Surprises, stomach bugs at Indian Wells
Surprises, stomach bugs at Indian Wells
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — There was an upset and several upset stomachs Sunday at the BNP Paribas Open.
American teenager Christina McHale stunned Wimbledon champion and 2011 WTA player of the year Petra Kvitova with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory in the night session at a tournament that has seen several withdrawals because of illness.
Gael Monfils of France, Jurgen Melzer of Austria and American Vania King each battled an intestinal virus that has spread throughout the Coachella Valley in the past few days and sidelined at least a half-dozen players.
Melzer did play his singles match but lost in straight sets before withdrawing from doubles.
Vera Zvonareva also withdrew because of a virus, but reportedly her ailment was not the same one that afflicted the other players.
Kvitova has been trying to overcome a virus she contracted while in the Middle East, and that manifested itself when she felt a loss of energy and movement after a good first set against the 19-year-old McHale
McHale will face No. 18 Angelique Kerber of Germany in the fourth round.
Titans owner wants
to sign Manning
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Titans owner Bud Adams wants to sign Peyton Manning and says he will do whatever is necessary to convince the four-time NFL MVP to come to Tennessee, even offering up a job in the front office once his playing career ends.
Adams told The Tennessean on Sunday that he has contacted Manning’s agent, Tom Condon, to express his interest and ask for the quarterback to visit the Titans.
“I want Manning,” Adams said. “I’d love to see him in Titan blue after watching him so many years with the Colts. … I want him. I am ready to do what it takes to get him aboard, and I think he’d be the guy to get us into the playoffs.”
The 89-year-old owner has watched his franchise miss the playoffs six times in the last eight seasons, with one-and-done postseason appearances in 2007 and 2008.
The last time Adams wanted to add a quarterback, the Titans drafted Vince Young in 2006. The Titans cut Young after the 2010 season in a move team officials convinced Adams had to be made.
Manning spends more than 6 hours
at Cardinals HQ
TEMPE, Ariz. — Peyton Manning had another marathon session during the second stop in his search for a new team.
The free-agent quarterback spent nearly 6 1/2 hours at the Arizona Cardinals’ headquarters and training facility on Sunday in meetings designed to lure the superstar to the desert.
The session was even longer than the nearly six hours Manning spent at the Broncos’ facility in Denver on Friday night.
Manning waved and smiled at cheering fans as he walked from the building to coach Ken Whisenhunt’s white SUV. With the coach at the wheel, Manning waved again as the SUV pulled through the security gate and past the loud supporters.
He was expected to return to his home in Florida. It was unclear whether the four-time MVP planned to meet with the Dolphins.
Cardinals president Michael Bidwill left immediately after Manning and Whisenhunt did. No one involved in the session spoke to reporters.
Larry Fitzgerald arrived a few minutes ahead of Manning, then left after about three hours.
By wire sources