Karatantcheva Gets Tennis Ban

French Open quarterfinalist Sesil Karatantcheva was banned for two years after twice testing positive for the steroid nandrolone.

The 16-year-old Bulgarian failed one drug test after losing at Roland Garros on May 31, then failed an out-of-competition test in Tokyo on July 5, the International Tennis Federation said Wednesday. Both tests were treated as a first offense by an ITF tribunal that met Dec. 14-15 in London.

The ban took effect Jan. 1, and the ITF said she has three weeks to appeal.

Karatantcheva, who is in Bulgaria, did not comment. She and her father, also her coach, were expected to speak at a news conference today.

The Bulgarian Tennis Federation also declined comment.

Kim Clijsters withdrew from the Sydney International after injuring her hip and might not play in the Australian Open. In men’s play, top-seeded Lleyton Hewitt advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Jurgen Melzer.... Michaella Krajicek beat Alona Bondarenko, 6-2, 6-3, to advance to the semifinals of the Hobart International tournament in Australia. Krajicek will face Jelena Kostanic, who defeated American Laura Granville, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.... Mario Ancic swept top-seeded and defending champion Fernando Gonzalez, 6-0, 6-3, in the quarterfinals of the Heineken Open at Auckland, New Zealand.... Top-seeded Anabel Medina Garrigues beat Ekaterina Bychkova, 6-3, 6-4, to advance to the semifinals of the Canberra International in Australia.

Masters Cup champion David Nalbandian withdrew from the Kooyong Classic because of a stomach virus.

BASEBALL

Bradley, Calero Agree

to Deals With Athletics

Former Dodger outfielder Milton Bradley and right-hander Kiko Calero agreed to one-year contracts with the Oakland Athletics, avoiding arbitration.

Bradley, hoping to return to his top form after a season-ending left knee injury Aug. 23 that required surgery, will receive $3 million with the chance to earn an additional $200,000 in performance bonuses. Calero will receive an $850,000 salary.

It was also learned that Bradley has filed for divorce from his wife Monique, seeking to end an 11-month marriage during which police went to his home at least three times to investigate reports of domestic violence.

According to court papers, Bradley and his wife separated on New Year’s Day and he is seeking joint custody of his three-week-old son, Jeremiah, and doesn’t want to pay spousal support.

Reliever Julian Tavarez and the Boston Red Sox reached a preliminary agreement on a $6.7-million, two-year contract.

Also, the team and infielder Tony Graffanino agreed to a $2.05-million, one-year contract to avoid a salary arbitration hearing.

Left-hander Mike Maroth agreed to a $5.25-million, two-year contract with the Detroit Tigers and third baseman Brandon Inge signed a $3-million, one-year deal.... Outfielder Marlon Byrd avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Washington Nationals.... The Tampa Bay Devil Rays agreed to a $1.4-million, two-year contract with Japanese relief pitcher Shinji Mori.... Right-hander Joaquin Benoit and the Texas Rangers agreed to a one-year contract worth $775,000.... Pitcher Ben Weber agreed to a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays and was invited to spring training.... The Cleveland Indians finalized a one-year contract with free agent Eduardo Perez.

JURISPRUDENCE

Jury Is Selected in

Case Involving Angels

Five men and seven women were selected for the jury that will decide whether the Angels broke their stadium lease by calling themselves the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

The jury includes one resident of Anaheim. The city of Anaheim charges the Angels’ new name violates the intent of a lease provision requiring the team name to “include the name Anaheim therein.”

Three alternate jurors also were selected.

The court is not in session today. Each side will deliver its opening statement Friday, and Anaheim will follow by calling City Manager Dave Morgan as its first witness.

-- Bill Shaikin

A Texas judge denied a former Baylor basketball player’s request to appeal his murder conviction. State District Judge Ralph Strother issued the decision in a letter sent Tuesday to Carlton Dotson, who is serving a 35-year prison term for the 2003 shooting death of teammate Patrick Dennehy.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Revised Replay System

Is Likely for Next Season

College football is likely to get one set of rules for instant replay instead of the conference-by-conference formats that led to confusion, frustration and mistakes during the bowl season.

Tweaking how and when to use replay was the most talked about topic at the annual meeting of Division I-A football coaches. Officials with the American Football Coaches Assn. settled it for now by deciding to poll all 119 coaches next month to get a better grasp on what everyone thinks would be best.

“What will come out of this is there will be uniform rules set,” AFCA executive director Grant Teaff said.

Texas quarterback Vince Young was this season’s winner of the Manning Award. The award, given to the nation’s best quarterback, is the only one that takes into consideration the candidate’s bowl performance.

UCLA running backs coach Eric Bieniemy might be headed to the Minnesota Vikings to join recently hired Coach Brad Childress. Bieniemy, who turned down an offer to coach running backs at Texas last year, reportedly is the leading candidate for the same position with the Vikings.

Florida’s Gavin Dickey, who was a backup quarterback and receiver for the Gators the last two seasons, has given up football to concentrate on baseball.

SOCCER

U.S. Team Adds Two

Players to Its Roster

D.C. United defender Bobby Boswell and Kansas City Wizard defender Kerry Zavagnin were added to the U.S. national team training camp roster.

The U.S. team is preparing for a series of World Cup warmup games that start Jan. 22.

Galaxy defender Chris Albright has resumed training after bruising his right knee.

The Chicago Fire reacquired defender Diego Gutierrez from Kansas City, sending Will John and a second-round draft pick to the Wizards.... The Columbus Crew announced the signings of defenders Marcos Gonzalez of Chile and Joel Kitamirike of England. Both deals are pending approval of their work permits.

FC Barcelona won a Spanish-record 16th straight game, trouncing third-division Zamora, 6-0, in a second-leg game of the Copa del Rey’s fifth round.

Since a 3-3 draw with Deportivo La Coruna on Oct. 15, Barcelona has won 11 league games, three in the European Champions League and two in the Copa del Rey to surpass Real Madrid’s streak set in 1960-61.

Louis Saha and Morten Gamst Pedersen traded goals five minutes apart in the first half and Manchester United and Blackburn tied, 1-1, in a first-leg semifinal of the English League Cup.

MISCELLANY

Loschetter on a Roll

at Fountain Valley Event

Bowler Chris Loschetter took the lead after the second round of qualifying at the Dick Weber Open, a Professional Bowlers Assn. event at Fountain Bowl in Fountain Valley.

Loschetter overtook PBA Hall of Famer Parker Bohn III.

World champion swimmer Katie Hoff, 16, has signed a 10-year deal with Speedo, the longest athlete contract in the swimwear brand’s history. Hoff won three gold medals at last year’s world championships, and was named USA Swimming’s female athlete of the year in December.