Williams survives upset attempt

LONDON — Serena Williams dropped three of the first four games of her opening match at Wimbledon before recovering to beat 113th-ranked qualifier Margarita Gasparyan 6-4, 6-1.

The top-seeded Williams extended her pursuit of a fourth consecutive major title and her bid for a calendar-year Grand Slam, too, by taking 11 of the last 13 games. Williams has also won her past 22 Grand Slam matches.

It was, otherwise, a mostly routine Day 1 for the biggest names on the schedule. Defending champion Novak Djokovic — and the player he lost to in the French Open final this month, No. 4 Stan Wawrinka — won in straight sets. So did 2004 Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova and two other major title winners and former No. 1-ranked women, Victoria Azarenka and Ana Ivanovic.

Phillies hire MacPhail as exec

PHILADELPHIA — Andy MacPhail is the new man in charge of the Philadelphia Phillies.

The veteran baseball executive joined the Phillies with plans to take over as team president after this season. He’ll eventually replace Pat Gillick, who helped choose his successor. MacPhail will serve as a special assistant to Gillick for the rest of this season, then take over all business and baseball operations.

The 62-year-old MacPhail won two World Series as general manager of the Minnesota Twins in 1987 and 1991.

Heat, Wade relationship tested

MIAMI — The relationship between Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat is about to be tested like never before, and the most accomplished player in franchise history may soon have a new home.

Wade will become a free agent Wednesday, electing to pass on a $16.1 million option for next season and see what he’s worth on the open market. His decision was announced Monday afternoon by a spokesperson in a 61-word press release, after both Wade and his agent Henry Thomas did not respond to requests for comment.

Wade played for all three of Miami’s NBA championship teams. He’s been an All-Star in 11 of his 12 seasons, and is Miami’s all-time leader in plenty of categories including games, points, assists and steals.

Sabres buy out center Hodgson

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Once heralded as a key part of the Buffalo Sabres future, Cody Hodgson’s career in Western New York will soon be over.

A person familiar with the decision told the Associated Press that the Sabres have placed Hodgson on unconditional waivers with the intention of buying out his contract.

Hodgson signed a six-year, $25.5 million contract with the team in 2013 under former general manager Darcy Regier.

Hodgson had 20 goals and 44 points in 2013-14, but managed 6 goals and 13 points over 78 games last season.

From wire reports.