Sports briefs for March 22, 2004

Monday, March 22, 2004 | 10:40 a.m.

U.S. champion Johnny Weir finished seventh in his qualifying round, and former champion Michael Weiss was fifth in the second qualifying group at the world championships today at Dortmund, Germany.

Canada's Emanuel Sandhu and defending world champion Evgeni Plushenko won their qualifying rounds. Sandhu came out on top despite a fall on a key jump, while Plushenko was error-free.

Weir's performance lacked luster and energy, but he completed seven triple jumps, including two triple-triple combinations. He turned a planned triple loop into a double, and didn't attempt a quadruple jump.

Weiss struggled through some jumps, including a double-footed landing on his quadruple jump and botched a triple flip.

The qualifying round counts as 20 percent of the final score. Fifteen skaters from each group advanced to Tuesday's short program.

UNLV's Moore 11th

UNLV junior Ryan Moore shot a final-round par-72 to finish 11th overall at the Hall of Fame Invitational in Houston. The Rebels finished in 10th place, 35 strokes behind Arizona's winning total for the three-day event.

Federer beats nemesis

After beating Andre Agassi in the Pacific Life Open semifinals, top-ranked Roger Federer beat nemesis Tim Henman 6-3, 6-3 in the title match. Justine Henin-Hardenne also lived up to her No. 1 ranking with a 6-1, 6-4 victory against Lindsay Davenport in the women's final. Federer's win was just his second in eight matches vs. Henman.

Baker conquers world

Tom Baker of Buffalo, N.Y., rolled a spare in the 10th frame to beat Mike Koivuniemi 246-239 and claim the PBA season-ending world championship at Ypsilanti, Mich. The 67th-ranked player entering the tournament, Baker won his first major title, a $120,000 prize and a five-year tour exemption.

Beckham in top 10

David Beckham became the first soccer player to enter world sport's top 10 earners, earning the No. 3 spot for 2003 behind golfer Tiger Woods and Formula One driver Michael Schumacher, the French magazine L'Equipe reported today.

Baylor rejoins Mets

Bench coach Don Baylor rejoined the New York Mets in Port St. Lucie, Fla., fter treatment for cancer. Baylor, 54, was diagnosed a year ago with multiple myeloma, cancer of the bone marrow.