David Nalbandian wins ATP title

David Nalbandian arrived at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington ranked 117th after missing about 12 of the last 15 months because of injuries. He needed a wild-card invitation merely to get into the field.

A week later, he leaves as the hard-court tournament’s champion — and someone to watch at the U.S. Open.

Argentina’s Nalbandian became the first player ranked outside the top 100 to win an ATP title in 2010, using his typically strong service returns and effective baseline game to beat No. 25 Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus, 6-2, 7-6 (4), on Sunday in a Legg Mason final between two past Grand Slam finalists.

It’s the 11th title of Nalbandian’s career, but his first on U.S. soil, and first anywhere in 11/2 years. He hadn’t entered a tournament since April, sidelined by a bad left hamstring. Before that, Nalbandian sat out nearly 10 months starting in May 2009 because of hip surgery.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Florida State Coach Jimbo Fisher dismissed junior wide receiver Jarmon Fortson for an undisclosed team policy violation.

Fortson, of Hurtsboro, Ala., was one of Florida State’s top returning receivers and was expected to start. He started six games last year, catching 45 passes for 610 yards and four touchdowns.

Fisher called an impromptu team meeting Sunday to notify the other players. He said they were disappointed because they respected Fortson.

Fisher declined to say what policy Fortson violated and said he didn’t believe he could remain in school.

ETC.

Horse dies at Del Mar

Multiple graded-stakes winner Tuscan Evening collapsed and died of an apparent heart attack at Del Mar.

The 5-year-old mare had just finished working six furlongs on the turf course when she collapsed Sunday morning.

Tuscan Evening was being prepared to run in the $750,000 Beverly D. Handicap at Arlington Park near Chicago on Aug. 21. She had won the Modesty Handicap on the turf at Arlington in her most recent start.

She came to the United States from Europe in 2008 and was trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. She had 12 wins in 16 starts and earnings of more than $1.1 million.

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The international track and field association announced that it is slashing spending to stave off financial problems as a result of the economic crisis.

IAAF President Lamine Diack said the organization decided to cut expenses after a meeting in Doha, Qatar, in March, when treasurer Jean Poczubut presented a bleak view of its finances.

The budget deficit for 2010, which had earlier been forecast at $16 million, is now about $9 million after the cuts and a deal sealed in June with electronics giant Samsung to sponsor the Diamond League meets. That deal is said to be worth about $3 million per year for the next two years.

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Justin Gatlin won his second 100-meter race in a week at the Ergo Games in Tallinn, Estonia, during his return to track after a four-year doping ban.

The 28-year-old former Olympic champion finished in 10.17 seconds, beating fellow American Justin Williams by 0.08 of a second at the small meet in the Estonian capital. Aleksandr Linnik of Belarus was third in 10.59.

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Businessman Dave Dixon, who fought to bring an NFL team to New Orleans and was the catalyst behind construction of the Louisiana Superdome, died Sunday. He was 87.