By wire sources Martin nabs pole at Phoenix ADVERTISING AVONDALE, Ariz. — Veteran Mark Martin will start on the pole at Phoenix International Raceway. Regan Smith was in line for his first career pole, but Martin passed him late in
Martin nabs pole at Phoenix
AVONDALE, Ariz. — Veteran Mark Martin will start on the pole at Phoenix International Raceway.
Regan Smith was in line for his first career pole, but Martin passed him late in Saturday’s qualifying session with a top speed of 136.81 mph for his 52nd career pole.
Defending Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart also beat Smith’s time with the last qualifying run of the day and will start on the front row in Sunday’s 312-mile race.
Five-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, coming off a rough run at the Daytona 500, will start fourth, next to Smith on the second row.
Daytona 500 winner Matt Kenseth was 26th in qualifying.
Sadler ends Nationwide winless drought
AVONDALE, Ariz. — Elliott Sadler took the lead after a late caution and held on down the stretch to win his first Nationwide race in 14 years at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday.
A former full-time driver in the Sprint Cup series, Sadler started eighth and didn’t get near the lead until the end of the race. He passed Brad Keselowski after a caution with 33 laps left and wasn’t really challenged on the way to his sixth career Nationwide win.
Keselowski finished second and defending series champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was third. Kevin Harvick led the most laps but finished fifth behind Austin Dillon.
Maybin, Padres agree to $25 million, 5-year deal
PEORIA, Ariz. — Outfielder Cameron Maybin and the San Diego Padres have agreed to a $25 million, five-year contract.
The 24-year-old Maybin was acquired in November 2010 from the Marlins for two relief pitchers.
He was selected the team’s most valuable player in 2011 after he hit .264 with nine homers and 40 RBIs and stole 40 bases in a career-high 137 games.
Hsieh reaches Malaysian Open final
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-Wei reached the Malaysian Open final by defeating Eleni Daniilidou of Greece 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 on Saturday.
The second semifinal between Jelena Jankovic of Serbia and Petra Martic of Croatia was suspended because of rain at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian and Country Resort.
The tournament has dealt with rain and injuries all week. Top-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland withdrew Friday with an elbow injury.
Daniilidou had to play twice Saturday because of rain postponements. She beat Australia’s Olivia Rogowska 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 to reach the semifinals, but had only a few hours of rest before facing Hsieh.
Federer edges Murray to win Dubai Championships
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Roger Federer edged Andy Murray 7-5, 6-4 Saturday to win his fifth Dubai Championships title.
The second-seeded Federer didn’t drop a set all week and kept Murray off balance much of the match. The win was Federer’s fifth title in seven tournaments and his 72nd overall.
Errani defeats Pennetta to win Mexican Open
ACAPULCO, Mexico — Sara Errani beat fellow Italian Flavia Pennetta 5-7, 7-6 (2), 6-0 to win the Mexican Open on Saturday.
It was Errani’s third WTA title.
Neither player managed to hold serve in the first seven games, and Errani managed to hold serve only once in the opening set.
Spaniard David Ferrer defeated countryman Fernando Verdasco 6-1, 6-2 later in the men’s final.
Matosevic reaches first ATP final at Delray Beach
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — Little-known Marinko Matosevic of Australia reached his first career ATP final, beating Dudi Sela of Israel 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (7) in the semifinals Saturday at the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships.
The 173rd-ranked Matosevic needed five match points to close out the 2-hour, 54-minute match on a day where a swirling wind didn’t help either player.
Matosevic will face Kevin Anderson, who defeated John Isner 7-5, 7-6 (4).
By wire sources
