Shock waves hit U.S. Open as Halep, Kerber and Venus fall
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Shock waves hit the U.S. Open on Friday as veteran Mirjana Lucic-Baroni spearheaded a series of stunning third-round surprises that claimed two of the top women’s seeds and seven-times grand slam winner Venus Williams.
Red-hot putting helps Palmer set Boston pace
NORTON Massachusetts (Reuters) – American Ryan Palmer, whose putting has been razor sharp for the past six weeks, upstaged some of golf’s biggest names as he surged into a two-shot lead at the Deutsche Bank Championship on Friday.
49ers linebacker Smith suspended for nine games
(Reuters) – San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith has been suspended without pay for the first nine games of the 2014 regular season for violating the National Football League’s policies on substances of abuse and personal conduct.
NASCAR champ Stewart to race again, forever affected by tragedy
(Reuters) – NASCAR champion Tony Stewart said on Friday that killing a fellow driver in a racing incident this month will affect him for the rest of his life, but that returning to the track this weekend will help him deal with the tragedy.
De Marchi wins stage seven as Valverde stays ahead
BARCELONA (Reuters) – Italian Alessandro De Marchi broke clear with 12-km to go to win stage seven of the Tour of Spain on Friday while home rider Alejandro Valverde kept the overall lead.
Otto leads way in Italy as Gallacher revives Ryder Cup hopes
(Reuters) – Stephen Gallacher produced a sparkling late rush of birdies on Friday to resuscitate his chances of earning an automatic Ryder Cup place at the final points-counting event, the Italian Open in Turin.
Putin hopeful Russia won’t lose right to host 2018 World Cup
LAKE SELIGER Russia (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin said on Friday he hoped Russia would not lose the right to host the 2018 soccer World Cup following Western calls to stop the country staging the tournament.
Pulev accuses Klitschko of feigning injury
SOFIA (Reuters) – Kubrat Pulev has accused world heavyweight champion Vladimir Klitschko of feigning injury to avoid taking on the Bulgarian challenger in an IBF title bout in Hamburg next month.
Rosberg apologizes, disciplined for crash
LONDON (Reuters) – Formula One championship leader Nico Rosberg has apologized for colliding with team mate Lewis Hamilton during the Belgian Grand Prix and been disciplined, his Mercedes team said on Friday.
Mismatch fears over McGinley dispelled: Price
LONDON (Reuters) – Phillip Price feared a mismatch when Europe chose Paul McGinley as captain to take on U.S. counterpart Tom Watson in next month’s Ryder Cup but the Welshman said his initial concerns have been totally dispelled.
