MASON, Ohio — With a dominant first set Sunday, Roger Federer showed that he’s in top-of-the-world form after his time off to become a father.
A 6-1, 7-5 victory over Novak Djokovic brought Federer the Cincinnati Masters title, his first championship since his twin girls were born last month.
“That’s the special part, especially winning for the first time as a dad,” Federer said. “It gets me going emotionally a little bit, because I know it’s been a wonderful summer.”
• Fourth-seeded Elena Dementieva beat Maria Sharapova 6-4, 6-3 in the final of the Rogers Cup in Toronto.
• Pat Cash of Australia defeated Jim Courier to defend his singles title at the Hall of Fame Champions Cup in Newport, R.I.
California team rolls to win
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Luke Ramirez struck out 11 and Andy Rios hit two two-run homers in a 12-run sixth inning that led Chula Vista, Calif., past Peabody, Mass., 14-0 at the Little League World Series.
• Nicholas Smisek hit a grand slam and Steven Cardone added a three-run homer to help San Antonio score 12 runs in the third inning and beat Russellville, Ky., 12-0.
In other games, Urbandale, Iowa, rallied from an early deficit with a five-run fifth inning highlighted by Jake Quirk‘s three-run homer to defeat Mercer Island, Wash., 5-3; Willemstad, Curacao, beat Chiba City, Japan, 12-11; and Taoyuan, Taiwan, defeated Vancouver, British Columbia, 8-0.
Smith fuels Shock’s victory
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Katie Smith scored a season-high 31 points to help the Detroit Shock record a 99-84 WNBA win over the San Antonio Silver Stars.
• Candace Parker scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds, and the visiting Los Angeles Sparks beat the Atlanta Dream 91-87 for their fifth straight victory.
• Shameka Christon scored 24 points and Cathrine Kraayeveld had a season-high 18 as the host New York Liberty beat the struggling Minnesota Lynx 80-67.
Red Bulls break losing streak
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Juan Pablo Angel scored his second goal with two minutes left in regulation, helping the New York Red Bulls beat FC Dallas 3-2 and snap a 13-match winless streak.
• Nate Jaqua scored in the 70th minute to give Seattle a point in Houston and move the Sounders into a tie for third place in the Western Conference with a 1-1 draw against the Dynamo.
• Kheli Dube scored three goals to give the New England Revolution a 3-1 win over visiting Real Salt Lake.
Armstrong withdraws in Ireland
CORK, Ireland — Lance Armstrong pulled out of the Tour of Ireland in heavy rain during the final stage of the three-day cycling event.
Russell Downing of Britain won the race after Norway’s Lars Petter Nordhaug captured the final stage.
The Associated Press
