Sports briefs: Sato wins IndyCar race

AUTO RACING • Takuma Sato became the first Japanese driver to win an IndyCar race on Sunday in the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach (Calif.).

The win came in Sato's 52nd career start, and the first for A.J. Foyt Racing since Airton Dare won Kansas in 2002.

It was redemption for Sato, who probably is best known for crashing on the final lap of last year's Indianapolis 500 while driving for Bobby Rahal. But two races earlier, at Long Beach, he was headed to a podium finish when Ryan Hunter-Reay spun him on the final lap. On Sunday, he held off Graham Rahal, who took his seat, for the victory.

Venus clinches Fed Cup victory for U.S.

TENNIS • Venus Williams beat Johanna Larsson 6-3, 7-5 to give the United States an insurmountable 3-1 lead against Sweden in the Fed Cup World Group in Delray Beach, Fla. The victory guarantees the U.S. a spot in the coveted 2014 Fed Cup World Group, while Sweden will play 2014 World Group II action.

Earlier in the day top-ranked Serena Williams boosted the U.S. to a 2-1 lead when she posted a 6-2, 6-1 win over 54th-ranked Sofia Arvidsson.

• Novak Djokovic ended Rafael Nadal's winning streak at the Monte Carlo Masters, beating the eight-time defending champion 6-2, 7-6 (1) in the final in Monaco. Nadal won his 46 previous matches at Monte Carlo, including a victory over Djokovic in last year's final.

Kebede, Jeptoo win London Marathon

RUNNING • Tsegaye Kebede claimed a second London Marathon title, cheered through the streets by thousands of spectators reassured by enhanced security at the first major race since the twin bombings at the Boston event. Kebede clocked 2 hours, 6 minutes and 15 seconds.

The women's race saw Olympic silver medalist Priscah Jeptoo go one better in the annual London race. The Kenyan cruised over the line in 2:20:15, the fastest time this year.

From wire reports