U-Va. Will Face Miami in ACC Baseball Tournament Final

Paul Hamm broke his ring finger at the U.S. championships on Thursday and could have surgery this week. He could miss the Olympic trials next month but is expected to compete in Beijing in August. "There's no guarantees," Hamm said. (By Smiley N. Pool -- Associated Press)

· GYMNASTICS: Olympic gold medalist Paul Hamm said he believes there is a "definite opportunity" for him to be on the U.S. team at the Beijing Games, despite breaking a bone in the ring finger of his right hand.

"There's no guarantees, no matter what," Hamm said, his right hand and wrist encased in a blue cast. "The only thing I can do at this point is make an attempt, try and see what happens."

Hamm broke the bone in his right hand Thursday night when he jammed his ring finger in the closing seconds of his parallel bars routine at the U.S. championships in Houston. He could have surgery as early as Tuesday. Recovery time is at least four weeks.

He'll have to petition for a spot on the Beijing squad because he'll miss next month's Olympic trials in Philadelphia. Provided he is healthy, USA Gymnastics is almost sure to grant the petition.

Hamm, after all, is the only American man to win a world title (2003) or Olympic gold (2004). Despite his 2 1/2 -year layoff after the Athens Olympics -- an unheard of break in elite gymnastics -- he has been better than ever this year, firmly establishing himself as a favorite to defend his gold medal. . . .

Stanford senior David Sender did just enough on pommel horse to edge Jonathan Horton for the title at the U.S. championships. His 13.75 on pommel horse gave Sender 180.7 points for the two-day meet, a mere 0.25 ahead of Horton, who was fourth in the world last year.

Joseph Hagerty was third and defending national champion David Durante was fourth.

· BOXING: Ricky Hatton prevailed in a lopsided decision over Juan Lazcano to retain his IBO light welterweight title and restart his career before a raucous home crowd in Manchester, England.

Hatton won easily on all three judges scorecards at the Manchester City soccer ground: 120-110, 118-110, 120-108. It was his first fight since he lost a WBC welterweight bid against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in December. That was his first loss in 44 career fights.

· SOCCER: Chelsea fired Avram Grant as manager, three days after the club's loss to Manchester United on penalty kicks in the European Champions League final.