China’s Alibaba becomes major sponsor of Olympics
DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) – Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba has become a major sponsor of the Olympics after signing a deal with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that runs until 2028, the two parties said on Thursday
From also-ran to top 50, Evans prepares to take on Tomic
MELBOURNE, Jan 19 (Reuters) – Five years ago, Dan Evans was considered so bad that he wasn’t even allowed to practise with Australian Bernard Tomic.
Racing leapfrogs rugby in Britain’s popularity stakes
(Reuters) – Horse racing has regained second spot in Britain’s popularity stakes in terms of attendance after a year’s absence, leapfrogging rugby with nearly six million people going to meets in 2016.
Westbrook vows retribution after hard foul
(Reuters) – Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook offered a warning that he will seek retribution for a hard foul on him on Wednesday by Golden State’s Zaza Pachulia.
Torn Achilles may have ended Gay’s season
(Reuters) – Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay is believed to have suffered a season-ending torn left Achilles on Wednesday, the team announced.
British challenger Konta hones mental mettle to down Osaka
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – The last time Johanna Konta faced Naomi Osaka in qualifying for the 2015 U.S. Open, the Briton had just scraped into the top 100 and her then 16-year-old opponent was more than a hundred places further back in the rankings.
Rampant Durant helps Warriors silence Thunder
(The Sports Xchange) – Kevin Durant terrorized his former team for the second straight time on Wednesday, pouring in a season-high 40 points in the Golden State Warriors’ 121-100 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Blink and it’s over as Pliskova issues warning to rivals
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Serena Williams may have become engaged over the New Year but Karolina Pliskova emerged from the Australian Open second round on Thursday demonstrating she was ready to step out of the shadows as a grand slam bridesmaid.
Raonic races into third round of Australian Open
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Third seed Milos Raonic continued his machine-like advance through the Australian Open on Thursday, easing past Gilles Muller 6-3 6-4 7-6(4) to reach the third round.
Ewan sprints to second stage victory, Porte retains lead
ADELAIDE (Reuters) – Australia’s Caleb Ewan held off world champion Peter Sagan in a bunch sprint to claim his second stage victory in the 2017 Tour Down Under on Thursday as Richie Porte finished in the pack to retain his overall lead.
