Murray ( hip) won’t play in U. S. Open
His voice choking with emotion, second- seeded Andy Murray unexpectedly announced Saturday that he was withdrawing from the U. S. Open — which begins Monday in New York — because of a hip injury.
His withdrawal added to the lengthy list of top players who will miss the last Grand Slam tournament of the season. Two- time champion Novak Djokovic, defending champion Stan Wawrinka, 2014 runner- up Kei Nishikori and 2016 Wimbledon runnerup Milos Raonic didn’t enter the event because of injury.
‘‘ I did pretty much everything I could to get myself ready here and took a number of weeks off after Wimbledon,’’ said Murray, who won the U. S. Open in 2012. ‘‘ I was actually practicing OK the last few days, but it’s too sore for me to win the tournament. And, ultimately, that’s what I was here to try and do.’’
Murray’s withdrawal leaves top- seeded Rafael Nadal and third- seeded Roger Federer as the clear favorites to win the title.
GOLF Spieth leads playoff opener
Jordan Spieth matched the low round of the tournament with a 6- under- par 64, including consecutive birdies on the 14th, 15th and 16th holes, and built a threestroke lead over Dustin Johnson going into the final round of the Northern Trust — the first event of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs — in Old Westbury, New York. Spieth completed 54 holes at 12- under 198.
NBA Noel takes qualifying offer
Multiple outlets reported Dallas Mavericks center Nerlens Noel accepted the team’s $ 4.1 million qualifying offer for the upcoming season. Noel averaged 8.7 points and 5.8 rebounds in 51 games last season with the Philadelphia 76ers and Mavericks, who acquired him in a trade at the deadline.
SOCCER Fire’s skid reaches four
Abu Danladi scored twice in the first half, and Minnesota United earned a 2- 1 victory against the Fire ( 12- 9- 5) in Major League Soccer play at Toyota Park. The Fire, who got a goal from David Accam in the 77th minute and failed to convert a couple of other chances late, have lost four consecutive games.
LITTLE LEAGUE Texas vs. Japan for title
Lufkin, Texas, earned a spot in the title game of the Little League World Series by rallying from an early fiverun deficit to edge Greenville, North Carolina, 6- 5 for the U. S. championship in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Lufkin will face Japan, which blanked Mexico 5- 0 in the International final.
Sun- Times wires