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Caroline Wozniacki's first day as world No. 1 in women's tennis came with a championship.
Wozniacki, 20, won the China Open on Monday by beating Vera Zvonareva 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in Beijing.
The China Open is Wozniacki's sixth title this season. After her rise to the top spot in the rankings, the Dane -- who replaced the USA's Serena Williams in the top spot -- said a Grand Slam tournament title is her next goal. "I feel like I'm at a very high level and can beat anyone," Wozniacki said. "If it doesn't happen next year, I'm still young and have a lot of years ahead of me."
Wozniacki said she planned to rest for a few days before warming up for the season-ending WTA Championships, which begin Oct. 26 in Doha, Qatar. "I feel like I'm not burned out," she said. "I feel I've done really well in my latest tournaments, and I'm looking forward to Doha."
*In the men's draw, top-seeded Novak Djokovic defeated David Ferrer 6-2, 6-4 on Monday to defend his China Open title and claim his second championship of the year heading into this week's ATP Masters in Shanghai. Djokovic, who was runner-up in last month's U.S. Open, said he was pleased with his improved serve. "This is definitely a confidence boost for me," Djokovic said.
College lineman loses fingertip, plays on
Virginia Tech left guard Greg Nosal earned tough-guy points Saturday, postponing the reattachment of a torn-off tip of his left pinkie to keep playing in a college football game. The school said Nosal lost the fingertip when it got caught between two helmets in the first half Saturday against Central Michigan. After a brief search, team doctors found the severed finger tip inside his glove and determined that it could be reattached. Team surgeon Mark Seigel gave the 6-6, 293-pound redshirt junior the option of having the finger repaired on the spot or having the hand bandaged and the tip put on ice to be reattached later. He chose to keep playing, took pain medication and went back in. The fingertip was stitched back on in the fourth quarter with the Hokies up 31-7. "You talk about a tough guy," Hokies coach Frank Beamer said Monday. "For him to continue to play, it says a lot about him and what his effort for this football team is."
Cowboys remain America's team in NFL
The Dallas Cowboys are the most popular NFL team with U.S. sports fans for the fourth consecutive year, according to the Harris Poll. The Indianapolis Colts rose to second from fourth in the poll of 2,620 adults surveyed online Sept. 14-20 by Harris Interactive. The Green Bay Packers climbed to third from sixth, and the Pittsburgh Steelers fell two places to fourth. Winning the Super Bowl helped the New Orleans Saints go from 24th to fifth. The Jacksonville Jaguars were the least popular team.
NHL defenseman's gesture hits YouTube
New York Islanders defenseman James Wisniewski was caught on tape making an obscene gesture toward New York Rangers agitator Sean Avery. And he did it while NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was in attendance to see the Islanders' 6-4 victory Monday. During a stoppage of play in the first period, Wisniewski and Avery chirped at each other. Wisniewski then made a gesture with his hand, directed at Avery. Wisniewski said he didn't remember making a gesture, but video of the incident was on the YouTube website before the game was over. Bettman declined to comment and said any potential disciplinary action would be handled by the league's hockey operations department. The NHL has suspended players before for on-ice gestures. The Chicago Blackhawks' Nick Boynton got a one-game suspension this preseason for a throat-slash gesture toward the Tampa Bay Lightning's Blair Jones.
FIFA looking at goal-line technology
FIFA, soccer's governing body, is studying 13 goal-line technology systems that could help game officials make more accurate decisions. FIFA said Monday that the project proposals were presented last week and would be discussed at an Oct. 20 meeting of its rule-making body. FIFA President Sepp Blatter reopened the debate on using technology to help officials after a series of mistakes affected the World Cup in South Africa and helped lead to the elimination of England and Mexico from the tournament. Blatter previously had resisted high-tech help for referees by insisting that human error was part of the game.
USA's Davies fined $1,040 in France
U.S. soccer forward Charlie Davies was fined $1,040 and his driving license was suspended by French police because of the speeding violation for which Davies claims a teammate was driving. Davies was with Sochaux teammate Jacques Faty when they were pulled over by police in the early hours of Oct. 3 after being clocked at 125 mph.
Breeders' Cup launches iPhone app
The Breeders' Cup has launched an iPhone application in advance of the 2010 World Championships at Churchill Downs in Louisville on Nov. 5-6. The app will allow iPhone users to watch the 14 Breeders' Cup races live and for free.
*Former Jockey Club Gold Cup and Suburban Handicap winner Pleasant Tap was euthanized last week after a bout with laminitis. Lane's End Farm said the 23-year-old stallion, who stood at the farm in central Kentucky, was put down Friday.
Briefly ...
Developers planning an NFL stadium 15 miles east of Los Angeles are tweaking their design to lure World Cup soccer matches. Architect Dan Meis said he adjusted his plans for the stadium to incorporate field measurements and stand configurations based on FIFA guidelines. Los Angeles is among 12 U.S. cities that could host matches if FIFA's executive committee votes in December to give the 2018 or 2022 World Cup to the USA. ... Commonwealth Games Federation President Mike Fennell announced the first doping case of the New Delhi Games, saying Osayomi Oludamola of Nigeria tested positive for the banned stimulant Methylexanemine and could be stripped of her 100 meters gold medal. ... Brazilian star Marta, who plays for the FC Gold Pride of Women's Professional Soccer, was appointed a United Nations goodwill ambassador in the fight against poverty.
Compiled by Chad Leistikow from staff, wire reports
