Hansen bests Phelps, and own world record
Irvine, Calif. – Brendan Hansen upstaged Michael Phelps in the pool at the U.S. Summer Nationals, lowering his own world record in the 100-meter breaststroke on opening night Tuesday.
Phelps easily won his first showdown of the week with Ryan Lochte in the 400 individual medley, but he wasn’t pleased after falling off his own world-record pace.
“That was a pretty disappointing swim,” he said. “I’m not happy at all how the meet started. I feel like I should have been faster.”
Hansen, the silver medalist at the 2004 Athens Olympics, cruised to the wall in 59.13 seconds. He tore off his cap, grinned and waved his right forefinger in a No. 1 sign to his parents in the stands.
“Just give me a lane and give me a chance,” he said. “I keep trying to raise the bar on myself.”
Hansen eclipsed the mark of 59.30 that he set at the 2004 U.S. Olympic trials in Long Beach. Hansen was the only swimmer under 1 minute in the final.
Scott Usher was second in 1:01.07, and Matthew Lowe was third in 1:01.12.
NHL
Sabres sign forward Afinogenov to big raise, avoid arbitration
Maxim Afinogenov agreed to a three-year, $10 million contract with the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday, the team avoiding what could have been an expensive salary arbitration hearing with the forward.
Afinogenov will make $3 million next season and $3.5 million in each of the last two years. The deal represents a significant raise over the $1.086 million he made in leading the Sabres with a career-high 73 points last season. Afinogenov was scheduled to have his hearing Thursday, when he had the opportunity to receive an even higher award.
Dominic Moore, acquired last month by the Pittsburgh Penguins, signed a two-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration.
The Nashville Predators avoided salary arbitration with Scott Hartnell, agreeing to terms with the forward on a one-year, $1.75 million deal.
The New York Rangers kept defenseman Michal Rozsival, agreeing to terms with the free agent on a two-year deal worth $4.2 million.
WNBA
Connecticut extends streak
Asjha Jones had 22 points, tying her career high for the second straight game and leading the Connecticut Sun to a 66-52 win over the New York Liberty in Uncasville, Conn.
Margo Dydek and Taj McWilliams-Franklin each grabbed 10 rebounds for the Sun (22-6), which extended its win streak to eight games, matching the longest in franchise history.
New York (7-21) saw its three-game win streak snapped, but did have the services of Becky Hammon for the first time in 10 games.
Hammon, the former Colorado State star, sidelined with a sprained left ankle, played just over 11 minutes and finished with two points and pair of assists.
Alana Beard scored 29 points and DeLisha Milton-Jones keyed a late rally with two jumpers to help the Washington Mystics (16-13) to their season-high fourth straight win, 84-74 over the Los Angeles Sparks (23-7) in Washington.
Diana Taurasi scored 29 points to lead Phoenix Mercury (12-16) to a 90-70 victory over the host Chicago Sky and break the Mercury’s four-game losing streak.
Tangela Smith hit a 3-point shot with four seconds remaining as the Charlotte Sting (9-20) won 68-65 to down the host San Antonio Silver Stars (12-16).
Reserve Kara Braxton had a season-high 16 points to lead the Detroit Shock (19-8) to a 70-66 victory over the visiting Indiana Fever (17-11).
Betty Lennox swished a 3-pointer with 18 seconds to play to carry the Seattle Storm (15-14) to a 77-75 win over the host Minnesota Lynx (9-19).
FOOTNOTES
Hurt stars to miss match vs. Chelsea FC
Colorado Rapids midfielder Pablo Mastroeni and Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan will not play Saturday for the MLS All-Stars against Chelsea FC because of injuries.
Midfielder Ricardo Clark and defender Eddie Robinson of the Houston Dynamo were picked to replace the injured players on the MLS roster. Both will be making their first All-Star appearance.
Donovan has a hamstring strain and Mastroeni has a sprained knee.
Hungarian sprinter Gabor Dobos failed a doping test and was suspended from next week’s European Championships. The 30-year-old runner tested positive for the second time in his career and could be suspended for life. He also tested positive in 2000 and was suspended for two years by track and field’s governing body.
Paul Eells, the voice of the Razorbacks whose trademark call of “Touchdown, Arkansas!” endeared him to generations of sports fans, was killed in a car accident in Monday night Russellville, Ark. He was 70.
The U.S. Olympic Committee signed an agreement to help Iraqi athletes prepare for the upcoming Asian Games and the Beijing Olympics.
Italian cyclist Ivan Basso, who was barred from the Tour de France in a doping scandal, will not be defending his Tour of Denmark title, his CSC team announced.
Alfio Basile is the new coach of Argentina’s national soccer team, the second time he has held the job.
