Andy Roddick tops Rafael Nadal

A decision to begin charging to the net paid off for Andy Roddick on Friday as he rallied to beat Rafael Nadal, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, in their semifinal at the Sony Ericsson Open at Key Biscayne, Fla.

Once Roddick fell behind, he became more aggressive, even following his second serve to the net on occasions. The momentum turned when he won the last 11 points of the second set, including a 143-mph serve — fastest of the tournament — for a winner on the final point to even the match.

Roddick kept coming, winning 12 points at the net in the final set as he countered Nadal’s power.

“It’s kind of like driving into head-on traffic,” Roddick said. “I took a lot of risks there in the last two sets. I rolled the dice a lot and came up Yahtzee a couple times.”

Seeded sixth, Roddick advanced to the Key Biscayne final for the first time since winning the championship in 2004. Rumors are he’ll use a wood racket in the final Sunday against 16th-seeded Tomas Berdych, who advanced by beating Robin Soderling, 6-2, 6-2.

ETC.

Alex Rodriguez has met with three officials from Major League Baseball and told them he didn’t receive performance-enhancing drugs from a Canadian doctor under federal investigation. The Canadian doctor, Anthony Galea, told the Associated Press last month that he only prescribed anti-inflammatories to Rodriguez, the New York Yankees’ third baseman.

Scott Feldman, who in less than a year has gone from long reliever to opening day starter, agreed with the Texas Rangers to a three-year contract worth nearly $14 million. … Former All-Star Hank Blalock did not make Tampa Bay’s opening day roster and will try to sign with another major league team.

U.S. women’s ski coach Jim Tracy stepped down less than five weeks after guiding the team to a strong showing at the Vancouver Olympics. He did not give a reason, but said in a statement that he appreciated being part of “something very special.”

Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett has been fined $25,000 for criticizing game officials and for using inappropriate language during a postgame interview.

San Diego Chargers running back-kick return specialist Darren Sproles signed the team’s one-year contract tender offer worth $7.2 million.

Nose tackle Shaun Rogers, arguably the Cleveland Browns’ best player, apologized to his fans and his team Friday, saying he didn’t intend to carry a loaded gun in his luggage as he tried to pass through airport security. Rogers plans to plead not guilty to a concealed weapons charge, his lawyer said. … A federal judge says a lawsuit over a staph infection that benched former Browns receiver Joe Jurevicius can move forward in a state court against the team and the Cleveland Clinic. Jurevicius sued in June, saying the team misrepresented the cleanliness of its training facility and claiming doctors were negligent over a 2008 infection in his right knee.

A Florida woman who sued Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes over an alleged assault now wants to press charges, Miami police said Friday. Anshonae Mills claims in a lawsuit that Holmes grabbed her face and threw a glass at her March 7 in an Orlando nightclub, cutting her above the eye. In her lawsuit, she claims Holmes and a police officer intimidated her so she wouldn’t press charges.

The Washington Redskins have agreed to terms with running back Willie Parker for a one-year deal that could be worth as much as $3.1 million with incentives. … The Arizona Cardinals have come to terms on a two-year deal with free-agent kicker Jay Feely, who made 30 of 36 field goal attempts last season for the New York Jets. … The Dallas Cowboys have released five-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Flozell Adams and safety Ken Hamlin two years after each signed long-term contracts.

The NHL has suspended Atlanta Thrashers forward Colby Armstrong for two games without pay for hitting an opponent in the head during a game.

U.S. striker Brian Ching will be sidelined for at least a few weeks after hurting his left hamstring playing for Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo, an injury that could hamper his preparations for the World Cup.

Organizers of the Meineke Bowl in Charlotte, N.C., terminated their title sponsorship agreement effective after this year’s game, which means there will likely be a different name for the event in 2011.

Nivea has signed a multiyear deal to be the title sponsor of the AVP Tour. Six of the beach volleyball circuit’s 12 events this year will be played in the Southland, beginning with the April 29-May 2 event in Santa Barbara. Crocs, associated with the tour since 2006, ended its partnership with the tour after last season.

PASSINGS

Former Cy Young Award winner Mike Cuellar, who pitched the Baltimore Orioles to victory in the deciding game of the 1970 World Series, has died. The 72-year-old Cuellar died Friday in an Orlando, Fla., hospital of stomach cancer.

Cuellar was 185-130 in 15 major league seasons and won 20 or more games four times, including in 1969, when he was 23-11 and shared the American League Cy Young Award with Denny McLain.