Maria Sharapova expects to be back on the tennis tour at the start of 2009 and defend her Australian Open title after being sidelined since July with an injured right shoulder.
Sharapova's agent, Max Eisenbud, told The Associated Press that she is "on track" to return to action at the Jan. 7-10 exhibition in Hong Kong that she usually enters.
The three-time Grand Slam title winner then plans to head to the Australian Open, which begins Jan. 19 in Melbourne.
College basketball: UMass suspends G Wiggins after arrest
The University of Massachusetts has suspended guard Doug Wiggins after he was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of breaking and entering.
The university says Wiggins was suspended indefinitely for his involvement in the incident, which occurred off campus in Amherst over the weekend.
Police confirmed Wiggins' arrest but declined to give any details. Coach Derek Kellogg said the team is waiting to get all the facts.
It was not immediately clear if Wiggins has a lawyer.
Wiggins transferred over the summer from the University of Connecticut. He was allowed to practice with the Minutemen but not play with the team this season.
While at Connecticut, Wiggins was suspended for two games in January after he and another player were caught on campus with alcohol.
Pro basketball: Helen Heinsohn, wife of NBA Hall of Famer, dies
The Boston Celtics are planning a moment of silence before tonight's game in memory of Helen Heinsohn, the wife of NBA Hall of Famer Tommy Heinsohn.
Helen Heinsohn died Monday after a long battle with cancer. She attended virtually every home Boston Celtics game with her husband.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers told the team of her death after practice and called her "a true player on our basketball team."
Now a broadcaster, Tommy Heinsohn served the Celtics as an NBA title-winning player and coach.
Pro baseball: Phillies 2B Utley has surgery on right hip
Phillies second baseman Chase Utley has had arthroscopic hip surgery and is expected to need four to six months to recover.
The three-time All Star had surgery Monday to trim the labrum and a bony lesion in his right hip at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York..
Despite feeling symptoms for much of the year, Utley hit .292 and led all second basemen with 33 home runs and 104 RBIs as the Phillies won the National League East for the second consecutive year.
In the playoffs, he hit three home runs with nine RBIs the help the Phillies win their second World Series in team history and first since 1980.
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said last week that he expected Utley to be ready at or shortly after the start of the 2009 regular season.
Spring training begins Feb. 14. Philadelphia's first regular-season game is April 5.
Steroids: McNamee gave DNA samples to investigators
Roger Clemens' former trainer gave samples of his DNA to federal investigators trying to ascertain whether the star pitcher committed perjury before Congress, two New York newspapers reported.
The request for a DNA sample from trainer Brian McNamee suggests that investigators found readable DNA on the syringes, needles and gauze pads McNamee turned over to federal prosecutors in January, The New York Times and Daily News reported Monday night.
McNamee's lawyers have said the items, when tested, would link Clemens to the use of performance-enhancing drugs. They claim McNamee used those needles and a gauze pad while injecting Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone.
College football: Pitt's McCoy says he'll return next season
LeSean McCoy's second Backyard Brawl rivalry game against West Virginia apparently won't be his last.
Despite speculation he might enter the NFL draft next spring, the Pittsburgh running back said he plans to return for his junior season.
"I'm talented, but right now I'm in school and I'm looking to stay here," said McCoy, who has rushed for 2,453 yards and scored 33 touchdowns in two seasons. "I'm not really pushing to go anywhere. When you look at the pros, guys like Ray Lewis and Brian (Urlacher), that's their job. When you're in college, you can just have fun and play ball."
McCoy, a sophomore who spent a year in prep school, is only the third Pitt running back to have successive 1,000-yard seasons. His breakaway ability and knack of getting tough yards are looked upon favorably by NFL scouts, and he is listed among the top 25 players — a potential first rounder — by scouting service Scouts Inc.
Boxing: Wright's comeback postponed by hand injury
Winky Wright's comeback from a 16-month layoff has been postponed after the former undisputed 154-pound champion injured his left hand during training.
Wright (51-4-1, 25 KOs) was scheduled to fight Michi Munoz in Snoqualmie, Wash., on Dec. 4 in a 164-pound bout. Wright, who turns 37 today, hasn't been in the ring since July 21, 2007, when he lost an upset decision to Bernard Hopkins.
Pro hockey: Sullivan rejoins Lightning as assistant coach
Former Tampa Bay Lightning assistant Mike Sullivan is returning to the team as part of interim coach Rick Tocchet's staff.
Sullivan was hired as associate coach, the same title he held under former Lightning coach John Tortorella last season. Sullivan also coached the Boston Bruins for two seasons.
Tocchet took over as interim coach on Nov. 14, when Barry Melrose was fired just 16 games into his first season in Tampa Bay.
"We are excited to add Mike to our coaching staff," general manager Brian Lawton said. "He's been here and knows the players well, and he's an upgrade to the overall quality of our coaching."
