Sports briefs
February 18, 2009 at 3:37AM
Federer won't face U.S. in Davis Cup Roger Federer pulled out of Switzerland's Davis Cup series against the United States next month and a tournament in Dubai next week because of a back problem.
Federer had announced in October he would play for his country March 6-8 against the U.S. team led by Andy Roddick in Birmingham, Ala. It would have been the first time since 2004 that Federer played in first-round Davis Cup matches.
COLLEGES
Gators returner has surgery Florida returner Brandon James has had surgery to repair a broken right foot but is expected to make a full recovery before fall practice. James was the Southeastern Conference's special teams player of the year in 2008.
• Michigan and Penn State ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in NCAA football attendance. Michigan averaged about 108,500 fans, about 300 more than the Nittany Lions.
AROUND THE HORN
• Cycling: Levi Leipheimer bumped wheels with teammate Lance Armstrong, but recovered to maintain his lead after the third stage in the rain-soaked Tour of California. Thur Hushovd claimed the 101-mile stage from San Jose to Modesto in 4 hours, 28 minutes and 12 seconds. Armstrong, who began the day fourth overall, finished in the main group with Leipheimer, 30 seconds off the lead.
Soccer: D.C. United goalkeeper Zach Wells, 27, announced his retirement from pro soccer.
MINNESOTA SCENE
• Philip Dunn, a former track athlete at Carleton, won his fifth U.S. 50-kilometer title Sunday at the U.S. 50K Race Walk Championships in Santee, Calif. Dunn, who finished in 4 hours, 28 minutes, 53 seconds, qualified for the world track and field championships in Berlin, Germany, in August.
• Team Braemar, of the Braemar-City of Lakes Figure Skating Club, finished second in the junior division at the Spring Cup international synchronized skating competition in Milan, Italy, on Sunday. The team will represent the U.S. at next month's World Synchronized Skating Challenge Cup for Juniors in Switzerland.
• Paula Moltzan of Prior Lake has been named to the U.S. team that will compete at the Trofeo Topolino skiing competition Feb. 20-21 in Italy. Moltzan, who races for Buck Hill Ski Club, is among six Americans who will participate in the world's top event for young ski racers.
FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
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Lindsey Vonn was not about to put everything on the line in her first World Cup race back after more than five years of retirement.
