Goteborg, Sweden – Behind a roaring serve, Andy Roddick defeated Jonas Bjorkman 6-2, 7-6 (3), 6-4 on Sunday in a clinching Davis Cup victory over Sweden that carried the United States into the finals.
The U.S. will play defending champion Russia for the title Nov. 30-Dec. 3, with the Americans hosting the finals for the first time since 1992. Russia defeated Germany 3-2 in the other semifinal in Moscow.
Roddick didn’t drop serve in two singles matches, winning both in straight sets as the Americans ended a three-match losing streak against the Swedes dating to 1984. Roddick has clinched nine Davis Cup series.
“I get very nervous,” he said. “It’s tough in the morning or the night before. But it’s a really good feeling when you are able to clinch.”
After Roddick reeled off 16 aces to leave the U.S. ahead 3-1 in the best-of-five series, James Blake beat Simon Aspelin 6-1, 6-3 in a shortened finale to make the score 4-1.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Rivalry is in doubt after brawl
A postgame, helmet-swinging brawl between members of the North Carolina Central and North Carolina A&T football teams Saturday has put the future of the rivalry in jeopardy.
The fight began after Central secured the 27-22 win and players stormed the field and began stomping on the A&T logo. Police ran in after several minutes and broke up the fight using pepper spray.
Arizona State (at No. 23) became the fourth school Dennis Erickson has guided into the top 25 rankings, along with Washington State, Miami and Oregon State. Only Lou Holtz, with five, has coached ranked teams at more schools. Holtz did it with North Carolina State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame and South Carolina.
Texas Tech defensive coordinator Lyle Setencich stepped down, citing personal reasons a day after the Red Raiders lost to Oklahoma State 49-45.
SOCCER
Brazil, Norway gain Cup semifinals
Cristiane scored in the 75th minute to give Brazil a 3-2 win over Australia in Tianjin, China, and its second berth in the semifinals of the women’s World Cup.
Formiga and Marta also scored to set up Brazil for a semifinal with the United States in Hangzhou on Thursday. In the other semifinal, defending champion Germany will play Norway, which defeated China 1-0 in Wuhan.
Jaime Moreno scored a late goal to give visiting D.C. United a 1-1 tie with the Chicago Fire.
Chris Klein scored in the 72nd minute give the host Los Angeles Galaxy a 2-1 victory over FC Dallas.
CYCLING
Menchov wins Spanish Vuelta
Russian Denis Menchov won the Spanish Vuelta for the second time in three years, beating Carlos Sastre of Team CSC by 3 minutes, 31 seconds after 21 stages.
Daniele Bennati won the relatively flat, sprinter-friendly 64.7-mile final stage in 2:37:27, edging Alessandro Petacchi of Italy as both cyclists surged to the finish side-by-side in Madrid. It was Bennati’s third stage win.
Menchov, a Rabobank rider who led since the ninth leg of the cycling’s third most important race behind the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia, finished in 80:59:07.
FOOTNOTES
White captures Dew Cup title
Olympic snowboarding champion Shaun White clinched his first Dew Cup title, finishing third in the Skateboard Vert at the Toyota Challenge in Salt Lake City.
The 20-year-old White was leading and seemingly en route to his fourth victory of the season when he fell midway through his third run to finish with an 88.25 score. He clinched the title by a point.
Australia cruised to a 55-12 victory over Fiji while saving its best players for next week’s match against Wales, and New Zealand strolled to a 40-0 triumph over a Scotland lineup missing top stars being rested for a more important game to come against Italy at the Rugby World Cup in France.
Teenager Agnes Szavay rallied to defeat Jelena Jankovic 6-7 (7), 7-5, 6-2 at the China Open in Beijing.
Fourth-seeded Maria Kirilenko won the Sunfeast Open title in Calcutta, India, defeating Mariya Koryttseva 6-0, 6-2.
Top-seeded Tatiana Golovin beat Katarina Srebotnik 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 to win the Slovenia Open in Portoroz for her second WTA title.
