Sports briefs for Thursday, Nov. 26

Sports in the Courts

Two more lawsuits filed in Mayfield-NASCAR feud

Jeremy Mayfield's former attorneys filed a civil suit Wednesday against the suspended NASCAR driver seeking nearly $400,000 in unpaid fees. Meanwhile, Mayfield's new attorney filed a motion in U.S. District Court that claims NASCAR Chairman Brian France misrepresented his primary residence to have Mayfield's lawsuit moved to federal court. The two filings marked a busy day of legal wrangling in the case of Mayfield, who was suspended May 9 for failing a random drug test. NASCAR said the Owensboro native tested positive for methamphetamines. Mayfield has denied using the illegal drug and is suing over his suspension.

In the first filing, the firm James, McElroy and Diehl claimed in North Carolina Superior Court that Mayfield owes $371,973.66, plus attorney fees, late charges and interest since Oct. 22. The firm represented Mayfield from May until October, when he hired high-profile attorney Mark Geragos.

The claim admits Mayfield made some payments during the time he was represented by Bill Diehl, but it states Mayfield was constantly late, often "represented that payments were 'on the way,' or 'being delivered today' " and that if Mayfield did come through with money, it was typically "for less than the promised amount."

The second filing, by Geragos' legal team, is in response to NASCAR's attempt to temporarily halt the discovery process. In it, Mayfield claims NASCAR should not have succeeded in moving the original lawsuit from North Carolina state courts to federal court.

The change of venue came after France admitted he owns a home in North Carolina, but that Florida is his primary residence.

Mayfield claims in a separate lawsuit France filed against his former in-laws filed four days earlier, France claimed to be a citizen of both states. Mayfield argues that France can't be a resident in North Carolina for one case to be heard in state court, but then claim to be a resident of Florida so that the Mayfield case is heard in federal court.

UK volleyball

Cats drop finale, lose share of SEC title

Tennessee almost squandered a two-set lead but held on to defeat 10th-ranked Kentucky (25-16, 25-14, 24-26, 17-25, 16-14) to deprive the Cats of a share of the Southeastern Conference title Wednesday night. The loss means Louisiana State is the champion outright. The Vols were down 14-10 in the fifth set but managed to come back.

Tennis

Federer takes back No. 1 ranking

Roger Federer reclaimed the top spot in tennis, securing the year-end No. 1 ranking for the fifth time. The record 15-time Grand Slam champion is closing in on Pete Sampras' all-time mark of six.

"It means a lot to have returned to No. 1 and to finish the year again at No. 1," Federer said Wednesday after accepting a trophy on court at the ATP World Tour Finals in London. "It was an incredible year for me, both on the court and off the court, and to be able to break the all-time Grand Slam record and finish the year on top is amazing."

Federer earned the top year-end ranking after winning his opening two matches at the season-ending tour finals.

Nadal won't make World Tour semis

Rafael Nadal fell out of contention for a spot in the semifinals at the ATP World Tour Finals with a second straight defeat, losing 6-1, 7-6 (4) to Nikolay Davydenko on Wednesday. Nadal looked sluggish throughout and was thoroughly outplayed by Davydenko, who secured his first win of the round-robin phase and can still reach the semis. Earlier, Robin Soderling became the first player to reach the semis of the season-ending tournament by beating Novak Djokovic 7-6 (5), 6-1. Soderling, who qualified for the eight-player tournament only when Andy Roddick pulled out with an injury, also beat Nadal in straight sets.

■ Nadal has officially been chosen to play for Spain in the Davis Cup finals against the Czech Republic. He missed last year's finals win over Argentina with a knee injury.