Kim Coon

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was held out of practice due to soreness in his ribs. However, coach Ron Rivera still thinks Newton will start the season opener Sunday at Tampa Bay. Rivera had expected Newton to practice, but the fourth-year QB was still sore from practice Monday and working out on the side with the trainers Tuesday.

PANTHERS-NEWTON

TOKYO (AP) — Kei Nishikori's historic run to the semifinals of the U.S. Open was a big hit in The Land of the Rising Sun.

NEW YORK (AP) — Top seed Serena Williams is two match victories away from her third straight U.S. Open singles title. Williams dropped the first three games of her opening set on Wednesday before advancing to the semifinals with a 6-3, 6-2 win over No. 11 Flavia Pennetta. Williams next faces Ekaterina Makarova, who breezed through a 6-4, 6-2 win over Victoria Azarenka.

NEW YORK (AP) — Novak Djokovic fended off a fading Andy Murray 7-6 (1), 6-7 (1), 6-2, 6-4 in a matchup of past U.S. Open champions to reach the tournament's semifinals for the eighth consecutive year.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Daniel Hudson returned from two reconstructive elbow operations to pitch in the big leagues for the first time in more than two years, and David Peralta drove in two runs to help the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the San Diego Padres 6-1 Wednesday night.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kennys Vargas homered for the second consecutive night and Eduardo Nunez had four hits as the Minnesota Twins defeated the Chicago White Sox 11-4 on Wednesday.