Sports in Brief: Wozniacki tops U.S. Open seeds

Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark was seeded No. 1 at a Grand Slam tournament for the first time Tuesday, getting the top spot at the U.S. Open because Serena Williams pulled out with a foot injury.

Wozniacki was the runner-up at Flushing Meadows in New York last year and is the first woman since 2003 to be seeded No. 1 at the U.S. Open without already having won a major championship.

Defending champion Kim Clijsters was seeded No. 2 by the U.S. Tennis Association. Venus Williams, the 2000-01 U.S. Open champion, is No. 3, followed by 2008 runner-up Jelena Jankovic and French Open runner-up Sam Stosur.

Elena Vesnina was upset by Maria Kirilenko, 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, in the first round of the Pilot Pen tennis tournament in New Haven, Conn.

On the grandstand court, Marion Bartoli of France needed three sets to get by Alona Bondarenko, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (2), 6-3.

In the men's draw, No. 3 seed Fernando Gonzalez lost to Radek Stepanek, 6-2, 6-4.

BASKETBALL: The Charlotte Bobcats signed Kwame Brown to a one-year, $1.3 million deal.

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming says he'll be ready for the start of the season after a team doctor said his surgically repaired foot had healed.

HOCKEY: The Nashville Predators have signed their top goal scorer, forward Patric Hornqvist, to a three-year, $9.25 million contract.

Aaron Ward, a member of three Stanley Cup championship teams, is retiring from the NHL after 13 seasons. Ward spent most of last season with the Carolina Hurricanes, where he won the Stanley Cup in 2006. He was traded in March to Anaheim.

Tampa Bay Lightning center Vincent Lecavalier had minor arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and is expected to recover by the start of training camp.

GOLF: A Nevada coroner has ruled professional golfer Erica Blasberg's death a suicide.

Blasberg died May 9 at her home in the suburban hills of Henderson, about 15 miles southeast of the Las Vegas Strip. The 25-year-old was found with a plastic bag over her head.

Blasberg's death was ruled a suicide caused by asphyxia, coupled with toxic levels of prescription medications.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: B.R. Holbrook was named New Mexico's starting quarterback.

Ohio State will pay Colorado $1.4 million next season to come to Ohio Stadium and play. Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith confirmed that the Buffaloes will come to Columbus to meet the Buckeyes on Sept. 24, 2011.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Despite a push by some coaches for changes, the Big East has decided to keep the same format as at last year's 16-team conference tournament.

- Staff and wire reports