Category: Sports News

WTA Roundup: Shelby Rogers Advances to Finale in San Jose

Russian Daria Kasatkina and Shelby Rogers won in straight sets Saturday to advance to the finals of the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic in San Jose, California. The seventh-seeded Kasatkina ousted No. 2 Paula Badosa of Spain 6–2, 6–4, while unseeded Rogers ousted No. 9 Veronika Kudermetova of Russia 6–3, 6–4 in the semifinals. Kasatkina won…


Novak Djokovic Officially Withdraws From Montreal Event

World No. 6 Novak Djokovic officially withdrew Thursday from next week’s National Bank Open in Montreal. Tennis Canada confirmed Djokovic’s withdrawal. Djokovic is unable to enter Canada because he is unvaccinated against COVID-19. Anybody traveling into Canada must have at least two doses of the vaccination against the coronavirus. The ATP 1000 event in Montreal…


Nadal Withdraws From Montreal Because of Abdominal Injury

MONTREAL—Rafael Nadal withdrew from the upcoming hard-court tournament in Montreal on Friday because of the abdominal injury that caused him to pull out of Wimbledon ahead of the semifinals. The Spaniard had been 19–0 in Grand Slam matches this year when he decided the injury was too much at Wimbledon. He won the Australian Open…


After Griner Gets Jail, Russia Ready to Discuss Prisoner Swap With US

MOSCOW—Russia said on Friday it was ready to discuss a prisoner swap with the United States in private, a day after a Russian court jailed U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner for nine years for a drugs offence. The case against Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) star, plunged her…


Russian Judge Sentences WNBA’s Griner to 9 Years in Prison

KHIMKI, Russia—American basketball star Brittney Griner illegally brought drugs into Russia, the judge at her trial ruled Thursday at the conclusion of her case that reached the highest levels of U.S.–Russian diplomacy. The pronouncement by Judge Anna Sotnikova, prior to her announcing a verdict, appeared to herald the imminent conviction of Griner on charges of…


Brittney Griner Found Guilty, Sentenced in Russian Court

A Russian court on Thursday sentenced American basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison on drugs charges, after finding her guilty of narcotics possession and smuggling for bringing cannabis-infused vape cartridges into Russia. She was also fined 1 million roubles ($16,000). After the sentencing, Griner appeared sad and stony-faced and said she understood…


Brittney Griner Found Guilty, Sentenced to 9 Years by Russian Court

A Russian court on Thursday sentenced American basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison on drugs charges, after finding her guilty of narcotics possession and smuggling for bringing cannabis-infused vape cartridges into Russia. She was also fined 1 million roubles ($16,000). After the sentencing, Griner appeared sad and stony-faced and said she understood…


Japan’s Osaka Makes Winning Return, Sets Up Gauff Showdown

Four-time major winner Naomi Osaka returned to action for the first time since May with a 6–4 3–6 6–1 win over Zheng Qinwen at the Silicon Valley Classic on Tuesday, setting up a mouth-watering clash against teenage American Coco Gauff. Japan’s Osaka suffered a left Achilles injury in the lead-up to the French Open, where…


‘Fingers Crossed!’: Djokovic Hopeful He Can Compete at US Open

Novak Djokovic said he is preparing for the U.S. Open as if he will be allowed to compete at the hardcourt major, despite him being unvaccinated against COVID-19. Djokovic, who has three U.S. Open titles, will not be able to participate at this year’s U.S. Open due to current rules under which travelers seeking to…


Blinken: Pressed Lavrov to Accept Prisoner Swap Offer

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he spoke to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov by phone on Friday and urged Moscow to accept a U.S. offer to release two Americans detained in Russia. Blinken did not provide details of Lavrov’s response to what he had previously called a “substantial proposal” for Russia to release the…