Sports briefs for Sept. 23, 2005

Friday, Sept. 23, 2005 | 9:50 a.m.

Venus withdraws from China Open

Venus Williams withdrew from the China Open before her quarterfinal match with Marta Domachowska this morning because of an injured left knee.

Williams hurt her knee during her last match, a win over Spain's Nuria Llagostera Vives on Thursday. After the match, Williams said she would ice and massage her leg overnight before deciding whether she could continue.

"It is a new injury," she said. "I decided to withdraw this morning."

Williams still plans to attend the WTA tournament in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, which begins Monday.

"So far, I think I will go to Guangzhou," she said.

Domachowska automatically advances to the semifinals because of Williams' withdrawal.

The China Open has been beset by injuries. Serena Williams cited an existing knee injury as a factor in her second-round defeat Wednesday to China's Sun Tiantian.

Second-ranked Lindsay Davenport withdrew before the tournament began, saying she had a lower back strain.

Payton signs for one year with Heat

Gary Payton signed a $1.1 million, one-year deal with Miami, the latest move in an offseason filled with significant roster changes by the Heat.

Payton, a nine-time All-Star, again joins Shaquille O'Neal -- who lured the veteran point guard to Los Angeles two seasons ago in a failed title quest with the Lakers.

Miami is the fifth team Payton's played for in 16 NBA seasons, and he comes with career averages of 17.6 points, 7.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game.

TCU hit with two-year probation

The TCU men's track and field team, which included one of the nation's most successful and decorated sprinting programs over the past decade, was placed on two years' probation by the NCAA on Thursday for multiple rules violations.

The NCAA penalized the program after a year long investigation found that the school's former coaching staff broke several major rules, including providing prospective athletes with thousands of dollars in cash and repeatedly helping athletes commit academic fraud.

UCLA's Shipp might need hip surgery

UCLA sophomore forward Josh Shipp will seek a second opinion before having surgery on his right hip to repair cartilage.

The outpatient procedure was scheduled for today at UCLA Medical Center.

Shipp, one of four returning starters for the Bruins, was expected to need 8-to-12 weeks for recovery and rehabilitation.

"After further consultation, Josh's family wanted to get a second opinion," coach Ben Howland said. "This is a common practice and the family felt this was best."

Filly by Tiznow bought for $375,000

At Lexington, Ky., a filly by Tiznow brought $375,000 at Keeneland's September Yearling Sale, the top price of the day.

The dark bay or brown filly out of the Storm Cat mare Queen's Lady, a full sister to 2-year-old filly Folklore, was purchased by Ben Glass, as agent. Paramount Sales, as agent, consigned the filly.

During the sale's 10th session, Keeneland sold 287 horses for $8,067,800, an average of $28,111 and a median of $20,000. Last year, 272 horses brought $6,815,400 during the corresponding session, an average of $25,057 and a median of $18,500.

-- Sun wire services