U.S. still alive vs. Aussies
BRISBANE, Australia — Late substitute Jack Sock and partner Steve Johnson kept the United States alive in its Davis Cup quarterfinal with Australia, beating Sam Groth and John Peers 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 in Saturday’s doubles. The win on a hard court at Pat Rafter Arena reduced Australia’s advantage to 2-1 ahead of today’s reverse singles. U.S. captain Jim Courier replaced scheduled doubles player Sam Querrey with Sock about an hour ahead of Saturday’s match, despite Sock having lost his singles match to Jordan Thompson on Friday. After losing the opening set Saturday, the American pair steadily gained confidence throughout the match, defending strongly and forcing Australia to stay in long rallies. In the fifth set, the Americans broke Peers’ serve to love and outplayed the Australians to clinch the match. On Friday in singles, Nick Kyrgios finished off John Isner with his 20th ace, beating the American 7-5, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5) after Thompson upset Sock 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 to give the hosts a 2-0 lead. Today, Kyrgios is up first and scheduled to play Sock, and then Thompson is set to take on Isner. “I’m super proud of these guys today, but it still will take a monstrous effort from us on day three,” Courier said. The winner of the quarterfinal will play Italy or Belgium in September.
SOCCER
› TORONTO — Hector Villalba scored twice and Atlanta United survived being a man down for the last 15 minutes to tie Toronto FC 2-2 on Saturday night. Atlanta’s Yamil Asad was sent off in the 75th minute after referee David Gantar ruled he used an elbow to floor Eriq Zavaleta. Atlanta assistant coach Jorge Theiler also was ejected in the ensuing argument. Altanta United (2-1-2), in its first season as an MLS franchise, extended its unbeaten run to four games. Sebastian Giovinco and Justin Morrow scored for Toronto (1-0-4).
BASKETBALL
› DALLAS — Tony Romo will wear No. 9 in Dallas one more time. The NBA’s Mavericks are planning a tribute and “very special sports experience” for the retiring Cowboys quarterback before their final home game. Two people with knowledge of the plan told The Associated Press that Romo would be in uniform wearing his familiar number — on a Mavericks jersey — while sitting on the bench. Both people spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the tribute haven’t been released. While declining to offer details, coach Rick Carlisle said in a text message Saturday that he and owner
Mark Cuban “very much look forward to honoring one of Dallas’ all-time best athletes and people with a very special sports experience.” Dallas is currently carrying 14 players on the roster and the maximum is 15, leaving room for the honorary player. Romo attended Mavericks games frequently during his 10 years with the Cowboys, sitting next to the home team’s bench.
› LOS ANGELES — Frank Mason III of Kansas and
Kelsey Plum of Washington won the John R. Wooden Award as national players of the year Friday night. They received their trophies during the third annual College Basketball Awards in a nationally televised show from The Novo in downtown Los Angeles. Mason, the first player in Big 12 history to average 20 points and 5 assists in a season, also claimed the Bob Cousey Point Guard of the Year Award. Plum became the NCAA Division I career scoring leader (3,527 points) and also set marks for single-season points (1,109) and career free throws made (912).