TENNIS
Venus wins, but rust is evident after long layoff
EASTBOURNE, England — Venus Williams finally beat Andrea Petkovic on Monday. Five months after a hip injury forced her to retire against Petkovic after one game of their third-round match at the Australian Open, Williams beat the German 7-5, 5-7, 6-3 in her first match back at Eastbourne to successfully open her Wimbledon preparations.
Williams, 30, clearly was rusty. She began the match with two double-faults and made a series of unforced errors, particularly off the forehand side.
But the five-time Wimbledon champion won with her grass-court experience and aggressive play. She wasted three match points in the final game and saved a break point before finally clinching victory when Petkovic went wide with a forehand.
HOCKEY
Senators set to hire MacLean as coach
DETROIT — Red Wings assistant Paul McLean has been hired as the coach of the Ottawa Senators, two sources familiar with the decision told the Associated Press on Monday. The move was first reported by ESPN.com.
The Senators fired head coach Cory Clouston and two assistants in April after the team failed to qualify for the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
MacLean spent 11 seasons in the NHL, playing in 719 games for Winnipeg, Detroit and St. Louis from 1980-91.
AUTO RACING
Kyle Busch penalized for failing inspection after race
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Kyle Busch was docked six points Monday and his crew chief fined $25,000 because his car failed post-race inspection at Pocono Raceway.
The No. 18 Toyota was found to be too low during NASCAR’s inspection Sunday. NASCAR responded Monday by docking Busch six driver points and car owner Joe Gibbs six owner points. Crew chief Dave Rogers received the fine.
Busch, who finished third in the race, remains fifth in the Sprint Cup standings. Joe Gibbs Racing said in a statement it would not appeal.
PRO FOOTBALL
Titans’ Britt faces two warrants in Tennessee
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Titans receiver Kenny Britt has two arrest warrants outstanding in Tennessee, and he is suspected of providing inaccurate information on two separate driver’s license applications.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol issued the arrest warrants April 14. This is yet another incident with police for the 2009 first-round draft pick out of Rutgers.
He was arrested June 8 in Hoboken, N.J., after two detectives suspected he was carrying a marijuana cigar. Police did not recover the cigar or find any drugs on Britt, who was charged with obstructing the administration of the law, resisting arrest and tampering with or fabricating evidence. He was released and faces a June 16 court date.
That arrest came a day after he pleaded guilty to separate motor vehicle violations related to an April 12 arrest on speeding charges in his hometown of Bayonne.
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