Sports — International

Serena Williams out of China Open draw

BEIJING, China (AFP) — American great Serena Williams was left out of the China Open tennis draw on Friday as reports said she’s called time on her season following her meltdown at the US Open. Williams’ name, along with that of her sister Venus, did not appear on a list of 64 players ahead of the tournament’s start on Saturday in Beijing. It comes less than three weeks after the tempestuous US Open final, where […]

Ducks Perry undergoes knee surgery, out five months

ANAHEIM, United States (AFP) — Corey Perry, who has won championships at every level he has played, will be out of the Anaheim Ducks lineup for five months after having knee surgery, the NHL team announced. The 33-year-old Canadian underwent surgery to repair his meniscus and MCL, said Anaheim general manager Bob Murray on Wednesday. Perry started training camp with the Ducks but was forced out of their recent game against the Arizona Coyotes. He […]

Pressure-free Warriors eye victory lap – Kerr

OAKLAND, United States (AFP) — Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr said his players will take a pressure-free approach to the new season on Monday as they chase a fourth NBA title in what could be their final campaign together. Kerr said that with the prospect of his phenomenally successful roster possibly breaking up next year, he would encourage the Warriors to enjoy themselves in the knowledge that their place in history was secure. The […]

LeBron warns ‘long way’ before Lakers challenge Golden State

by Rob Woollard Agence France Presse LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — LeBron James warned Los Angeles Lakers fans not to expect an immediate challenge to the dominance of the Golden State Warriors as the NBA superstar addressed the media for the first time here Monday. The 33-year-old four-time NBA MVP joined the Lakers in July on a four-year $154 million deal which was sealed just weeks after his Cleveland Cavaliers were beaten by the […]

Tiger Woods takes Tour Championship for first win since 2013

ATLANTA, United States (AFP) — Tiger Woods scored his first victory in more than five years on Sunday, completing a two-shot win at the Tour Championship to crown a successful comeback after a near two-year absence. The 42-year-old 14-time major winner carded a one-over-par 71 at Atlanta’s East Lake Golf Course to claim the 80th title of his glittering career. © Agence France-Presse

Ronaldo sent off but 10-man Juventus ease past Valencia

  by Thomas Allnut Agence France Presse VALENCIA, Spain (AFP) — Juventus believe they can win the Champions League with Cristiano Ronaldo, but they had to start by beating Valencia without him after he was controversially sent off on his debut in the competition for the Italian champions on Wednesday. A tearful Ronaldo left the pitch in disbelief in the 29th minute, having aimed a petulant, but seemingly harmless, kick at Valencia defender Jeison Murillo. […]

LeBron teams with ‘Black Panther’ director for ‘Space Jam 2’

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Two months ago, basketball superstar LeBron James joined the Los Angeles Lakers. Now, he’s taking on Hollywood in a big way. The long-awaited sequel to “Space Jam” — the 1996 live action-animated film starring NBA legends Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewing — is finally moving forward. King James’s production company, SpringHill Entertainment, on Wednesday tweeted an image of a locker room featuring the names of […]

Japanese MMA star Norifumi ‘Kid’ Yamamoto dies at 41

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Tributes flowed Wednesday for charismatic Japanese mixed martial artist Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto, who died at age 41, three weeks after announcing a battle with cancer. Born to a family of wrestlers and martial artists, the wiry, tattoo-covered Yamamoto took on larger opponents in a wide range of MMA events, including the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He won fans with a beaming, confident smile — a rarity in Japan where many fighters […]

Wade returns to Miami for ‘Last Dance’ with Heat

MIAMI, United States (AFP) — Three-time NBA champion Dwyane Wade will play a final season for the Miami Heat, announcing his decision in a YouTube video entitled “One Last Dance.” The 36-year-old star guard played his first 13 seasons with Miami, joining forces with Shaquille O’Neal to bring the Heat their first NBA crown in 2006 and with LeBron James for further titles in 2012 and 2013. Wade departed for a season with his hometown […]

Gilas PHL defeats Qatar, 92-81, in closed door FIBA World Cup qualifiers match

MANILA (PNA) — Gilas Pilipinas went ablaze in the second half to bludgeon Qatar, 92-81, in a closed-door FIBA World Cup Qualifiers battle at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Monday night. Despite struggling once again from beyond the arc which highlighted a slow first half that saw Qatar leading by as much as 17 in the second quarter, Gilas banked on its transition game and a better defensive showing in the final […]

Golovkin, Alvarez prepare for rematch ‘war’

LAS VEGAS, United States (AFP) — Gennady Golovkin and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez were preparing for a middleweight “war” here Saturday as the final countdown to their acrimonious rematch began. Undefeated Kazakh world champion Golovkin and Mexican idol Alvarez will climb into the ring at Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena at around 8pm local time (0300 GMT), a year after battling to a controversial draw at the same venue. The 12-round contest is the most eagerly anticipated […]

Mayweather says Pacquiao rematch on cards this year

LAS VEGAS, United States (AFP) — Former world welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather said Saturday he will face Manny Pacquiao later this year in a rematch of their 2015 superfight. In a posting on Instagram, Mayweather said he will come out of retirement to fight Pacquiao, three years after scoring a comfortable points victory over the veteran Filipino. “I’m coming back to fight Manny Pacquiao this year another 9 figure pay day on the way,” Mayweather […]