The NHL could claim a partial victory yesterday after a U.S. bankruptcy judge rejected bids by the league and Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes.

Judge Redfield T. Baum rejected outright Balsillie's offer to purchase the team and move it to Hamilton, Ontario, which the NHL had vehemently opposed. The judge upheld the league's right to decide who owns its teams and where they play.

Although Baum also turned down the NHL offer, he left the door open for the league to purchase the franchise if it amends its bid to treat Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes and ex-coach Wayne Gretzky more favorably.

"In hockey parlance, the court is passing the puck to the NHL who can decide to take another shot at the sale net or it can pass off the puck," Baum wrote.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly issued a statement saying the league is "pleased that the bankruptcy court has confirmed the league's rights to select its owners and the location of its franchises."

SUNDIN RETIRES FROM NHL

Former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin is retiring from hockey after nearly two decades in the NHL.

"It was a tough decision," Sundin said at a news conference at Stockholm's Grand Hotel yesterday. "It's sad to tell you today that my career as a pro hockey player is over."

The 38-year-old Swede, who said he reached the decision this fall, played for the Vancouver Canucks last season after spending 13 years with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Sundin, an eight-time NHL All Star, is first all-time among Swedish players with 564 goals, 785 assists and 1,349 points.

AUTO RACING

PATRICK MUM ON FUTURE

If Danica Patrick knows specifically what her future after this season holds, she's not saying.

Patrick refused yesterday to confirm widespread reports that she's agreed to a three-year extension of her IndyCar contract with Andretti Green Racing.

Asked specifically about the extension, Patrick simply shook her head, not saying a word.

Patrick is considered the biggest draw in the IRL, and her interest in moving to NASCAR has been speculated on numerous times in recent years. She has a close relationship with Tony Stewart, and he has said Patrick will eventually make the jump he did — from IndyCar to stock cars.

SAILING

ORACLE MEASURES UP

America's Cup challenger BMW Oracle Racing yesterday sent a measurement certificate for its monster trimaran to defending champion Alinghi of Switzerland, nearly four months earlier than a judge stipulated.

Alinghi has been demanding the document for almost two years as part of a bitter legal fight between the powerhouse sailing teams that will meet in a best-of-3 showdown in February on the Persian Gulf for the oldest trophy in international sports.

Last week, a New York judge ruled that BMW Oracle Racing, owned by software tycoon Larry Ellison of Oracle Corp., must provide Alinghi with the Certificate of Documentation — issued by the Coast Guard when a boat has been proved seaworthy — at least two weeks before the scheduled start of the racing.

TENNIS

SHARAPOVA GAINS QUARTERS

Maria Sharapova recovered from a slow start yesterday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 win over compatriot Alisa Kleybanova.

The unseeded former top-ranked Russian, who has been struggling since returning from a 10-month injury layoff, will face Iveta Benesova in the quarterfinals. Benesova defeated Taiwan's Chang Kai-chan 7-5, 6-2.

Seventh-seeded Jelena Jankovic, the highest remaining seed, advanced when Russia's Elena Vesnina was forced to retire with a left thigh injury. Jankovic was leading 6-1, 3-0 when the match was stopped.

TRACK AND FIELD

BOLT'S RECORDS RATIFIED

The world records set by Usain Bolt in the 100 and 200 meters have been ratified by the International Association of Athletics Federations.

Both marks were set at the World Championships in Berlin in August when the Jamaican ran 9.58 seconds in the 100. He ran 19.19 in the 200, breaking the records he set at the Beijing Olympics.

The IAAF also ratified yesterday the world record hammer throw by Anita Wlodarczyk of Poland, who set the mark of 255 feet, 9 inches at worlds.