NEW YORK (AP) — Finished with a mostly matter-of-fact victory in the U.S. Open’s third round Friday, defending champion Serena Williams switched into a yellow T-shirt with this bit of wisdom in blue script: “Can’t spell dynasty without nasty.” Asked about it, Williams took the chance to push a sponsor’s new clothing line. Moments later, […]

NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — Mike Skinner will see a little bit of his own history flash before his eyes when he races at the Iowa Speedway on Saturday night. Skinner won the first NASCAR Truck Series championship in 1995 driving the No. 3 Chevrolet Silverado for Richard Childress Racing. Childress’ grandson, Austin Dillon, will bring […]

BOSTON (AP) — After four decades as an assistant coach and coordinator, Frank Spaziani is finally in charge at Boston College. For real, this time. Spaziani, who was promoted from defensive coordinator after Jeff Jagodzinski was fired, actually coached BC in a 2006 bowl game after Tom O’Brien left for North Carolina State. With the […]

GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — China captain Zheng Zhi has been granted a permit to play for Celtic. The 29-year-old striker signed a two-year contract to play for the Hoops but needed clearance to complete the move. Celtic announced on Friday that Zheng, who can also play in midfield, received an endorsement from the Scottish Football […]

SANDY, Utah (AP) — The United States is not quite in second place and barely ahead of fourth in regional qualifying for the World Cup. Points are precious with only four games remaining in CONCACAF and a very slim margin between being in or out of next year’s tournament in South Africa. The Americans host […]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre was fined $10,000 by the NFL on Friday for his crack-back block on Houston defensive back Eugene Wilson in a preseason game. The play happened on Monday night at Houston in Favre’s first extensive action since he signed with the Vikings on Aug. 18. The 39-year-old lined […]

NORTON, Mass. (AP) — Steve Stricker birdied his first two holes, and Tiger Woods could see what was coming. Walking to the next tee Friday at the TPC Boston, Woods said to his caddie, “He’s going to shoot 62.” Woods’ instincts were off by one. Stricker shot 63. With superb command of his driver and […]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Royals manager Trey Hillman will be back next season. Hillman, in his second year as Royals manager, learned this week that general manager Dayton Moore wants him back in 2010 despite the team’s struggles this year. Kansas City opened the season 18-11 and had a three-game lead in […]

BOSTON (AP) — Boston Bruins coach Claude Julien, who led the team to the highest point total in the Eastern Conference last season, agreed to a multiyear contract extension. The team made the announcement Friday. Julien led the Bruins to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons in Boston. Last season, he led […]

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Undrafted rookie quarterback Brian Hoyer is Tom Brady’s only backup, at least for now. The New England Patriots trimmed their quarterbacks to two on the depth chart by releasing Andrew Walter on Friday. Walter, signed by the Patriots on Aug. 3 four days after he was waived by Oakland, appeared to […]