Roethlisberger decision expected Monday
MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga., April 9 (UPI) -- Georgia prosecutors said they will announce Monday if sexual assault charges will be filed against Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit District Attorney Fredric Bright said his office has reviewed the case against Roethlisberger, who is accused of sexual assault against a 20-year-old woman at a Milledgeville, Ga., club March 5.
"The investigation, interviews and report in the Roethlisberger matter have been completed and reviewed," Bright said Friday. "We will be announcing the decision in this case in a news conference to be held on Monday, April 12, 2010, at 2 p.m. (EDT) in the Baldwin County Courthouse."
An attorney for Roethlisberger, who owns a home in Greensboro, Ga., said his client denies the accusation.
Roethlisberger was previously accused of sexually assaulting a 30-year-old woman at a Nevada hotel in 2008. No criminal charges were filed in that case.
Personal Ensign dead at 26
PARIS, Ky., April 9 (UPI) -- Eclipse Award winner Personal Ensign, the 1988 champion of the Breeders' Cup, died at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Ky., the Phipps family announced. She was 26.
The filly, owned owned by Ogden Phipps, died Thursday at the farm where Easy Goer, Private Account, Numbered Account and Relaxing are buried.
Personal Ensign, trained by Shug McGaughey, was the daughter of Private Account and Grecian Banner and produced three Grade 1 stakes winners from 11 foals.
"Personal Ensign was the first Breeders' Cup winner for my grandfather and for Shug and she was just a very special horse to everyone in our family," said Daisy Phipps Pulito. "After her racing career ended, she was a big part of our broodmare operation. It's a very sad day for all of us."
McGaughey called Personal Ensign "a wonderful filly."
"She certainly was one of my all-time favorites. She was a career-maker," he said. Personal Ensign won all 13 of her career starts, including the 1988 Breeders' Cup Distaff at Churchill Downs, where she came from behind to beat Kentucky Derby winner Winning Colors by a nose in what often is cited as one of the most dramatic races in Breeders' Cup history. She also won the Beldame Stakes twice, the Hempstead Handicap and the Maskette Award.
Spurs' Ginobili gets contract extension
SAN ANTONIO, April 9 (UPI) -- Guard Manu Ginobili, who has averaged 15 points a game in eight years with the San Antonio Spurs, has been given a multiyear contract extension, the team said.
The Spurs did not disclose terms of the deal.
"It is quite obvious how important Manu has been to our program," Coach Gregg Popovich said. "It is a great feeling to know that one of the best players in the world will continue to be a Spur."
The 32-year-old Ginobili has played in 550 games with the Spurs and helped them win three league championships.
The NBA named him Sixth Man of the Year in 2008.
Ginobili has averaged 16.5 points, 4.9 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 72 games this season.
The numbers are close to his career stats of 15 points, 3.7 assists and four rebounds per game.
Ginobili, a native of Argentina, has connected on 801 3-point shots in 2,125 attempts.
No. 1 seed wins in U.S. Clay Court
HOUSTON, April 9 (UPI) -- Top-seed Fernando Gonzalez and former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt reached the quarterfinals Thursday at the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship.
Second-seeded John Isner, however, was an upset victim.
Hewitt, seeded fourth and the defending champion, survived against Somdev Devvarman 1-6, 6-0, 7-6 (7-2). Gonzales eliminated Kevin Anderson 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
Hewitt is playing for the first time since late January after undergoing surgery on his right hip. He will meet Juan Ignacio Chela in the quarterfinals.
Isner fell to Xavier Malisse 7-6 (7-3), 6-7 (7-9), 7-6 (7-3) in a match that lasted 2 1/2 hours.
Third-seeded Sam Querrey reached the quarterfinals with a 6-2, 6-1 decision over Blaz Kavcic and will face Nicolas Massu in the next round.
