Djokovic pushed to three sets in Dubai
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Top-seeded Novak Djokovic was pushed to a third set Wednesday but survived to make the quarterfinals of the $2.23 million Dubai Tennis Championships.
Djokovic, who said he didn't play well in his first-round match, actually won fewer points in the second round than Jan Hernych but escaped with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 win. Djokovic got just 55 percent of his first serves in and the match was in doubt until he broke Hernych's serve in the final game.
Five other seeded players advanced to Thursday's quarterfinals with most having a relatively easy time of it.
Second-seeded Andy Murray improved to 15-1 on the year with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Arnaud Clement while third-seeded Gilles Simon ran by Teimuraz Gabashvili 6-1, 6-3 and No. 4-seeded David Ferrer stopped Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 6-2.
Fifth-seeded Marin Cilic and No. 6-seeded Igor Andreev each went three sets with Cilic defeating Julien Benneteau 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 and Andreev winning 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 over Dmitry Tursunov. Also Richard Gasquet beat Simon Bolelli 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) and Fabrice Santoro got past Marco Chiudinelli 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-1).
Djokovic draws Cilic in Thursday's quarterfinals while Murray goes against Gasquet. Simon plays Santoro and Ferrer meets Andreev in the other matches.
New Jersey activates Brodeur
NEWARK, N.J., Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Veteran goaltender Martin Brodeur, who has missed four months of play, was activated off injured reserve Wednesday by the NHL's New Jersey Devils.
Brodeur, in his 16th NHL season, hasn't played since early November when he underwent surgery to repair a torn distal biceps tendon in his left elbow. He could be back on the ice as soon as Thursday when the Devils play Colorado.
Brodeur has won the Vezina Trophy, given each year to the NHL's top goaltender, four times and returns to the roster close to some all-time league records. He is seven wins short of Patrick Roy's record of 551 and five shutouts off the record 103 set by Terry Sawchuk.
Scott Clemmensen had filled in for Brodeur and was 25-13-1 with a 2.39 goals-against average and two shutouts in 40 games. He was assigned to Lowell of the American Hockey League to make room on the roster for Brodeur.
NFL chief cuts annual salary
NEW YORK, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell took a 20 percent pay cut Wednesday because of the poor condition of the U.S. economy.
It is the latest in a series of cost-cutting move made by the league's New York headquarters, NFL Films in Mount Laurel, N.J., and the NFL Network and NFL.com, both located in Los Angeles.
Goodell was to receive about $11 million in salary and bonuses this year. Last month, he decided not to take an increase to his annual compensation as part of the league-wide salary freeze for employees, despite a contract that said he is entitled to an automatic pay raise.
"These and other steps by our office and clubs will enable us to be more efficient and better positioned for future growth," said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello.
A total of 76 employees have accepted voluntary separation package, 45 positions were eliminated and 48 open positions won't be filled.
Additionally, the league estimated that as many 12 franchises have laid off about a combined 200 people in the past few months.
Caps develop Web site for women
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- The Washington Capitals have formed the NHL's first Web site aimed at their growing female fan base.
The team said in a statement that ScarletCaps.com, or Club Scarlett, is designed to provide more information, events and networking opportunities for its female fans and follows its annual Hockey 'n Heels event, which sold out in 24 hours last Saturday.
"We have a large and passionate female fan base and, like the rest of our audience, it is growing," Capitals Senior Manager of Fan Development Kim Frank said on the team's Web site. "Women have been underserved in traditional sports experiences and coverage and Club Scarlet will provide a customized outlet where our female fans can express their passion for the Caps year round."
The Washington Post reported that the group changed its original name, "Club Vermilion," yearly membership dues can be paid only with dollar bills and its members will all be given special club names.
