Torrid Federer cruises into NASDAQ finals

Even with a brief lapse, top-seeded Roger Federer needed only 59 minutes Friday to reach the final at the Nasdaq-100 Open in Key Biscayne, Fla., beating David Ferrer 6-1, 6-4.

“I didn’t give him much chance,” Federer said. “I’m playing so well this week, it was tough for him from the start.”

The result was hardly a surprise: Federer has advanced to the final in his past 11 tournaments, the longest such men’s streak since John McEnroe made 12 consecutive finals in 1984.

Federer will bid for his second successive Key Biscayne title Sunday against No. 6 seed Ivan Ljubicic, a Croat who advanced to his first final in the United States by beating No. 3 David Nalbandian 6-1, 6-2.

The women’s final today will be an all-Russian matchup between No. 4 seed Maria Sharapova and No. 12 Svetlana Kuznetsova, each bidding for her first Key Biscayne title.

“Tatiana Golovin is expected to be sidelined four to six weeks after injuring her left ankle in her semifinal loss to Sharapova on Thursday night.

Colleges

Sanderson named Iowa St. coach

Olympic champion Cael Sanderson was hired as Iowa State’s wrestling coach, taking over a team that Bobby Douglas ran for 14 seasons.

Sanderson, a 2004 gold medalist, was a four-time NCAA champion at Iowa State from 1999-02. He is the only wrestler in NCAA history to finish his career undefeated (159-0).

“Delaware hired Monte Ross, an assistant at Saint Joseph’s, as the Blue Hens’ new men’s basketball coach.

“Hampton (Va.) hired Kevin Nickelberry, recruiting coordinator at Clemson, as men’s basketball coach.

“Cleveland State men’s basketball coach Mike Garland resigned after three losing seasons.

“Brad Brownell resigned as UNC Wilmington’s basketball coach to take the job at Wright State.

MISCELLANY

Duke president assures alumni, parents

Duke’s president sent an e-mail to about 80,000 alumni and the parents of 6,200 students, saying the school is proceeding in an “honest and forthright way” with accusations that an exotic dancer was raped during a party by the lacrosse team.

There have been daily protests on the campus since March 25. Athletic director Joe Alleva and a biology professor who heads the university’s athletics oversight body invited all Duke athletes to a Thursday night forum in Cameron Indoor Stadium. About 30 students, including some lacrosse players, showed up, Duke spokesman John Burness said.

Alleva used the meeting to let athletes talk about the issue that has divided the campus and to find out whether any feel they are under added scrutiny because of what has taken place, Burness said.

“Chico (Calif.) State has canceled the remaining 20 games of its softball season because of an off-campus party where a 17-year-old visiting recruit overdosed on alcohol.

“This is not the kind of behavior we expect,” athletic director Anita Barker said. “The magnitude and gravity of this situation warrants swift and decisive action that sends a message this behavior is unacceptable.”