Sports — International

NBA Magic owner Richard DeVos dead at 92

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP)–Billionaire businessman Richard DeVos, owner of the NBA’s Orlando Magic and founder of health and home care product manufacturer Amway, died Thursday at his Ada, Michigan, home. He was 92. DeVos, the father-in-law of US Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, bought the Magic in 1991 and under his watch took five division titles and reached the NBA Finals in 1995, losing to Houston, and 2009, falling to the Los Angeles Lakers. “Mr. DeVos’ […]

Nash, Allen among 13 to join Basketball Hall of Fame

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Former NBA stars Steve Nash, Ray Allen, Jason Kidd, Grant Hill and Maurice Cheeks will be among 13 people inducted Friday into the Basketball Hall of Fame. The honorees will be enshrined in ceremonies at the sporting shrine in Springfield, Massachusetts, near the game’s birthplace, with a gala gathering of legends serving as presenters as well. Other inductees will include Croatian player Dino Radja, college coach Charles “Lefty” Driesell, […]

‘I love you’, Osaka tells US Open final opponent Serena

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Naomi Osaka told US Open title opponent Serena Williams “I love you” just moments after she became the first Japanese woman to reach a Grand Slam final. The 20-year-old breakout star of the tournament swept into the record books and Saturday’s championship match against the 23-time major winner with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Madison Keys, the runner-up in 2017. When asked on court what she told herself as […]

NBA great Garnett sues accountant for $77 million fraud

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP)–Former NBA star Kevin Garnett has filed a lawsuit against an accountant accused of helping defraud the player of $77 million (66.3 million euros), US media reports said Thursday. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that Garnett was suing Kentucky-based accountant Michael Wertheim and his firm Welenken, accusing him of helping jailed financial advisor Charles Banks steal tens of millions of dollars. “Banks intentionally … looted Garnett of his earnings and assets […]

No sweat! Djokovic admits 2018 US Open toughest mission

by Dave JAMES Agence France-Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Novak Djokovic believes that the man who lifts the US Open trophy on Sunday will have truly earned the mantle of champion, describing the hot and steamy 2018 tournament as the “toughest” he has encountered. Djokovic, the winner in 2011 and 2015, faces Kei Nishikori in Friday’s semi-finals, his 11th successive appearance in the last-four. An eighth final is within reach and to achieve […]

Djokovic to face Nishikori in 11th US Open semi-final

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Two-time champion Novak Djokovic ended John Millman’s fairytale US Open run on Wednesday, beating the 55th-ranked Australian in straight sets to book a semi-final clash with Kei Nishikori. The Serbian star, who ended a 54-week title drought with his 13th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, defeated the tenacious Aussie 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to reach his 11th US Open semi-final in his last 11 appearances. He lifted the trophy in […]

Semi-finalist Serena says still ‘long way to go’ at US Open

by Rebecca Bryan Agence France Presse NEW YORK. United States (AFP) — Serena Williams is taking nothing for granted as she heads into the US Open semi-finals on Thursday with a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title on the horizon. “I’d been a couple of steps away at the last Grand Slam, so I’m definitely not ahead of myself,” said Williams, who fell to Angelique Kerber in the Wimbledon final in July. “I still know that […]

Nishikori, Osaka first Japanese man and woman to reach semi-finals at same Slam dj/bb

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Kei Nishikori and Naomi Osaka made history at the US Open on Wednesday when they became the first Japanese man and woman to reach the semi-finals of the same Grand Slam. Nishikori reached the last four of the men’s singles with a 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-4 victory over Marin Cilic — the man who beat him in the 2014 final. Earlier, Osaka defeated Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko 6-1, […]

Mickelson eyes ‘most special’ Ryder Cup

by Bernie McGuire Agence France-Presse NORTON, United States (AFP) — Phil Mickelson believes this month’s Ryder Cup could be the most special of his career if he is handed a 12th cap by USA captain Jim Furyk on Tuesday. Mickelson boosted his goal of competing in France later this month after posting closing rounds of 67 and 63 for an eventual 10-under-par total at the PGA Dell Technologies Championship on Monday. The 48-year-old’s closing 63 […]

Black night as Federer, Sharapova crash at US Open

by Dave JAMES Agence France Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova crashed out of the US Open on Monday in back-to-back seismic shocks under the Arthur Ashe Stadium lights. Federer, the five-time champion and looking to end his 10-year wait to add to his total in New York, was beaten by Australia’s world number 55 John Millman 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/3). It was 20-time major winner Federer’s […]

Five top moments at the Asian Games

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — With a glittering ceremony marking the end of the 2018 Asian Games, here are five top moments from the world’s second-largest multi-sports event: Falling standards A flag blunder punctured Sun Yang’s joy at winning the 200m freestyle — and prompted the Chinese swimming star to demand a re-run of his victory ceremony. The triple Olympic champion was overjoyed at winning his first gold of the Games, and all was going swimmingly […]

Boxer Rogen Ladon bags PHL’s second silver in 2018 Asian Games

(Eagle News)— Rogen Ladon bagged the Philippines’ second silver in the 2018 Asian Games after competing in the Men’s Boxing 52-kilogram tournament on Saturday, Sept. 1. The Philippine Sports Commission made the announcement in a Tweet. Ladon, who swept to the finals round after a  unanimuos decision victory against Thailand’s Yuttapong Tongdee,  fell, however, to Uzbekistan’s Jasurbek Latipov in the final match, with a 3-1 score. With his silver-medal finish, the Philippines now has four gold medals, […]