Sports

Tennis: Sharapova reflects on Serena rivalry in new autobiography

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Maria Sharapova muses on her long, lopsided rivalry with Serena Williams in a new autobiography released on Tuesday and how she believes a locker room moment fueled the American’s drive to dominate her. The Russian-born Sharapova was 17 when she defeated Williams in the 2004 Wimbledon final. Rather than proving the start of a long, close-run rivalry, it was one of just two victories Sharapova can claim against the […]

NBA: Lakers reportedly set to honor Bryant in December

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The Los Angeles Lakers will retire both jersey numbers worn by club legend Kobe Bryant before a December 18 game against NBA champions Golden State, US media reported Tuesday. Bryant, an 18-time All-Star who won five NBA titles with the Lakers before retiring after the 2015-16 season, wore both number 8 and number 24 during his 20 seasons with the team. He sported No. 8 in his first 10 […]

Anderlecht prepare for Champions League match against “clear favorites” Bayern Munich

MUNICH, Germany (Reuters) — Anderlecht prepared on Monday (September 11) for their Champions League Group B clash against German champions Bayern Munich. The Belgians, 10th in the Belgian division, won 3-2 against Lokeren at the weekend The last time the two teams met, which was in the second leg of their 2007/08 UEFA Cup last-16 tie , Anderlecht won 2-1 in Munich but the German side progressed won the first leg 5-0. Coach Rene Weiler […]

Tennis – how surfaces affect play

Rafael Nadal’s third US Open and 16th Grand Slam title meant a familiar look for the landscape of men’s tennis — and a worrying wake-up call in the “City That Never Sleeps” for the next generation. Videographic on the different tennis court surfaces and how they affect play. (AFP VIDEOGRAPHIC) https://youtu.be/QOCopaqyzUc

Tennis: Nadal hails ‘best season’ and ‘incredible era’

by Dave JAMES Agence France-Presse Rafael Nadal described the year 2017 as “one of the best of his career” on Sunday after winning a third US Open and 16th Grand Slam. World number one Nadal defeated South Africa’s world number 32 Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in a brutally one-sided final during which he did not face a break point. Nadal also claimed an unprecedented 10th French Open in June after finishing runner-up to Roger […]

Tennis: Nadal encourages disaster victims fightback after US Open win

by Jim Slater Agence France Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — World number one Rafael Nadal encouraged the victims of recent natural disasters not to give up and to fight back after devastation to their lives and homes after his US Open final triumph Sunday. The 31-year-old Spaniard won his 16th Grand Slam title and third US Open crown by defeating South African 28th seed Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 to take a top […]

Tennis: Healthy year bigger prize for Nadal than US Open crown

by Jim SLATER Agence France-Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — World number one Rafael Nadal, nagged for years by knee injuries but enjoying a stellar season, already has a prize more treasured than another Grand Slam title — a healthy campaign chasing them. The 31-year-old Spaniard, who ousted Juan Martin del Potro on Friday to reach Sunday’s US Open final, said the year he has enjoyed has brought a happiness no Slam crown can match after past […]

Tennis: South African Kevin Anderson advances to US Open final

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — South Africa’s Kevin Anderson advanced to his first Grand Slam final on Friday by defeating Spanish 12th seed Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4. Anderson, seeded 28th, will play for the $3.7 million (3.07 million euros) top prize Sunday at Arthur Ashe Stadium against the later winner between world number one Rafael Nadal of Spain and Argentina’s 24th-seeded Juan Martin del Potro. © Agence France-Presse

Football: Rooney looks to redeem himself against Spurs

by Jon West Agence France-Presse LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom (AFP) — Everton manager Ronald Koeman confirmed striker Wayne Rooney will play against Tottenham on Saturday despite a drink drive charge hanging over the striker. Rooney was arrested a week ago and has a court hearing on September 18th after being released on bail over the incident. The 31-year-old has scored twice in three Premier League games for Everton having rejoined his boyhood club from Manchester United in the summer. […]

Rafael Nadal discusses possible meeting with Federer in the U.S. Open semis

NEW YORK CITY, USA (Reuters) — Rafael Nadal raced into the United States Open semifinals on Wednesday (September 6) with a one hour 37 minute 6-1 6-2 6-2 win over Russian teenager Andrey Rublev. The lopsided victory cleared the path for a possible showdown with rival Roger Federer. Amazingly the two tennis greats have never played each other in Flushing Meadow. Federer plays 2009 U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro on Wednesday evening. It […]

Tennis: Injured Murray says likely to miss rest of season

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Britain’s Andy Murray said on Wednesday he is unlikely to play again this season due to a hip injury that forced him to pull out of the US Open. “Unfortunately, I won’t be able to compete in the upcoming events in Beijing and Shanghai, and most likely, the final two events to finish the season in Vienna and Paris due to my hip injury which has been bothering me the last […]

Football: Wood rescues US with Honduras draw

SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras (AFP) — Hamburg striker Bobby Wood scored a late equalizer to salvage a crucial 1-1 draw for the United States in their World Cup qualifier with Honduras here Tuesday. Wood bundled in an 85th-minute leveller just 12 minutes after coming on as a substitute to rescue a point for the Americans in sweltering conditions at the Olimpico Metropolitano Stadium. The result means that Bruce Arena’s side still have automatic qualification in their own hands, […]