Del Potro, Federer reach semifinals

Juan Martin del Potro squeezed into the semifinals of the ATP World Tour Finals in London by beating Roger Federer 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3 Thursday -- the slimmest possible margin to advance and knock Andy Murray out of the tournament.

That result means Del Potro and Federer both advance after a three-way tie in Group A. All three players finished the round-robin stage with two wins and 5-4 set records. Murray was eliminated because he won the lowest percentage of games. Had Del Potro lost just one more game against Federer, Murray would have advanced and Del Potro would have been eliminated. Federer would have been ousted had he lost the second set, which led to a celebration when he won it.

"I knew I couldn't lose in two sets because I knew that was going to knock me out," Federer said. "That's why I was very excited."

In Group B, Robin Soderling has clinched a semifinal spot. Nikolay Davydenko and Novak Djokovic are still in contention ahead of Friday's matches.

SOCCER

The top European soccer clubs and the International Olympic Committee disagree on the importance of the Olympics.

European soccer leaders on Thursday unanimously backed a proposal to limit participation in future Olympics to players under the age of 21. Europe's top clubs see the Olympics as less important than preseason training and Champions League qualifying matches.

The IOC wants to keep the status quo of under-23s plus three over-age players, which allows countries to bolster their teams with star talent and, the IOC contends, enhances the appeal and credibility of the Olympic tournament.

FIFA's executive board will consider the matter at meetings next week.

OLYMPICS

London Olympic organizers will avoid building a $66 million temporary arena after reaching an agreement with two sports to move to an existing venue for the 2012 Games.

The local organizing committee will switch badminton and rhythmic gymnastics to Wembley Arena in northwest London rather than construct the planned facility near the Olympic Village in east London. The move was taken to save money amid the global economic crisis.

At issue is extra travel for the athletes involved, said Denis Oswald of the IOC.

"I don't think we can say London went back on their promise," he said. "If in two sports the athletes have to travel a little further than expected ... I don't think it can be an issue. We just hope we won't have a world financial crisis every four years."

BASEBALL

Bob Sheppard has no intention of returning to his longtime job as the public address announcer at Yankee Stadium, he told MLB.com.

Sheppard, 99, hasn't worked a game since becoming ill late in the 2007 season. He began the job in 1951 and grew famed as "the voice of God."

"I have no plans of coming back," Sheppard said. "Time has passed me by, I think. I don't think, at my age, I'm going to suddenly regain the stamina that is really needed."

Blue Jays sign shortstop Gonzalez

The Toronto Blue Jays signed 32-year-old shortstop Alex Gonzalez to a one-year deal worth $2.75 million, which includes a club option for 2011.

Sosa faces suit from his homeland

Sammy Sosa is being sued for $203,000 by a Dominican businessman who claims the former major leaguer owes him $150,000 on a house sale, $43,000 for a luxury watch and $10,000 for getting Reggaeton singer Don Omar to perform at Sosa's 41st birthday party. Sosa has been ordered to appear in a Dominican court Dec. 2.

AROUND THE HORN

Golf: Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell shot a better-ball 58 and gave Ireland a three-stroke lead over Argentina after the first round of the World Cup of Golf in Shenzhen, China. Argentina's Tano Goya and Rafael Echenique were at 11-under 61. The United States pair of Nick Watney and John Merrick was tied for 15th at 5-under 67 after four birdies by Watney.

Pro football: Montreal quarterback Anthony Calvillo was honored as the Canadian Football League's outstanding player, the second consecutive year he has won and third time in his 16-year career. He completed 72 percent of his passes in leading Montreal to a CFL-best 15-3 record.

FROM NEWS SERVICES