Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic in Italian Open semifinals

The latest installment in the rivalry between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic met expectations for one tight set.

Then Nadal pulled away for a 7-6 (4), 6-3 win to reach the Italian Open final on Saturday in Rome.

In their 51st meeting but the first in more than a year, Nadal's court coverage eventually proved too much to handle for Djokovic, who is still regaining his form from a persistent right elbow injury.

"That was a tough battle, a good level of tennis, a combination of good tactics and great shots from both of us," said Nadal, who has had injury trouble of his own over the past year.

Nadal's opponent in Sunday's championship match will be defending champion Alexander Zverev, who recovered from an early break in the second set to beat Marin Cilic 7-6 (13), 6-4.

Zverev is aiming for his third title in three weeks after winning in Munich and Madrid — but he hasn't beaten Nadal in four tries.

Hall of Famer Bill Russell was released from a Seattle hospital after an overnight stay for an unknown condition. Russell confirmed on Twitter that he went to the hospital late Friday. He didn't say why and appeared to dismiss reports that the hospital visit was because of heart troubles.

The hospitalization was initially reported by TMZ, which said it was for dehydration.

Johnny Manziel is heading to the Canadian Football League, the latest move for the Heisman Trophy winner whose NFL career was a bust with the Cleveland Browns.

The quarterback said on Twitter on Saturday he had signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Manziel was drafted out of Texas A&M by the Browns in the first round of the 2014 draft. He threw as many interceptions (seven) as touchdown passes during his two seasons and had repeated off-field problems.

• Dallas receiver Terrance Williams was arrested on a charge of public intoxication after police responded to an accident involving his car and found Williams riding an electric bicycle on a road near his home. Police in the Dallas suburb of Frisco said Williams' Lamborghini left a roadway and struck a light pole near the team's practice facility around 4:45 a.m. Saturday and that the driver had left the scene.

Robles has made 183 starts in a row, dating to 2012. It spanned 16,470 minutes, with 86 wins and 52 shutouts. He broke the league record in 2016.

• Samuel Armenteros scored the deciding goal in the 81st minute, giving Portland a 2-1 victory over Los Angeles FC. It was the Timbers' fifth straight win, and they are 4-0 at home and at 5-3-2 overall after starting the season winless for five straight matches on the road. Expansion LAFC (6-3-2) lost on the road for only the third time.

• David Villa had two goals and an assist as host New York City FC beat Colorado 4-0, extending the Rapids' losing streak to five.

• Zack Steffen made six saves for his sixth shutout of the season, helping Columbus beat host New England.

Soccer: Chelsea won the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the final at Wembley Stadium. Eden Hazard scored the goal.

WNBA: Allie Quigley scored 19 and Diamond DeShields scored 18 in her WNBA debut, helping Chicago beat host Indiana 82-64 in the season opener for both teams. DeShields was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 draft.

NHL: Chicago Blackhawks veteran forward Marian Hossa said he's retiring because of health issues. Hossa, 39, missed the 2017-18 season because of a progressive skin disorder and the side effects of medication to treat it. He won the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2010, 2013 and 2015.

Women's tennis: Top-ranked Simona Halep rallied past Maria Sharapova 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the Italian Open and will face Elina Svitolina for the trophy. Svitolina defeated Anna Kontaveit 6-4, 6-3.

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