Sports

Tennis: Teen Rublev tries to deny Nadal semi-final at US Open

by Jim Slater Agence France-Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Russian teen Andrey Rublev, inspired by other young stars of Russian parentage, is the youngest US Open quarter-finalist since Andy Roddick in 2001 and on a collision course with his idol – Rafael Nadal. The 53rd-ranked 19-year-old dispatched Belgian ninth seed David Goffin 7-5, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 Monday to book a last-eight date Wednesday with 15-time Grand Slam champion and world number one Nadal. “I’m just going to […]

Tennis: All in the family as Vandeweghe makes Open last eight

by Jim Slater Agence France-Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — When CoCo Vandeweghe says she’s trying to become the best athlete in her family as well as a US Open champion, it’s more impressive company than one might imagine. There’s her Olympic swimmer mother Tauna, the NBA trio of her uncle Kiki, grandpa Ernie and great-uncle Mel plus ex-beach volleyball pro uncle Bruk and aunt Heather, the US polo team captain. “My grandfather always said he was the […]

Football: Ozil comments laughable – Arsenal great Wright

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Arsenal great Ian Wright has branded Mesut Ozil’s complaints about the criticism he receives from former players “laughable” in view of his failure to sign a new contract. In a long Facebook post on Saturday, Ozil hit out at his critics in the media and told Arsenal’s former players to “stop talking and start supporting.” But with the 28-year-old Germany playmaker still to extend a contract that expires at the end of the […]

Football: S.Korea coach promises World Cup victory in Tashkent

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — Under-fire coach Shin Tae-Yong has promised South Korea will “beef up their mental strength” and go all out for the victory against Uzbekistan Tuesday that would secure World Cup qualification for a ninth successive time. “We’ll return home with victory no matter what,” vowed Shin ahead of the final Asian zone Group A encounter in Tashkent. The Taeguk Warriors, with just one win in their last five qualifiers, could only manage a goalless […]

Tennis: Sharapova knocked out while Venus advances at US Open

  by Jim Slater Agence France Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Maria Sharapova’s Grand Slam return after a 15-month doping ban ended in defeat Sunday at the US Open but the former world number one considered it a major step in her comeback. Latvian 16th seed Anastasija Sevastova rallied to eliminate the five-time Grand Slam champion 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 at Arthur Ashe Stadium, booking a quarter-final against American Sloane Stephens, who ousted Germany’s […]

Delight as Serena Williams ‘welcomes baby girl’

  MIAMI, United States (AFP) — Tennis superstar Serena Williams gave birth to a baby girl on Friday, US media reported, prompting an outpouring of delight from fellow professionals, celebrities and fans of the sporting icon. Williams, who will turn 36 later this month, was admitted to the St Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Florida on Wednesday before going into labor overnight. There was no immediate confirmation of the birth from Williams’ representatives. […]

Boxing: Pacquiao pulls out of title rematch with Horn

  BRISBANE, Australia (AFP) — Filipino great Manny Pacquiao on Friday pulled out of a rematch with world champion Jeff Horn, leaving the Australian looking for another challenger in his title defense. The Queensland state government, the fight’s financial backers, made the announcement two months ahead of the scheduled November 12 bout. “We have been advised today that Manny Pacquiao… cannot return to the ring on 12 November as proposed,” Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said […]

Motorcycling: Rossi breaks leg in training crash

ROME, Italy (AFP) — Italian motorcycling legend Valentino Rossi broke his leg in a crash in training on Thursday to dash his hopes of a 10th world title this season. The 38-year-old will undergo surgery “as soon as possible”, his Yamaha team announced in a statement. Rossi was on board an endurance bike when the accident occurred. “Valentino Rossi was involved in an enduro accident during a training activity close to his hometown (of Urbino) […]

NBA: Celtics, Cavs seal Irving deal

By Ariel Romero | EBC Sports Correspondent  Kyrie Irving’s trade to the Boston Celtics from the Cleveland Cavaliers has been completed following a delay caused by concerns over an injury to Isaiah Thomas. A joint statement announced Wednesday said the trade agreed earlier this month would finally process, with the Celtics adding Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, a 2018 first round pick via Brooklyn and a 2020 2nd round draft pick via Miami. Irving, a four-time All-Star, stunned […]

NBA: Lakers fined $500,000 over Paul George saga

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — The Los Angeles Lakers have been fined $500,000 (594,000 euros) for making an illegal approach to Paul George while he was under contract at the Indiana Pacers, the NBA announced on Thursday. A statement from the NBA said the Lakers had been found in violation of anti-tampering rules designed to prevent teams from tapping up players under contract elsewhere. An independent investigation found that the Lakers had breached the […]

Tennis: ‘No question that I’m feared again’ says Sharapova

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Maria Sharapova made the US Open last 32 Wednesday, insisting she has instilled renewed fear into her rivals and rekindled the love from her fans. The former world number one and five-time major winner pulled off a 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-1 win over Timea Babos of Hungary. It was her second three-set match, having seen off world number two Simona Halep on Monday in what was her first Grand Slam match since […]

6th place finish: PHL gets only 24 gold medals in SEA games closing; PHL to host 2019 competition

  (Eagle News) – The Philippines only managed to get 24 gold medals, finishing only at sixth place in the just concluded 2017 Southeast Asia Games, which was way below the country’s target and expectations for its players. The country collected 121 medals in all – 24 gold, 33 silver and 64 bronze medals – which was way below lead country Malaysia’s 323 medal haul consisting of 145 gold, 92 silver and 86 bronze medals. […]