Sports — International

Serena relentlessly marches on as Osaka, Svitolina survive scares

by Martin PARRY Agence France Presse MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) — Serena Williams’ relentless drive towards an eighth Australian Open title cranked up another gear Saturday with a third round drubbing, as Naomi Osaka and Elina Svitolina survived big scares to stay in the hunt. On day six at Melbourne Park, the 23-time Grand Slam winner crushed Ukrainian teenager Dayana Yastremska 6-2, 6-1 before consoling her at the net as she burst into tears. The 37-year-old, […]

Rondo returns to Lakers practice, LeBron back next week

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo was cleared by team medical staff to resume full-contact workouts after missing 12 games with a sprained finger, the NBA club announced Friday. The 32-year-old guard, who helped Boston capture the 2008 NBA title, suffered a right ringfinger injury in the Lakers’ Christmas Day triumph over the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors and underwent surgery three days later. Rondo has played only […]

Doctors say NBA Bulls teen rookie Carter needs surgery

CHICAGO, United States (AFP) — Hand specialists recommend surgery for Chicago Bulls forward Wendell Carter Jr., an operation that could sideline the teen rookie for eight to 12 weeks, the NBA club announced Friday. Carter, averaging 10.3 points and 7.0 rebounds a game in 44 appearances, suffered a left thumb injury Tuesday in a 107-100 road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. An MRI exam brought an initial diagnosis of an acute thumb sprain, but […]

Russell soars as Nets rally from 21 down to beat Magic

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — D’Angelo Russell drained a clutch three pointer with 27 seconds remaining as the Brooklyn Nets rallied from a 21-point deficit to defeat the Orlando Magic 117-115 on Friday. Russell equalled his career high total with 40 points and his three pointer gave them the lead for the first time since they opened the scoring with the first basket of the contest. Spencer Dinwiddie scored 18 of his 20 points […]

Irving’s 38 points propel Celtics past Grizzlies

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Kyrie Irving led by example Friday, scoring 20 of his 38 points in the third quarter as his Boston Celtics defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 122-116. Irving, coming off a 27-point, 18-assist performance in a win over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, added 11 assists and seven rebounds as the Celtics won their second straight in the wake of a three-game skid. Over his last two games, Irving has averaged […]

Sharapova says revenge not behind Wozniacki Open upset

by Neil SANDS Agence France Presse MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) — Maria Sharapova denied revenge was a motivating factor behind her shock win over defending Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki on Friday. The five-time Grand Slam winner dumped the Dane from the tournament in a three-set thriller 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to claim her biggest scalp since completing a drugs ban in 2017. At the time, world number three Wozniacki was an outspoken critic of the way […]

Siakam bounces in winner as Raptors edge Suns

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Pascal Siakam banked in the winning shot at the final buzzer as the Toronto Raptors won their eighth consecutive home game with a 111-109 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday. Siakam’s basket, which was upheld by a video review, bounced off the backboard and went in after Suns’ Mikal Bridges had tied it 109-109 with 13 seconds to go. “I just wanted to take the last shot, whatever […]

Pacquiao ready for Broner in Las Vegas return

by Rob Woollard Agence France Presse LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Manny Pacquiao is aiming to offer fresh evidence that life begins at 40 when the Filipino veteran takes on Adrien Broner on Saturday in his first fight in Las Vegas for more than two years. Pacquiao, who celebrated his 40th birthday last month with a lavish birthday party in the Philippines, defends his WBA regular welterweight crown against Broner at the MGM Grand […]

Griffin fined over ref spat

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin was fined $15,000 on Thursday following a clash with a game official earlier this week, the NBA announced. Griffin was caught hurling an expletive at a member of the officiating crew during Detroit’s 100-94 loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday. “Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin has been fined $15,000 for verbal abuse of a game official,” a statement said. Former Los Angeles Clippers […]

Kanter’s assassination fears taken seriously by NBA: Silver

by Steven GRIFFITHS Agence France Presse LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver insisted he takes the issue of player safety “very seriously” following New York Knicks star Enes Kanter’s decision to miss his team’s game in London amid fears he would be killed for his political views. Turkey-born Kanter was due to play for the Knicks against the Washington Wizards in the NBA’s annual regular-season showcase at London’s O2 Arena on Thursday. […]

Sharapova claims underdog status against Wozniacki

MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) — Maria Sharapova has declared herself the underdog in her blockbuster third round clash with Australian Open defending champion Caroline Wozniacki, despite having five Grand Slam titles to the Dane’s one. Sharapova has struggled since returning from a drugs ban in 2017 and is seeded 30th at the tournament, while Wozniacki is third seed after claiming her maiden major at Melbourne Park last year. But the 31-year-old Russian has been in sizzling […]

James misses Lakers road trip, to return to practice next week

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — LeBron James will miss at least two more games as he recovers from a groin injury but has been cleared to resume practice next week, the Los Angeles Lakers said Wednesday. James has not played for the Lakers since limping out of his team’s December 25 victory over the Golden State Warriors last month at the Staples Center. Since then the Lakers’ form has nosedived, with the Western Conference […]