Doubles victory puts Americans in Davis semis
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Jack Sock and Ryan Harrison put the United States in the Davis Cup semifinals for the first time since 2012 by beating Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen 5-7, 7-6 (1), 7-6 (3), 6-4 on Saturday to finish off an American sweep.
The United States now will play either Croatia or Kazakhstan in the semifinals Sept. 14-16.
John Isner and Sam Querrey set up the doubles match for the clincher by winning their singles matches Friday at the Curb Events Center at Belmont University. Sock, and Harrison put the U.S. into the semifinals after taking three hours to finish off the Belgians.
GOLF Lurie, Robinson lead Champions
Craig Lurie and DeVaughn Robinson overcame a biting northerly wind and temperatures in the low 50s to combine for a 3-under-par 68 and take a two-stroke lead heading into Sunday’s final round of the Champions Cup Invitational at Champions Golf Club.
The Houston duo is at 13-under 200 after 54 holes on the par-71, 7,400yard Cypress Creek Course at Champions.
Gary Durbin and Eric Durbin, both of Houston, moved into second place after their 4-under 67.
SOCCER Bayern Munich reigns again
Bayern Munich defeated Bavarian rival Augsburg 4-1 to win its recordextending sixth consecutive Bundesliga title.
Corentin Tolisso, James Rodriguez, Arjen Robben and Sandro Wagner scored as Bayern came from behind to move an unassailable 20 points ahead of Schalke with five rounds remaining.
It was a record 28th German championship for Bayern.
MOTOR SPORTS Penske’s No. 22 also suits Blaney
Ryan Blaney became the third different Team Penske driver in as many NASCAR Xfinity Series races to win in the No. 22 Ford when he took the checkered flag at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.
Blaney was the pole sitter and led 132 of 200 laps. Christopher Bell finished 2.327 seconds behind Blaney in second place.
The Xfinity Series was back on the track after a two-week break since
Joey Logano won in the No. 22 car at California. That was a week after Brad Keselowski drove that Team Penske entry to Victory Lane in Phoenix.
It was the seventh career Xfinity victory for Blaney, who qualified fourth for Sunday's Monster Energy Cup Series race at the 1½ -mile Texas track. In other news:
Sebastien Bourdais and Simon Pagenaud took the green flag on an all-French front row in the IndyCar race at Avondale, Ariz.
Sebastian Vettel took the pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sakhir followed by Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen. Reigning Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton was fourth but will start ninth Sunday after incurring a grid penalty.
MISCELLANEOUS Spurrier ready for new league
The Orlando Alliance of the proposed Alliance of American Football announced that it has hired Steve Spurrier as its head coach. The new professional league is the creation of Pro Football Hall of Famer Bill Polian and longtime TV and film producer Charlie Ebersol. The league plans to have eight teams and will play a 12-week season beginning Feb. 9, 2019, and will be broadcast on CBS. Spurrier, 72, said he's “fired up and ready to go.” …
Justify vaulted into the role of probable Kentucky Derby favorite with a three-length victory over Bolt d'Oro in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby at Arcadia, Calif. Justify led all the way under
Mike Smith to claim the 100 points toward qualifying for the 20-horse Run for the Roses on May 5 and stands eighth on the Derby leaderboard. The colt ran 11⁄8 miles in 1:49.72. … Good Magic overtook Flameaway entering the stretch to win the $1 million Blue Grass Stakes by 1½ lengths at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., and earn 100 points toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby. Under jockey Jose
Ortiz, Good Magic covered 11⁄8 miles in 1:50.18. …
Vino Rosso survived a stewards' inquiry to win the $1 million Wood Memorial at Aqueduct in New York and earn 100 points toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby. Ridden by John Velazquez, Vino Rosso ran 11⁄8 miles in 1:49.79 for trainer Todd Pletcher.