Hockey talks set to resume Friday

TORONTO — The NHL and its players’ union are to resume bargaining Friday for the first time since the lockout began, although the talks will concentrate on secondary economic issues.

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly and NHL Players’ Association special counsel Steve Fehr met Tuesday in Toronto and set up the session, which will be in New York. These will be the first formal negotiations since Sept. 12, when the players and owners exchanged proposals.

The lockout started Sept. 16, when training camps were to open. This is the third lockout since Gary Bettman became commissioner in 1993. The last lockout wiped out the 2004-05 season and ended when players accepted a salary cap.

With the league and union far apart on money, both sides decided to discuss other economic issues that also are necessary for an agreement. Fehr said the topics will include pension and medical plans, schedule rules, drug testing and the grievance procedure.

Top officials from the NHL and NHLPA met Monday to review last season’s economics and complete escrow payments due players. The labor contract was not discussed.

Bettman tries to calm Edmonton EDMONTON, Alberta — NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman downplayed the threat of the Oilers moving to Seattle as the Edmonton mayor predicted that an NHL team in Seattle wouldn’t sell out its games.

AUTO RACING Grand Prix circuit approved AUSTIN, Texas — The new track built for Formula One’s U.S. Grand Prix has been given the go-ahead for the Nov. 18 race.

Circuit of The Americas officials announced that the track located a few miles southeast of downtown Austin, Texas, passed its pre-race inspection by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, the sanctioning body for international motor sports.

Alonso: Ferrari must improve Fernando Alonso told his Ferrari team it must step up efforts to win the Formula One title.

He made the comments with his lead in the standings dwindling and defending champion Sebastian Vettel looming behind him.

France fights to keep divorce private RALEIGH, N.C. — The head of the closely held company that stages NASCAR races is fighting to keep the public out of hearings and documents related to a battle with his ex-wife over their high-dollar divorce settlement.

Oral arguments before the state Court of Appeals mark the second time the court has heard NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France’s plea to close court proceedings that are generally open to the public.

The court previously ruled that the public’s right to open court proceedings outweighed France’s interest in keeping the litigation secret.

IndyCar exploring tire options INDIANAPOLIS — IndyCar said it is exploring partnerships with tire manufacturers besides Bridgestone Firestone, which has been the sole supplier for the series and under contract through the 2014 season.

Al Speyer, executive director of Firestone Racing, told Motorsport Magazine the company is interested in extending its contract with IndyCar through perhaps 2020, but has heard rumors that IndyCar is looking at other deals.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL Williams’ kidney tumor is benign North Carolina said Roy Williams’ surgically removed kidney tumor was not cancerous, though he will have a biopsy to ensure a second kidney tumor is also benign.

Duke grabs iPads DURHAM, N.C. — Duke men’s and women’s basketball teams are trading in their paper playbooks for iPads.

The school says it’s the nation’s first college basketball program to use the Apple gadgets for everything from scouting reports to practice and game video.

Men’s associate head coach Steve Wojciechowski says Duke is always trying to equip its players and staff with top-of-the-line resources. Women’s coach Joanne P. McCallie says the iPads “can help us get better and more efficient in all areas.”

Each iPad will be loaded with practice schedules, weekly plans, scouting reports, stats and videos. They will have tracking software installed so they can be erased if they are stolen or lost.

Notre Dame assistant chosen BCA INDIANAPOLIS — The Black Coaches & Administrators have selected Notre Dame associate head coach Carol Owens as its new president.

TENNIS Nadal not sure when he’ll return LONDON — Rafael Nadal still has no timetable for his return from a knee injury, and the 11-time Grand Slam champion isn’t sure if he’ll play the Australian Open in January.

“All that is in my mind is to keep working hard to come back,” Nadal said in interviews with European newspapers. “I cannot think about the future because it’s not like if you break your arm and you know you will have a few weeks like this, then a few weeks like that and then you are back.”

Azarenka, Sharapova advance TOKYO — Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka eased into the third round of the Pan Pacific Open with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Tamira Paszek.

Two-time champion Maria Sharapova had a tougher time subduing qualifier Heather Watson 6-7 (7), 6-3, 6-4, while 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, the fourth seed, lost to Petra Martic 6-4, 6-4.

Other winners included Grand Slam champions Li Na and Sam Stosur.

Azarenka played her first match since losing a thriller in the U.S. Open final to Serena Williams.

Ramos rolls KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Albert Ramos of Spain hit 14 aces on his way to beating qualifier Julian Knowle 6-1, 6-4 in the first round of the Malaysian Open.

Verdasco, Troicki win openers BANGKOK — Former finalists Viktor Troicki and Jarkko Nieminen each won first-round matches at the Thailand Open.

Troicki, the runner-up in 2009, beat Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-3, while Nieminen, who was a finalist two years ago, advanced when qualifier Yuichi Sugita retired with an ankle injury after dropping the first set 6-1.

SOCCER President suspends himself CAGLIARI, Sardinia — Cagliari President Massimo Cellino has suspended himself from his role in charge of the Sardinian club after his actions caused a home Serie A match against Roma to be called off.

Roma was awarded a 3-0 victory on Monday after Sunday’s game was postponed for safety reasons because the Sardinian club defied orders to play it in an empty stadium.

Dynamo Kiev signs Blokhin KIEV, Ukraine — Dynamo Kiev signed Ukraine national team coach Oleh Blokhin to lead the club for the next four years.

Blokhin replaces Yuri Semin, the Russian who was fired on Monday following four losses in Dynamo’s past five games.

Man United captain out two months MANCHESTER, England — Manchester United says captain Nemanja Vidic will be sidelined for about two months following right knee surgery.