AP - Despite having played Washington at least twice a year since 1970, the Super Bowl champion New York Giants are going to be playing somewhat of a guessing game against the Redskins in the kickoff game to the NFL season.

AP - Daunte Culpepper summed up his thoughts Thursday in two words, which ushered in the start of a new era for the former Pro Bowl quarterback.

AP - Serena Williams watched the final shot sail beyond the baseline, and immediately her sister called for an instant-replay challenge. At that point, Venus Williams really had nothing else to lose. So more than 20,000 fans hushed Wednesday night, looking at the giant video boards high above Arthur Ashe Stadium. A moment later, the call was confirmed and the crowd roared: Serena had won this family affair at the U.S. Open.

AFP - World number one Rafael Nadal advanced to his first US Open semi-final by battling back to defeat 35th-ranked American Mardy Fish 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 early Thursday morning.

AP - Ohio State tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells is not taking contact or putting pressure on his injured right foot but still holds out hope of playing in the Buckeyes' next game.

AP - The Houston Astros have won eight straight games for the second time in less than a month. The Chicago Cubs have lost five in a row for the first time this season.

AP - LeBron James could be excused for his poor shooting from behind the arc, and for being blown out in a game of H-O-R-S-E with a warehouse worker in a beach exhibition. James was still floating in the clouds from his Olympic experience.

AP - Jaguars linebacker Clint Ingram spent about 14 hours at the hospital Tuesday, waiting with teammates, coaches and Richard Collier's family and friends. He didn't get any of the answers he wanted.

AP - Upon further review, the play stands. Major League Baseball's scoring review committee ruled Wednesday that official scorer Bob Webb did not err when he decided that Pittsburgh's Andy LaRoche singled against Brewers pitcher CC Sabathia in the bottom of the fifth inning of Milwaukee's 7-0 win on Sunday.

AP - New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick expects Tom Brady to be ready Sunday for the season opener against Kansas City after the NFL's reigning MVP missed all four exhibition games.

AP - Alex Rodriguez's ninth-inning homer was upheld in baseball's first use of instant replay, and the New York Yankees beat the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays 8-4 on Wednesday night.

AP - LSU postponed its football game against Troy after Hurricane Gustav damaged Tiger Stadium and battered Louisiana's capital city far worse than anticipated.