In brief

Myskina shakes rust to advance at Dubai tournament

By wire services
Published February 21, 2006

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Former French Open champion Anastasia Myskina overcame trouble with her serve Monday to beat Zheng Jie 6-3, 6-7 (7-9), 6-1 in the first round of the Dubai Women's Open.

Myskina, seeded sixth, was playing after reaching the indoor semifinals at Tokyo and a two-week rest.

"I needed time to adjust to the change playing indoors in freezing conditions in Tokyo to outdoors here," she said. "I figured out her game and the third set went according to my plans."

No.8 seed Daniela Hantuchova also advanced, beating Li Na 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).

BRAZIL OPEN: Jiri Vanek beat Albert Montanes 7-6 (8-6), 6-1 in the first round in Rio De Janeiro.

RMK CHAMPIONSHIPS: Paul Capdeville rallied to top No.3 seed Tommy Robredo 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 in Memphis.

ABN AMBRO: Nikolay Davydenko overcame an injury to his left foot to defeat Jan Hernych 6-3, 6-3 in the opening round in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Top seed Rafael Nadal withdrew with a thigh injury and Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis withdrew with an injured groin.

Felton dinged up in wreck

Bobcats guard Raymond Felton was slightly injured in a car accident and his status for an upcoming six-game road trip is unclear. He was vacationing in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Sunday when his car was rear-ended at a red light, the team said. He sustained whiplash and a sore back. The other driver, Lori Boggs , 24, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., was charged with driving while impaired.

USF golfer leads by three

South Florida's 8.5,ux0,,10.3 Christina Jones led by three shots through two rounds at the Papa John's Intercollegiate golf tournament in Miami Lakes. The sophomore shot 1-under-par 71 for a two-day total of 143 at the Don Shula Golf Resort. The Bulls (605) were tied for fourth, eight behind North Carolina State. Miami was third at 604, led by Josie Shinn (150, tied for ninth).

SOFTBALL: Host USF came from behind twice including in the seventh inning to defeat Hofstra 7-5 in the final game of the Wilson Invitational. Both teams entered the game 4-0 in the tournament. Down 5-3 entering the seventh the Bulls scored an unearned run and Christie Chapman hit a three-run double for the winning runs. In the first game Bree Spence struck out seven and allowed five hits in 62/3 innings to lead USF past Jacksonville 5-1.

FOOTBALL: Central Florida promoted Brent Key to tight ends coach. Last season Key was offensive graduate assistant coach. ... Brad Lawing was named defensive line coach at South Carolina. He has been defensive ends coach and recruiting coordinator at North Carolina for three seasons.

BASEBALL: Florida State junior Bryan Henry , who allowed no runs on three hits, struck out nine and didn't walk a batter in seven innings against North Carolina-Asheville, was named ACC pitcher of the week.

SOCCER: England's FA Cup final will be at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium because Australian builder Multiplex Group won't finish rebuilding Wembley Stadium in time. The May 13 game shifts to Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, where it has been held since the original Wembley closed in 2000. ... Italian national team star and AS Roma captain Francesco Totti said he'll play in the World Cup only if he fully recovers from a leg injury sustained Sunday. He fractured his fibula and strained ligaments in his left ankle after being tackled from behind in an Italian Serie A match against Empoli.

CYCLING: Juan Jose Haedo won the first stage of the Tour of California in Santa Rosa. Haedo finished the 80.2-mile stage in 3 hours, 14 minutes, 13 seconds for Toyota-United, a new team competing in its first race. Levi Leipheimer , who won the prologue, retained a five-second overall race lead over American Bobby Julich .

[Last modified February 21, 2006, 00:43:09]