In brief: Nadal seeks elusive title

Tennis: Rafael Nadal wants a U.S. Open title, of course. It is, after all, the only Grand Slam trophy he has yet to win.

Still, the No. 1-ranked and No. 1-seeded Nadal insists he is not consumed by thoughts of needing to leave Flushing Meadows with a championship two weeks from now.

“I hope I have another chance to play well here and to have the chance to win — but without obsession, no?” Nadal said. “I am more than happy (with) what I have at home, all the tournaments that I won. More than I dreamt five or six years ago.”

Only 24 years old, Nadal already owns eight major titles: five at the French Open, two at Wimbledon and one at the Australian Open. But he never has been past the semifinals at the U.S. Open, losing in that round each of the past two years.

“There’s not much he’s doing wrong,” said five-time U.S. Open champion Roger Federer, who is seeded second for the tournament, which begins today. “If you can make it to the semis, you can make it to the finals. That’s pretty clear.”

Federer should know; he’s participated in every U.S. Open men’s championship match since 2004.

Associated Press

Vancouver teen killed at Indy

Racing: The death of a 13-year-old motorcycle rider at Indianapolis Motor Speedway cast a shadow over Sunday’s races at the historic track.

Peter Lenz of Vancouver, Wash., fell off his bike during the warm-up lap for the day’s first race at Indianapolis and was run over by another motorcycle, driven by a 12-year-old. Medical workers immediately placed Lenz in a neck brace, put him on a stretcher and began chest compressions while taking him to a hospital.

Several hours later, he was pronounced dead.

Associated Press

Pitt narrates Super Bowl film

Media: Brad Pitt is the NFL’s voice for its upcoming documentary on the New Orleans Saints’ Super Bowl victory.

Pitt narrates NFL Films’ documentary, “America’s Game: 2009 New Orleans Saints,” about the team’s win over the Indianapolis Colts last February. The film debuts on the NFL Network at 6 p.m. on Sept. 8, the night before the Saints begin their defense of the Super Bowl title.

Associated Press