By wire sources
Judge will decide on moving Syracuse slander suit
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A judge said he’ll likely rule by today whether to move a slander case against Syracuse University and its head basketball coach to Syracuse from a New York City court, where the defendants say they can’t get a fair trial.
State Supreme Court Justice Brian DeJoseph heard arguments Tuesday in Syracuse on moving the trial location for the defamation lawsuit bought by former ball boys Bobby Davis and Michael Lang. The pair claims Coach Jim Boeheim defamed them by saying they were out for money after their allegations of abuse by former assistant coach Bernie Fine surfaced in November.
Lawyers for Boeheim and the university want the case moved to Syracuse, partly because none of the parties lives in New York City. Lawyers for plaintiffs claim the two men can’t get a fair trial in Syracuse because Boeheim and his program are so popular locally.
Auburn women’s hoops coach Nell Fortner resigns
AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn women’s basketball coach Nell Fortner, who led the U.S. National team to an Olympic gold medal in 2000, is resigning after the season.
She has gone 143-105 in eight seasons at Auburn, but the Tigers (11-16, 3-11 Southeastern Conference) have lost five straight games and struggled since winning the 2008-09 league title.
The Tigers close out the regular season this week at home against Alabama and Mississippi.
Ivanovic beats Schiavone 6-1, 7-5 in Dubai
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Ana Ivanovic defeated Francesca Schiavone 6-1, 7-5 Tuesday to advance to the second round of the Dubai Tennis Championships.
Peng Shuai of China ousted six-seeded Marion Bartoli 6-4, 6-3, winning six straight games to wrap up the final set.
Ivanovic breezed through the first set, holding her Italian opponent to just one game in 33 minutes. Schiavone made it competitive in the second set but was no match for the 24-year-old Serb.
Also, fifth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland advanced after defeating Aleksandra Wozniak of Canada 6-1, 6-7 (6), 7-5.
Isner advances to second round in Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Top seed John Isner, playing for the first time since helping the U.S. defeat Switzerland in the Davis Cup, defeated Gilles Muller of Luxembourg, 7-6 (1), 7-6 (4) in the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships on Tuesday.
Isner, ranked a career-best No. 13 in the world, overpowered Muller with 26 aces, including five in the two tiebreakers. Isner also won 96 percent of his first-serve points. The 26-year-old advanced to the second round, where he’ll oppose American Donald Young.
Davydenko reaches second round in France
MARSEILLE, France — Nikolay Davydenko had nine aces and didn’t face a break point in a 6-1, 7-5 victory Tuesday over Andreas Beck of Germany to reach the second round of the Open 13.
Davydenko will face fourth-seeded Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina for a place in the quarterfinals.
Fifth-seeded Richard Gasquet advanced with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Go Soeda. Gasquet next plays Russia’s Igor Kunitsyn, who beat Spain’s Roberto Bautista-Agut 6-4, 6-4.
By wire sources