Nalbandian Ends Federer’s Winning Streak

Top-ranked Roger Federer’s record-chasing run ended Sunday with a five-set loss to David Nalbandian in the Tennis Masters Cup final at Shanghai.

The eighth-seeded Nalbandian, who made the eight-man field after No. 2-ranked Rafael Nadal and No. 5 Andre Agassi withdrew because of injuries, ended Federer’s 35-match winning streak by rallying for a 6-7 (4), 6-7 (11), 6-2, 6-1, 7-6 (3) victory.

Federer had won his previous 24 finals and lost for only the fourth time this year.

“Roger, don’t worry, it’s not your last final,” Nalbandian joked. “You’re going to win a lot of tournaments, so let me keep this one.”

Federer, bidding for a third consecutive Masters Cup title, entered the tournament after a six-week layoff because of an injured right ankle.

He finished one victory short of John McEnroe’s record (82-3) for best winning percentage in a season in the Open era, ending 2005 at 81-4.

“It’s been a fantastic year ... unfortunately, I couldn’t win the last one, but this year will be a great memory for me,” Federer said. “To be back after the injury ... I’m happy I made it so far. I’m proud of that.”

He rallied from 0-4 in the deciding set and was two points from victory, serving at 6-5 and 30-0, before Nalbandian broke back to force a tiebreaker. Nalbandian earned three championship points when Federer sent a backhand into the net. He clinched the 4 1/2 -hour match when Federer netted a forehand.

“We played an incredible match,” said Nalbandian, who earned $1.4 million in prize money and will move from No. 12 to No. 6 in the ATP rankings.

Nalbandian had never won a Grand Slam event singles title and was appearing at the Masters Cup for only the second time.

Federer had only once lost a best-of-five set match after leading 2-0 -- to Lleyton Hewitt in the 2003 Davis Cup semifinals.

WINTER SPORTS

Klassen, Davis Set Speedskating Records

Cindy Klassen of Canada set a world record in the women’s 1,500 meters in a World Cup speedskating event at Kearns, Utah, minutes after Anni Friesinger of Germany had done the same.

Klassen crossed the line in 1 minute 51.79 seconds. She skated in the final pair shortly after Friesinger, who came in at 1:53.19, which at the time was a world record. Friesinger was second, and Christine Nesbitt of Canada was third in 1:54.43.

American Shani Davis set a world record in the men’s 1,000, finishing in 1:07.03 in the final heat. He broke Gerard van Velde’s record of 1:07.18, set at the 2002 Olympics.

Germany won the men’s cross-country ski relay, and Norway won the women’s event in a World Cup meet at Beitostolen, Norway.

The German quartet covered the 40-kilometer mixed-style relay in 1:31:37.5.

Andreas Schlutter and Axel Teichmann, last year’s individual World Cup overall champion, skied the first two classic-style legs. Jens Filbrich and Tobias Angerer skied the two freestyle legs.

The Norwegian team of Ella Gjomle, Vibeke Skofterud, Hilde G. Pedersen and defending individual overall champion Marit Bjorgen finished in 54:28.2 in the 20-kilometer women’s event.

COLLEGE SOCCER

Virginia Beats Fullerton With Late Penalty Kick

Seventh-ranked Virginia defeated No. 15 Cal State Fullerton, 2-1, in the third round of the NCAA Division I women’s tournament at Charlottesville, Va.

A penalty kick goal in the 76th minute by Shannon Foley gave the Cavaliers a 2-0 lead. Foley had been tackled by Erica Janke on the right side of the penalty area.

Fullerton finished 19-4. The Cavaliers (18-5-1) advanced to play at top-seeded UCLA (20-1-2) on Friday night.

HORSE RACING

Private World Extends Undefeated Streak

Private World, the 7-2 third choice, remained unbeaten in three starts with a nose victory over 12-1 shot True Xena in the $100,000 Moccasin Stakes at Hollywood Park.

Owned by Allen Johnson’s Thoroughbred Capital Partners and trained by Bob Hess Jr., the 2-year-old Thunder Gulch filly rallied along the rail for her second consecutive stakes victory. On Oct. 23, Private World won the Anoakia at Santa Anita.

There was a stewards’ inquiry involving the first two finishers, but no change was made. The contact between the two fillies was initiated by True Xena.

Cotton Bay, the 17-10 favorite, finished a distant third.

Bob Mieszerski

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MOTOR RACING

Kruseman Wins Fourth Jack Kindoll Classic

Cory Kruseman continued his dominance of the Jack Kindoll Classic on Saturday night, winning the USAC/CRA Series sprint car race for the fourth time.

Kruseman took the lead for good on the 29th lap of the 50-lap race on Perris Auto Speedway’s half-mile clay track when the car driven by defending champion Rickie Gaunt jumped the dirt cushion on the top of the track and its right rear tire then struck the wall.

Only nine of the original 23 cars in the field were running at the end of the race, which had nine yellow flags.

Kruseman also won the race, which has been held nine times, in 1998, 2000 and 2001. No other driver has won more than once.

Kruseman was the only California driver to finish in the top four.

Bill Rose of Plainfield, Ind., was second, followed by Jerry Coons Jr. of Tucson, and Levi Jones of Olney, Ill., the USAC national sprint car champion.

Damion Gardner of Concord, the USAC/CRA champion, finished 13th.

-- Steven Herbert