Kuerten Upset By Roddick

Andy Roddick defeated top-ranked Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-2, Thursday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Tennis Masters Series at Montreal.

The 18-year-old American used a powerful serve and strong baseline play to wear down the three-time French Open champion.

“It’s a big win, but at this point in my career, I can’t really rank wins,” said Roddick, who drilled 17 aces past Kuerten.

“Obviously, it’s bigger than a first-round win as a challenger last year, but whether it’s bigger than any other win, I can’t say. I have a lot of respect for Gustavo. He’s still the better player, by far. But I was better today.”

Boris Becker will come out of retirement next week to play doubles alongside Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic at the ATP event in Cincinnati. The 33-year-old German, winner of 49 singles titles, received a wild card to play at his first ATP event since July 1999.

Pro Basketball

The Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors completed a sign-and-trade agreement that sends center Hakeem Olajuwon to Canada for first- and second-round draft picks.

“It was a very difficult decision,” Olajuwon, 38, said on a conference call late Thursday night. “I’ve been in Houston now for 23 years so it was hard, but at the same I’m looking forward to joining the Raptors. I feel like a rookie again.”

The Minnesota Timberwolves re-signed free-agent guard Felipe Lopez to a multiyear contract. . . . The San Antonio Spurs have signed forward Stephen Jackson and guard Charles Smith. . . . The Detroit Pistons signed forward Rodney White, the team’s first-round draft pick.

Soccer

The United States’ next World Cup 2002 qualifying game, against Honduras in Washington’s RFK Stadium on Sept. 1, is a sellout, U.S. Soccer announced. . . . The Galaxy has been given the home-field advantage in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals and will host the defending Open Cup champion Chicago Fire at 8 p.m. on Aug. 22 at Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Stadium. The New England Revolution will host D.C. United in the other semifinal.

WUSA: Tiffeny Milbrett scored on a breakaway in the 76th minute to give the New York Power a 1-0 victory over the Carolina Courage before 5,419 at Chapel Hill, N.C. . . . Julie Murray scored two goals as the Bay Area CyberRays (10-5-4) moved into first place, clinching a playoff berth with a 3-2 victory over Philadelphia before 7,670 at San Jose.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter says Dutch soccer star Edgar Davids was suspected of taking more than one illegal substance when he was temporarily suspended by the Italian soccer federation. . . . A day after defeating Finland’s Haka Valkeakoski in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, Israeli champion Maccabi Haifa learned it has been disqualified from the competition for using an ineligible player.

Miscellany

Greg LeMond has a problem with fellow three-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong’s association with the Italian doctor, Michele Ferrari, linked to drug use in sports.

LeMond told the Guardian, a London newspaper: “In the light of Lance’s relationship with Ferrari, I just don’t want to comment on this year’s Tour. This is not sour grapes. I’m just disappointed in Lance.”

Surprised and upset, Armstrong called LeMond when he saw the comments.

“I was upset, I was surprised more than anything,” Armstrong said. There was no apology, he said.

Nevada Las Vegas football Coach John Robinson could add athletic director to his role at the school.

Eric Daze, the Chicago Blackhawk left wing who had 33 goals and 24 assists last season, re-signed with the team. . . . The Washington Capitals re-signed goalie Corey Hirsch to a one-year contract with an option for 2002-03. . . . The Carolina Hurricanes re-signed goaltender Jean-Marc Pelletier to a two-year contract and forwards Byron Ritchie and Craig MacDonald to one-year contracts. . . . The Ice Dogs signed forwards Jeff Attard and Chris George to one-year contracts.

Medical examiners are trying to determine whether heatstroke caused the death of an Indiana high school football player who collapsed during practice. An autopsy found that Travis Stowers, a 6-foot, 220-pound offensive lineman for Clinton Central High, did not die from a brain aneurysm as school officials reported Wednesday.

The Golden State Boxers Assn. will honor former Southland boxers Carlos Palomino, Armando Muniz, Ramon Fuentes and Art Aragon on Aug. 25 at a noon luncheon at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Hollywood. Reservations: (818) 761-4887.