Gstaad, Switzerland (AHN) - Top seeds Mikhail Youzhny and Nicolas Almagro were second-round winners Thursday at the Swiss Open Gstaad.
World no. 14 Russian Youzhny, seeded No. 1, rolled over local bet Alexander Sadecky, 7-5, 6-4, while second-seeded Spaniard Almagro prevailed over the gusty Swiss wild card Michael Lammer, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
In the quarterfinals, Youzhny will square off against fellow countryman Yuri Schukin, a 6-3, 6-3 winner over Portugal\'s Frederico Gil Thursday.
While Almagro will face Frenchman Jeremy Chardy.
At the Farmers Classic Men\'s tournament in L.A., fourth-seeded Spaniard Feliciano Lopez dumped Dudi Sela of Israel 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 Thursday to reach the quarterfinals.
A rusty Ernests Gulbis, seeded fifth here, succumbed to Alejandro Falla of Colombia 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (10). Gulbis was playing in his first tournament in two months after dealing with injury.
In Stanford, CA., former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova and sixth-seeded Maria Kirilenko booked quarterfinal slots after demolishing their respective foes Thursday at the Bank of the West Classic.
Sharapova, seeded fifth, plastered Olga Govortsova of Belarus, 6-3, 6-3, while Kirilenko outclassed sixth-seeded Shahar Peer in straight sets.
Eighth-seeded Victoria Azarenka sent American Melanie Oudin packing after a 6-3, 6-1 triumph.
Also Thursday, third-seeded Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova blitzed Slovakian Magdalena Rybarikova 6-3, 6-2 to move into the quarterfinals of the Istanbul Cup.
Top seed and French Open champion Francesca Schiavone struggled against Britain\'s Elena Baltacha en route to a 6-4, 6-2 upset.
Meanwhile, second-round schedules at the Croatia Open were called off due to rain Thursday.
Gstaad, Switzerland (AHN) - Top seeds Mikhail Youzhny and Nicolas Almagro were second-round winners Thursday at the Swiss Open Gstaad.
World no. 14 Russian Youzhny, seeded No. 1, rolled over local bet Alexander Sadecky, 7-5, 6-4, while second-seeded Spaniard Almagro prevailed over the gusty Swiss wild card Michael Lammer, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
In the quarterfinals, Youzhny will square off against fellow countryman Yuri Schukin, a 6-3, 6-3 winner over Portugal\'s Frederico Gil Thursday.
While Almagro will face Frenchman Jeremy Chardy.
At the Farmers Classic Men\'s tournament in L.A., fourth-seeded Spaniard Feliciano Lopez dumped Dudi Sela of Israel 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 Thursday to reach the quarterfinals.
A rusty Ernests Gulbis, seeded fifth here, succumbed to Alejandro Falla of Colombia 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (10). Gulbis was playing in his first tournament in two months after dealing with injury.
In Stanford, CA., former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova and sixth-seeded Maria Kirilenko booked quarterfinal slots after demolishing their respective foes Thursday at the Bank of the West Classic.
Sharapova, seeded fifth, plastered Olga Govortsova of Belarus, 6-3, 6-3, while Kirilenko outclassed sixth-seeded Shahar Peer in straight sets.
Eighth-seeded Victoria Azarenka sent American Melanie Oudin packing after a 6-3, 6-1 triumph.
Also Thursday, third-seeded Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova blitzed Slovakian Magdalena Rybarikova 6-3, 6-2 to move into the quarterfinals of the Istanbul Cup.
Top seed and French Open champion Francesca Schiavone struggled against Britain\'s Elena Baltacha en route to a 6-4, 6-2 upset.
Meanwhile, second-round schedules at the Croatia Open were called off due to rain Thursday.
Denver, CO, United States (AHN) - The Denver Broncos and Tim Tebow, a first-round selection by the team in April\'s draft, agreed to terms on a five-year contract Thursday.
The deal is worth $11.25 million with $8.7 million guaranteed, Denver Post.com reported.
According to reports, the contract has a maximum value of $33 million, but it includes incentives which could be difficult to reach.
As a result, the two-time national champion from Florida and the Broncos\' 25th overall pick in April\'s draft will join other Broncos rookies and some veterans in the final practice session Friday.
The Broncos\' training camp officially begins Sunday.
Tebow, 22, who helped Florida win the Sugar Bowl against Cincinnati this past season, missed the first three workouts while a deal was being worked out.
In camp, the former Florida star quarterback is expected to compete with Kyle Orton, who remains the Broncos\' starting quarterback, and Brady Quinn.
The signing of Tebow, the owner of the SEC record for career touchdowns, leaves Demaryius Thomas as the only unsigned member of the Broncos\' draft class.
The wide receiver out of Georgia Tech was selected three spots before Tebow, a Heisman Trophy winner and the only player in NCAA history to rush and pass for at least 20 TD in a season.
Denver, CO, United States (AHN) - The Denver Broncos and Tim Tebow, a first-round selection by the team in April\'s draft, agreed to terms on a five-year contract Thursday.
The deal is worth $11.25 million with $8.7 million guaranteed, Denver Post.com reported.
According to reports, the contract has a maximum value of $33 million, but it includes incentives which could be difficult to reach.
As a result, the two-time national champion from Florida and the Broncos\' 25th overall pick in April\'s draft will join other Broncos rookies and some veterans in the final practice session Friday.
The Broncos\' training camp officially begins Sunday.
Tebow, 22, who helped Florida win the Sugar Bowl against Cincinnati this past season, missed the first three workouts while a deal was being worked out.
In camp, the former Florida star quarterback is expected to compete with Kyle Orton, who remains the Broncos\' starting quarterback, and Brady Quinn.
The signing of Tebow, the owner of the SEC record for career touchdowns, leaves Demaryius Thomas as the only unsigned member of the Broncos\' draft class.
The wide receiver out of Georgia Tech was selected three spots before Tebow, a Heisman Trophy winner and the only player in NCAA history to rush and pass for at least 20 TD in a season.
Sammamish, WA, United States (AHN) - If the first round is any indicator, there will be no 20-under par performance at this year\'s U.S. Senior Open.
Former British Senior Open champion Bruce Vaughan was the only player to get the best of the Sahalee Country Club Thursday. He shot an opening 66, 4-under par and held a two shot lead after the first round.
Though he bogeyed his final hole of the day, the par three ninth, Vaughan still found himself two shots better than Loren Roberts and decorated amateur Tim Jackson of Tennessee.
Roberts and Jackson shot 68, a shot better than a group 69 headed by PGA Senior champion Tom Lehman, British Senior champion Bernhard Langer and included Mark Calcavecchia, Joe Ozaki and Michael Allen.
Local hero Fred Couples, who was nervous about his hometown appearance, managed an even par round of 70 and was tied with Tom Watson, Jay Haas and Scott Simpson.
Watson could have finished closer to Vaughan but bogeyed three of his final four holes and was obviously showing fatigue from his trip back from the Senior British Open.
"I could be better. The morning started off good but I wore out, the time change got me and I\'m half asleep. The body\'s hurtin\' and I\'m worn out and I couldn\'t make the putts," he said, describing his final four holes.
Couples was thrilled with his 70. "I think the score I shot is phenomenal. I would have taken 70 before the round started.
Sahalee\'s difficulty took its toll on most of the field. As the day progressed, the green became very firm. "The greens really firmed up in the afternoon," Haas explained after he finished. "You have to be very precise."
The golf course got more difficult as it dried out after an overcast morning. Last year\'s Open saw defending champion Fred Funk finish 20-under par at Crooked Stick.
That is just a pipe dream at Sahalee. Funk, one of the game\'s most accurate drivers, opened with a 76.
Vaughan was very realistic about his performance. "It\'s just the first day," he said. "There is a lot of golf left and a lot of trouble out there for the next three days."
His success in the first round came with accuracy off the tee. He hit 12 of 14 fairways. "I hit a lot of 2-irons off the tee. You gotta hit it in the fairway and be patient."
Sammamish, WA, United States (AHN) - If the first round is any indicator, there will be no 20-under par performance at this year\'s U.S. Senior Open.
Former British Senior Open champion Bruce Vaughan was the only player to get the best of the Sahalee Country Club Thursday. He shot an opening 66, 4-under par and held a two shot lead after the first round.
Though he bogeyed his final hole of the day, the par three ninth, Vaughan still found himself two shots better than Loren Roberts and decorated amateur Tim Jackson of Tennessee.
Roberts and Jackson shot 68, a shot better than a group 69 headed by PGA Senior champion Tom Lehman, British Senior champion Bernhard Langer and included Mark Calcavecchia, Joe Ozaki and Michael Allen.
Local hero Fred Couples, who was nervous about his hometown appearance, managed an even par round of 70 and was tied with Tom Watson, Jay Haas and Scott Simpson.
Watson could have finished closer to Vaughan but bogeyed three of his final four holes and was obviously showing fatigue from his trip back from the Senior British Open.
"I could be better. The morning started off good but I wore out, the time change got me and I\'m half asleep. The body\'s hurtin\' and I\'m worn out and I couldn\'t make the putts," he said, describing his final four holes.
Couples was thrilled with his 70. "I think the score I shot is phenomenal. I would have taken 70 before the round started.
Sahalee\'s difficulty took its toll on most of the field. As the day progressed, the green became very firm. "The greens really firmed up in the afternoon," Haas explained after he finished. "You have to be very precise."
The golf course got more difficult as it dried out after an overcast morning. Last year\'s Open saw defending champion Fred Funk finish 20-under par at Crooked Stick.
That is just a pipe dream at Sahalee. Funk, one of the game\'s most accurate drivers, opened with a 76.
Vaughan was very realistic about his performance. "It\'s just the first day," he said. "There is a lot of golf left and a lot of trouble out there for the next three days."
His success in the first round came with accuracy off the tee. He hit 12 of 14 fairways. "I hit a lot of 2-irons off the tee. You gotta hit it in the fairway and be patient."
Ashburn, VA, United States (AHN) - Despite reporting to theWashington Redskins down about 30 pounds from last season\'s playing weight, All Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth failed his conditioning test Thursday.
The 29-year-old Haynesworth, listed 6-6, 350 pounds, failed to nail the third test after passing the first two sets of the Redskins\' conditioning test, according to multiple reports.
The two-time All Pro and Pro Bowl selection was tasked to complete two sets of sprints with a break in between.
The purpose of the test is determine where Haynesworth stands physically after a period of down time.
He skipped all offseason work with the Redskins because he was unhappy with his part in the team\'s new 3-4 defensive scheme.
According to ESPN.com, coach Mike Shanahan asked for a third run, indicating Haynesworth had too much time between his first two sprints.
Haynesworth passed the second set of sprint as if it were the first, but failed to run a third 300-yard sprint in satisfactory time, ESPN.com reported.
As a result, Haynesworth, who was regarded as the most dominant at his position when he inked with the Redskins, was held out of Thursday\'s practice.
Haynesworth, who had been feuding with Shanahan since he became coach of the Redskins in January, reportedly indicated he could not have passed the third set even in his Pro Bowl seasons
To which Shanahan replied, "I guess you have never been in shape then," ProFootball Talk.com reported.
Shanahan, in a USA Today.com report, said he will allow Haynesworth to retake the test Friday. Haynesworth was the only player subjected to the tests Thursday.
Ashburn, VA, United States (AHN) - Despite reporting to theWashington Redskins down about 30 pounds from last season\'s playing weight, All Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth failed his conditioning test Thursday.
The 29-year-old Haynesworth, listed 6-6, 350 pounds, failed to nail the third test after passing the first two sets of the Redskins\' conditioning test, according to multiple reports.
The two-time All Pro and Pro Bowl selection was tasked to complete two sets of sprints with a break in between.
The purpose of the test is determine where Haynesworth stands physically after a period of down time.
He skipped all offseason work with the Redskins because he was unhappy with his part in the team\'s new 3-4 defensive scheme.
According to ESPN.com, coach Mike Shanahan asked for a third run, indicating Haynesworth had too much time between his first two sprints.
Haynesworth passed the second set of sprint as if it were the first, but failed to run a third 300-yard sprint in satisfactory time, ESPN.com reported.
As a result, Haynesworth, who was regarded as the most dominant at his position when he inked with the Redskins, was held out of Thursday\'s practice.
Haynesworth, who had been feuding with Shanahan since he became coach of the Redskins in January, reportedly indicated he could not have passed the third set even in his Pro Bowl seasons
To which Shanahan replied, "I guess you have never been in shape then," ProFootball Talk.com reported.
Shanahan, in a USA Today.com report, said he will allow Haynesworth to retake the test Friday. Haynesworth was the only player subjected to the tests Thursday.
White Sulphur Springs, WV, United States (AHN) - The most admired player on the PGA Tour is not a guy with the most wins or the most money. First round co-leader at the Greenbrier Classic is Erik Compton, the player with the most courage.
Compton is on his third heart. He has survived two heart transplants and has overcome physical and mental obstacles as he seeks to regain his PGA Tour card.
He took a big step in the right direction Thursday when he shot a seven-under par 63 at the Greenbrier Classic.
His effort for the day was matched by co-leader Matt Every, who finished late and managed just one birdie over his final nine holes to tie Compton at the top.
But is Compton who has touched so many with his personal story. His first transplant came at age 12 then again three years ago when he suffered a heart attack.
"I\'m supposed to miss cuts and shoot bad scores, it wasn\'t really the way it\'s been playing out," said Compton, who is playing this event on a sponsor\'s exemption.
"I know I\'m a good player and I have a lot of the adversity in front of me with the game and health. But I always feel like if I stick in there and keep trying, something eventually good is gonna happen."
A lot of good happened for him after he got past the third hole. His start gave no indication as to what would transpire for him.
He bogeyed the second and third holes to start but then played nine-under par golf over his final 15 holes.
"It\'s a good course for me," he said.
Compton also has his mind on helping someone else this week. He\'s got a good friend\'s brother carrying his bag and his caddy, Vic Bilskoog, aspires to go to the PGA Tour qualifying school
. "I\'m trying to get him enough money to go to tour school," Compton said. "I just kept trying to make birdies, we really enjoyed the day."
The day was interrupted for the afternoon players for about 90 minutes with lightning in the area, but no rain. Most of the low scores came in the morning.
A shot behind Compton and Every were Pat Perez, George McNeil and Jeff Overton at 64.
The old-style course, the Old White, was expected to yield birdies.
"There will be a lot of low scores," Compton predicted when he finished early.
They were low, but only Every equaled him.
Compton\'s plan for the rest of the tournament?
"You gotta keep firing at the flagsticks," he said with a heartfelt smile.
White Sulphur Springs, WV, United States (AHN) - The most admired player on the PGA Tour is not a guy with the most wins or the most money. First round co-leader at the Greenbrier Classic is Erik Compton, the player with the most courage.
Compton is on his third heart. He has survived two heart transplants and has overcome physical and mental obstacles as he seeks to regain his PGA Tour card.
He took a big step in the right direction Thursday when he shot a seven-under par 63 at the Greenbrier Classic.
His effort for the day was matched by co-leader Matt Every, who finished late and managed just one birdie over his final nine holes to tie Compton at the top.
But is Compton who has touched so many with his personal story. His first transplant came at age 12 then again three years ago when he suffered a heart attack.
"I\'m supposed to miss cuts and shoot bad scores, it wasn\'t really the way it\'s been playing out," said Compton, who is playing this event on a sponsor\'s exemption.
"I know I\'m a good player and I have a lot of the adversity in front of me with the game and health. But I always feel like if I stick in there and keep trying, something eventually good is gonna happen."
A lot of good happened for him after he got past the third hole. His start gave no indication as to what would transpire for him.
He bogeyed the second and third holes to start but then played nine-under par golf over his final 15 holes.
"It\'s a good course for me," he said.
Compton also has his mind on helping someone else this week. He\'s got a good friend\'s brother carrying his bag and his caddy, Vic Bilskoog, aspires to go to the PGA Tour qualifying school
. "I\'m trying to get him enough money to go to tour school," Compton said. "I just kept trying to make birdies, we really enjoyed the day."
The day was interrupted for the afternoon players for about 90 minutes with lightning in the area, but no rain. Most of the low scores came in the morning.
A shot behind Compton and Every were Pat Perez, George McNeil and Jeff Overton at 64.
The old-style course, the Old White, was expected to yield birdies.
"There will be a lot of low scores," Compton predicted when he finished early.
They were low, but only Every equaled him.
Compton\'s plan for the rest of the tournament?
"You gotta keep firing at the flagsticks," he said with a heartfelt smile.
San Francisco, CA, United States (AHN) - Anibal Sanchez tossed a one-hit shutout as the Florida Marlins routed the San Francisco Giants 5-0 Thursday, splitting a four-game set at AT&T Park.
It was the second career shutout and third complete game for Sanchez (8-6), who was perfect until the fifth inning.
The Marlins right-hander, who did not get a decision Saturday against Atlanta, allowed the Giants\' only hit—a Pablo Sandoval single, after Juan Uribe reached on a Jorge Cantu throwing error to start the fifth.
Sanchez walked only one batter and matched a career-high with eight strikeouts.
Mike Stanton hit a pair of RBI doubles, while Ronny Paulino also knocked in two runs for the Marlins, who have won 11 of their last 17 games.
Giants\' Madison Bumgarner (4-3) failed to notch his fifth straight victory, giving up three runs on six hits over six innings, while fellow rookie Buster Posey had his hitting streak snapped at 21 games.
Posey was trying to match a San Francisco rookie record of 22 games set by Hall of Famer Willie McCovey in 1959.
San Francisco has lost seven of its last eight games.
San Francisco, CA, United States (AHN) - Anibal Sanchez tossed a one-hit shutout as the Florida Marlins routed the San Francisco Giants 5-0 Thursday, splitting a four-game set at AT&T Park.
It was the second career shutout and third complete game for Sanchez (8-6), who was perfect until the fifth inning.
The Marlins right-hander, who did not get a decision Saturday against Atlanta, allowed the Giants\' only hit—a Pablo Sandoval single, after Juan Uribe reached on a Jorge Cantu throwing error to start the fifth.
Sanchez walked only one batter and matched a career-high with eight strikeouts.
Mike Stanton hit a pair of RBI doubles, while Ronny Paulino also knocked in two runs for the Marlins, who have won 11 of their last 17 games.
Giants\' Madison Bumgarner (4-3) failed to notch his fifth straight victory, giving up three runs on six hits over six innings, while fellow rookie Buster Posey had his hitting streak snapped at 21 games.
Posey was trying to match a San Francisco rookie record of 22 games set by Hall of Famer Willie McCovey in 1959.
San Francisco has lost seven of its last eight games.
St. Petersburg, FL, United States (AHN) - Dave Price allowed seven hits and two walks over 6 1-3 innings, leading the Tampa Bay Rays to a 4-2 win over the Detroit Tigers Thursday afternoon.
Carlos Pena drove in all four Rays runs, and had three of his team\'s six hits, with a solo homer and a pair of run-scoring singles.
Pena started his assault with a homer to deep right in the second, added a two-run single in the third and knocked in his fourth run with another single in the eighth.
Price, meanwhile, was stellar on the hill in recording nine strikeouts and reducing his season ERA to 2.90.
Randy Choate notched his 10th hold of the season and Dan Wheeler was perfect in the eighth and ninth frames to pick up his second save.
Ramon Santiago and Will Rhymes had two hits each for the Tigers, but Detroit\'s 3-to-7 hitters went just 2-for-18 and fanned eight times.
Tigers starter Rick Porcello fell to 4-9 after giving up four runs on just five hits over 7 1-3 innings.
St. Petersburg, FL, United States (AHN) - Dave Price allowed seven hits and two walks over 6 1-3 innings, leading the Tampa Bay Rays to a 4-2 win over the Detroit Tigers Thursday afternoon.
Carlos Pena drove in all four Rays runs, and had three of his team\'s six hits, with a solo homer and a pair of run-scoring singles.
Pena started his assault with a homer to deep right in the second, added a two-run single in the third and knocked in his fourth run with another single in the eighth.
Price, meanwhile, was stellar on the hill in recording nine strikeouts and reducing his season ERA to 2.90.
Randy Choate notched his 10th hold of the season and Dan Wheeler was perfect in the eighth and ninth frames to pick up his second save.
Ramon Santiago and Will Rhymes had two hits each for the Tigers, but Detroit\'s 3-to-7 hitters went just 2-for-18 and fanned eight times.
Tigers starter Rick Porcello fell to 4-9 after giving up four runs on just five hits over 7 1-3 innings.