Assoociated Press
SANTIAGO, Chile ó Andy Roddick defeated Paul Capdeville 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-3 Sunday, giving the United States an insurmountable 3-1 lead in the Davis Cup first-round tie against Chile.
Roddick is 12-0 in matches that can clinch a Davis Cup tie for the United States.
The Americans will play Spain in the quarterfinal round in July in the U.S. The Spaniards beat Belgium this weekend.
The No. 165 Capdeville was behind a break in the first set when he broke serve in the sixth and eighth games to go ahead 5-3 and serve out the set in the ninth game.
The No. 8-ranked Roddick patiently waited for his opportunity to pull away from Capdeville in the second set tiebreaker, taking a 5-0 lead.
Capdeville had little to give in the third set, but put up a fight in the fourth.
NFL LABOR
NEW YORK ó With five more days and nights ó at least ó to come to an agreement, the NFL and the playersí union might find money off the top is not the bottom line.
The ownersí request that about $2 billion of total revenues be deducted before they split the rest with the players has been a sticking point ever since 2008. Thatís when the owners opted out of the current collective bargaining agreement, which would have expired last Thursday if not for two extensions.
The deadline now is at the end of Friday, and a compromise on that figure ó the owners already deduct about $1 billion for operating expenses from the $9 billion overall take ó might be easier than reaching accord on expanding the regular season to 18 games or several other issues.
MILWAUKEE ó Mike McCarthy embraced Green Bayís culture from the first day he arrived as coach of the Packers. After his first Super Bowl championship, heíll stay in the NFLís smallest market for years to come.
McCarthy signed a new multiyear contract less than a month after the Packers beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 for the NFL title.
SWIMMING
INDIANAPOLIS ó Michael Phelps took an early lead in the 200-meter butterfly, then fended off a late charge from Brazilís Kaio de Almeida for his third win in two days at the Indianapolis Grand Prix.
BIRTH AND HOOPS
AUSTIN, Texas ó Amber Branson is one tough basketball coach.
Shortly after coaching Lipan to a regional semifinal victory on Feb. 25, Branson gave birth to daughter Leslie. And about 15 hours later, she was back on the bench guiding the Lady Indians to another win and the schoolís first berth in the Texas state tournament since 2003.
ěI was pretty tired,î Branson said.