Sports — International

Real Madrid end US tour with 2-1 win over Roma

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Gareth Bale is serving notice that he is ready to shine without Cristiano Ronaldo, factoring in both goals as Real Madrid wrapped up their US tour with a 2-1 win over Roma on Tuesday. Bale and Marco Asensio scored for Real Madrid who put on a strong performance especially in the first half of the International Champions Cup friendly at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Real Madrid is hoping […]

Egypt’s record-breaking keeper El Hadary retires aged 45

CAIRO, Egypt (AFP) — Veteran Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary has retired from international duty aged 45, after breaking the record for oldest player to appear at a World Cup in Russia. “After reflecting at length and asking God, I have decided to retire from international football,” El Hadary wrote on Facebook late Monday. El Hadary, nicknamed “High Dam,” won 159 caps for his country during a 22-year international career that saw him win the Africa […]

Tennis star Serena Williams suffering from postpartum emotions

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP)–Serena Williams says she is suffering from “postpartum emotions” as the 23-time Grand Slam winner struggles to deal with juggling family life and tennis. The 36-year-old American is seeking to regain her top form after missing most of the 2017 WTA season due to a pregnancy. “I read several articles that said postpartum emotions can last up to three years if not dealt with,” Williams said on Monday. Williams’ disclosure comes […]

Trump hits back at LeBron James over racial division comments

  WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump sniped back at NBA great LeBron James late Friday, days after the basketball player and philanthropist accused him of fueling racial divides in the United States. “Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, (CNN presenter) Don Lemon. He made Lebron look smart, which isn’t easy to do,” the president tweeted of the Los Angeles Lakers player. In an interview on Tuesday […]

Butcher quits as Philippines’ Azkals head coach before crucial first game for Asian Cup

  MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — England football great Terry Butcher has stepped down as the Philippines’ head coach without taking charge of a single game, saying he was not “able to make this work”. Butcher, a veteran of three World Cups who has managed in England, Scotland, Wales and Australia, lasted less than 50 days in the job after he was appointed on June 14. The shock decision by the 59-year-old — who had spoken […]

Tiger feeling ready to win again as PGA Championship looms

  by Jim Slater Agence France-Presse ST. LOUIS, United States (AFP) — Tiger Woods says he has improved enough after spinal fusion surgery to snap a five-year win drought just ahead of the season’s final major tournament, the 100th PGA Championship. Woods, a 14-time major champion, tees off next week at Bellerive after briefly leading last month’s British Open at Carnoustie. The former world number one boosted his ranking from beyond 1,200th last December to 50th. “I went […]

After Pacquiao loss, ex-WBA champ Matthysse calls time on career

  BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AFP) — Just two weeks after a punishing knockout loss to Filipino great Manny Pacquiao, Argentine former WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse announced his retirement on Thursday. “Today I decided to hang up the gloves, another stage in my life is beginning,” said the 35-year-old Matthysse, who ends his 43-fight career with a record of 38 wins, 36 inside the distance, for just five defeats and one no contest. Matthysse’s last […]

Storms halt Pacific swim record attempt

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) – Powerful storms have forced a Frenchman attempting to become the first person to swim cross the Pacific Ocean to suspend his bid, nearly two months into the mammoth undertaking. Ben Lecomte set off on June 5 from Choshi in Japan, planning to swim across the ocean in six to eight months. But after nearly two months swimming eight hours a day, severe storms forced the 51-year-old to head back to port […]

Giant-killer Konta into quarters at San Jose WTA

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP)–Johanna Konta followed up her stunning victory over Serena Williams with another Johanna Kontabrisk triumph Wednesday, downing US teenager Sofia Kenin 6-1, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals of the WTA hardcourt tournament in San Jose. Konta, who won her first WTA title at this event back in 2016, let-down after handing 23-time Grand Slam champion Williams the most lopsided defeat of her career — 6-1, 6-0. The tournament lost another big […]

Three-time Slam winner Wawrinka ousted by qualifier Young

by Jim Slater Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka, struggling in his comeback from left knee surgery, was ousted by US qualifier Donald Young at the ATP and WTA Washington Open on Tuesday. Young, ranked 234th, outlasted the 33-year-old Swiss 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/3) and advanced to a second-round match with Japanese seventh seed Kei Nishikori. “It was a tough fight, a lot of nerves because he […]

Tributes flow as Aussie golfer Lyle halts cancer treatment

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) – Australian golfer Jarrod Lyle has moved into palliative care and is bracing for the worst after ceasing treatment for cancer, sparking an outpouring of sadness Wednesday from fellow players. The 36-year-old former US PGA Tour stalwart said his body could take no more after a third battle with acute myeloid leukaemia, which returned last year. “My heart breaks as I type this message,’ his wife Briony said in updating Lyle’s social […]

Nishikori feeling ‘tough’ after overcoming wrist injury

by Jim Slater Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP)–Japan’s Kei Nishikori, back on form after a torn right wrist tendon, returns to the scene of his most recent outdoor title hoping to launch another strong US Open run. The 28-year-old seventh seed enters the 50th Washington Open with confidence after his first Wimbledon quarter-final appearance, where he lost to eventual winner Novak Djokovic. “After coming back from injury, I’m enjoying the challenge this year,” Nishikori […]