TENNIS

Australian Open bows to player discontent, adds money to become richest tennis event

Tournament organizers increased prize money to a record $31.1 million for 2013, in response to player discontent about compensation at Grand Slam tournaments. It will be the richest tournament in tennis.

The move to increase prize money for the first major of the year followed reports that some players were considering bypassing the tournament if the purse was not increased, particularly for losers in the early rounds.

The ATP Players Council, involving leading players such as Roger Federer, raised concerns about funding levels and threatened action if not addressed.

The Players Council later played down a reported threat to boycott of the 2013 Australian Open. But the prize money announcement was seen as pivotal in addressing player discontent.

GOLF

RYDER CUP: Describing the role as “torture” at times, victorious Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal ruled out the possibility of staying on for the 2014 competition at Gleneagles, Scotland. Spain’s King Juan Carlos and tennis star Rafael Nadal were among those who sent Olazabal messages of congratulations after the win kept the cup in European hands.

COLLEGES

FIELD HOCKEY: Katie Riley scored four goals to lead Bowdoin to a 6-1 victory over Bates at Brunswick.

The Polar Bears are now 7-1 overall and 3-1 in NESCAC play. The Bobcats drop to 3-5, and 1-4 in NESCAC.

• Rachel Trafton had a goal and an assist to help Southern Maine (5-7, 2-4 Little East) take a 4-2 win over Plymouth State (6-4, 4-2) at Gorham.

Natalie Harkins, Allison Ward and Peyton Dostie added goals for the Huskies.

MEN’S SOCCER: Zach Danssaert and Sam White each scored twice to lead Bowdoin (6-1-1) to a 4-0 win over St. Joseph’s (4-6-2) at Brunswick.

Will Wise and Ian McNamara combined on the shutout.

SOCCER

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Robin van Persie scored with an exquisite finish as Manchester United came from behind to win 2-1 over CFR Cluj at Cluj, Romania.

Trailing 1-0 to Cluj’s 14th-minute opener, United equalized when Rooney’s cross hit Van Persie’s head and shoulder to loop over the goalkeeper. But the Netherlands striker’s second goal was all finesse as Van Persie deftly hit a Rooney chip with the outside of his foot.

BASKETBALL

WNBA: Katie Douglas scored 24 points, and Erlana Larkins had 16 points and 20 rebounds as the Indiana Fever beat the Atlanta Dream 75-64 to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.

• Seimone Augustus scored 21 points and the Minnesota Lynx held off the visiting Seattle Storm 73-72 to advance to the Western Conference finals.

—From staff and news services

 

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