INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Rafael Nadal defeated Andy Roddick 6-4, 7-6 (4) on Saturday to advance to the BNP Paribas final.
The top-ranked Nadal, constantly powering his forehand into the corner to Roddick’s backhand, ended several long rallies by passing Roddick with a shot down the line when the American came to the net.
Nadal, the 2007 Indian Wells champion, improved to 5-2 against the seventh-ranked Roddick. In today’s final, the 22-year-old Spaniard will face Andy Murray, who beat Roger Federer 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.
Hawkeyes win wrestling title
ST. LOUIS — Top-ranked Iowa relied on a deep roster to take its second straight NCAA wrestling title, sewing up its 22nd championship without winning a weight class and losing a point to penalty.
Iowa, which became the first school to win the team title without an individual titlist since Minnesota in 2001, finished with 96 1/2 points, 4 1/2 points ahead of runner- up Ohio State.
Badgers goaltender honored
BOSTON — Wisconsin goalie Jessie Vetter has won the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award as the nation’s most outstanding NCAA Division I women’s hockey player.
Vetter will lead her top-ranked team into today’s national championship game against Mercyhurst (31-5-0). The Badgers (33-2-5) are seeking their third title in four years.
Boone’s heart surgery set
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Houston Astros third baseman Aaron Boone will have open heart surgery Thursday at the Stanford University Medical Center.
• The Washington Nationals signed catcher Josh Bard, who was released by the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, to a minor-league deal.
Crew ties Dynamo
HOUSTON — Guillermo Barros Schelotto scored in the 81st minute to give defending MLS champion Columbus a 1-1 tie with the Houston Dynamo.
• Amado Guevara scored twice in the second half, leading visiting Toronto FC to 3-2 win over the Kansas City Wizards.
• Brian McBride scored the go-ahead goal on a penalty kick in the 51st minute as the visiting Chicago Fire beat FC Dallas 3-1.
• New England’s Kheli Dube scored in the 55th minute as the Revolution defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0.
Footnotes.
Sprint standout Mark Cavendish won the Milan-San Remo cycling classic in Italy, beating Heinrich Haussler in a photo finish. Lance Armstrong finished 125th.
• Vitali Klitschko stopped Juan Carlos Gomez in the ninth round, easily retaining his WBC heavyweight title in Stuttgart, Germany.
• Danny Kass and Torrah Bright recovered after each fell twice and won the halfpipe titles at the U.S. Open Snowboard Championships in Stratton Mountain, Vt.
• Dana Vollmer led California to the team title at the NCAA women’s swimming and diving championships in College Station, Texas.
The Associated Press
