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Sports Shorts

GOLF: Merrick wins playoff at Riviera

John Merrick hit two clutch shots that led to par in a sudden-death playoff and won the Northern Trust Open when Charlie Beljan missed a five-foot par putt on the second extra hole yesterday at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif. It was the first PGA Tour win for Merrick, who closed with a 69. Beljan, famous for his anxiety attack when he won at Disney last year, holed an 18-foot birdie on the 18th hole for a 67.

Bernhard Langer shot a final-round 72 and won his second ACE Group Classic title in three years by one stroke over Jay Don Blake in Naples, Fla.

Fifteen-year-old Lydia Ko said she is in no hurry to turn professional after she finished third in the women’s Australian Open. South Korea’s Jiyai Shin won the tournament by two shots over Yani Tseng.

TENNIS: Azarenka topples Serena

Defending champion Victoria Azarenka stunned Serena Williams 7-6 (6), 2-6, 6-3 to win the Qatar Open, earning her 16th title and ending a 10-match losing streak vs. the American.

Rafael Nadal beat David Nalbandian 6-2, 6-3 in the final of the Brazil Open, his first trophy since returning from a seven-month layoff to treat his left knee. … Juan Martin del Potro beat Julien Benneteau 7-6 (2), 6-3 to win the ABN AMRO tournament in Rotterdam. … Milos Raonic won his third consecutive SAP Open, beating Tommy Haas 6-4, 6-3 in San Jose, Calif.

ETC.: Habs’ Gallagher suffers concussion

The Canadiens are hopeful rookie forward Brendan Gallagher won’t miss much time after suffering a concussion in Saturday’s win against the Flyers.

Brittney Griner and the top-ranked Baylor Lady Bears visit No. 3 UConn tonight in a late-season, non-conference clash that could be a preview of the NCAA championship game in April.

Landon Donovan will rejoin the Los Angeles Galaxy in the last week of March, the club said, but the 30-year-old striker’s U.S. national team status remains unknown.