Federer’s Streak Ends With a Thud

Roger Federer’s 55-match winning streak in North America ended Wednesday when the world’s top player was upset by Andy Murray in the second round of the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters at Mason, Ohio.

Federer’s last loss on the continent also came at the Cincinnati-area event, when Dominik Hrbaty beat him in the first round on Aug. 3, 2004.

“Two Masters series back-to-back -- 12 matches in 13 days -- it’s something of the impossible,” said Federer, who won a tournament Sunday at Toronto and hadn’t lost in straight sets in his last 194 matches.

The loss left Federer 62-5 this year and ended his bid to match an enduring mark. He had reached the final of his last 17 tournaments since June 2005, one shy of matching Ivan Lendl’s Open era record of 18 straight such finishes since 1981-82.

Murray became only the second player to beat Federer this year, joining No. 2 Rafael Nadal.

Sixth-seeded James Blake was ousted by Juan Carlos Ferrero, 6-2, 6-4, and Nadal beat Lee Hyung-taik, 6-4, 6-3.

Third-seeded Nadia Petrova was upset by Anna Chakvetadze, 6-1, 6-4, in the Rogers Cup at Montreal as six seeded players exited in second-round play.

Chakvetadze will next play Nathalie Dechy, who upset 15th-seeded Maria Kirilenko.

Qualifier Shenay Perry downed 10th-seeded Anna-Lena Groenefeld, 7-6 (5), 6-2, and Jelena Jankovic beat eighth-seeded Francesca Schiavone, 6-1, 6-4. Ai Sugiyama beat 17th-seeded Anabel Medina Garrigues, 6-4, 6-2, and Marion Bartoli advanced when 12th-seeded Flavia Pennetta retired in the second set because of a wrist injury.

Two-time champion Serena Williams was among eight women granted wild cards for the U.S. Open. Williams fell out of the top 100 this year while she missed about six months because of a left knee injury.

PRO FOOTBALL

Browns’ Ephraim Suspended by NFL

The Cleveland Browns’ gaping hole at center grew wider when Alonzo Ephraim, an emergency signing after LeCharles Bentley suffered a season-ending knee injury, was suspended for the first four regular-season games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

Ephraim’s suspension also comes after the sudden retirement of Bob Hallen. Ross Tucker will start now.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger left practice early because of an injury to the thumb on his throwing hand after hitting another player’s shoulder pad.

Coach Bill Cowher expected to have more information today.

Saying he still isn’t 100%, wide receiver Terrell Owens returned to practice with the Dallas Cowboys after sitting out 14 straight practices because of a strained hamstring.

JURISPRUDENCE

Baxter Arrested Near White House

Former NBA player Lonny Baxter was arrested by Secret Service agents about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday after shots were fired from a vehicle about two blocks from the White House.

The Secret Service charged Baxter and his passenger, Irvin Martin, 35, with carrying a handgun without a license and other firearms charges, which could lead to up to seven years in prison.

Baxter, who helped Maryland win a national championship, was ordered held without bail. Martin was released on his own recognizance.

Minnesota Vikings receiver Koren Robinson was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and fleeing from police in Mankato, Minn.

BASKETBALL

Bowen Is Final Cut as U.S. Roster Set

Bruce Bowen was the final player cut from the U.S. team, which begins play Saturday in the world championships in Japan.

The final 12-man roster was announced by USA Basketball and included Carmelo Anthony, Shane Battier, Chris Bosh, Elton Brand, Kirk Hinrich, Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Antawn Jamison, Joe Johnson, Brad Miller, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade.

Bowen remains in the pool of players who will compete for a spot on the 2008 Olympic team.

Ron Artest, talking to children as part of his community service sentence, defended his actions in the November 2004 brawl during a Detroit Pistons-Indiana Pacers game at Auburn Hills, Mich.

“Someone started trouble and I ended it,” Artest told about 50 children at a panel on black empowerment in Detroit. “I would always encourage you to protect yourself but in certain situations, if you can avoid them, avoid them.”

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Assistant Suspended for Hitting Player

Air Force offensive line coach Pete Hurt was suspended indefinitely with pay after he struck a player during practice last week, Coach Fisher DeBerry said.

Robert Johnson, benched after seven games last season, was named Arkansas’ starting quarterback for its Sept. 2 opener against USC.

HOCKEY

Russian Standout Closer to Penguins

Evgeni Malkin filed a letter of resignation with his Russian Super League team, a procedural move necessary for the forward to sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins and begin his NHL career.

Malkin, 20, arguably the top player in the world not in the NHL, is believed to be in Canada.

Owen Nolan, 34, who sat out last season while recovering from right knee surgery, signed a one-year contract with the Phoenix Coyotes.... The Ducks signed defenseman Francois Beauchemin, 26, to a two-year contract extension through the 2008-09 season.

MISCELLANY

Landis’ Father-in-Law Is Found Dead in Car

The father-in-law of besieged Tour de France winner Floyd Landis was found dead in his car after committing suicide, coroner’s officials said.

David Witt, 57, was discovered at a parking garage Tuesday afternoon, said Paul Parker, an investigator with the San Diego County medical examiner. He had a gunshot wound to the head, and the death was ruled a suicide, Parker said. Witt was the stepfather of Landis’ wife, Amber.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. will fight Carlos Baldomir for the World Boxing Council welterweight title Nov. 4 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Mayweather is 36-0 with 24 knockouts. Baldomir, a 35-year-old Argentine, is 43-9-6 with 13 KOs and hasn’t lost a fight in nearly 10 years, mostly recently beating Arturo Gatti on July 22.

Former NBA player and coach Jerry Sichting, 49, was hired by Marquette as an assistant coach. He replaces Dan Panaggio, who resigned and was expected to be named coach of the Lakers’ NBA Development League team.

Internacional won its first Copa Libertadores title when it held defending champion Sao Paulo to a 2-2 draw at Porto Alegre, Brazil. Combined with Internacional’s 2-1 win in the first leg last week, it was enough to earn it the title, 4-3, on aggregate.

San Gabriel Valley had a six-run first inning and Nick Kennedy was the winning pitcher in a 12-2 rout of Harrison, N.Y., in the Senior Babe Ruth 16-18 World Series at Newark, Ohio. SGV will play Hammond, Ind., in the loser’s bracket final today.