Tennis

Oudin rallies again

New York — Forget about forehands and backhands. Melanie Oudin’s biggest weapon is her heart.

The 17-year-old sparkplug from Georgia proved it again Monday at the U.S. Open, extending her remarkable run to the quarterfinals with another come-from-behind victory, 1-6, 7-6 (2), 6-3 over 13th-seeded Nadia Petrova.

Oudin staved off two points that would have put her behind 5-3 in the second set, then rolled through the third, hitting corners with those underrated groundstrokes and taking advantage of 22 unforced errors by her more-seasoned, higher-ranked opponent.

John Isner of Tampa, Fla., lost to No. 10 Fernando Verdasco, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, in Armstrong Stadium, assuring the men’s quarterfinals will be without an American for the first time in history.

Next door in Ashe Stadium, No. 1 Roger Federer extended his U.S. Open winning streak to 38 with a straight-sets victory over No. 14 Tommy Robredo.

Golf

Stricker wins this time

Norton, Mass. — Given another chance to win a playoff event, Steve Stricker delivered back-to-back birdies to cap off a wild Labor Day finish and win the Deutsche Bank Championship on Monday, moving past Tiger Woods to the top of the FedEx Cup standings.

One week after missing a 10-foot par putt to force overtime, Stricker rolled in a 15-foot birdie on the 17th hole, then hit a delicate chip to tap-in range on the par-5 18th for a 4-under 67 one-shot victory over Jason Dufner and Scott Verplank.

The victory was his third of the year, and moved Stricker to a career-high No. 2 in the world ranking.

NFL

Merriman: Tila wasn’t hurt

San Diego — Star outside linebacker Shawne Merriman says he did not harm reality TV star Tila Tequila at his home early Sunday and added he was concerned for her safety because she appeared to be intoxicated.

Merriman was arrested and accused of choking and restraining Tequila as she tried to leave his suburban home. Tequila signed a citizen’s arrest warrant, and Merriman spent about 2 1/2 hours in the downtown jail.

Chiefs’ Cassel returns

Kansas City, Mo. — Quarterback Matt Cassel appeared on Kansas City’s practice field Monday for the first time since injuring his left knee on Aug. 29, but his status for Sunday’s opener at Baltimore remained unclear.

Cassel, who signed a six-year contract for a guaranteed $28 million, injured his knee on the third play of the third preseason game against Seattle. He was in full uniform Monday and did most of the conditioning drills in the short period the media were permitted to watch. If he does not start at Baltimore, the Chiefs would probably go with Brodie Croyle.

Coach Todd Haley was evasive whether Cassel would play Sunday.

“I think that as the week goes on, we’ll know a little bit more,” said Haley. “We’ll know a little bit more with Matt for sure. But it was good that he was out there. He was able to get through some things. As the week goes on a little further, we’ll know a little more as far as where he’s at.”

Lions choose Stafford

Allen Park, Mich. — Matthew Stafford won the Lions’ quarterback derby. Daunte Culpepper didn’t lose the job.

That’s what Detroit’s new coach, Jim Schwartz, emphasized Monday when he made the No. 1 overall draft pick the starter for Sunday in New Orleans, when the Lions try to win for the first time in 21 months.

Broncos rookie arrested

Littleton, Colo. — Denver Broncos rookie tight end Richard Quinn has been arrested on harassment and domestic violence charges.

The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Department says Quinn was arrested early Monday afternoon after a woman called 911. The woman told deputies that her live-in boyfriend, Quinn, grabbed and shook her to the ground during an argument and grabbed the phone from her while she was trying to dial 911.

Bears’ Tillman practices

Lake Forest, Ill. — Cornerback Charles Tillman practiced for the first time after undergoing back surgery and hopes to be ready for the Chicago Bears’ season opener at Green Bay.

Whether he actually will play Sunday is a tossup.

“I don’t know,” Tillman said Monday. “Flip of the coin, we’re going to see.”

Seymour a no-show

Alameda, Calif. — Five-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Richard Seymour has not reported to the Raiders a day after the New England Patriots traded him to Oakland.

Coach Tom Cable said after practice Monday there were still issues that needed to be worked out between Seymour and the Patriots before the deal could be finalized. Cable said he has talked to Seymour since the deal was announced Sunday and Seymour told him he wants to play for the Raiders.

Sanders return speculated

Indianapolis — Bob Sanders isn’t healthy enough to play yet. Indianapolis hopes he’s back before mid-October.

Yes, the Pro Bowl safety avoided opening this season on the physically unable to perform list, a move that would have kept him out another six weeks and a move that new coach Jim Caldwell acknowledged means Indy anticipates having the 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year back sooner.

Baseball

Hamilton gets 2nd shot

Arlington, Texas — Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton has received a second shot for the pinched nerve in his back. He is not expected to return until at least next weekend.

Sizemore having surgery

Cleveland — All-Star outfielder Grady Sizemore of the Cleveland Indians has been scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow at the Cleveland Clinic on Wednesday.

NBA

Grizzlies, Iverson meet

Memphis, Tenn. — The owner of the Memphis Grizzlies and the team’s staff met with Allen Iverson on Monday, moving closer to a deal bringing the veteran guard to a young team.

“I want to help them develop a winner,” Iverson said on Twitter on Sunday night.

Cycling

Cavendish wins first stage

St. Louis — Mark Cavendish, a sprint specialist who took six stages of the Tour de France in July, won the first stage of the Tour of Missouri.