Hatless Murray gets hot

Andy Murray's surge into the top four has included three recent wins over Roger Federer, two over Rafael Nadal and one over Novak Djokovic.

Most observers attribute the performance boost to an increase in his strength conditioning.

Murray, considered a favorite for the Australian Open title, likes to think it could be something as simple as taking his hat off.

"It's just something that I changed," Murray said Tuesday after his abbreviated win over Andrei Pavel, who retired while trailing 6-1, 3-1 with a back injury. "Since I stopped wearing a cap, I've played much better."

Fourth-seeded Murray said although he wore …

49ers, Rams go for clincher

SAN FRANCISCO The San Francisco 49ers' last nationally televisednight game was a nationally televised embarrassment.

Coach Bill Walsh's team ends the regular season tonight byplaying the Los Angeles Rams (10-5) before another national TV (ABC)audience and with a division title at stake. The winner will be theNFC West champion and the loser will go into the playoffs as awild-card entry.

"When you play for a championship, play your rival, it's onnational TV and there's no other game on at the time, that's a greatarena," said Rams coach John Robinson. "The playoffs are starting aweek early for the 49ers and us."

The Rams could have clinched the title last …

Sharapova Wins 1st Set in Open Final

NEW YORK - Maria Sharapova won the first set of the U.S. Open women's final Saturday night, 6-4 over Justine Henin-Hardenne.

Henin-Hardenne, seeking her sixth Grand Slam title, gained the upper hand early, breaking Sharapova in her first service game. But Sharapova broke right back, and the players stayed on serve to 4-4.

Sharapova then broke the Belgian and held serve for the set.

"The Open is all about the night matches," …

Judiciary Committee OKs Sotomayor for high court

Pushing toward a historic Supreme Court confirmation vote, the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday approved Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be the first Hispanic justice, over nearly solid Republican opposition.

The panel's 13-6 vote for Sotomayor masked deep political divisions within GOP ranks about confirming President Barack Obama's first high court nominee. Just one Republican, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, joined Democrats to support her, although four others have said they'll vote for Sotomayor when her nomination comes before the full Senate next week _ and that number is expected to grow.

"I would not have chosen her, but I understand why President Obama did. I …

Kablooey!

((PHOTO …

Ernesto Neto

THE HAYWARD

June 19-September 5

Curated by Cliff Lauson

It is no mystery why Ernesto Neto has become one of Brazil's most popular artists. He engages not just sight but touch and smell. To be fair, while this approach is crowd-pleasing, it also demonstrates a clear historical link to the heyday of Tropic�lia, the Rio de Janeiro-based interdisciplinary movement of the late 1960s that expanded colorful abstraction and sensory exploration (think Lygia Clark and …

Big Brown to break from No. 1 post in Belmont

Big Brown will begin his bid to complete the Triple Crown by breaking from the No. 1 post in the Belmont Stakes.

The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner drew the inside position against nine rivals Wednesday. Big Brown is listed at 2-5 odds.

His main challenger, Japanese-bred Casino Drive, will start from the No. 5 post. He is the 7-2 second choice on …