BASEBALL

TWO RELATIVES OF RIVERA ELECTROCUTED

Two relatives of Mariano Rivera’s wife were electrocuted while cleaning the pool at the home of the Yankees’ closer.

Victor Dario Avila, a cousin of Rivera’s wife, Clara, and his 14-year-old son were killed Saturday, Rivera’s cousin, Irma Rivera, told the Associated Press. The teenager, also named Victor Dario Avila, apparently touched an electrical wire while cleaning the pool in Puerto Caimito, 40 miles east of Panama City. His father died trying to save him, Irma Rivera said.

Yankees spokesman Ben Tuliebitz said yesterday he didn’t know whether Rivera planned to return to Panama – manager Joe Torre was expected to address the matter during today’s workout at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees open the AL championship series at home tomorrow night against the Boston Red Sox.

TENNIS

DAVENPORT BEATS INJURED MAURESMO FOR TITLE

Lindsay Davenport won the Porsche Grand Prix yesterday when top-ranked Amelie Mauresmo quit after losing the first set because of an injured left thigh.

Davenport captured this no. 1 vs. no. 2 showdown for her tour-high seventh title of the year and 45th of her career.

Mauresmo will undergo tests to see if she can play in next week’s Kremlin Cup. If the Frenchwoman withdraws, Davenport needs to win just one match to gain the top spot. Davenport trails Mauresmo in the WTA rankings by just 15 points.

Davenport won the first set 6-2 before Mauresmo withdrew because her heavily taped thigh hampered her movement. Mauresmo was hurt in the third game when Davenport broke serve to lead 2-1. After the next game, she left the court to have her thigh taped and was unable to chase down the American’s shots the rest of the set.

NOVAK TOPS DENT FOR JAPAN OPEN TITLE

Jiri Novak of the Czech Republic settled his game after a rocky start and beat Taylor Dent 5-7, 6-1, 6-3 yesterday to win the Japan Open for the sixth title of his career.

Novak, seeded fifth, upset top-seeded Lleyton Hewitt in the semifinals.

Novak also had a shot at the doubles title but abdominal pain forced him and countryman Petr Pala to quit while trailing 5-1 in the first set to Jared Palmer of the United States and Pavel Vizner of the Czech Republic.

SOCCER

BECKHAM COULD MISS UP TO SIX WEEKS

David Beckham could be sidelined up to six weeks after cracking a rib during England’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Wales in which he scored a goal and drew a suspension for the next game.

The England captain will return to Real Madrid, his Spanish league club, rather than accompany his national team to Wednesday’s qualifier in Azerbaijan.

Beckham was examined by Real Madrid’s medical staff in England and it was hoped he could take part in light training, the team said on its Web site yesterday.

U.S. WOMEN BLANK NEW ZEALAND IN FRIENDLY

Cindy Parlow scored twice, and Mia Hamm added a goal and an assist to lead the U.S. women’s national team over New Zealand 6-0 yesterday.

The exhibition game was part of the team’s “Fan Appreciation Tour” after winning Olympic gold this summer in Athens. After the 10-match tour, team mainstays Hamm, Julie Foudy, and Joy Fawcett plan to retire from international play.

Aly Wagner also had a goal and an assist for the Americans, who have outscored New Zealand 11-0 in two consecutive games.

– Associated Press