Serena wins eighth Key Biscayne title
Serena Williams captured her eighth title in the Miami Open on Saturday and remained unbeaten this year by drubbing Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2, 6-0 at Key Biscayne, Florida.
Williams became the fourth player to win the same WTA event at least eight times. Martina Navratilova won in Chicago 12 times, the most titles by a woman at any tournament.
“I’d like to believe the older I get, the better I get,” said Williams, 33. But she grimaced when asked if she thought she might match Navratilova by winning Key Biscayne 12 times.
“I hope not,” she said. “I would be how old? No, let’s pray that I don’t get to 12.”
Four-time champion Novak Djokovic will play twotime champ Andy Murray in the men’s final today.
HORSE RACING
Dortmund opened up leaving the final turn and romped to a four-length win in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby at Arcadia, California, keeping the colt unbeaten heading into the Kentucky Derby. Ridden by Martin Garcia , Dortmund ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.73 on Saturday and paid $3.20 to win as the 3-5 favorite in the six-horse field. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert earned his record seventh victory in the West Coast’s major prep for the Kentucky Derby. One Lucky Dane , also trained by Baffert, finished second. Bolo was third and Prospect Park fourth.
Frosted took the lead from long shot Tencendur in midstretch and won the $1 million Wood Memorial in New York. With his first win in more than five months on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack, Frosted earned 100 Derby qualifying points to secure a starting spot in the Run for the Roses on May 2.
Carpe Diem seized the lead near the top of the stretch after stalking early leader Ocho Ocho Ocho and drew away to a three-length victory in Saturday’s $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass at Lexington, Kentucky.
SOCCER
Meghan Klingenberg scored an early goal and the United States women’s team scored three in the second half for a 4-0 exhibition victory against New Zealand on Saturday in St. Louis. Lori Chalupny , Julie Johnston and Morgan Brian all scored in a span of five minutes in the second half for the U.S. in the World Cup warm-up. After three more exhibitions, the U.S. team will open World Cup play June 8 against Australia in Canada.
COLLEGES
The University of Memphis women’s tennis team took a 4-3 victory over South Florida on Saturday at The Racquet Club. The Tigers (9-2, 4-2 American Athletic Conference) got singles wins from Liza Tymchenko , Alyssa Hibberd and Tara McElroy , and doubles victories from the teams of Hibberd and McElroy, Anki Wind and Kathryn Hughes , and Tymchenko and Marta Morga .
HOCKEY
The Montreal Canadiens say Hall of Fame forward Elmer Lach has died at 97. The team says Lach died Saturday morning in Montreal. He had been the oldest living NHL player. Lach centered Montreal’s famed “Punch Line” with Toe Blake on left wing and Maurice “Rocket” Richard on the right. Lach helped the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup in 1944, 1946 and 1953. He also won the Hart Trophy for NHL MVP in 1945. He was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1966.
KNOXVILLE — More was expected from Josh Malone in his freshman season, and he knows it.
The five-star wide receiver was arguably the biggest disappointment among the highest-profile recruits in Tennessee’s class of 2014. Jalen Hurd established himself as the Vols’ every-down running back, Derek Barnett became an All-SEC pick and freshman All-America at defensive end and Jashon Robertson started every game at right guard.
Malone struggled to make an impact.
He finished with 23 receptions for 231 yards and a touchdown and caught just four passes for 22 yards in the season’s last six games.
Malone was considered the No. 2 player in Tennessee behind Hurd in the 2014 class and one of the top five wide receivers in the nation. He knows he has to accomplish much more to be worthy of that hype.
“I just want to prove that they brought me in for a reason,” Malone said after Saturday’s practice, with “they” being Tennessee’s coaching staff. “I just want to make them believe ... I can still go out there and make big plays.”
Physically and mentally, he’s much more prepared.
For much of last season, Malone dealt with a groin injury. It wasn’t enough to keep him out of games, but it kept him from feeling at his best. He lacked explosiveness and couldn’t separate from defensive backs.
“It was just messing with my stride and messing with my running,” Malone said. “It was messing with my rhythm. ... It takes a lot (out of you). It was rough just going through it and really just keep pushing through it.”
Malone said he didn’t feel healthy until the beginning of March while going through a rehab circuit. When he arrived at spring practice, he moved more like the player who scored 31 touchdowns through receptions, rushes, kick returns and interceptions as a senior in high school.
“As far as his physical being, he’s healthy,” wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni said. “It’s night and day. He looks like a different player.”
Malone has a better understanding of the playbook. He can trust his instincts more, think less and play faster.
“I feel a lot better just because I have a lot more experience this year,” Malone said. “Just that one year in SEC play going up against top corners in the league.”
Azzanni said Malone’s maturity is evident every practice.
“It’s fun to watch,” Azzanni said. “He has a high care factor, so he’s been really working his craft. He still has a ways to go, but he knows that and he knows the little things he needs to work on his game. The thing I like about Josh right now is he’s coming out with the mentality to improve. He’s not banged up and bruised, so he’s able to improve. I’m pleased with his development. It’s night and day, his approach right now.”
DEVELOPMENTS
Michigan draws 45K: An estimated 45,000 fans spent Saturday afternoon watching coach Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan debut, as Team Blue took a 7-0 victory in the spring game.
“I was very pleased with the whole day,” said Harbaugh, who stationed himself about 15 yards behind the offenses during the four 10-minute quarters.
Shane Morris threw the only touchdown pass of the day, and Harbaugh said he’s the No. 1 quarterback.
“Based on what he’s done this whole time, Shane is ahead at the moment,” Harbaugh said.
Turman emerging for Georgia: A.J. Turman, who has never played in a regular-season game for Georgia, is becoming a tailback to watch in 2015.
Turman, a third-year sophomore, led the Bulldogs in rushing Saturday for the second straight scrimmage. He ran for 140 yards and two touchdowns to gain momentum for next week’s spring game.
With Todd Gurley preparing for the NFL draft, returning starter Nick Chubb getting a light load and Keith Marshall and Sony Michel out with injuries, Turman has benefited from an increased workload this spring.