TENNIS
Djokovic says back injury will require rest
BELGRADE, Serbia — Novak Djokovic said the back muscle injury that forced him to quit his Davis Cup match is not serious but requires rest.
He tried to play through the pain Sunday against Juan Martin del Potro in the semifinals. But the top-ranked Serb stopped during the second set, sending Argentina to the Davis Cup final against Spain.
“Not as serious as we have thought,” Djokovic said Monday. “It’s a partial rupture of a back muscle that deserves rest.”
Djokovic skipped Friday’s opening singles because of lingering back problems following his victory over Rafael Nadal in the U.S. Open final. But after losing the opening set 7-6 (7-5) against Del Potro, Djokovic fell from pain during the third game of the second set.
Djokovic said he may have to skip his next tournaments in China next month- the Shanghai Masters and China Open in Beijing.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
UNC to vacate all wins from 2008, ’09 seasons
North Carolina will vacate all 16 football victories from the 2008 and 2009 seasons, as well as reduce scholarships and put its program on two years of probation as self-imposed penalties following an NCAA investigation into improper benefits and academic misconduct.
In Monday’s response to the NCAA’s notice of allegations outlining nine violations, the school says it will cut three scholarships for each of the next three academic years. The school will also pay a $50,000 fine, though it isn’t imposing a postseason ban.
Fourteen players missed at least one game and seven were forced to sit the entire season, with four of those either dismissed from the team or ruled permanently ineligible by the NCAA.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
GMU’s Cornelius charged with larceny and fraud
George Mason suspended guard Andre Cornelius after the junior guard was charged with credit card fraud and credit card larceny riday.
According to the universitys police department incident record, Cornelius, 22, was taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and released on $1,500 bond.
Cornelius started all 34 games last season for George Mason, which went 27-7 and reached the NCAA tournament round of 32. He averaged 9.5 points and 2.3 rebounds and was projected to be the Patriots’ second-leading returning scorer.
From wire dispatches and staff reports
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