Ljubicic knocks off Roddick in final

Ivan Ljubicic got the better of Andy Roddick this time, winning 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5) in the final of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, Calif.

At 31, Ljubicic, of Croatia, is the second-oldest winner at Indian Wells behind Jimmy Connors, who was five months older when he won in 1984.

Roddick was trying to become the first American man to win the event since 2001. He had beaten Ljubicic seven times in 10 meetings.

Jelena Jankovic defeated Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 6-4 for the women's title. It was the first title in seven months for the former No. 1 player.

Barefoot finish becomes tribute Siraj Gena of Ethiopia paid tribute to an Olympic hero in winning the Rome Marathon, running barefoot while outsprinting two Kenyan rivals to the finish.

Gena took off his shoes with about 500 yards left and outkicked Benson Barus and Nixon Machichim to finish in 2 hours, 8 minutes, 39 seconds.

Gena was paying homage to Ethiopian Abebe Bikila, who won the 1960 Olympic marathon in Rome entirely without shoes.

In the women's race, Firehiwot Dado led an Ethiopian sweep of the podium, finishing in 2:25:28.

• Wesley Korir, a native of Kenya, successfully defended his title at the Los Angeles Marathon, finishing in 2:09:19, and Edna Kiplagat of Kenya won the women's race in 2:25:37.

Scully returns after bad fall Bruised physically and emotionally following a fall at his home Thursday, Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully showed he still has his sense of humor. The 82-year-old Hall of Famer arrived in Glendale, Ariz., to call his first game of the spring Sunday.

"I'm supposed to cut back on dangling participles, and I'm not allowed to split any infinitives for at least another week," Scully said.

• Former Cy Young Award winner Eric Gagne was granted his release by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Gagne, attempting a comeback from injury, had been assigned to the minor league camp.

Reports: Penders to resign Houston basketball coach Tom Penders plans to resign, according to media reports.

Citing unidentified sources, KRIV-TV and the Houston Chronicle reported Penders' decision to step down came after a meeting Sunday with athletic director Mack Rhoades.

Houston reached the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1992 but lost to Maryland 89-77 in the first round. Penders, 64, is 121-77 in six seasons at Houston and has 648 victories in 30 years.

Pacquiao waiting on Mayweather Manny Pacquiao is still open to fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. but is waiting for the challenge to come from the other side.

"I came this far in my boxing career without Mayweather, so I see no need to call him out," Pacquiao said upon his return to Manila after beating Joshua Clottey in Dallas. "He needs me to bolster his career."

Half-marathon: Mara Yamauchi of England passed American Deena Kastor with two miles to go to win the women's NYC Half Marathon in a course-record time of 1:09:25. Peter Kamais of Kenya won the men's race in 59:53 after marathon world-record holder Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia pulled out because of a cold and asthma.

Short-track speedskating: China and South Korea won every gold medal awarded Sunday at the world championships in Sofia, Bulgaria. The only podium finishes by athletes from other countries in six races were third place by J.R. Celski of the United States in the men's 1,000 meters and third place for Katherine Reutter of the United States in the women's 1,000.

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