Sports Digest

April 28, 2008

Rafael Nadal won his first championship of the season yesterday, defeating Roger Federer yet again on clay to claim his fourth consecutive Monte Carlo Masters title in Monaco.

The second-ranked Spaniard won, 7-5, 7-5, and improved his clay-court record over the top-ranked Federer to 7-1.

"Winning four times here is unimaginable," said Nadal, who earned his 24th career title.

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• More tennis // Defending champion Russia advanced to its fourth Fed Cup final in five years, clinching its semifinal match against the United States when Vera Zvonareva rallied to defeat Vania King, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, in Moscow. The Russians will face Spain in the final in September.

• College basketball // UCLA guard Josh Shipp will enter the NBA draft, but the junior won't hire an agent. ... Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut's 7-foot-3 center, said he will return to school for his junior season.

• Soccer // Carli Lloyd's goal in the 91st minute gave the United States a 3-2 victory over Australia in an exhibition in Cary, N.C. The Australians scored twice in the final six minutes to rally from a 2-0 deficit. Natasha Kai and Abby Wambach also scored for the Americans.

• Golf // Baltimore Country Club, which had lost all seven of its past Maryland State Golf Association championship appearances since last winning in 1950, ended the streak with a 9 1/2 -8 1/2 victory over Columbia CC.

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