Author Archives: markthatmike

By Agence France-Presse A signed dress worn by Serena Williams at her first tournament of the year is being auctioned off to raise funds for firefighters tackling Australia’s unprecedented bushfire emergency. Serena Williams of the US runs for a return against Camila Giorgi of Italy during their women’s singles first round match during the AucklandContinue reading “Serena Williams donates signed dress to Australian bushfire appeal”

By Agence France-Presse Serena Williams wore down a tenacious Laura Siegemund to make the WTA Auckland Classic semifinals on Friday, as the 23-time Grand Slam winner chases her first title in three years. Serena Williams of the US hits a return against Laura Siegemund of Germany during their women’s singles quarter-final match during the Auckland ClassicContinue reading “Serena Williams, Caroline Wozniacki march into Auckland semis”

By Agence France-Presse Novak Djokovic dropped his first set of the ATP Cup Friday in a titanic struggle with Canada’s Denis Shapovalov, surviving a scare before rallying to guide Serbia into a semi-final against Russia. Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits a return in his men’s singles match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada at the ATPContinue reading “Novak Djokovic survives scare to send Serbia into ATP Cup semis”

By the Associated Press OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder spoiled Russell Westbrook’s return. Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook, center, laughs with former teammates, Oklahoma City Thunder guards Dennis Schroeder, left, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, right, following an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) Westbrook scored 34 points,Continue reading “NBA Roundup: Thunder rout Rockets to spoil Russell Westbrook’s return”

By the Associated Press OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder spoiled Russell Westbrook’s return. Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) Westbrook scored 34 points, but theContinue reading “NBA: Thunder roll past Rockets, spoil Russell Westbrook’s OKC return”

By Jonas Terrado LUCENA CITY — Eleven PBA players will join 13 amateur standouts in the Gilas Pilipinas pool for next month’s first window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. Kiefer Ravena  (MB Photo / Rio Deluvio, File) Leading the group of pros selected are NLEX’s Kiefer Ravena, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s Japeth Aguilar,Continue reading “11 pros, 13 amateurs in Gilas pool for FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers”

By the Associated Press MONTREAL  — Russia’s four-year Olympic ban for manipulating doping data is heading to sport’s highest court. The World Anti-Doping Agency said Thursday it has formally referred the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after Russia confirmed last month it will appeal the sanction. In this Feb. 18, 2014 fileContinue reading “Russian doping ban heads to sport’s highest court”

By the Associated Press TOKYO — One of the creative directors for this year’s Tokyo Olympics has resigned following allegations of what is being termed “power harassment.” In this June 11, 2019, file photo, a man walks past the Tokyo 2020 Olympic logos in Tokyo. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong, File) Kaoru Sugano steppedContinue reading “Tokyo Olympics creative director out over ‘power harassment’”

By the Associated Press BUDAPEST, Hungary  — Although she turned 99 on Thursday, even a 9-year-old would have a hard time keeping up with Agnes Keleti’s irrepressible energy and enthusiasm. Agnes Keleti, former Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast, laughs as her son Rafael holds one of her medals in front of her at her apartment inContinue reading “Agnes Keleti, oldest living Olympic champion, turns 99”

By the Associated Press PHOENIX  — Devin Booker is playing some of the best basketball of his career and starting center Deandre Ayton is back in the lineup after missing a long stretch because of a suspension and an ankle injury. But the Phoenix Suns are still struggling to win basketball games. Phoenix Suns guardContinue reading “NBA: Struggling Suns try to stay in playoff race”