In Brief

TENNIS

Federer tops Djokovic, will face
Murray in Shanghai title match

Roger Federer defeated Novak Djokovic 7-5, 6-4 Saturday to set up a match with Andy Murray in the final of the Shanghai Masters in Shanghai, China.

With the win, Federer will regain the No. 2 ranking he lost when he was beaten by Djokovic in the U.S. Open semifinals in September.

Murray dispatched Juan Monaco of Argentina 6-4, 6-1 in the other semifinal to reach his fourth final of the year.

Federer could capture the 64th title of his career today, moving into a tie with Pete Sampras for fourth place on the all-time list.

Also: Japan's Kimiko Date Krumm remains on track to become the oldest player to win a WTA singles title after beating Shahar Peer 3-6, 7-6 (5), 7-5 in the semifinals of the Japan Women's Open in Osaka, Japan.

Date Krumm, who turns 40 next month, will face another veteran in the final -- 33-year-old Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand, who upset second-seeded Marion Bartoli of France, 6-2, 7-5.

The oldest player to win a WTA singles title was Billie Jean King in 1983, when she was 39 years, 7 months, 23 days old.

UNLV

Women's soccer rips Air Force;
Shoughro sets school records

Ashleigh Shoughro scored twice to lead the UNLV women's soccer team to a 3-0 victory over Air Force in a Mountain West Conference match at Johann Memorial Field.

The two goals gave Shoughro 13 for the season and 26 for her career, both school records. The senior's 29 points this season also set a record for the Rebels (10-5, 2-2 MWC), and she's tied with former Rebel Annii Magliulo for the school's career points mark at 68.

Also: UNLV freshman Lucia Batta beat UNR's Michelle Okhremchuk 6-3, 7-6 in the semifinals of the USTA/ITA Mountain Region Championships at the Fertitta Tennis Complex. Batta will face Utah's Anastasia Putilina in the final at noon today.

In doubles, Jana Albers and Adrien Hidvegi beat teammates Aleksandra Josifoska and Nives Pavlovic 8-6 to reach the final against Putilina and Paige Miles of Utah.

The UNLV men's swimming and diving team knocked off Arizona 138-123 and Arizona State 206-55 in a tri-meet in Tucson, Ariz. The Rebels won nine of 14 events, with Kyle Virva taking the 100- and 200-yard freestyle.

The women's team, in a four-school meet, lost to Arizona State 175-85 and Arizona 176-82 but edged Kansas 131.5-128.5. Jessica Helm won the 1,000 freestyle.

The UNLV cross country team took 18th at the Bronco Invitational in Sunnyvale, Calif., finishing with 420 points in the 19-team meet. Lauren Petersen paced the Rebels, taking 26th in 17 minutes, 43.4 seconds.

Pepperdine's Lauren Lodge took the individual title, finishing in 16:50.4, and Long Beach State won the team title with 60 points.

The UNLV volleyball team lost to Brigham Young 25-14, 25-17, 25-23 in Mountain West play at Provo, Utah. Sara Nehf led the Rebels (6-14, 2-5) with 11 kills.

MISCELLANEOUS

Dosch nabs Dew Cup BMX title;
Lavin still in critical condition

Brandon Dosch finished first in BMX Dirt to clinch the season championship in the Dew Cup action sports event at the Hard Rock Hotel. Ryan Nyquist won the BMX Park final, and Daniel Dhers won the BMX Park season championship.

The event resumes at noon today.

Meanwhile, Las Vegas native and BMX Dirt veteran T.J. Lavin remained in critical condition at University Medical Center after suffering a head injury, broken wrist and fractured right eye socket in Thursday's preliminary round.

According to ESPN.com, Lavin briefly was removed from a medically induced coma Saturday afternoon and was able to move his hands. He responded to a doctor's comment by giving a thumbs-up.

Also: Harmonious won the $400,000, Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes at Keeneland by 4¼ lengths over Zagora in Lexington, Ky.

The 3-year-old filly, sent off as the 5/2 favorite, sat second for most of the 1 1/8-mile race before surging late and finishing in 1 minute, 49.14 seconds. She paid $7.00, $4.40 and $2.80. Zagora was second and Evening Jewel third.

Trainer John Shirreffs was noncommittal about whether Harmonious will run in the Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs on Nov. 5 and 6.

Fantastic Pick, the longest shot in a field of eight 3-year-olds, beat Blue Panis by a head to win the $150,000 Oak Tree Derby at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif. Making his U.S. debut after three wins in France, Blue Panis led for most of the Grade 2 stakes, but Fantastic Pick and Corey Nakatani surged in the final yards for the victory, covering 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:48.51.

The San Jose Sharks signed captain Joe Thornton to a $21 million, three-year contract extension through the 2013-14 season.