Federer needs 83 minutes to advance
MELBOURNE, Australia, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- World No. 1 Roger Federer needed only 83 minutes Monday to reach the second round of the 2006 Australian Open.
The Swiss star knocked off qualifier Denis Istomin in second-day action at the season's first Grand Slam event, rolling to a 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 victory.
Federer, 24, reigning Wimbledon and U.S. Open champ, lost a five-set battle to eventual champion Marat Safin in last year's Australian Open semifinals. Safin withdrew from this year's tournament last week due to an ongoing knee injury.
Belgian Olivier Rochus was also an easy winner in his first-round bout, as he beat France's Michael Llodra 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.
LSU all-star safety returning as senior
BATON ROUGE, La., Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Louisiana State University safety LaRon Landry announced Monday that he will return for his senior season.
The three-time all-Southeastern Conference defensive back registered 69 tackles and had a team-high three interceptions for the 10th-ranked Tigers this past season.
"I'm thrilled with LaRon's decision to return to LSU," said Coach Les Miles. "LaRon has obviously accomplished a great deal during his career, but he feels as if there is still more to do, both on the field and in the classroom."
Landry led the Tigers in tackles as a freshman and for his career has 241 tackles, seven sacks and nine interceptions.
Austrians honor 1931 British skiing champ
KITZBUHEL, Austria, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- The organizers of Austria's Hahnenkamm, a tough combination slalom and downhill race, have named a cup after the only British skier to win the event.
The Hahnenkamm is said to be the toughest event in the World Cup.
Gordon "Mouse" Cleaver, who later became a decorated pilot in World War II, was the 1931 champion at Kitzbuhel, the Telegraph reports. This year, to mark the 75th anniversary of his skiing triumph and of the Hahnenkamm, the top British skier will win the Cleaver Cup.
Cleaver and other upper class Britons who became interested in alpine skiing in the 1930s helped to make the sport popular. He convinced Austrians that the British must have an over-supply of brilliant skiers since he was not even on the national team.
Dungy expects to coach Colts next season
INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy, disappointed by a 21-18 loss to Pittsburgh Sunday, Monday said he's "pretty sure" he will return next season.
The Colts faltered after a 13-0 start and finished the 2005-06 campaign with a 14-3 record. The Super Bowl favorites were knocked out of the playoffs by the Steelers despite home-field advantage.
"You have to resist the idea that something needs to be overhauled, and I think we'll do that," Dungy told the Indianapolis Star after meeting with players a final time. "If they ask me back, I'm pretty sure I'll be back."
Dungy, whose 18-year-old son James died Dec. 22 in Florida of an apparent suicide, agreed to extend his contract through 2009 during the off-season.
"That's one of maybe the blessings in my son's situation that really puts everything in perspective," he said. "You lose a game and I'm sure I'll get over this a lot faster than I'll get over my son."
