ESPN.com

ESPN.com

• Sharapova tops Li, holds onto Italian Open title
  Maria Sharapova successfully defended her Italian Open title Sunday, beating Li Na 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5) in a wild match in which play was twice interrupted by rain and the red clay turned to mud.
  
  
• Heat's Howard confronts Pacers' Stephenson
  Miami Heat veteran Juwan Howard and Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson had to be separated following an on-court confrontation before the teams played Game 4 of their playoff series Sunday.
  
  
• Carpenter assures full 33-car field for Indy 500
  Ed Carpenter has become the 33rd driver to qualify for the Indianapolis 500, assuring race officials they will have a full field for the May 27 race.
  
  
• Phillies GM defends club's treatment of Howard
  Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro defended the club's treatment of Ryan Howard in response to a newspaper report that questioned the use of cortisone on the star slugger last season.
  
  
• Perez says Indians fans should support team
  Chris Perez is throwing some heat at Cleveland fans.
  
  
• Pressel ousted in semis after slow-play penalty
  Azahara Munoz of Spain defeated Morgan Pressel 2 and 1 in the semifinals of the Sybase Match Play Championship Sunday after a slow-play penalty against the American on the 12th hole turned the match, casting a shadow on the $1.5 million event.
  
  
• Rangers coach Tortorella rips Devils' tactics
  In a heated Hudson River clash that is threatening to become pretty nasty, the gloves were officially dropped Sunday when Rangers coach John Tortorella ripped the Devils, accusing them of selling penalty calls and skirting the rules.
  
  
• Sandbagging in Sprint All-Star race annoys fans
  It didn't take teams very long to figure out their best shot at winning the All-Star race would be in the first 20 laps.
  
  
• I'll Have Another off to New York for Belmont
  I'll Have Another poked his head out of his stall, started nibbling on his nameplate tacked to a wall and looked up at all the people watching his every move.
  
  
• Gasol shares blame for Lakers' loss to Thunder
  Kobe Bryant hoped for more aggressiveness from the Lakers All-Star forward Pau Gasol in the Lakers' loss to the Thunder.