Murray ousts ailing Federer in Masters

Defending champion Roger Federer was eliminated from the Masters Cup in Shanghai yesterday with a 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 7-5 loss to Andy Murray, one of those rare players with a winning record (4-2) against the Swiss star. Federer, a four-time winner of the season-ending tournament, appeared to be bothered by a sore back that forced him to withdraw during the Paris Masters two weeks ago. Federer received treatment from the trainer three times during the match. Murray, who had his left hand iced during the match, will play Nikolay Davydenko in the semifinals. Federer's loss allowed Gilles Simon to advance and play Novak Djokovic.

Steelers chairman Dan Rooney's four brothers have agreed to sell a controlling stake of the team to him and his son, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported. Patrick and Art Rooney Jr. confirmed the deal, the newspaper reported last night. They and their other two brothers - Timothy and John - could get a total of $750 million after debt is taken out, according to the report. Art Rooney Jr. said the brothers hope to get the deal wrapped up in December because they are worried about possible higher taxes once the Obama administration is in office. The Rooney family has owned the team since its inception, except for a brief period in 1941 . . . Redskins running back Clinton Portis did not practice and will be used only "in a limited fashion" if he is able to play at all tomorrow night against the Cowboys. The NFL's second-leading rusher sprained his left knee in the 23-6 loss to the Steelers before last week's bye. If neither Portis nor backup Ladell Betts (knee) can play, midseason signing and former league MVP Shaun Alexander would make his first Redskins start . . . Rams running back Steven Jackson will not play tomorrow against the 49ers because of his injured right thigh . . . Bears quarterback Kyle Orton, who sat out last Sunday's 21-14 loss to Tennessee with a sprained right ankle, is listed as probable for tomorrow's game at Green Bay . . . John Lynch, a nine-time Pro Bowler with the Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers who was with the Patriots in training camp this season, will announce his retirement Monday . . . New York Giants offensive tackle Kareem McKenzie was charged with drunken driving after a traffic stop Thursday night in Little Falls, N.J.

The NBA has suspended Steve Nash and Matt Barnes of Phoenix and Rafer Alston of Houston for their roles in a fight. Alston and Barnes were suspended for two games without pay and Nash for one. The league also fined Shaquille O'Neal $35,000 and Tracy McGrady $25,000 for their actions during the Rockets' 94-82 win in Phoenix Wednesday . . . Knicks officials and disgruntled star guard Stephon Marbury met Thursday to discuss a buyout, but a settlement isn't considered to be close. In other Knicks news, rookie Danilo Gallinari received another cortisone shot for his ailing back and will have an "extended period of rest" . . . Florida guard Nick Calathes ran up a significant debt playing poker online, but the university said an investigation showed he did not bet on college games and will not face punishment.

Angela Stanford shot a 6-under 66 in the second round of the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Guadalajara, Mexico, to take a two-stroke lead over LPGA Championship winner Yani Tseng. Ochoa followed her opening 73 with a 71 on her home course, leaving her 10 strokes back . . . Emergency medical personnel acted properly in treating New York Rangers prospect Alexei Cherepanov after he collapsed during a game last month in Moscow, a preliminary league investigation found. Cherepanov, 19, collapsed and soon after died Oct. 13 while on the bench during a game outside Moscow. Regional investigators have said Cherepanov apparently had chronic ischemia - a medical condition that means not enough blood gets to the heart or other organs . . . New York Islanders defenseman Thomas Pock was suspended five games without pay for elbowing Ottawa forward Ryan Shannon in Thursday night's game . . . Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa is expected to miss two weeks with a broken foot.