Doubles Event Put in Jeopardy

Organizers of a men’s tennis tournament in Madrid countered a recent lawsuit by doubles players against the ATP by suspending the doubles portion of their event.

The top doubles players in the world -- led by twins Mike and Bob Bryan -- brought a lawsuit against the ATP during the U.S. Open, battling proposed rule changes. Madrid tournament officials said the doubles competition would be canceled if there was no resolution to the lawsuit and planned on donating 50% of the prize money to the ATP players’ retirement plan.

The tournament is Oct. 17-23. The Bryans are the defending champions.

John F. Sullivan III, the players’ lawyer, said Monday he was shocked by the latest development, pointing out that it also affects players not a party to the lawsuit and hinders those trying to qualify for the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai.

“It’s mind-boggling, especially on top of the fact we’ve been negotiating in good faith,” he said of dealing with the ATP’s outside legal counsel. “ ... It’s consistent with what we’re alleging. We’ve got some rogue tournament directors making decisions without consulting the powers that be.”

Said Gerard Tsobanian, the general manager of the Madrid event: “

-- Lisa Dillman

The International Tennis Federation will take control of drug testing in the men’s game, starting next year. The agreement with the ATP will create the ITF tennis anti-doping program, which complies with the World Anti-Doping Agency’s code.

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Pro Football

Overall No. 1 draft pick Alex Smith was promoted to starting quarterback by the San Francisco 49ers and will start Sunday against Indianapolis.

Free-agent offensive lineman Larry Turner signed a two-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals.... The Philadelphia Eagles re-signed receiver Darnerien McCants.

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Pro Basketball

The Portland Trail Blazers signed forward Sam Clancy, a former USC standout, to a one-year contract. Clancy, the Pacific 10 Conference player of the year in 2002, played most recently for a club in Spain.

The Toronto Raptors traded point guard Rafer Alston to the Houston Rockets for guard Mike James.... Forward Reggie Evans signed a one-year contract with the Seattle SuperSonics.... Tim Grgurich was hired as an assistant coach with the Denver Nuggets, ending his legal fight with the Portland Trail Blazers. Grgurich had sought a temporary restraining order against the Trail Blazers, asking that he be allowed to pursue a new job.... The NBA approved a trade that sent Eddy Curry and veteran center Antonio Davis from the Chicago Bulls to the New York Knicks for forwards Tim Thomas, Michael Sweetney and Jermaine Jackson.... The Boston Celtics waived forward Qyntel Woods.

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Soccer

Bob Bradley was fired as coach of the MetroStars. Assistant coach Mo Johnston will take over in the interim.

George Best, former Manchester United and L.A. Aztec star, is expected to stay in intensive care for several more days in London after developing a kidney infection, his agent, Phil Hughes, said.

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Miscellany

Attorneys for Victor Conte in the BALCO sports-doping case filed a sentencing memorandum supporting federal prosecutors’ request for a four-month sentence followed by four months of house arrest. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 18.

Stanford Athletic Director Ted Leland, who oversaw the university’s successful athletic program for 14 years, announced he would be leaving the job at the end of the year to accept a new position at his alma mater, the University of the Pacific.

Golfer Retief Goosen has withdrawn from the American Express Championship because of a groin injury.

Crew chief Todd Berrier was suspended an additional two races for violations in Kevin Harvick’s car before last Sunday’s Nextel Cup stock car race at Talladega, Ala., bringing his total events missed this NASCAR season to seven.