Federer again sharp in second-round win
LONDON, June 27 (UPI) -- Roger Federer posted another solid performance in advancing to the third round at Wimbledon with a straight-set win Wednesday.
Federer, playing the day's first match on Center Court, finished off a 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 win over Fabio Fognini before rain hit.
The rain caused a suspension of play across Wimbledon. Officials ordered the roof over Center Court closed, which means world No. 1 Novak Djokovic should get his second round match versus Ryan Harrison in later Wednesday.
The players in the bulk of the 16-match men's schedule, however, were forced to wait out the rain.
Federer needed just 74 minutes in dispatching Fognini. He had eight unforced errors and didn't have to deal with a break point. Federer won 80 percent of the points on serve.
Other second-round matches completed before the rain saw 15th-seeded Juan Monaco stop Jeremy Chardy 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (9-7) and No. 31 Florian Mayer defeat Philipp Petzschner 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.
In first-round play, from matches suspended Tuesday, seventh-seeded David Ferrer topped Dustin Brown 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, 6-4 without dropping serve while No. 21-seeded Milos Raonic defeated Santiago Giraldo 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Jurgen Melzer ousted 25th-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka 3-6, 7-6 (7-2), 2-6, 6-4, 8-6.
Other first-round winners were Bjorn Phau and Lukasz Kubot.
Bird steps down as Pacers' president
INDIANAPOLIS, June 27 (UPI) -- Larry Bird resigned Wednesday as president of the Indiana Pacers, two months after being named NBA Executive of the Year.
It had been reported through the week that Bird was leaving the Pacers and would likely be replaced by Donnie Walsh, who was team president before Bird. The team confirmed Wednesday that Walsh was returning to his former position.
Bird said he would remain with the team through Thursday's NBA's draft. Indiana has the 26th overall selection.
Bird said he decided to step down as team president in part because of health issues concerning his back and shoulder.
Bird had a Hall of Fame career as an NBA player with the Boston Celtics. He coached the Pacers from 1997-2000, posting a 147-67 record and taking the team once to the NBA finals and two other times to the conference finals.
The team went 42-24 this past season, which was second in the NBA Central Division and the third-best record in the Eastern Conference. That led to Bird being voted NBA Executive of the Year.
The Pacers also said Kevin Pritchard, previously director of player personnel, was being promoted to general manager. David Morway resigned that post Tuesday. Pritchard served from 2007-10 as general manager of the Portland Trail Blazers.
Krueger to coach Edmonton Oilers
EDMONTON, Alberta, June 27 (UPI) -- Ralph Krueger, who has been the team's associate coach for two seasons, has been promoted to head coach for the Edmonton Oilers, the NHL team said Wednesday.
Krueger's head coaching experience comprises a lengthy tenure as coach of the Swiss men's national ice hockey team. That team finished sixth in the 2006 Olympics in Italy. Most of his playing career was in Europe.
He was hired as associate coach for the Oilers in 2010.
"On hockey's world stage, Coach Krueger exhibited his poise and experience behind the bench to help the Suisse Team overachieve in Torino. This is an example of the type of leadership Ralph will bring to Edmonton," General Manager Steve Tambellini said.
Edmonton is coming off a season in which the Oilers went 32-40-10 for 74 points, which was second-lowest in the NHL. Coach Tom Renney was told in May that his contract wouldn't be renewed. He'd coached in Edmonton for two seasons.
Nationwide Tour to become Web.com Tour
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla., June 27 (UPI) -- The PGA Tour's developmental arm got a new name Wednesday, changing from the Nationwide Tour to the Web.com Tour.
The Internet and online marketing company will be the tour's primary sponsor for the next decade, taking over from Nationwide Insurance, which had sponsored the tour since 2003.
Beginning next year, the tour will double the number of players who are given PGA Tour memberships at the end of the season from 25 to 50.
"In addition to the quality of play, the standard of our tournaments has been significantly elevated to the point that today the tour truly is an extension of the PGA Tour in every way," Bill Calfee, president of the Web.com Tour, said. "Now, with an outstanding new umbrella sponsor in Web.com and the new PGA Tour qualifying changes that will award all 50 new cards through our final three tournaments, the Web.com Tour is poised to continue to shape and strengthen the future of the PGA Tour."
