Federer, Davydenko reach U.S. Open semis
FLUSHING MEADOWS, N.Y., Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Top seed Roger Federer and No. 7 Nikolay Davydenko won their matches Thursday night to advance to the semifinals at the U.S. Open in Flushing Meadows, N.Y.
Reigning two-time champion Federer of Switzerland beat fifth-seeded American James Blake, 7-6 (9-7), 6-0, 6-7 (9-11), 6-4, in Thursday's quarterfinal round, to set up a semifinal match Saturday against Davydenko.
Davydenko rallied Thursday to beat No. 14 Tommy Haas of Germany, 4-6, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, in a match that lasted almost four hours.
He will be appearing in his second career Grand Slam semifinal. He also reached the semis at the 2005 French Open.
The other men's semifinal will feature ninth-seeded American Andy Roddick and unseeded Russian Mikhail Youzhny.
Roddick topped 15th seed Australian Lleyton Hewitt Wednesday, while Youzhny upset second-seeded Rafael Nadal of Spain in the quarterfinals.
Brandon Backe undergoes elbow surgery
HOUSTON, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Houston Astros right-hander Brandon Backe Thursday underwent successful elbow reconstruction surgery in Birmingham, Ala., the team said on its Web site.
The 28-year-old Backe is expected to need 12-18 months rehabilitation time.
He was placed on the 15-day disabled list Aug. 19.
"The realistic thought would be to be ready to go for Spring Training in 2008," Backe said on the team's Web site.
The "Tommy John" surgery was performed by Dr. James Andrews Thursday morning.
In eight starts this season, Backe was 3-2 with a 3.77 ERA in 43 innings. He had 18 walks and 19 strikeouts.
In his brief career, Backe is 19-14 with an ERA of 4.71.
Pau Gasol to have foot surgery
MEMPHIS, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- The NBA Memphis Grizzlies Thursday announced forward Pau Gasol will undergo surgery on Friday to repair a broken bone in his left foot.
The 7-footer suffered the injury while playing for his native Spain in the World Basketball Championships last month.
On its Web site, the team said it would issue a statement on his condition after the procedure.
Gasol told the Commercial Appeal he expected to be ready for the start of training camp in late September.
"I know it won't be easy," Gasol told the newspaper from Barcelona. "I know it's a process. But I always try to be positive. I want to be back and helping my team before training camp is over. I know I'm going to have to work hard on my rehab. But I'm going to do whatever it takes. That's why I'm coming back so quickly to have the surgery."
Last season, Gasol averaged 20.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per contest.
Warriors top pick has a broken foot
OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Golden State Warriors first-round draft pick Patrick O'Bryant has a broken right foot and will miss up to six weeks, the team said in Oakland, Calif.
The team announced the injury Thursday in a statement on its Web site.
The seven-foot, 249-pound O'Bryant, a center from Bradley, suffered the injury during a scrimmage in Las Vegas in late August.
He is wearing an immobilizing boot and will not need surgery.
Last season, he was the Defensive Player of the Year in the Missouri Valley Conference, when he had per game averages of 13.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.9 blocked shots.
He skipped his final two years of college eligibility, ending his career at Bradley as the school's third all-time leader in blocked shots and was second all-time in field goal percentage.
Furyk among Canadian Open leaders
ANCASTER, Ontario, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Jim Furyk and Justin Rose are co-leaders after the first round of the PGA Tour's Canadian Open at Ancaster, Ontario.
In Thursday's opening round, both players shot 9-under 63.
"I heard coming up here how good the (Hamilton Golf & Country Club) course was and I think it definitely met expectations," said Furyk, who is playing this tournament for the first time since 1999. "It's a very good one."
The score by Furyk and Rose bettered the former course record 8-under 64, set by Tommy Armour in 1930.
"I feel like I'm playing a little better," said Rose, who tied for fourth place at last week's Deutsche Bank Championship.
Brandt Jobe, Frank Lickliter II and Nathan Green are tied for third at 6-under 64.
Sean O'Hair and four others are tied for sixth at 5-under 65.
Defending champion Mark Calcavecchia is tied for 11th place at 4-under 66.
