Sports — International

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 […]

Famous five: Sporting superstars who can light up the Asian Games

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — The Asian Games, the world’s second largest multi-sports event, begins this week. Here are five global stars who can shine at the continental showpiece in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia. Su Bingtian (CHN), athletics The Chinese flyer is in the form of his life and ready to cement his status as Asia’s fastest man. Su stormed to a 100 metres personal best of 9.91sec in Madrid as recently as June 22 and […]

Coming, ready or not: thousands pour in for Asian Games

  by Talek Harris © Agence France-Presse JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — Thousands of athletes are flying in as Indonesia makes final preparations to host the Asian Games — the world’s second biggest multi-sports event, taking place against a backdrop of terrorism fears, environmental concerns and logistical headaches. Organisers are making reassuring noises about their arrangements but Indonesia has never hosted a sports event on this scale, with 16,000 competitors and officials descending on Jakarta and Palembang, […]

President Duterte sends off Filipino athletes to 18th Asian Games

(Eagle News)—President Rodrigo Duterte sent off over 200 athletes to the 18th Asian Games on Monday, Aug. 13, assuring them of the government’s support. “All I ask from you is that you do your best and that you do it fair and square,” President Duterte said during send-off ceremonies in Malacañang. Duterte noted that “every victory you bring back home is shared by the nation.” The government for its part, he said, “will  continue to support […]

Koepka makes incredible comeback from injury to major wins

by Jim SLATER Agence France-Presse ST. LOUIS, United States (AFP) — Sitting on a couch watching the Masters on television with an injured left wrist, Brooks Koepka never dreamed he would win two majors this year, much less battle his boyhood idols. But the 28-year-old American did just that, defending his title at the US Open in June and taking his third major crown Sunday at the PGA Championship by two strokes over Tiger Woods. […]

Former Brazil striker Ronaldo hospitalized with pneumonia in Spain: report

  Madrid, Spain (AFP) — Retired Brazilian striker Ronaldo has been hospitalized with pneumonia on the Spanish holiday island of Ibiza and is recovering well, a local newspaper reported Sunday. The 41-year-old, widely considered one of the world’s best-ever players, was admitted to the intensive care unit of the Can Misses Hospital on the island on Friday afternoon where he was diagnosed with pneumonia, local daily newspaper Diario de Ibiza reported. Several hours later Ronaldo […]

NBA star Curry shoots 71 in Web.com event

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) – Stephen Curry trailed the leaders by eight strokes after shooting a one over 71 on Thursday in the opening round of the Web.com Tour’s Ellie Mae Classic. The Golden State Warriors star, who is making his second appearance in the tournament in as many years, was tied for 106th place in the 154 player field. He is well back of leaders Adam Long, Seth Reeves and Samuel Del Val at the Stonebrae […]

‘My time was short’ – Australian golfer Jarrod Lyle dead at 36

by Martin Parry Agence France-Presse SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australian golfer Jarrod Lyle has lost his battle with cancer, dying aged 36 after halting treatment for leukaemia last week, sparking an outpouring of grief from fellow players Thursday. “It breaks my heart to tell everyone that Jarrod is no longer with us,” his wife Briony said in a statement. The former US PGA Tour player, who had children aged six and two, passed away on Wednesday […]

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 […]