Sharapova, Federer into Aussie 4th round

January 18, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

MELBOURNE, Australia

Maria Sharapova recovered from the longest, hottest match of her career to beat Alize Cornet 6-1, 7-6 (6) Saturday and reach the fourth round of the Australian Open. In the next match on Rod Laver Arena, Roger Federer had a 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 win over Teymuraz Gabashvili.

Former No. 1-ranked Jelena Jankovic had a 6-4,7-5 win over Kurumi Nara to set up a fourth-round match against No. 11 Simona Halep, who advanced with a 6-1, 6-4 win over qualifier Zarina Diyas. Fifth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska had a 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 over No. 29 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. No. 13 Sloane Stephens reached the fourth round at a fifth consecutive major with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Elina Svitolina of Ukraine.

NCAA straw vote favors power conferences

SAN DIEGO

Nearly 60 percent of Division I administrators, commissioners and other officials attending the NCAA convention support the concept of autonomy for the nation’s five most powerful conferences on issues that could include giving athletes a stipend toward the full cost of attending college. The straw vote Friday was part of a larger, two-day discussion about a new governance structure for the NCAA. The conferences that could be granted autonomy are the SEC, Big Ten, Pac-12, ACC and Big 12.

In electronic voting by more than 800 attendees, 27 percent indicated they strongly supported autonomy “on certain undefined issues” still to be determined, while 31 percent expressed support. Eight percent were neutral, 13 percent opposed it and 4 percent strongly opposed it.

Return to IndyCar has Montoya feeling young

INDIANAPOLIS

Juan Pablo Montoya feels like he is starting all over. The 2000 Indianapolis 500 champion and former Formula One driver has traded in his stock car for another chance at open-wheel racing. “I do feel like a rookie. It’s funny, people don’t realize that,” Montoya, 38, said this week after IndyCar drivers were given their annual physicals in Indianapolis.

Montoya’s move has brought an infusion of excitement to a series that needs a boost. Dario Franchitti, a four-time IndyCar champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner, was forced to retire after he was injured in a frightening October crash. And for most of the last decade, IndyCar has seen some its top drivers leave for NASCAR or F1.

Lukas to get Eclipse Award of Merit

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla.

There isn’t much left for D. Wayne Lukas to win in thoroughbred racing. Tonight, his peers across racing will take notice of his life’s work, once again. Lukas will receive the Eclipse Award of Merit — the game’s lifetime achievement award — at horse racing’s annual award ceremony at Gulfstream Park.

Todd Pletcher, Bob Baffert and Bill Mott are the finalists for the Eclipse trainer award this year. Javier Castellano, Joel Rosario and Gary Stevens are the finalists for the Eclipse in the jockey category, and in the Horse of the Year category, Wise Dan, Mucho Macho Man and Will Take Charge are the finalists.

Canfield selling tickets for game at Covelli

CANFIELD

Tickets for Canfield’s boys basketball game Jan. 25 against West Middlesex at the Covelli Centre will be on sale at the school. The game is part of the “See Them Rise” high school basketball showcase.

Tickets bought at the school Tuesday through Friday will be $4 for students and $6 for adults. All tickets at the door will cost $8.

Submit basketball stats

Area basketball coaches and statisticians are encouraged to submit their school’s season statistics to the Vindicator sports department.

Stats, through the previous Saturday’s games, should be submitted each week by 5 p.m. Tuesday. Please email the statistics do dchapin@vindy.com or fax them to 330-747-6712, attention Doug Chapin.

Staff reports/Associated Press