BERLIN - Hobbling on crutches, Venus Williams knew she couldn't play for the German Open title. Whether she'll be ready for the French Open is uncertain.
Williams pulled out before the German Open final Sunday after twisting her left ankle a day earlier in the semifinals. Her withdrawal handed the title to Amelie Mauresmo.
"I'm waiting for the test to see what the issue is - I'm optimistic it's the strain, nothing else," Williams said. "I would really, really like to play the French."
The French Open begins May 24.
ITALIAN OPEN: Carlos Moya reached No. 2 in the rankings by defeating David Nalbandian 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 in Rome. Moya trails only Roger Federer.
HORSES: Jockey sues Herald
The jockey who rode Funny Cide to victory in last year's Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes is suing the Miami Herald for libel, seeking $48-million in damages.
The suit, filed Tuesday in federal court, contends the paper printed libelous articles and photographs about jockey Jose Santos. Stewards investigated the Derby after a photograph and story in the newspaper raised questions about whether Santos held an illegal device in his right hand when he crossed the finish line. Stewards later concluded Santos was holding only his whip.
JOCKEY INJURED: Rick Wilson was in critical condition with head injuries after falling from his horse at Pimlico a day earlier, but his agent said reports were encouraging.
BELMONT: Bear Fan pulled away down the stretch and won the Grade II, $150,000 Genuine Risk Handicap by five lengths.
HOLLYWOOD PARK: Victory Encounter rallied from 10 lengths back to win the $250,000 Vanity Handicap by two lengths.
SOCCER: U.S. women win 3-0
Cindy Parlow, Mia Hamm and Lori Chalupny scored second-half goals to lead the U.S. women's national team past Mexico 3-0 in an exhibition in Albuquerque, N.M. Hamm's goal was her 149th in international play, extending her record for either gender.
ENGLAND: Arsenal is on the brink of going through an entire Premier League season unbeaten after a 1-0 victory at Fulham. The Gunners extended their streak to 37 games and have one left - Saturday at home against Leicester.
MLS: Cornell Glen scored in the 90th minute for the MetroStars in a 5-5 tie with host San Jose late Saturday. The teams combined to tie for the second-most goals in an MLS game.
SPAIN: Valencia won the title for the second time in three seasons after beating Sevilla 2-0. Vicente Rodriguez and Ruben Baraja scored for Valencia, which caught superstar-laden Real Madrid late in the season.
FOOTBALL: Sharks win SSFL title
Offensive MVP Charles McKinnon gained 83 yards rushing and scored three touchdowns to lead the St. Petersburg Sharks to their fourth consecutive Southern States Football League title, 31-6 over Miami at Orlando's Citrus Bowl. St. Petersburg's Johnny Newsome had 12 tackles to earn defensive MVP.
ET CETERA
DIVING: U.S. Olympian Mark Ruiz finished fifth in the men's platform at the Diving Grand Prix in The Woodlands, Texas, well behind winner Tian Liang.
TRIATHLON: American Sheila Taormina won the women's race and Bevan Docherty the men's at the world championships in Funchal, Madeira Islands. Taormina beat Loretta Harrop by 12.4 seconds after a 1,500-meter swim, 40-kilometer bike ride and 10-kilometer run.
