Dementieva withdraws as play gets underway

A right rib injury forced fifth-seeded Elena Dementieva to withdraw Wednesday from a Pacific Life Open already missing three of the world’s top five players in Indian Wells.

Dementieva, a finalist last year, has a stress fracture that could keep her out for six weeks.

She joins No. 2 Justine Henin, No. 3 Amelie Mauresmo and No. 5 Kim Clijsters on the sidelines.

Wild card Mirjana Lucic, 24, continued her comeback after nearly four years away from the game because of personal and financial problems, earning a 6-4, 7-6 (4) victory over Lindsey Nelson in a first-round match.

Jill Craybas defeated Maria Elena Camerin, 6-1, 7-5, Meilen Tu beat Tatiana Poutchek, 6-3, 6-2, and Shenay Perry ousted Galina Voskoboeva, 6-3, 6-2.

PRO FOOTBALL

Ravens’ Lewis signs

with the Browns

Unable to reach a deal to remain in Baltimore, free-agent running back Jamal Lewis signed a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns, the team he blistered for an NFL single-game record 295 yards in 2003.

Financial terms were not disclosed. Lewis, 27, was released last week in a salary-cap move.

Former New England Patriots tight end Daniel Graham, 28, agreed to a five-year, $30-million deal with the Denver Broncos.

HOCKEY

Penguins owner

explores Las Vegas

Pittsburgh Penguins owner Ron Burkle led a delegation to Las Vegas to meet with Mayor Oscar Goodman about the possibility of relocating to the city, a team spokesman said. The Penguins’ lease at 46-year-old Mellon Arena expires June 30.

SOCCER

Manchester advances

in Champions League

Henrik Larsson scored on a header in the 72nd minute to put Manchester United into the quarterfinals of the Champions League with a 1-0 victory over Lille in London.

In other matches, Bayern Munich ousted nine-time champion Real Madrid on aggregate after a 4-4 draw, Arsenal was eliminated on aggregate after a 1-1 draw with PSV Eindhoven, and Kaka scored in extra time to give AC Milan a 1-0 victory over Celtic.

Arsenal forward Thierry Henry will be sidelined indefinitely after tearing his groin and stomach muscles against PSV Eindhoven.

Kristine Lilly and Carli Lloyd scored to lead the U.S. women over China, 2-1, in the Americans’ opener at the Algarve Cup in Silves, Portugal.

Lilly converted a penalty kick for her 118th international goal.

TRACK AND FIELD

European athletes

face longer bans

European athletes who serve two-year IAAF doping suspensions will be banned from competing at European track and field championships for an additional two years, European Athletics said.

The ban will not prevent cleared athletes from taking part in international or national level competitions.

Olympic medal-winning sprinters Marion Jones and Obadele Thompson of Barbados were married Feb. 24 in a small ceremony in Wilson’s Mills, N.C., said the Rev. Vibert Tyrrel, who conducted the service and is Thompson’s uncle.

MISCELLANY

Mackey overtakes

leaders in Iditarod

Lance Mackey regained the lead in the 1,100-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Ophir, Alaska, as other teams rested.

Four-time champions Martin Buser and Jeff King had taken the lead after the Nikolai checkpoint while Mackey slept.

Kansas hired former Miami Dolphins and Army defensive assistant Steve Tovar, 36, as its linebackers coach.