Sports briefs Saturday – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

TENNIS

Ivan Dodigand Marin Cilickept Croatia alive in the Davis Cup quarterfinal match with the United States, beating twins Bob and Mike Bryan, 6-2, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, Saturday in Portland, Ore.

The Dodig-Cilic victory cut Croatia’s deficit to 2-1 heading into the reverse single Sunday on the Tualatin Hills hard court. The United States took a 2-0 lead Friday when Jack Sockand John Isnerwon the opening singles matches.

On Sunday, Isner will open against Cilic, and Sock will face Borna Coric.

The U.S.-Croatia winner will advance to the World Group semifinals, facing the France-Czech Republic quarterfinal winner Sept. 16-18. If the United States advances, it will play host to the semifinals at a site to be determined.

The United States is seeking its first semifinals appearance since 2012, Croatia since 2009.

CYCLING

French star Thibaut Pinotwon’t compete at the Olympic Games because of a viral infection he caught during the Tour de France.

Pinot withdrew from the Tour on Friday after dropping to 34th overall following the Mont Ventoux stage. Pinot, who started the race with the goal of achieving a podium finish, was never in contention, losing ground in the Pyrenees.

His team said he won’t recover in time for the Rio de Janeiro Games, where he was scheduled to compete in the road race and the time trial.

TRIATHLON

Katie Zaferesof the U.S. won her first World Triathlon Series title in Hamburg, Germany.

Zaferes finished among the top three for the first time. She was timed in 57 minutes 3 seconds for the 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike race and 5-kilometer run. Rachel Klamerfrom the Netherlands was second in 57:14.

Olympian Gwen Jorgensen, a Waukesha native and former swimmer and standout runner at the University of Wisconsin, finished third in 57:29.

“Rio’s a very different race, it’s Olympic distance, big hill — completely different from this race,” said Jorgensen. “But obviously I thought I could have done better today.”

In the men’s race, Mario Molaof Spain won in 52:19, followed by Australia’s Jake Birtwhistlein 52:36 for silver in a photo finish with Spain’s Fernando Alarza, who took the bronze in the same time. Richard Murray of South Africa crossed the line second but was disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct.

SOCCER

New Manchester United manager Jose Mourinhomade his debut in a 2-0 victory over second-tier Wigan in a low-key preseason friendly.

United fans chanted Mourinho’s name seconds into the match and he was given a huge ovation as he waved toward supporters after the final whistle. Mourinho got a three-year deal in May after Louis van Gaalwas fired.

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

Former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnarhas been notified of a potential violation of the promotion’s anti-doping policy from an out-of-competition drug test administered June 28.

Lesnar is among the most popular athletes in both mixed martial arts and professional wrestling. He beat Mark Huntby decision at UFC 200 in Las Vegas last weekend, handily winning his first MMA fight in nearly five years.

Lesnar, who turned 39 this week, has been rigorously tested since announcing his return to UFC competition last month. USADA typically requires an athlete to submit to testing for four months before a UFC competition, but Lesnar was allowed to be tested in a shorter window because of the short time between his announced comeback in June and his return fight in July.

From Journal Sentinel wire reports