Nadal, Murray win first-round matches in Qatar

DOHA, Qatar (AP) ― Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray opened their new seasons with first-round wins at the Qatar Open on the last day of 2013.Third-seeded Murray had the easiest path to victory on New Year’s Eve, barely breaking a sweat during his 6-0, 6-0 win over 2,129th-ranked Qatari wildcard recipient Mousa Shanan Zayed. “Yeah, it was pretty easy,” Murray said. “It’s kind of a tough situation. It’s not something you’re really looking forward to, but you just have to try and play and concentrate.

More SportsJan. 1, 2014

Ducks rout Sharks for 11th win in 12 games

ANAHEIM, California (AP) ― Ryan Getzlaf and Jonas Hiller propelled the Anaheim Ducks into the second half of their season with the NHL’s best record and ample reason to think they could get even better in the new year.Getzlaf scored his 20th goal and added two assists, Francois Beauchemin got his first goal of the season, and the Ducks beat the San Jose Sharks 6-3 Tuesday night, closing the best December in club history with their 11th victory in 12 games.Nick Bonino and Matt Beleskey each had a

More SportsJan. 1, 2014

2014 already shaping up as year to remember

Cold and snow for the Super Bowl, balmy temperatures and palm trees for the Winter Olympics. A college football champion that nobody can question and a golf major guaranteed to go two weeks. There’s also the never-ending mess with Alex Rodriguez, and a World Cup that may ― or may not ― come off as planned.The New Year hasn’t even arrived yet, and 2014 is already shaping up to be one odd year.While it’s impossible to predict everything that will happen in the coming months, especially when it com

More SportsDec. 30, 2013

European Tour chief cites Royal Trophy differences

SINGAPORE (AFP) ― European Tour chief executive George O’Grady has rebuffed calls to back the Royal Trophy team event, citing “fundamental differences of policy with the promoters.”The European Tour has launched a rival match play tournament between the players of Europe and Asia, despite the established “Ryder Cup-style” Royal Trophy having recently concluded its seventh edition.In the wake of Europe’s dramatic victory over Asia at China’s Dragon Lake Golf Club last weekend, triumphant captain

GolfDec. 30, 2013

Local baseball team admits to signing pitcher to illegal, multiyear deal

A local professional baseball club on Monday admitted to having once signed a pitcher to an illegal, multiyear contract, potentially opening a can of worms in a league that has long faced allegations of turning a blind eye to similar practices. The Doosan Bears in the top-flight Korea Baseball Organization acknowledged that they had inked pitcher Lee Hei-chun to a four-year deal in December 2010, when the left-hander returned from a two-year stint in Japan.Lee had made his KBO debut with Doosan

More SportsDec. 30, 2013

Dodgers star Puig arrested, charged with reckless driving

NAPLES, Florida (AP) ― Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig was arrested on a reckless driving charge for the second time this year after officers clocked him going 110 mph in a 70 mph zone.A news release from the Florida Highway Patrol said a white Mercedes driven by the 23-year-old Cuban defector was pulled over around 9:30 a.m. Saturday.Authorities said Puig was arrested and charged with reckless driving and taken to the Collier County Jail for processing. Puig lives in the Miami area d

BaseballDec. 29, 2013

Lowry scores 32 as Raptors beat Knicks

TORONTO (AP) ― Kyle Lowry had a season-best 32 points and 11 assists, Terrence Ross made a career-high seven 3-pointers and the Toronto Raptors beat New York for the second straight night, topping the short-handed Knicks 115-100 on Saturday.Lowry came within two rebounds of a triple-double and Ross had 23 points as Toronto won for the fourth time in five games.DeMar DeRozan added 20 points for the Raptors, who overcame a 12-point deficit in the second half to beat New York 95-83 at Madison Squar

More SportsDec. 29, 2013

Choo passes physical with Rangers

Choo Shin-soo passed his physical with the Texas Rangers, clearing the way for the completion of the outfielder’s $130 million, seven-year deal.A person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press on Thursday night that Choo passed his physical and would be formally introduced in Texas on Friday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement from the team.The Rangers scheduled a press conference Friday afternoon. The said only that it was to “ann

More SportsDec. 27, 2013

Lee hopes to enjoy herself at Games

Brimming with confidence, speed skating world record holder Lee Sang-hwa said Friday she is looking forward to enjoying herself in her Olympic title defense in Russia next year.During a short break from her practice at the National Training Center in northern Seoul, the reigning Olympic champion in the women’s 500 meters said the 2014 Sochi Winter Games will be “a festival” next February.“Once I land in Sochi and start preparing for my race, I want to have as much fun as I can,” she said. “I don

More SportsDec. 27, 2013

Arsenal goes top of EPL as Liverpool loses at City

Arsenal is back on top of the Premier League with the season about to reach its halfway point as manager Arsene Wenger looks to win the trophy for the first time in a decade.Theo Walcott's double ensured Liverpool's stay atop the standings lasted less than a week as Arsenal came from behind to win 3-1 at West Ham and its title rival lost 2-1 at Manchester City on Thursday.As Liverpool dropped to fourth, City climbed a place to second to sit a point behind Arsenal after the traditional Boxing Day

SoccerDec. 27, 2013

Posting period for Japanese pitcher Tanaka starts

The bidding for Japanese star pitcher Masahiro Tanaka has begun.All 30 major league teams have been notified that the 30-day period to sign the 25-year-old right-hander began at 1300 GMT Thursday, according to Major League Baseball spokesman Michael Teevan. Clubs have until 2200 GMT on Jan. 24 to attempt to reach an agreement with the ace.If Tanaka and a MLB team come to terms, that franchise is required to pay his Japanese club, the Rakuten Eagles, a posting fee, now capped at $20 million under

BaseballDec. 27, 2013

Park Ji-sung hopes Korea can reach knockout stage

SUWON (Yonhap News) ― Park Ji-sung, former captain of the South Korean men’s national football team, said Thursday he hopes to see the country reach the knockout stage at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.Attending a charity event organized by his own foundation, Park told reporters that he was pleased to see South Korea avoid traditional powers, and draw Belgium, Russia and Algeria in Group H.“Fortunately, South Korea has avoided the so-called ‘group of death,’” Park said at Suwon World Cup Sta

SoccerDec. 26, 2013