Nikolay Davydenko upsets Roger Federer in Qatar

Top-ranked Roger Federer was upset by Nikolay Davydenko, 6-4, 6-4, Friday in the semifinal of the Qatar Open at Doha.

The sixth-ranked Davydenko improved to 2-12 against Federer. The Russian defeated Federer at the season-ending championships in London in November.

The upset prevents a Sunday showdown of Federer against Rafael Nadal. The second-ranked Nadal cruised past fifth-seeded Viktor Troicki of Serbia, 6-1, 6-3.

Top-seeded Kim Clijsters set up a highly anticipated all-Belgian final against seven-time Grand Slam winner Justine Henin with a victory over Andrea Petkovic at the Brisbane International in Australia.

Clijsters beat the 22-year-old German, 6-4, 6-2, hours after Henin secured a spot in the final of her first tournament since returning from retirement.

Henin, who advanced 6-3, 6-2 over 2008 French Open champion Ana Ivanovic, leads Clijsters, 12-10, in head-to-head matches after winning their last three meetings -- all in 2006.

The top-seeded men’s player, Andy Roddick, had 16 aces in a 6-3, 7-6 (5) win over Frenchman Richard Gasquet in the late match to move into a semifinal against fourth-seeded Tomas Berdych, who beat eighth-seeded Thomas Bellucci of Brazil, 7-6 (4), 2-6, 7-6 (3).

Defending champion Radek Stepanek will take on Frenchman Gael Monfils in the other semifinal today, before the women’s final in the night session on Pat Rafter Arena.

GOLF

Glover keeps his lead

U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover had another big stretch of birdies on his way to an eight-under-par 65 that gave him the lowest 36-hole score at Kapalua, Hawaii, in five years and a three-shot lead in the SBS Championship.

Glover was losing ground until a two-putt birdie on the fifth hole, the start of a six-hole stretch that he played in six under. He needed all those birdies -- along with one eagle -- to keep ahead.

Glover was at 15-under 131 going into the weekend.

John Rollins played bogey-free in a round of 66 and was three shots behind, followed by a group at 11-under 135 that included defending champion Geoff Ogilvy (66) and Sean O’Hair (67).

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

USF fires Leavitt

South Florida fired Coach JimLeavitt after a school investigation concluded he grabbed one of his players by the throat, slapped him in the face and then lied about it.

A letter hand-delivered to the coach and released along with a report on the three-week probe said the university’s findings were based on “independently corroborated statements of persons found to be in the best position to observe your conduct.”

Reached by telephone, Leavitt told the Associated Press he was “disappointed” and the allegation was “absolutely false.”

Fired Texas Tech coach Mike Leach accused his former bosses of making “slanderous and libelous” statements intended to damage his reputation and hurt him financially.

Court documents filed Friday said statements made by university administrators “were made intentionally” to harm Leach and expose him to financial harm.

Leach was fired Dec. 30 after the family of receiver Adam James said he mistreated the player after he suffered a concussion.

ETC.

Supercross to open

The AMA Supercross season opens tonight at Angel Stadium and there is a chance last year’s winner might not be able to race. Josh Grant, the surprise winner of last year’s season opener, crashed and hit his head on a jump while running practice laps at a track near his home in Riverside on Tuesday.

It will be a race-time decision whether Grant starts, but his injuries didn’t keep him from turning some practice laps at Angel Stadium with a handful of other riders, including reigning AMA Supercross champion James Stewart and runner-up Chad Reed.

Gates open at 12:30 p.m. for practice and qualifying. Main event races are scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.

-- Tim Haddock Tennessee basketball Coach Bruce Pearl dismissed forward Tyler Smith from the team, a week after his arrest with three other players on misdemeanor gun and drug charges.