TENNIS

Djokovic advances at Shanghai Masters, has shot at recapturing No. 1 world ranking

Novak Djokovic advanced to the third round in Shanghai, China on Wednesday, beating Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, 6-3, 6-2.

The second-seeded Djokovic won the China Open in Beijing last week for his fourth title of the year and 32nd of his career. He has won 66 matches this season, the most of any player on tour.

If Djokovic wins in Shanghai and Roger Federer loses before the quarterfinals, the Serb would reclaim the No. 1 ranking next week.

U.S. Open champion Andy Murray advanced to the third round in a walkover after Florian Mayer of Germany withdrew because of a rib injury.

JAPAN OPEN: Top-seeded Samantha Stosur advanced to the quarterfinals in Osaka by beating Virginie Razzano of France, 1-6, 6-2, 6-4.

Stosur, the 2011 U.S. Open champion, rallied after having her serve broken three times in the first set at the Utsubo Tennis Center. Razzano had 10 double-faults.

The Australian will next face Jamie Hampton in the quarterfinals.

GENERALI LADIES: Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka advanced to the second round at Linz, Austria, beating Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands, 6-0, 6-2.

Julia Goerges became the first player to advance to the quarterfinals by defeating Romina Oprandi of Switzerland, 6-3, 6-3.

CYCLING

TOUR OF BEIJING: Defending champion Tony Martin took the overall lead after winning the second stage with a powerful solo finish. The Omega Pharma-Quickstep rider won the 78.3-mile stage after breaking away from a lead group on the descent following the final climb of the stage.

GOLF

WORLD GOLF FINALS: The anticipated showdown between Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods in Belek, Turkey, was pushed back a day because of thunderstorms at the Sultan course.

Torrential rain began lashing Antalya Golf Club shortly after the morning matches in the eight-player event were completed, forcing organizers to postpone the four afternoon matches to Thursday with the semifinals staged afterward.

Woods recorded his first victory at the exhibition tournament with a 67 to defeat Kuchar by five strokes. Woods fell to Schwartzel by one shot on Tuesday.

HONG KONG OPEN: Top-ranked Rory McIlroy will defend his Hong Kong Open title next month.

McIlroy, who had not been certain of playing in the Nov. 15-18 event, now has said he would return.

PREPS

BOYS’ SOCCER: Berwick Academy (3-2-2) got goals from four players for a 4-0 shutout of the Landmark School (1-4) at home.

Stephen Sherbahn, Andrew Hawkins, Jesse Morse and Chris Richards scored, while Sherbahn, Downey, Dexter Doucette and Sam Hereford added assists. Erik Wisniewski and Sam Salvati each had a save for Berwick.

BASKETBALL

WNBA: Minnesota Lynx star Seimone Augustus said she has spoken to a police chief in a Minneapolis suburb following her traffic stop this week and is content to move on. Augustus was pulled over in Roseville for having an air freshener hanging from her mirror, which violates a state statute. Augustus tweeted about the incident and appeared upset because she thought it was a case of racial profiling.

A Roseville police spokesman said the stop had nothing to do with race and added that Augustus was only issued a warning. Augustus said she and Chief Rick Mathwig later had “a great conversation.”

— From staff and news services