERS: Seventh-seeded Andy Roddick easily defeated Mariano Zabaleta to advance to the semifinals. He plays Max Mirnyi today. Tampa's Mardy Fish also advanced and faces Rainer Schuettler.

ROGERS AT&T CUP: The WTA said Kim Clijsters will retain the No.1 ranking despite her loss to Lina Krasnoroutskaya in Toronto on Thursday. Meanwhile, French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne beat Elena Bovina to reach the semifinals.

The trainer of Preakness and Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide is doubtful his horse will run in the $1-million Travers on Aug. 23 because of concerns over the horse's health after a fever. The horse's temperature has returned to normal, but blood tests this week didn't yield satisfactory results, Barclay Tagg said. "I kind of doubt if I'll run, but I don't know," Tagg said. "I would love to run in the Travers, but I'm not going to shoot myself if I don't."

The U.S. Olympic qualifying basketball team's exhibition against Puerto Rico, scheduled for Friday night, was postponed because of lingering blackout conditions at New York's Madison Square Garden. The Garden still was without electricity around noon Friday. The game will be played at noon on Sunday.

Michael Raab's 200-meter butterfly win was one of four for the U.S. swim team in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Raab's time of 1 minute, 57.33 seconds beat his Pan Am record of 1:57.54. Peter Marshall won the 100 backstroke, and Morgan Hentzen and Rachel Burke went 1-2 in the 800 freestyle. Then the women took the 400-meter medley relay by nearly eight seconds over Canada, setting a Pan Am mark of 4:05.92.

NHL: Ducks coach Mike Babcock and his assistants signed one-year contract extensions through the 2004-2005 season. ... Rangers forward Anson Carter's arbitration hearing was postponed because of Thursday's blackout and will be heard next week.

GYMNASTICS: American Ashley Postell will miss this weekend's World Championships because of a stomach virus. The reigning balance beam champion will be replaced by Chellsie Memmel, who is coming off an all-around title at the Pan Am Games.

TRACK AND FIELD: Marathon world-record holder Paula Radcliffe pulled out of this month's World Championships because of a shin injury and bronchitis.

SOCCER: Dallas forward Jason Kreis is out for the season after tearing the ACL in his left knee. Kreis was three goals shy of breaking former Mutiny star Roy Lassiter's MLS career record of 88.