NEW YORK (AP) β Top seed Novak Djokovic (JOH’-koh-vihch), third seed Stan Wawrinka and No. 8 Andy Murray were among yesterday’s first-round winners at the U.S. Open. Winners on the women’s side include second seed Simona Halep (HAH’-lehp), fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska (ahg-nee-ESH’-kuh rahd-VAHN’-skuh), fifth seed Maria Sharapova, No. 6 Angelique Kerber and No. 9 Jelena Jankovic. Venus Williams dropped the opening set of her opening-round match before pulling out a 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory against Kimiko Date-Krumm (kih-MEE’-koh DAH’-tay kruhm).
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) β Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer has selected veteran Matt Cassel (KAS’-uhl) over rookie Teddy Bridgewater as his starting quarterback. Cassel has completed more than 66 percent of his passes for 367 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in three preseason games. Bridgewater has completed 65 percent of his passes for 266 yards and four touchdowns in the preseason.
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) β Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann (TY’-rahn) Mathieu is close to making a quicker-than-expected return to the team. Mathieu was optimistic about being ready for Arizona’s season opener against San Diego on Sept. 8. He is coming back from surgery to repair a torn ACL and LCL suffered during Week 14 last season.
PARAMUS, N.J. (AP) β Tiger Woods has announced on his website that he is leaving swing coach Sean Foley after four years and no majors. The former World No. 1 has had back trouble the last year and is taking the next three months to get stronger. Foley was the third coach Woods hired as a professional.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) β Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher declined to confirm whether or not suspended receiver Jesus “Bobo” Wilson is eligible to play in the season-opener for the top-ranked Seminoles against Oklahoma State. Wilson has been suspended since being arrested and charged in the theft of a motor scooter in July. The sophomore pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors.
