Women’s Professional Soccer folds
Women’s Professional Soccer folds
SAN FRANCISCO — The Women’s Professional Soccer league has folded after three seasons, it was announced Friday.
The league’s predecessor, WUSA, also lasted only three seasons, burning through more than $100 million in investments in the euphoric aftermath of the U.S. victory at the 1999 World Cup.
American fans again watched the Women’s World Cup in large numbers last summer, but the excitement wasn’t enough to save the WPS.
Djokovic, Nadal advance in Rome
ROME — A week after Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal made early exits in Madrid on an experimental blue court, both showed they remain a force on red clay Friday by reaching the Italian Open semifinals.
The top-ranked Djokovic struggled with his serve in the opening set but found his range to eliminate fifth-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-5, 6-1. Nadal defeated seventh-seeded Tomas Berdych 6-4, 7-5.
Djokovic, the defending champion, will next play Roger Federer, the winner in Madrid who cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Italian hope Andreas Seppi.
Nadal’s semifinal opponent is sixth-seeded David Ferrer, who beat Richard Gasquet 7-6 (4), 6-3.
Among the women, Serena Williams advanced after Flavia Pennetta quit with an injured right wrist while trailing 4-0 in the first set.
Hawks keeping Drew for next season
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Hawks have committed to Larry Drew for one more season.
Lakers’ Blake, wife attacked on Twitter
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Lakers guard Steve Blake and his wife received multiple online threats after he missed a big shot late in Game 2 of Los Angeles’ second-round playoff series with Oklahoma City.
Blake rarely tweets, but his wife is a frequent user of social media.
The family has three young children.
“I hope your family gets murdered,” read one post that Kristen Blake re-tweeted with the comment, “Wow.””
By wire sources