TENNIS

U.S. beats Czechs 2-1 without Bryans

The United States beat the Czech Republic 2-1 at the World Team Cup at Duesseldorf, Germany, on Monday despite having to use another doubles team because of an undisclosed injury to top-ranked Bob and Mike Bryan of Camarillo.

The Bryan brothers, who lost in the final of the Hamburg Masters on Sunday, were replaced by James Blake and Wayne Odesnik, who rallied past Tomas Berdych and Pavel Vizner 0-6, 7-5, 10-8.

Davydenko wins opener: Top-seeded Nikolay Davydenko eased past Rainer Eitzinger of Austria 6-1, 6-1 in the first round of the Hypo Group International at Poertschach, Austria.

Oliver Marach led Sam Querrey of Thousand Oaks 6-3, 3-5 in a match suspended by rain.

Betting panel to review 45 matches: An independent panel concluded that 45 professional tennis matches from the past five years require further review because of suspicious betting patterns.

The International Tennis Federation, the ATP, the WTA Tour and the four Grand Slams published the findings of the panel in a 66-page report.

The review said while "professional tennis is neither institutionally nor systematically corrupt, it is potentially at a crossroads."

Roddick out of French Open with shoulder injury: Andy Roddick withdrew from the French Open because of a right shoulder injury and hopes to be ready for Wimbledon.

The sixth-ranked American, who lost in the first round at Roland Garros the last two years, retired from the semifinals of the Rome Masters on May 10. He skipped the Hamburg Masters last week.

PRO FOOTBALL

Bengals release Odell Thurman

Troubled linebacker Odell Thurman was released by the Cincinnati Bengals, one month after he was reinstated by the NFL from a two-year suspension.

The move came one month after the Bengals released receiver Chris Henry following his fifth arrest.

HORSE RACING

Big Brown arrives at Belmont Park

Big Brown arrived at Belmont Park to begin preparations for the Belmont Stakes as he tries to become the first thoroughbred in 30 years to complete the Triple Crown.

Big Brown was led from his trailer to Barn 2 with more than two dozen cameras following him.

OLYMPICS

Amputee says 2012 games more realistic

Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius thinks he might have a more realistic chance of qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics than this summer's Beijing Games.

Pistorius returned to South Africa after the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned an IAAF ruling that barred him from competing in the Olympics and other able-bodied events. The court said the 21-year-old's carbon fiber racing blades do not give him an unfair advantage over able-bodied runners.

Pistorius said he will be competing to try to qualify for the Aug. 8-24 Beijing Games, but said it will be difficult to get into shape. He said the London Olympics also are in his plans.

"The last five months have been extremely tiring," Pistorius said. "But I have the opportunity now, so I might as well grab it with both hands."

Defending champ Xing out of games: Olympic 10,000-meter champion Xing Huina of China has a thigh injury that will prevent her from defending her title at the Beijing Games.

She would have been one of the host nation's medal favorites. The only other clear favorite in track is defending Olympic champion Liu Xiang in the 110-meter hurdles.