ROTTERDAM-- Serbian top seed Novak Djokovic qualified for the semi-finals of the World Indoor Tournament on Thursday after his next opponent Florian Mayer withdrew injured.
Djokovic beat Marco Chiudinelli of Switzerland 6-4 6-2 in the second round and would have faced Mayer in the quarter-finals but the German pulled out with a hamstring injury after beating Tommy Robredo on Wednesday.
"It is never the best way to get a win like this and I feel sorry for Florian," Djokovic told reporters.
World number two Djokovic dominated on serve against Chiudinelli but needed more than a dozen break chances to see off the Swiss in a match lasting 90 minutes.
"I played conveniently and dominantly from the start on my own service game, and had many opportunities on his, however, I was less successful. I used the ones I needed." he added.
Russian second seed Nikolay Davydenko displayed a solid baseline game to overcome Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus 6-3 6-2.
"Everything was good today about my performance, though I still don't feel comfortable on this surface and with the balls we are playing with," Davydenko told reporters.
Russian sixth seed Mikhail Youzhny beat Turkish qualifier Marsel Ilhan 6-4 6-4 to set up a quarter-final with Gael Monfils.
The Frenchman, seeded four, beat Dutch wildcard Thiemo de Bakker 6-3 6-2.
DALLAS-- An ankle injury will keep Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant out of Sunday's NBA All-Star Game at Dallas Cowboys Stadium, the league said on Thursday.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson will also miss because of "personal reasons", the NBA said on its website (www.nba.com), without elaborating.
Bryant will be replaced on the West squad by Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Kidd, while New York Knicks forward David Lee will take Iverson's spot on the East roster.
The game's coaches, George Karl for the West and Stan Van Gundy for the East, will determine which players start for Bryant and Iverson.
PARIS-- Russian Elena Dementieva lamented the absence of world number one Serena Williams after moving smoothly into the quarter-finals of the Paris Indoor Open on Wednesday.
"It's very disappointing for the tournament because she is a great player," Dementieva said after defeating 18-year-old compatriot Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4 6-4.
"We have had some great matches. I always like to play against her. It is a great experience. But you saw her in Australia with all that taping on her leg and she still produced a great win.
"So it is not surprising that she isn't here -- especially as she is always playing to win a tournament and pushing herself."
Williams defeated Justine Henin in the first grand slam of the year despite heavy strapping on her right thigh and left knee.
"I wasn't at 100 per cent today. I was a bit up and down but it is good to get a win," Dementieva added.
The 28-year-old, who reached the final last year, is the top seed in Paris following Williams's withdrawal.
Dimentieva will face the winner of Thursday's second round match between German Andrea Petkovic and France's Aravane Rezai,
ATLANTA-- Pitcher Tom Glavine has ended his playing career and rejoined the Atlanta Braves as a special assistant, the team said on Thursday.
The 43-year-old, twice a National League Cy Young Award winner and 10-time All-Star, had 305 career wins, the fourth most by a Major League left-hander.
He was released in June by the Braves who were not sure he had recovered from surgery on his shoulder and elbow in 2008.
Glavine will help Braves president John Schuerholz with various projects and work on TV and radio broadcasts, the Braves said on their website (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com).
He made his Major League debut in 1987 and played 22 seasons with the Braves and New York Mets, compiling a 305-203 record.
ATLANTA—The Atlanta Braves appear interested in adding Johnny Damon to the top of their lineup.
The Braves have made an offer to the free-agent outfielder, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The person spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity because no agreement had been reached.
Atlanta's offer is believed to be for one year and include deferred money. Damon's agent, Scott Boras, has said he is seeking at least a two-year deal.
The 36-year-old Damon hit .286 with 24 homers for the New York Yankees last season and likely would bat leadoff for the Braves.
Atlanta added another former Yankees outfielder in December when it acquired Melky Cabrera in a five-player deal that sent right-hander Javier Vazquez to the World Series champions.
Nate McLouth is set as Atlanta's starter in center field, and is the probable leadoff hitter if the team does not add Damon or another outfielder. Matt Diaz is expected to get most of the playing time at one corner outfield spot.
Braves manager Bobby Cox said last week he envisions Cabrera playing all three outfield spots and possibly sharing a position with Diaz.
Cox said the team is prepared to give 20-year-old outfield prospect Jason Heyward a chance to win a starting job in right field. Heyward made only a brief appearance at Triple-A last season and has fewer than 200 at-bats above Class A.
"Well, there's no reason not to give him a crack at making it," Cox said. "If he is too young, that's fine, too. He can spend some time in Triple-A. But if we think he's ready and he can help us, then let's go."
Heyward (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) has the power potential the Braves need in their outfield. He was voted baseball's top prospect by Baseball America after hitting .323 with 17 homers and 63 RBIs at three minor league stops in 2009.
"If he makes the team, he's playing—lefties, righties, everybody," Cox said.
The Braves' willingness to give Heyward an opportunity could keep them from engaging in a bidding war for Damon. According to reports, Detroit and Tampa Bay also have interest.
