Russian grand master Bukavshin dies of suspected stroke aged 20
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia’s 20-year-old chess grand master Ivan Bukavshin died of a suspected stroke on Tuesday, the Russian Chess Federation said on its website.
Halep wins on return but fitness doubts remain
SYDNEY (Reuters) – World number two Simona Halep overcame a nagging Achilles problem to beat Caroline Garcia of France at the Sydney International on Tuesday ahead of next week’s Australian Open.
Australia hoping bad boys come good in Melbourne
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic gave Australia an unwanted reputation as a breeding ground for tennis brats during a tempestuous 2015 and the pair will be firmly under the spotlight in front of home crowds at Melbourne Park.
Crimson Tide tames Tigers in thriller
(The Sports Xchange) – Alabama won a fourth national title in seven years with a thrilling 45-40 victory over Clemson on Monday, the victory built on a quartet of long-range scoring plays and the recovery of an onside kick in the fourth quarter.
Pondexter to undergo knee surgery
(Reuters) – New Orleans forward Quincy Pondexter will undergo surgery on his left knee that will end his season before it begins, the team announced on Monday.
Queasy Kerber joins Sydney International exodus
SYDNEY (Reuters) – World number seven Angelique Kerber has pulled out of the Sydney International with a gastro-intestinal illness, the latest in a string of withdrawals to hit the Australian Open warm-up.
Spurs rout Nets 106-79 to match best season start
(The Sports Xchange) – Forward LaMarcus Aldridge collected 25 points and the San Antonio Spurs matched their best start to an NBA season with a 106-79 rout of the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night.
Bengals’ Burfict handed three game suspension
Jan 11 (Reuters) – – Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict has been given a three game suspension for repeated violations of player safety rules, the NFL said on Monday.
IAAF official says reform efforts parried at every turn
LONDON (Reuters) – A top global athletics official said she took up her role at the international athletics body IAAF in 2011 with her “eyes wide open” about problems of doping, but found efforts to reform the organization parried at every turn.
Sexwale feels sorry for banned FIFA president Blatter
LONDON (Reuters) – FIFA presidential candidate Tokyo Sexwale feels sorry for Sepp Blatter, the banned president of soccer’s scandal-plagued governing body, and has described his work as a “monument.”
