Sports briefs for February 3, 2005

Thursday, Feb. 3, 2005 | 9:43 a.m.

Judge wants Bryant's deposition in 3 1/2 weeks

Before the month is out, NBA star Kobe Bryant will probably have to answer the first official questions about his assault case since talking with investigators the night after he was accused of rape in 2003.

U.S. District Judge Richard Matsch pushed attorneys for the Los Angeles Lakers guard and the 20-year-old woman to schedule Bryant's deposition before the end of February. He also said he hoped the woman's civil lawsuit against Bryant will go to trial this summer.

The woman sued Bryant in August, three weeks before the criminal case against him collapsed when she decided she could not take part in a trial.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for mental injuries, humiliation and public scorn that the former hotel worker said she has suffered since their encounter in June 2003 at a Vail-area resort.

Director dies

The man who led Montreal's unsuccessful bid to host the 2005 world swimming championships was found dead, the organizing committee said in a statement. The death of Yvon DesRochers, executive vice president and director general of the organizing committee, was announced by committee vice president Marc Belanger in a statement.

No. 1 seed advances

Top-seeded Vince Spadea rallied to beat Russian qualifier Teimuraz Gabashvili 4-6, 7-5 6-3 to advance to the quarterfinals of the Delray Beach ATP tournament. Gabashvili, ranked No. 262, had never won an ATP tour-level match before this event. But he looked untouchable on the way to a 5-1 lead in the first set.

Langer won't return

Bernhard Langer will not return as Europe's captain for the 2006 Ryder Cup, though he hopes to be back as a player. The two-time Masters champion who led Europe to a 18 1/2-9 1/2 victory against the United States last year. Langer's decision clears the way for Ian Woosnam or Nick Faldo to take over for the biennial match on Sept. 22-24 at the K Club in Dublin, Ireland.

Jockey improves

Jockey Gary Boulanger, injured in a spill at Gulfstream Park, made more improvement Wednesday and his breathing tube was removed, but he remained in serious condition.