Johnson, McIlroy lose on first day of Match Play
(Reuters) – World number one Dustin Johnson and four-time major winner Rory McIlroy suffered surprise defeats on Wednesday as the WGC-Dell Match Play got off to a typically unpredictable start in Texas.
Manchester United apply to establish professional women’s team
LONDON (Reuters) – Manchester United have applied to the Football Association to establish a professional team in the second tier of the Women’s Super League, the Premier League club announced on Wednesday.
Red-hot Osaka powers past Serena in Miami
(Reuters) – Naomi Osaka continued her stunning run of form with a 6-3 6-2 victory over 23-times grand slam champion Serena Williams in the first round of the Miami Open on Wednesday, the latest big win for the 20-year-old Japanese player.
WADA President confident on Russia despite apparent impasse
LAUSANNE (Reuters) – World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) President Craig Reedie said changing circumstances made him confident Russia would become compliant with international anti-doping standards despite an apparent impasse.
Cycling: Bikes to be dismantled in fight against technological fraud – UCI
GENEVA (Reuters) – The International Cycling Union (UCI) will use X-ray technology and randomly select bikes to dismantle following a race in an increased effort to fight technological fraud, the governing body said on Wednesday.
Doping-Two key points blocking Russian reinstatement, says WADA chief
LAUSANNE (Reuters) – Russia’s progress towards being declared compliant with international anti-doping standards has become bogged down over two key points, the head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said on Wednesday.
Construction at World Cup stadium in Samara still behind schedule, says FIFA
SAMARA, Russia (Reuters) – FIFA warned on Wednesday that a huge amount of work still needs to be done to get the stadium in Samara ready for the World Cup which kicks off on June 14.
Horse racing – Injured Walsh to miss Grand National
LONDON (Reuters) – Irish Jockey Ruby Walsh has been ruled out of next month’s Grand National because of a broken leg but hopes to be back on home turf for the five-day Punchestown meeting at the end of April.
WADA says Russia making slow progress towards reinstatement
LAUSANNE (Reuters) – The head of the world anti-doping agency (WADA) complained on Wednesday of slow progress by Russian authorities towards making the country’s anti-doping agency (RUSADA) compliant with international standards.
Hamilton, Vettel kick off race for fifth title at Australian Grand Prix
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – The first installment of what Formula One fans hope will be a genuine season-long tussle kicks off on Sunday as four-times champions Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel lock horns at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
