*TENNIS: In the Australian Open, No. 2 seed Roger Federer began his quest for a 14th major championship with a 6-1, 7-6 (4), 7-5, first-round win over 35th-ranked Andreas Seppi of Italy. … On the women’s side, top-seeded Jelena Jankovic of Serbia rolled past Yvonne Meusburger of Austria, 6-1, 6-3. No. 2 seed Serena Williams defeated Yuan Meng 6-3, 6-2.
*NFL: Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan was hired as the coach of the Jets on Monday, a day after Baltimore lost in the AFC championship. The 46-year-old Ryan replaces the fired Eric Mangini, taking over a team that started last season 8-3 but missed the playoffs with quarterback Brett Favre after losing four of its last five games. The Jets announced the hiring but no other details. The contract is for four years, according to a source with knowledge of the deal. … Steelers receiver Hines Ward was scheduled to undergo an MRI on his right knee on Monday and coach Mike Tomlin is expected to issue an injury update on Tuesday. … Packers coach Mike McCarthy has hired Dom Capers as his defensive coordinator and said the team will switch from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4. … The Giants have promoted linebackers coach Bill Sheridan to defensive coordinator, replacing Steve Spagnuolo, who was hired as head coach of the Rams.
*NBA: The Blazers’ Rudy Fernandez beat out two fellow rookies Monday in an online vote and will round out the field for the slam-dunk contest at All-Star weekend. Fernandez beat out the Thunder’s Russell Westbrook and the Bucks’ Joe Alexander. Defending champion Dwight Howard of the Magic, 2006 winner Nate Robinson of the Knicks and Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay already were chosen for the field. … Center Al Horford (right knee) and forward Marvin Williams (concussion) were held out of the Hawks’ 97-94 win over the Raptors. … Hornets starting forward David West sat out a 103-100 win over the Pacers with back spasms. New Orleans lost a second starter late in the second quarter, when center Tyson Chandler injured his left ankle and was helped off the floor.
*NHL: Claude Lemieux is back in the NHL after a 51/2-year absence. The Sharks have recalled the four-time Stanley Cup winner from their minor-league affiliate in Worcester, and he could play Tuesday against the Canucks. … Lightning right wing Evgeny Artyukhin was suspended two games by the NHL for a knee-to-knee hit on the Panthers’ Ville Peltonen.
*COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Louisville running backs coach Tony Alford has accepted a similar position at Notre Dame. The 40-year-old Alford replaces Mike Haywood, who was named head coach at Miami (Ohio) in December after four seasons on the Irish staff. … Oklahoma State All-American wide receiver Dez Bryant underwent successful knee surgery.
*ALSO: AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi said Kaka will remain with the Italian team, rejecting a record transfer offer from Manchester City. … The heads of the Spanish and Portuguese soccer federations have agreed to make a joint bid to stage the 2018 World Cup. … Former Northwestern and Lake Forest swimmer Matt Grevers won the 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley at the Long Beach (Calif.) Grand Prix. … Former light heavyweight champion Jose Torres has died in his native Puerto Rico. He was 72. His widow, Ramonita Ortiz, says Torres died Monday of a heart attack.
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EDITED BY MIKE PANKOW FROM TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICES
