U.S. wins, advances to the Fed Cup final

The United States and Italy reached the Fed Cup final Sunday, with the Americans saving a match point in the decisive match of their best-of-five series and the Italians eliminating defending champion Russia.

The Americans, who have won a record 17 Fed Cup titles but none since 2000, beat the Czech Republic, 3-2, in Brno, Czech Republic, to reach their first final since 2003. Liezel Huber and Bethanie Mattek-Sands saved a match point before defeating Iveta Benesova and Kveta Peschke, 2-6, 7-6 (2), 6-1. The 32-year-old Huber, who previously competed for South Africa, was playing for the United States for the third time.

Francesca Schiavone earned the winning point for Italy, defeating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 7-6 (6), 4-6, 6-2, before the Italian doubles team closed out the 4-1 victory at Castellaneta Marina, Italy.

The 2009 final, which will be in Italy, is set for Nov. 7-8.

Rafael Nadal won his fifth straight Barcelona Open title, beating David Ferrer, 6-2, 7-5.

Nadal improved to 24-1 in clay court finals in picking up his fourth title of the season.

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GOLF

Kelly rallies to win by one shot

Jerry Kelly rallied with two birdies on the back nine to claim the $1.1-million payday in the PGA Tour’s Zurich Classic at Avondale, La. Kelly offset bogeys on No. 8 and No. 10 with birdies on 5, 11 and 14 for a one-under 71 in the final round. He finished with a 274, one stroke ahead of Charles Howell III, Rory Sabbatini and Charlie Wi.

Lorena Ochoa shot a five-under 68 to hold off Suzann Pettersen by a stroke in a dramatic final round and win the LPGA Tour’s Corona Championship at Morelia, Mexico, for the second straight year.

Ochoa had birdies on the 15th and 16th holes to break a tie with Pettersen and finish at 25-under 267.

Tom Lehman made a par putt on the second playoff hole to become the 13th player to win his Champions Tour debut, teaming with Bernhard Langer to beat Craig Stadler and Jeff Sluman in the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf at Savannah, Ga.

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BASEBALL

Diamondbacks put Drew on DL

The Arizona Diamondbacks put shortstop Stephen Drew on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left hamstring. Drew is hitting .205 with one hit in his last 16 at-bats. The club filled Drew’s roster spot by purchasing the contract of utility infielder Josh Wilson from triple-A Reno.

The San Diego Padres put right-handed pitcher Shawn Hill on the 15-day disabled list because of an inflamed right elbow and promoted rookie infielder Drew Macias from triple-A Portland. . . . The Pittsburgh Pirates put shortstop Jack Wilson on the 15-day disabled list. . . . The Milwaukee Brewers activated all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman from the disabled list.

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ETC.

Sidney visits Mississippi State

Renardo Sidney’s commitment to USC’s men’s basketball team is in doubt after Fairfax High’s star senior center took a recent visit to Mississippi State, a college basketball source barred from publicly discussing recruiting developments told The Times.

The 6-foot-10 Sidney committed to the Trojans this year and was positioned to sign a letter of intent as news came last week from a family spokesman that the player had posted a “passing” SAT score that still requires passing grades in 16 core classes for NCAA approval.

The Sidney family and Mississippi State officials failed to immediately return messages left Sunday night.

-- Lance Pugmire

Scott Dixon took advantage of Ryan Briscoe’s tough-luck pit stop with 47 laps left, then held off Helio Castroneves down the stretch to win the IRL’s Road Runner Turbo Indy 500 at Kansas City, Kan.

Former UCLA quarterback Pat Cowan has signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints.

-- Chris Foster