SHANGHAI — Andy Murray defeated error-prone Roger Federer 6-3, 6-2 on Sunday to win the Shanghai Masters for his second ATP title of the year.
Murray broke the Swiss player’s serve four times while fighting off six break points. He also served six aces, while Federer had three.
Murray didn’t drop a set in the tournament and now has beaten Federer eight times in 13 meetings, including the last two. Murray’s win Sunday was the most lopsided match the two have played.
As a result of reaching the final, Federer will rise to become the world’s second-ranked player behind Rafael Nadal. Federer was attempting to win his 64th career title, which would have tied him with Pete Sampras for fourth on the all-time list.
• Ana Ivanovic routed Patty Schnyder 6-1, 6-2 in the final of the Generali Ladies in Linz, Austria, to win her first WTA Tour title in two years and ninth overall. The 22-year- old Serb won her last title at the same event in 2008 after capturing the French Open and becoming the top-ranked player for 12 weeks.
Rooney rumors run rampant
MANCHESTER, England — Wayne Rooney has reportedly told Manchester United that he wants to leave the Premier League club, although the club said speculation that the star striker will be sold in the January transfer window was “nonsense.”
Several British newspapers — including the Guardian and Telegraph — reported on their websites that Rooney has fallen out with Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson since allegations surfaced about the player’s private life last month. The reports said Rooney has told the club he will not sign a new contract, which could force United to sell the striker before he becomes a free agent.
• Jose Manuel De La Torre looks set to be hired as Mexico’s new national team coach today after the surprise withdrawal of the only other contender for the post. Victor Manuel Vucetich, the coach of Mexican club Monterrey Rayados and the favorite for the national team job, pulled out of the selection process Saturday for personal reasons.
Arizona’s Schluntz honored
INDIANAPOLIS — Justine Schluntz won the NCAA woman of the year award, becoming the third Arizona swimmer to capture the honor in the last four years.
A 16-time NCAA All-American, Schluntz helped the Wildcats win the national title in 2008. The Rhodes Scholar also made the Pac-10’s first team all-academic swim team for three consecutive seasons.
Arizona became the first school with four woman of the year winners. Schluntz joins high jumper Tanya Hughes (1994) and swimmers Whitney Myers (2007) and Lacey Nymeyer (2009) on the exclusive list.
Footnotes.
Jeff Byrd, the longtime president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway, died at the age 60 following a lengthy illness.
• The Nashville Predators reassigned reserve goaltender Mark Dekanich to the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL.
