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Sharapova eyes up-for-grabs spot as world no.1

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published November 9, 2006

MADRID - Maria Sharapova beat Kim Clijsters 6-4, 6-4 at the WTA Championships on Wednesday, moving closer to a spot in the semifinals. In other matches, Martina Hingis won 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 against Nadia Petrova, ensuring that top-ranked Amelie Mauresmo will not finish the year as No. 1 in the world. That will go to Sharapova or Justine Henin-Hardenne, depending on how they fare. Svetlana Kuznetsova beat Elena Dementieva 7-5, 6-3.

ALSO: Roger Federer plays David Nalbandian on Sunday at the Masters Cup in Shanghai, China. Tampa resident James Blake is in the gold group with Rafael Nadal, Nikolay Davydenko and Tommy Robredo. Andy Roddick and Ivan Ljubicic join Federer and Nalbandian in the red group. ... Hamilton F. "Ham" Richardson, a former U.S. Davis Cup player, died Sunday of complications from diabetes in New York. He was 73.

GOLF

Tampa's Stuart rallies at Futures Tour qualifying

After shooting 8-over 80 on Tuesday, Tampa's Elizabeth Stuart rebounded with a career-low 68 at a Futures Tour qualifying event in Lakeland.

"I was kissing my lucky necklace on every hole," said Stuart, 25.

Her two-round 148 total is six back of Noon Huachai (73) and Maru Martinez (71), who moved into a share of the lead at 2 under.

The Clearwater pair of Amanda Dick (155) and Missy Pederson (162) are in the field, which will be cut after 54 holes to 90 players and ties before the final round on Friday.

SOCCER

Adu to kick it around with Manchester United

Freddy Adu will get his long-awaited first taste of European club action when he trains with Manchester United for two weeks later this month.

D.C. United and MLS have given Adu, who signed three years ago at age 14, permission to join the English Premier League team Nov. 18. D.C. United spokesman Doug Hicks said the time with United will not be a tryout and that Adu's rights remain with MLS. "This is a great opportunity for Freddy," he said.

Adu has often stated his desire to play for a European club. Such a move will be permissible under international transfer rules when he turns 18 in June.

JURISPRUDENCE

Bitter court battle preceded racer's death

A lawyer who once represented racing legend Mickey Thompson described a vitriolic court battle over soured business ties between the driver and the former business partner who is now charged in his killing. "It was an expensive case," Philip Bartenetti testified in Pasadena, Calif., at the trial of Michael Goodwin, accused of having Thompson and his wife, Trudy, killed nearly 19 years ago.

Thompson, 59, and Trudy, 41, were gunned down in their Bradbury, Calif., driveway, and the two killers escaped on bicycles. Prosecutors say it was a professional hit.

Thompson merged his motorcycle racing business with Goodwin's, but their association soured and Thompson successfully sued him.

Goodwin, 61, is charged with two counts of murder with special circumstances and faces life in prison.

ET CETERA

Autos: Jeff Gordon, 35, wed Belgian model Ingrid Vandebosch, 37, on Tuesday in a private ceremony in Mexico, Jon Edwards, Gordon's publicist, confirmed.

BOXING: Roy Jones' light heavyweight fight with Manny Siaca on Dec. 9 was called off because of contract issues. ... WBO featherweight champ Scott Harrison, jailed in Spain on an assault charge, will be unable to defend his title Dec. 9 against Nicky Cook.

TRIATHLON: Barney Rice, 35, of Montana died in Panama City Beach on Tuesday, three days after he was rescued during the swim stage of the Ironman Florida. The cause of death was not yet clear.

[Last modified November 9, 2006, 01:44:18]