Jan 24, 2018 3 min read

Australian Open

Roger Federer got cranky at the chair umpire for a technology flaw in his Australian Open quarterfinal match, using the rare emotional outburst as motivation.

It helped. The 36-year-old Federer, now the oldest semifinalist in Melbourne in 41 years, beat long-time rival Tomas Berdych 7-6 (1), 6-3, 6-4 Wednesday and will next face a challenge from the next generation.

That will be against 21-year-old Hyeon Chung, the first South Korean to reach a Grand Slam semifinal and the youngest to reach the last four at a major since 2010.

Federer’s victory extended his winning streak to 14 in Australian Open quarterfinals and to nine in a personal rivalry with Berdych that dates back to 2004. The 19-time major champion leads that head-to-head contest 20-6, including all five meetings at Melbourne Park.

Chung beat 97th-ranked Tennys Sandgren 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-3 in the afternoon match.

Meadows cancels racing card

The Meadows Racetrack & Casino canceled Wednesday’s harness racing card because of track conditions. Racing resumes Saturday with first post at 1:05 p.m.

NBA wants cut of sports betting

The NBA said it should get a cut if states such as New Jersey and New York legalize sports betting.

A league executive told New York state lawmakers Wednesday that the leagues should receive one percent of the total amount bet on their games if betting is allowed to expand.

NBA Senior Vice President Dan Spillane says professional athletics deserves the money because it provides the basis for sports gambling. He says leagues also should have the right to restrict bets on their own events.

While the NBA once opposed legalized betting, Spillane says it now favors a law, preferably a federal one, subjecting it to strict regulations.

New Jersey is challenging the federal law banning sports betting in all but four states in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Philbin back

with Packers

A familiar face on offense and a fresh voice on defense headline the changes to Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy’s revamped staff in the wake of the team’s first losing season since 2008.

Joe Philbin, a Packers assistant from 2003 until 2012, was hired Wednesday as offensive coordinator, a job he held for his final five seasons before being named the Miami Dolphins’ head coach in January 2012. Philbin is a 1984 Washington & Jefferson graduate and played tight end for the Presidents.

On defense, the Packers tabbed Mike Pettine, the ex-Cleveland Browns head coach who built successful defenses with the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills but was largely out of football the last two years, serving as a consultant with the Seattle Seahawks in 2017.

Jarry sent to WBS

The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-assigned goaltender Tristan Jarry to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. He will meet the team prior to WBS’ game Friday at Lehigh Valley.

In the NBA

Ben Simmons had 19 points, 17 rebounds and 14 assists for his fifth triple-double of the season to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 115-101 victory over the Chicago Bulls Wednesday night.

Dario Saric added 21 points and 10 rebounds and Joel Embiid had 22 points for the 76ers, who have won seven of 10.