Tag: Williams

John Williams: Hollywood’s maestro goes for more Oscars history

by Maggy DONALDSON Agence France-Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — From “Star Wars” to “Jaws” to “Schindler’s List,” John Williams has written many of the most instantly recognizable scores in cinema history. The 91-year-old is already the oldest person to receive an Oscar nomination for a competitive award, which he earned thanks to his spare yet poignant compositions for Steven Spielberg’s “The Fabelmans.” With 53 total nods, Williams has more Academy Award nominations than […]

Federer hails ‘incredible adventure’ as he announces retirement

  GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — Roger Federer will retire following next week’s Laver Cup after admitting his battles with a knee problem had forced him to call time on his historic tennis career. Tributes poured in for the 41-year-old Swiss legend from rivals such as Rafael Nadal, while Serena Williams welcomed him to the “retirement club”. Federer, a winner of 20 Grand Slam titles and one of the best players of all time, has been […]

Serena Williams battles on as US Open farewell underway

by Rob Woollard Agence France-Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Serena Williams delayed her farewell to tennis on an electrifying opening night at the US Open on Monday as the sporting icon battled to victory in front of a star-studded crowd. The 23-time Grand Slam winner — who earlier this month signalled she plans to retire from tennis after the tournament — drew on all of her experience to down lowly ranked Montenegrin opponent […]

‘The Wire’ star Michael K. Williams dead at 54

by Andréa BAMBINO NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — US actor Michael K. Williams, one of television’s most memorable stars of recent years for his role as Omar Little in “The Wire,” has been found dead in his New York City apartment, police said Monday. News of the death of the 54-year-old, who starred as the iconic Baltimore stick-up man in the groundbreaking television series, triggered an outpouring of grief among fans and former colleagues. […]

NBA star rookie Williamson out up to 8 weeks after knee surgery

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — New Orleans Pelicans rookie forward sensation Zion Williamson will be sidelined up to two months after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Monday just as a new NBA season is about to begin. The Pelicans play in the league’s opening game at defending champion Toronto on Tuesday, when Williamson’s debut was expected to be the main attraction. Instead, it’s being put on hold after a smashing pre-season […]

Robin Williams memorabilia fetches $6.1 million in NY

  NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Art, film memorabilia and personal effects owned by the late actor Robin Williams and his wife fetched $6.1 million at auction in New York on Thursday, four years after his death, Sotheby’s said. The Oscar-winner, movie veteran, stand-up comedian and television star was one of Hollywood’s most popular entertainers whose death in August 2014 triggered an outpouring of emotion the world over. More than 2,000 fans and collectors […]

Serena Williams breezes past Gavrilova, Pouille ousts Murray

  CINCINNATI, United States (AFP) — Serena Williams re-established her customary superiority, hammering Daria Gavrilova 6-1, 6-2 to reach the second round of the Cincinnati Masters on Monday. The 23-time Grand Slam champion showed full recovery in her first match since suffering the worst defeat of her career two weeks ago in San Jose when she was crushed 6-1, 6-0 in 51 minutes by British No. 1 Johanna Konta. But the 36-year-old was all business […]

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. […]