Sports briefs for July 6, 2004

Tuesday, July 6, 2004 | 10:41 a.m.

Goaltender Hasek signs with Senators

Dominik Hasek, a six-time winner of the Vezina Trophy as the National Hockey League's best goaltender, signed a multiyear contract with the Ottawa Senators, the team said.

Hasek, 39, will replace Patrick Lalime, who was in goal for Ottawa's Game 7 playoff losses the past two seasons. Ottawa traded Lalime to St. Louis two weeks ago.

Financial terms of the contract weren't disclosed at a press conference in Ottawa this morning.

Hasek made $6 million with the Detroit Red Wings last season, when he was limited to 14 games by a groin injury that led to surgery in May. He went 8-3-2 with a 2.21 goals-against average and two shutouts.

Copa America kicks off

Now it's South America's turn, although many of its top players won't be there.

Europe just finished crowning its champion at Euro 2004. South America today begins its Copa America, a 10-team tournament among nations whose soccer passions run deep. The opening games are Colombia-Venezuela and Peru-Bolivia.

The United States turned down an invitation.

Novak wins opener

Jiri Novak opened defense of his Swiss Open title with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Jose Acasuso.

In other matches, Albert Costa defeated Bohdan Ulirach 6-4, 7-6 (5); and two Swiss players lost: Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo defeated Stanislas Wawrinka 7-6 (5), 6-4, and Albert Montanes beat Marco Chiudinelli 6-7 (5), 7-6 (2), 6-4.

Juan Ignacio Chela, a French Open quarterfinalist who is seeded fourth, beat Marc Lopez 6-4, 6-0.

Jarkko Nieminen, sidelined since mid-April because of an injury, routed wild card Ervin Eleskovic 6-0, 6-2 in his comeback. Alberto Martin topped No. 9 Mikhail Youzhny 7-5, 6-3.