AFP - Top seed Nadia Petrova and sixth seed Bethanie Mattek advanced to the semi-finals of the 175,000-dollar WTA Quebec Challenge with straight-set victories here.

AP - Patrick Kane is proving his rookie season was no fluke. Kane had a goal and two assists to help Chicago remain undefeated in regulation at home with a 5-2 win over the Dallas Stars on Friday night.

AFP - Not many teams arrive at Old Trafford higher up the Premier League table than champions Manchester United - especially in their first top-flight season.

AP - Manny Ramirez in pinstripes? Hank Steinbrenner said the Yankees will explore all options during the offseason, including the possibility of making an offer to the free-agent slugger.

AP - The high expectations for the Trail Blazers this season were tempered somewhat when Greg Oden was injured in Portland's 20-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the opener.

AP - Kevin Garnett played much better in the 1,000th game of his career than in his first of this season.

AP - New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury was placed on the inactive list before Friday night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers.

AP - As if there weren't enough expectations for North Carolina this season, they just got bigger. Not only are the Tar Heels No. 1 in The Associated Press' preseason Top 25, they are the first unanimous No. 1 since the preseason poll began in 1981-82.

AP - Manager Charlie Manuel hoisted the World Series trophy Friday while players basked in a swarm of confetti, the Phanatic mascot danced and hundreds of thousands of Phillies fans roared in celebration of the city's first major sports championship in 25 years.

AP - Padraig Harrington was unable to close the gap in his bid for the Order of Merit on Friday before heavy rain cut short the second round of the Volvo Masters.

AFP - The Paris Masters was blown wide open on Friday when both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer pulled out of their quarter-finals with injuries.