Tennis: Murray ends Djokovic streak

Top-ranked Novak Djokovic lost for the first time this season, beaten by Andy Murray 6-2, 7-5 yesterday in the semifinals of the Dubai (United Arab Emirates) Championships. Djokovic had been on a 10-match winning streak that included the Australian Open title. In the final, Murray will play Roger Federer, who beat Juan Martin del Potro 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6).

* John Isner reached his first semifinal of the year with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Bernard Tomic of Australia at the Delray Beach (Fla.) International Tennis Championships. Isner will play No. 7 seed Kevin Anderson of South Africa, who rallied past seventh-seeded Andy Roddick 2-6, 7-6 (9), 6-4.

ETC.: Steelers to released Farrior, Smith

The Steelers continued their offseason roster purge yesterday, announcing veteran linebacker James Farrior and defensive end Aaron Smith will be released.

* Ray Rice has been designated Baltimore’s franchise player, as the team hopes to buy some time while negotiating a lengthy deal for the two-time Pro Bowl running back. … The Redskins placed its franchise tag on tight end Fred Davis.

* Connecticut men’s basketball coach Jim Calhoun returned to practice four days after undergoing back surgery. The Hall of Fame coach wore a whistle around his neck, leading UConn through drills ahead of today’s season finale against Pittsburgh. He said he’s not sure when he will return to the bench.

* Penn State authorities are looking for a driver who knocked down and stole the sign for “Paternoville” outside Beaver Stadium. The campus police said surveillance cameras captured images of a gray or silver sedan damaging gates, driving on grass and knocking over the Paternoville marker and another sign at about 4 a.m. Tuesday.

The Maple Leafs fired coach Ron Wilson and replaced him with Randy Carlyle.