The former director of the Russian anti-doping laboratory said he followed government orders to cover up positive tests so soccer players could avoid being caught doping as part of a far-reaching conspiracy. Outlining his involvement to the Associated Press, Grigory Rodchenkov claimed an instruction to ‘‘avoid any scandal’’ came from then-sports minister Vitaly Mutko, who now serves as a deputy prime minister despite being at the center of the doping deception controversy across sports. Rodchenkov said through his lawyer from his hiding place in the United States that soccer players were “immune’’ from doping controls or sanctions. Rodchenkov fled Russia two years ago to confess to his role in a widespread doping coverup in his homeland, notably at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and by track and field athletes. The focus is sharpening on doping practices in Russian soccer with the World Cup kicking off in Moscow in June. Amid mounting evidence of his role in the doping deception that turned his country into Olympic outcasts, Mutko recently stepped down as head of both Russia’s soccer federation and the World Cup organizing committee.
TENNIS
Kvitova survives Wozniacki in Qatar
Petra Kvitova defeated top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki for the fourth straight time to reach the Qatar Open final in Doha, extending her winning streak to 12 matches. The 16th-seeded Kvitova outlasted Wozniacki, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 7-5, and will play Garbine Muguruza in the final. A win could lift the 21st-ranked Kvitova back into the top 10 . . . Top seed Roger Federer sealed a spot in the ABN AMRO World Tournament final at Rotterdam, beating Andreas Seppi, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3). He will try for his 97th career title against second seed Grigor Dimitrov, who advanced when fourth seed David Goffin retired . . . Second-seeded Sam Querrey is in the New York Open final in Uniondale, after beating No. 4 Adrian Mannarino, 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 6-3. The American will face top-seeded Kevin Anderson, the US Open runner-up, in Sunday’s final. Anderson beat fifth-seeded Kei Nishikori, the tournament winner from 2013-16 when it was played in Memphis, 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4) in the night match.
BASEBALL
Twins get Odorizzi from Rays
The Twins acquired righthander Jake Odorizzi from the Rays for shortstop prospect Jermaine Palacios. Odorizzi went 10-8 with a 4.14 ERA in 28 starts for Tampa Bay last season. Palacios was Minnesota’s 27th-ranked prospect, per MLB Pipeline . . . The Rays acquired first baseman C.J. Cron from the Los Angeles Angels and designated outfielder Corey Dickerson for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. The 28-year-old Cron was acquired in exchange for a player to be named. He appeared in 100 games with 92 starts last season, hitting .248 with 16 homers and 56 RBIs . . . Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett won his salary arbitration case, being awarded a raise from $2,525,000 to $5.7 million. The Reds offered $5.1 million. Gennett hit .295 last year and set career bests with 27 homers and 97 RBIs . . . The Indians signed outfielder Rajai Davis to a minor league pact. In Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, he hit a tying, two-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning before the Indians lost in the 10th to the Cubs. Davis split 2017 between Oakland and Boston.
MISCELLANY
Kynard wins fifth US Indoor high jump
Erik Kynard won his record fifth straight high jump title at the USA Indoor track and field championships in Albuquerque with a height of 7 feet 6½ inches, but failed to reach the minimum standard required for an invitation to the American squad for the world indoor championships March 1-4 in Birmingham, England. . . Ex-NHL defenseman Greg Smyth died Friday at 51. He was previously diagnosed with cancer. Drafted in the second round (22nd overall) in 1984 by Philadelphia, Smyth had four goals and 16 assists in 229 games with six teams.
