Briefs | ATP executive de Villiers supports betting probe

Tennis

Head of men's Tour vows to use "all means available" for investigation: Underlining the importance of protecting the sport's "appeal and integrity," the head of the men's pro Tour promised Saturday to use "all means available" for an investigation into suspicious betting on a match involving No. 4-ranked Nikolay Davydenko of Russia.

Etienne de Villiers, ATP executive chairman, said in an e-mail to The Associated Press that "independent, external resources" would be used to look into why a British online gambling company received about $7 million in wagers on the match, roughly 10 times the usual amount.

Most of the money was on No. 87 Martin Vassallo Arguello of Argentina to win — and some bets were placed after he lost the first set to Davydenko.

The gambling company, Betfair, voided all bets on the second-round match on clay in Sopot, Poland. Davydenko wound up winning the second set, then retiring in the third set because of a foot injury.

Davydenko's agent, Eckhard Oehms, said his client was "flabbergasted" when told about the suspicious betting.

"Neither Nikolay nor his coach nor me nor anybody out of our entourage has been involved in this," Oehms said.

Sharapova overpowers Chakvetadze: Maria Sharapova used a big first serve to reach today's final of the Acura Classic by defeating fellow Russian Anna Chakvetadze 6-3, 6-2 in Carlsbad, Calif.

Sharapova ended Chakvetadze's winning streak at 12.

Sharapova will face Patty Schnyder of Switzerland in the final. Schnyder beat Elena Dementieva of Russia 7-6, 6-0 in the other semifinal.

Roddick reaches final: American Andy Roddick outlasted Ivo Karlovic of Croatia 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-5) to reach today's final of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington, D.C.

Roddick will play American John Isner for the title.

College football

Gators open camp today: Defending national champion Florida begins practice today with a mere 20 upperclassmen — 10 seniors and 10 juniors — and a defense that returns two starters.

Gators coach Urban Meyer said the key to a successful season will be identifying sophomores and freshmen who are willing to accept leadership roles.

"If we can do it, we'll be a really good team," Meyer said. "That's a concern. How you find, how you develop it — that's the secret. I don't know where we are with that. I have concerns.

"I like the guys. I just need to see how they're going to react to tough situations."

Equestrian

Rider dies after fall at German Championships: Equestrian rider Tina Richter-Vietor, 32, died after falling from her horse, Paulchen Panther, at the German Championships in Schenefeld.

The German Championships competition was canceled, except for one jump event today.

Running

Teen dies: John Bruner, a Georgia College and State University runner, collapsed near the end of the Missionary Ridge Road Race in Chattanooga, Tenn., and died at a hospital. He was 19.

Bruner's parents also competed in the 4.7-mile race that is a fundraiser for the American Red Cross.

Diving

Wilkinson smashes 400 barrier: Texan Laura Wilkinson, 29, scored 422.30 points for a round of five dives to win the 10-meter platform event at the national championships in Stanford, Calif. It was the first time she has reached the 400-point level.

Wilkinson and Jessica Livingston, 21, combined to win the 10-meter synchronized title.

Boxing

Diaz defeats Morales: WBC lightweight champion David Diaz of Chicago kept his title with a unanimous decision over Erik Morales of Mexico in a 12-round bout in Rosemont, Ill.

Morales, 30, said he will retire. "I've taken far too many punches, particularly to the head area," he said.

Seattle Times news services