Davenport stuns Ivanovic, 6-4, 6-2, in Florida

Still gaining momentum in her comeback after becoming a parent, Lindsay Davenport upset second-seeded Ana Ivanovic, 6-4, 6-2, in the third round at the Sony Ericsson Open at Key Biscayne, Fla.

Davenport, who left the women’s tour in late 2006 to have her first child before returning last summer, is 17-3 this year with two titles, and she rated the win over Ivanovic as her best since returning.

“In this comeback, for lack of better words, I’ve not made a fool of myself,” said Davenport, 31. “I’ve done pretty well for my age and for what I’ve been through. Obviously days like today just give me more incentive to keep going.”

Top-seeded Justine Henin and sixth-seeded Venus Williams also reached the fourth round. Henin beat Sara Errani, 6-2, 6-1, and Williams defeated wild card Marina Erakovic by the same score.

In men’s play, ninth-seeded James Blake outlasted Fabrice Santoro, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-4.

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GOLF

Ochoa runs away with another title

Lorena Ochoa finished with a six-under 66 to successfully defend her title at the Safeway International with a seven-stroke victory at Superstition Mountain, Ariz.

Ochoa finished at 22-under 266 to win for the second time in three tournaments. South Korea’s Jee Young Lee, who began the day one shot back, shot an even-par 72 to finish at 15 under. Mine Blomqvist of Finland (66) was third at 14 under, her best LPGA finish.

Argentina’s Andres Romero won the Zurich Classic in his 12th start on the PGA Tour, closing with a four-under 68 for a one-stroke victory over Australia’s Peter Lonard at Avondale, La.

Romero had a 13-under 275 total. Lonard had a chance to force a playoff but missed a long birdie putt on 18. Tim Wilkinson shot a 67 to finish third.

Bernhard Langer won the Ginn Championship, his second Champions Tour victory in three starts, shooting a one-under 71 to finish at 12-under 204 for an eight-stroke victory over Lonnie Nielsen and Tim Simpson at Palm Coast, Fla.

Ernie Els withdrew from this week’s Houston Open because of a virus.

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MOTOR RACING

Hamlin edges Burton to win at Martinsville

Hendrick Motorsports’ drivers dominated the race, but Denny Hamlin foiled Jeff Burton’s late strategy of staying out while the rest of the leaders pitted, passing his fellow Virginian on the 427th lap and holding on for his fourth career victory in winning at Martinsville Speedway.

Jeff Gordon, who along with Hendrick teammate Jimmie Johnson combined to win eight of the previous 10 races at Martinsville, rallied to finish second, followed by Burton, Johnson and Tony Stewart.

Gordon, the pole-sitter, led 90 laps, while Hendrick’s Dale Earnhardt Jr. led a race-high 146 and Johnson, seeking his fourth straight victory at Martinsville, led 135.

Antron Brown became the first driver in NHRA history to win races in pro stock motorcycle and top fuel, beating Larry Dixon in 4.605 seconds at 320.28 mph in the top fuel final in the O’Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals at Baytown, Texas. Dixon did 309.06 mph in 4.621 seconds.

Brown, who also joined J.R. Todd as the only black top fuel winners, followed Del Worsham (funny car), Greg Anderson (pro stock) and Matt Smith (pro stock motorcycle) into the winner’s circle.

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JURISPRUDENCE

Former Laker Rider arrested in auto theft

Former Lakers guard Isaiah Rider, 37, must appear in court April 23 after being arrested early Saturday on an auto theft charge in Los Angeles.

Convicted in May 2000 in the alcohol-related crash that killed Minnesota Timberwolves swingman Malik Sealy, Souksangouane Phengsene, 51, was arrested again on suspicion of drunk driving in Minneapolis.

Phengsene was convicted of vehicular homicide and sentenced to four years in prison in the Sealy accident. He also was convicted of drunk driving in Iowa in 1997 and Minnesota in 2006.