Vitor Baia still hopeful

PORTO: FC Porto goalie Vitor Baia says he still hopes to make the Portugal team for Euro 2004, despite being left off the roster since Luiz Felipe Scolari took over as coach 16 months ago. “I haven’t given up on the national team,” Baia said. “I’m wholeheartedly available.” The 34-year-old former Barcelona ‘keeper was Portugal’s first choice from his debut in 1990 until the side exited the 2002 World Cup in the first round. He made 79 appearances. Baia on Monday renewed his contract until 2007. — AP

Ivan Ljubicic advances

VALENCIA: Third-seeded Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia advanced to the second round at the $478,858 Valencia Open after downing Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 6-3, 6-4. Ljubicic will face Fernando Verdasco of Spain in the next round. Verdasco beat countryman Albert Portas 6-1, 6-4. Alex Corretja of Spain started slowly but held on to eliminate fifth-seeded countryman David Sanchez 5-7, 6-2, 6-2. Also, Jan Vacek of the Czech Republic defeated Guillermo Burniol of Spain 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. — AP

Paul Pierce ruled out

BOSTON: Boston forward Paul Pierce sat out the Celtics’ game against Miami on Monday night because of a sprained right ankle. Pierce is fifth in the NBA with an average of 23 points. The Celtics have lost four consecutive games, but clinched the eighth and final berth in the Eastern Conference playoffs when Philadelphia lost to the New Jersey Nets on Sunday. — AP

700th win for Martinez

Charleston: Former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez of Spain won her 700th career match at the $1.3 million Family Circle Cup, becoming just the seventh woman in the Open era to reach that milestone. The 16th-seeded Spaniard, a two-time Family Circle Cup winner, easily beat Tian Tian Sun of China 6-1, 6-0 in the first round. Martinez, ranked 24th in the world, has 32 career WTA Tour singles titles. — AP