Sports briefs for November 20, 2003

Thursday, Nov. 20, 2003 | 9:57 a.m.

Lisa Raymond easily beat Kim Clijsters' younger sister, and Martina Navratilova improved to 38-0 in Fed Cup play with a doubles victory today in the United States' 4-1 semifinal defeat of Belgium in Moscow.

Raymond clinched a spot in the Fed Cup final against Russia or France by defeating Elke Clijsters 6-2, 6-1. That gave the Americans an insurmountable 3-1 edge in the best-of-five semifinal.

Raymond then teamed with Navratilova, who's 47, to defeat Clijsters and Caroline Maes 6-1, 6-4.

Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin-Hardenne opted not to play for Belgium, while the United States is without Venus and Serena Williams, Lindsay Davenport, Jennifer Capriati, Chanda Rubin and Monica Seles.

But Raymond filled in quite capably, going 3-0 against Belgium.

The United States entered today with a 2-0 edge, but Els Callens kept Belgium's hopes alive by defeating Meghann Shaughnessy 6-3, 7-5 (5). Then Raymond needed just 48 minutes to beat the younger Clijsters.

In doubles, Navratilova and Raymond jumped to a 5-0 lead and took the first set in just 20 minutes. They broke the Belgians in the fifth game, but the Belgians fought back to 3-3 before Maes double-faulted at deuce in the ninth game, allowing the Americans to take the lead again and serve for the match.

Rebels land 10

Six high school players ranked among the top 250 recruits highlight the UNLV signing class. Among he list of 10 new Rebels were six Nevada natives -- pitcher Brandon Kintzler (Palo Verde), pitcher Jeff Jacobsen (Durango, CCSN), catcher Bryce Massanari, infielder Mike Cruz (Reno, CCSN), infielder Willie Bowman (Carson City) and pitcher Jake McGee (Sparks).

U.S. men go to 3-1

The United States beat Japan in four sets today at the men's volleyball World Cup in Tokyo which serves as a qualifier for the 2004 Olympics. The Americans improved to 3-1 and handed Japan its first loss.

Union challenge

The NFL Players' Association is expected to challenge the league's right to retest drug samples for evidence of the previously undetectable steroid THG.

Americans advance

The United States defeated St. Kitts and Nevis, 4-0, to advance to the final round of qualifying for the 2004 Olympics tournament.