Roddick defeats Lopez for championship in Dubai

For once, Andy Roddick faced an opponent who could match him serve for serve.

Though Feliciano Lopez had more aces, he couldn’t stop sixth-seeded Roddick from winning his second ATP Tour title in three weeks with a 6-7 (8), 6-4, 6-2 victory Saturday in the Dubai Championships in the United Arab Emirates.

In his first appearance in Dubai, Roddick beat second-ranked Rafael Nadal and third-ranked Novak Djokovic during the week to become the first American winner of the tournament.

Roddick, who won in San Jose last month, has used his overpowering serve to dominate opponents. This time he met his match when Lopez served 24 aces to his 22.

Third-seeded Serena Williams defeated her older sister, second-seeded Venus, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (4), to reach the final of the Bangalore Open in India. She will play fourth-seeded Patty Schnyder, who beat Yan Zi, 6-3, 6-4, in the other semifinal.

Kevin Anderson advanced to his first ATP final, beating Robby Ginepri, 7-6 (4), 6-4, in the Tennis Channel Open at Las Vegas. He will play Sam Querrey, who upset fourth-seeded Guillermo Canas, 7-5, 6-2.

MOTOR RACING

Kenseth finally ends 18-race winless streak

Matt Kenseth ended an 18-race winless string with a victory in the NASCAR Nationwide Series Nicorette 300 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Kenseth, in a Ford, passed Jeff Burton for the lead on Lap 186 of the race, which was extended three laps beyond its scheduled 195 laps by a crash.

Kenseth held off Kevin Harvick by about three car lengths in a green-white-checker shootout, winning for the first time since April 14, 2007.

WINTER SPORTS

Ligety wins World Cup giant slalom in Slovenia

Ted Ligety of Park City, Utah, won a World Cup giant slalom at Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, for his second career victory. It was his first win since a giant slalom victory in South Korea two years ago.

Ligety was third after the first run and second in the next for a combined time of 2 minutes 24.31 seconds, edging Manfred Moelgg of Italy by 0.15. Massimiliano Blardone of Italy was 0.80 behind in third.

BOXING

Peter stops Maskaev to win WBC title

Samuel Peter knocked out Oleg Maskaev in the final seconds of the sixth round to win the World Boxing Council heavyweight title.

Peter (30-1, 23 KOs) was more powerful than the 39-year-old Maskaev (34-6, 26) in front of a sellout crowd at Plaza de Toros, the bullfighting ring in Cancun, Mexico.

TRACK AND FIELD

Liu, Isinbayeva win gold in Spain

Liu Xiang of China won his first 60-meter hurdles competition of the season, dominating from the heats to the final for his first gold medal at the World Indoor Championships at Valencia, Spain.

Liu won in 7.46. American veteran and triple indoor champion Allen Johnson took silver in 7.55.

Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia won her third consecutive indoor pole vault title, holding off American Jennifer Stuczynski. Both cleared 15 feet 7 inches, but Isinbayeva needed fewer attempts.

JURISPRUDENCE

USC tackle Moala arrested after bar fight

USC defensive tackle Fili Moala was arrested this week in Newport Beach for obstructing and delaying an officer after police responded to a fight at a bar, a police official confirmed.

Moala, 22, was not cited for being part of the fight, which occurred last Sunday at Hoagie Barmichaels, said Sgt. Evan Sailor of the Newport Beach Police Department.

Moala posted $500 bail and was released, Sailor said.

USC Coach Pete Carroll said he was aware of Moala’s arrest.

“We’ll handle it, as we always do, internally. Fili is cooperating in all ways that he can.”

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Gary Klein

SOCCER

Barnsley beats Chelsea in FA Cup quarterfinals

Barnsley upset defending champion Chelsea, 1-0, in the English FA Cup quarterfinals. Kayode Odejayi scored on a 66th-minute header for Barnsley, which earned a berth in the semifinals for the first time since 1912, when it won the title.

IDITAROD

Defending champion Mackey takes lead

Defending champion Lance Mackey was the first musher to leave the town of Nulato, Alaska, the Yukon River checkpoint that is 700 miles into the 1,100-mile dog-sled race to Nome.