Tennis News Blog

Russia, NATO loom in Cheney’s Ukraine visit
KIEV (Reuters) - Vice President Dick Cheney will reassure Ukrainian leaders of U.S. backing on Friday as they grapple with a domestic political crisis and face up to the fallout from Russia’s conflict with Georgia.

Black, Paes win U.S. Open mixed doubles title
Cara Black of Zimbabwe and Leander Paes of India won their first U.S. Open mixed doubles title by beating Liezel Huber of the United States and Jamie Murray of Britain 7-6 (6), 6-4 in the final Thursday. Paes has won four Grand Slam mixed doubles titles, and Black has won three - but this was the first for each at Flushing Meadows and the first for them as a team. They were seeded fifth at the U.S. Open. Huber and Murray were unseeded.

Molik retires after injury-prone career
Australia’s Alicia Molik has retired from international tennis after a long run of injuries, including a debilitating inner-ear virus. The 27-year-old Molik peaked at a No. 8 ranking after reaching the Australian Open quarterfinals in 2005, but spent most of the rest of that season off the circuit because she was unable to balance due to the ear virus.

McCain accepts party’s nomination, promises jobs
ST. PAUL (Reuters) - Republican John McCain cast himself as an independent-minded reformer on Thursday, vowed “change is coming” if he is elected president and promised to create millions of jobs by developing new energy sources.

Bush advised to back modest troop cuts in Iraq
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Top U.S. defense officials have recommended that President George W. Bush withdraw one combat brigade from Iraq but not until early next year, Pentagon sources said on Thursday.