DUESSELDORF, Germany — Andy Roddick withdrew from the French Open on Monday because of a right shoulder injury and hopes to be ready for Wimbledon.
The sixth-ranked American, who lost in the first round at Roland Garros the past two years, had been expected to play this week at the World Team Cup in Duesseldorf.
The United States beat the Czech Republic 2-1 at the event despite having to use another doubles team because of an undisclosed injury to top-ranked Bob and Mike Bryan. The Bryan brothers were replaced by James Blake and Wayne Odesnik, who rallied to defeat Tomas Berdych and Pavel Vizner 0-6, 7-5, 10-8.
• Saying tennis is “potentially at a crossroads,” an independent review panel found 45 matches that merit further investigation because of irregular betting patterns.
The panel’s report, prompted by suspicions surrounding a match last year involving Nikolay Davydenko, was released by the International Tennis Federation, the ATP, the WTA Tour and the Grand Slams.
“We do not doubt that criminal elements may be involved in seeking to subvert or corrupt some players or players’ support staff; that may even involve organized criminal gangs, but to elevate that suspicion to a claim of ‘Mafia’ involvement is, in our view, a distortion of the facts and is positively damaging to the sport,” the report said.
Thurman released by Bengals
CINCINNATI — Less than a month after the NFL reinstated Odell Thurman from his two-year suspension, the troubled linebacker was waived by the Cincinnati Bengals.
• Linebacker Dan Morgan retired two months after the former first- round draft pick signed with the New Orleans Saints.
• Andre Johnson recently had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee that will keep the receiver from practicing with the Houston Texans until training camp in July.
• Offensive lineman Steve McKinney, coming back from a knee injury that forced him to miss most of the 2007 season, signed a contract to join the Miami Dolphins.
• Russ Michna threw six TD passes to lead the host Chicago Rush (9-2) to its second straight Central Division title with a 72-28 win over the Los Angeles Avengers.
Footnotes.
Tiger Woods intends to play in the Buick Open and will host a golf clinic at Comerica Park in Detroit on June 24, two days before the tournament begins. Woods hasn’t played since undergoing knee surgery two days after the Masters.
• Suspended Clemson linebacker Cortney Vincent will not return for the 2008 season.
• Florida State receiver Preston Parker will have to sit out the first two games of the 2008 season after pleading guilty to two misdemeanor charges — carrying a concealed weapon and marijuana possession.
• Iowa State forward Wesley Johnson, who averaged 12.4 points as a sophomore in 2007-08, said he intends to transfer.
• Olympic 10,000-meter champion Xing Huina of China has a thigh injury that will prevent her from competing at the Beijing Games.
• Tour de France champion Alberto Contador said he will continue racing in the Giro d’Italia despite a fractured left elbow.
The Associated Press
