Nadal continues feats on clay
BARCELONA April 27 (UPI) -- Rafael Nadal, looking for his third consecutive Open Seat title, posted a quarterfinal victory at the clay-court tournament in Spain.
Nadal Friday won his 70th consecutive match on a clay court and advanced to the semifinals of the $1 million Seat Open with a 6-2, 7-5, win over Potito Starace. He had his serve broken in the second set -- the first time that has happened this week.
The world's No. 2-ranked tennis player hasn't lost a clay-court match in more than two years, a span that covers two French Open, two Open Seat and three Monte Carlo titles. He goes against David Ferrer in Saturday's semifinals.
Ferrer, the tournament's fifth-seeded, defeated No. 4 David Nalbandian 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 Friday.
Second-seeded Nikolay Davydenko withdrew because of a wrist injury, giving Guillermo Canas a walkover into the semifinals. Canas is to meet Agustin Calleri, who cruised to a 6-0, 6-3 winner Friday over Oscar Hernandez, in the other semifinal Saturday.
Three top seeds bumped from Morocco
CASABLANCA April 27 (UPI) -- Top-seeds Dominik Hrbaty and Jose Acasuso were upset Friday in quarterfinal play at the $400,000 Grand Prix Hassan II tennis tournament in Morocco.
Hrbaty, a finalist in the tournament in 2004 and the No. 1 seed this week, was dumped by Albert Montanes, who won 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 in the clay-court event. No. 2-seeded Acasuso was also ousted in straight sets, losing to Paul-Henri Mathieu 7-6 (7-5), 6-4.
The tournament's No. 3 seed also fell Friday, although Julien Benneteau's defeat at the hands of fifth-seeded Marc Gicquel wasn't a huge upset. Gicquel won 3-6, 6-1, 6-1.
The fourth quarterfinal Friday saw Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo beat Sebastien Grosjean 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3).
Saturday's semifinals send Gicquel against Mathieu and Montanes against Ramirez Hidalgo.
Bears and Redskins talk of trades
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 27 (UPI) -- The Chicago Bears and Washington Redskins are reportedly in talks about trading Bears linebacker Lance Briggs to the Redskins.
A source close to the situation said that although the trade is not final, there is about a "50-50" chance that it could be completed before Washington makes a draft selection Saturday, The Washington Post reported.
The source, who asked to remain anonymous, also told the Post that the teams may swap first-round draft picks, with the Bears receiving Washington's sixth overall selection in return for Chicago's 31st pick.
Briggs, who is a two-time Pro Bowl linebacker, has been in a contract dispute with Chicago since the Bears lost to Indianapolis in the Super Bowl. Chicago designated Briggs its franchise player, meaning he could be given a one-year contract. Briggs was reportedly seeking a long-term deal.
But, Redskins Coach Joe Gibbs told the Post that for every 100 trades discussed between teams one actually gets finalized.
Tie Domi not punished for verbal attack
TORONTO, Ontario, April 27 (UPI) -- The Greater Toronto Hockey League won't punish former NHL star Tie Domi for verbally assaulting his son's hockey coach.
The coach of the Toronto Marlboro's minor peewee AAA team, Lucas Miller, was reportedly "scared" by Domi's actions and filed a complaint with the league, the Toronto Star reported Friday.
But, the League issued a statement that said, while it was "unacceptable," Domi's behavior was not serious enough to warrant banning Domi from future GTHL games.
Hockey Canada has a rule that states that any spectator or parent whose actions are deemed disruptive may be banned for a period of time. Usually when a parent has been banned, the incident has involved physical aggression displayed toward officials, the Star said.
Domi's case is significant because he is a former NHL player.
"It has become a media circus blown far out of proportion because of who Domi is," said GTHL president John Gardner. "The board has determined the situation closed and no further comment will be made."
