LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino told police in July he had consensual sex with the woman accused of trying to extort him for $10 million and paid for her to have an abortion, a newspaper reported Tuesday.
The Courier-Journal of Louisville reported on its website that Pitino told police he had been drinking in a Louisville restaurant and had sex with Karen Sypher in August 2003.
The police report said he denied allegations by Sypher that he raped her after the restaurant closed and at another time somewhere else. He said later he gave her $3,000 for an abortion.
Sypher went to police to report the rape allegations last month.
A Kentucky prosecutor said the complaint she filed with a police sex-offense unit wouldn’t be prosecuted because it lacked supporting evidence. Sypher has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of trying to extort money up to $10 million from Pitino and lying to the FBI.
Federer prevails in return
MONTREAL — Roger Federer, playing for the first time since winning Wimbledon and the birth of his twin daughters, returned to the court with a 7-6 (3), 6-4 victory over Canada’s Frederic Niemeyer at the Rogers Cup.
Earlier in the day, Andy Murray — also playing his first match since Wimbledon — beat France’s Jeremy Chardy 6-4, 6-2.
Schumacher calls off comeback
BERLIN — Michael Schumacher called off his much-anticipated Formula One comeback because of lingering neck injuries from a motorcycle crash six months ago.
The seven-time world champion was to fill in for injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, and hoped to return at this month’s European Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain. Ferrari announced test driver Luca Badoer will race in Massa’s place.
• Jeff Gordon said he will be ready to race Sunday’s Carfax 400 at Michigan International Speedway, even though the four-time NASCAR champion has a stiff back from his spectacular accident Monday at Watkins Glen.
Footnotes.
Virginia Tech tailback Darren Evans, who led the Hokies with 1,265 yards and scored 11 touchdowns last season, will miss the season after tearing a ligament in his left knee during practice.
• Ohio State linebacker Tyler Moeller will miss the season because of a head injury.
• A group headed by Jerry Reinsdorf has taken a significant step in its bid to buy the bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes, reaching an agreement in principle with the NHL franchise’s largest secured creditor.
• BMW Oracle Racing named Australian Jimmy Spithill as helmsman for its showdown with defending champion Alinghi in the America’s Cup starting Feb. 8.
• Rebekkah Brunson had 19 points and nine rebounds, leading the Sacramento Monarchs to a 90-73 victory over the San Antonio Silver Stars. In other WNBA games, the Detroit Shock beat the Washington Mystics 81-77, and the New York Liberty rallied past the Los Angeles Sparks 65-61.
• The Cleveland Cavaliers signed forward Leon Powe to a two-year contract, according to . The Associated Press
