Federer leads winners at Wimbledon
LONDON, June 22 (UPI) -- Two-time defending champion Roger Federer was among the winners Wednesday at Wimbledon.
Federer, the top-ranked men's player in the world, ran his winning streak in Wimbledon matches to 16 with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-1 victory over Ivo Minar of Czechoslovakia.
He fired 29 winners in the rout with only 14 unforced errors, nine aces and four breaks of Minar's serve.
Among other men's winners were former champion Lleyton Hewitt, reigning Australian Open winner Marat Safin, and former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Women's winners included current world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport, Amelie Mauresmo, Kim Clijsters and U.S. Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Terry Porter fired by Milwaukee Bucks
MILWAUKEE, June 22 (UPI) -- Terry Porter was fired Wednesday as coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.
In two seasons, he posted a record of 71-93 including a mark of 30-52 this past season.
In announcing the firing, General Manager Larry Harris said the club will honor the terms of the final year of Porter's contract. He was hired as the Bucks' eighth head coach on Aug. 6, 2003.
"The past six weeks have been consumed by my continued evaluation of our coaching situation and the basketball challenges going into the new season," said Harris. "I have concluded after much thought that we need to go in a new direction with respect to the head coaching position. My job is to make our team the very best it can be and that often means making difficult decisions such as this one."
During a 17-year playing career, Porter played in 1,274 games and averaged 12.2 points per contest.
Chad Morton signs with New England
FOXBORO, Mass., June 22 (UPI) -- Running back-return man Chad Morton has agreed to a one-year deal with the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots worth a reported $600,000.
The six-year veteran was released by Washington on June 3 after spending the last two seasons with the Redskins. He missed half the 2004 campaign because of a torn ligament in his left knee.
In eight games in 2004, Morton had a 6.2-yard return average on 13 punts and a 22.4-yard return average on 16 kickoffs. Overall, he had 44 kickoff returns for a 23.4-yard return average and had 19 punt returns for a 9.9-yard return average.
In 2002, he averaged 26 yards per kickoff return, and returned two for touchdowns for the New York Jets. He also had visits with San Francisco, Minnesota and Oakland.
Rangers, Astacio part ways
ARLINGTON, Texas, June 22 (UPI) -- Right-hander Pedro Astacio has been released by the Texas Rangers.
He had been designated for assignment to Triple-A Oklahoma last Friday and was released after clearing waivers.
"When we signed him, we hoped he could give us enough innings or regain his form," said Manager Bob Melvin. "Pedro pitched some good games for us, but not at the level that he needs to pitch."
The Rangers had 10 days to release Astacio outright or trade him. The Dallas Morning News reported the team has decided to eat the remainder of his approximately $950,000 in salary and bonuses.
The 14-year veteran is 120-117 with a 4.66 ERA in 363 games while pitching for the Rockies, Astros, Mets and Red Sox.
Astacio had struggled this season, going just 2-8 in 12 starts with a 6.04 ERA and had lost seven of his last eight decisions.
