Vekic and Konta set up Nottingham rematch in semis
(Reuters) – Top seed Ashleigh Barty, third seed Naomi Osaka, British number one Johanna Konta and defending champion Donna Vekic all won on Friday to set up high-quality semi-finals in the Nature Valley Open in Nottingham.
Spain still confident but opener key to Cup hopes
SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) – Spanish fans arriving in Sochi for their opening World Cup match against Portugal are split on whether their managerial turmoil will affect the side’s chances in Russia but they are unanimous in believing Friday’s game will pr…
Argentina’s Sampaoli to start Aguero over Higuain against Iceland
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli took the surprising decision to reveal his starting line-up for his side’s World Cup Group D opener against Iceland in a news conference ahead of Saturday’s game, picking Sergio Aguero ahead of Gonzalo …
Unified, disciplined Nigeria avoid chaotic build-up
KALININGRAD, Russia (Reuters) – No news is good news as far as Nigeria are concerned with captain John Obi Mikel happy to report trouble-free preparations ahead of their opening game at the World Cup against Croatia on Saturday.
Curtains for Mertens and Bertens in Hertogenbosch
(Reuters) – Belgium’s No.2 seed Elise Mertens and Dutch third seed Kiki Bertens both suffered surprise defeats in the Libema Open on Friday.
Report: Raiders wide receiver Bryant could face another suspension
Martavis Bryant is facing a potential one-year suspension just six weeks into his fresh start with the Oakland Raiders.
Thierry Henry’s World Cup experience inspires Belgium
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Belgium are feeding from the World Cup experience of Thierry Henry and crediting the former France international with an inspirational role as they prepare to start their campaign at the tournament in Russia.
France ponder offensive options, Australia shore up defense
KAZAN, Russia (Reuters) – The Group C opener between France and Australia at the Kazan Arena on Saturday pitches some of the best young attacking talent at the World Cup against a team which has often struggled to find the net in recent years.
Iran hold off Morocco in goalless first half
ST PETERSBURG (Reuters) – Iran’s famed defense again proved unbreachable for the first half of their World Cup Group B opener against Morocco on Friday as the African nation had much the best of the contest.
Uruguay beat Salah-less Egypt to end 48-year jinx
YEKATERINBURG, Russia (Reuters) – Uruguay’s Jose Gimenez scored with a thunderous 89th-minute header to deal Egypt a 1-0 defeat in their World Cup opener on Friday, just as the North Africans appeared to have escaped with a point despite missing key st…
