Djokovic, Stephens grind out victories

Novak Djokovic overcame an upset stomach and a sluggish first set, beating Adrian Mannarino 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 before heavy rain halted afternoon matches at the Western & Southern Open in Mason, Ohio.

In the women’s bracket, defending U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens overcame a thumb injury during a 6-3, 6-2 victory over qualifier Tatjana Maria.

The Ducks rewarded right wing Ondrej Kase for a breakout season with a three-year contract worth $2.6 million annually.

A restricted free agent, Kase, 22, scored a career-high 20 goals to tie Adam Henrique for the secondmost on the Ducks. Kase also had a career-best 38 points with a plus-18 defensive rating.

UCLA’s men’s basketball team will open the season with a home game against Purdue Ft. Wayne on Nov. 6 after playing an exhibition against the New York Institute of Technology at Pauley Pavilion on Oct. 27.

The Bruins’ marquee nonconference games will all come away from home. UCLA will play Michigan State at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas as part of the Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational on Nov. 22 before playing either Texas or North Carolina in the same event the next day.

UCLA will also play at Cincinnati on Dec. 19 at the Bearcats’ newly renovated Fifth Third Arena and will face Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic at the United Center in Chicago on Dec. 22.

A person familiar with the decision says Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Karl Benson is stepping away from his post when his contract expires at the end of June . ... Canadian star R.J. Barrett scored 34 points in his first exhibition game for Duke, helping the Blue Devils rout Ryerson 86-67. Zion Williamson added 29 points for Duke.

Columbus Crew owner Anthony Precourt got a boost to his effort to move the Major League Soccer club to Texas when the Austin City Council voted to move ahead with a plan for a new, privately funded stadium on city land.