AP - Kevin Harvick passed Brad Keselowski for the lead with just over 50 laps to go Friday night and won the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond.

AFP - Sir Alex Ferguson has backed fit-again Rio Ferdinand to erase his injury nightmare by becoming a leader for both club and country again.

AP - Fausto Carmona pitched a three-hitter for his first shutout in more than two years, slowing Minnesota's September surge and leading the Cleveland Indians to a 2-0 win over the AL Central-leading Twins on Friday night.

AP - On her way to the lead Friday in the Northwest Arkansas Championship, Morgan Pressel enjoyed chatting with an unusual playing partner.

AP - After trailing for much of the third set, Venus Williams suddenly was right back in the thick of her U.S. Open semifinal against Kim Clijsters, serving at 4-all, 30-all.

AFP - Defending champion Kim Clijsters advanced to the US Open women's final by rallying to defeat US third seed Venus Williams 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, running her US Open win streak to 20 matches.

AP - Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. was jailed briefly Friday on a felony charge after his ex-girlfriend alleged he beat her and stole her cell phone during an argument in front of their three children.

AP - After reviewing one of the ugliest, lowest-scoring victories in his four-plus seasons as a head coach, Sean Payton decided he liked what he saw.

AP - Matt Kuchar was feeling terrible and playing even worse. He managed to hold himself together long enough Friday to salvage a 1-over 72 and share the lead with Charlie Wi in the BMW Championship.

AP - Johan Santana is headed for shoulder surgery, making this the third straight year the high-priced New York Mets' ace will spend the offseason recovering from an operation.

AP - Tiger Woods is stuck between old and new, and it might cost him a spot at the FedEx Cup finale.

AP - The president of the NFL Players Association said he got one offer from a team this year. It came too late, and Kevin Mawae said Friday he decided being with family was more important than his passion to keep playing in the league.

AP - Long after dust gathers on the U.S. Open trophy that barely eluded Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi, the message he sent on a grand stage in New York still will echo loudly.

AFP - Britain's Mark Cavendish claimed his second successive stage victory in the Tour of Spain on Friday with a sprint finish while Spain's Igor Anton retained the overall leader's red jersey.

AP - Pat Riley and LeBron James already have one thing in common. They're keeping track of what's been said about how this Miami Heat team got put together this summer.

AP - Dara Torres is back in the pool and training for what she hopes will be her sixth Olympics.