Reuters Sports News Summary
Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
Barty overpowers Strycova to set up Birmingham final with Goerges
Ashleigh Barty moved to within one victory of the world number one ranking, beating Czech Barbora Strycova 6-4 6-4 on Saturday to reach the final of the Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham. The 23-year-old Australian, fresh from her maiden Grand Slam triumph at the French Open, sent down 11 aces and fired 24 winners to dispatch world number 51 Strycova in 84 minutes and stay in the hunt for her third title of the season.
Baseball's David Ortiz out of ICU, in good condition after shooting
Retired Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz has been moved out of intensive care and was in good condition, his wife said in a statement on Saturday, nearly two weeks after he was shot in the Dominican Republic and moved to a Boston hospital. "David was moved out of the intensive care unit at Massachusetts General Hospital. He remains in good condition and continues to recover under the care of Drs. David King and Larry Rondan," Tiffany Ortiz said in a statement issued by the Red Sox.
Centurion Popp leads Germany into World Cup quarter-finals
Double champions Germany, inspired by skipper Alexandra Popp, continued their unbeaten run at the women’s World Cup by beating Nigeria 3-0 to qualify for the quarter-finals on Saturday. Popp, winning her 100th cap, and Sara Daebritz netted in quick succession in the first half with Lea Schueller wrapping it up late on to set up a meeting with Sweden or Canada.
U.S. thump Trinidad and Tobago 6-0 to reach Gold Cup quarters
The United States scored five second-half goals on the way to a 6-0 rout of Trinidad and Tobago in Ohio on Saturday to book their place in the Gold Cup quarter-finals. The result, which also put Panama through to the next round, avenged a U.S. defeat in 2017 that saw them miss out on the World Cup for the first time since 1986.
Blue Jays rally from 6-0 deficit to edge Red Sox
Boston reliever Ryan Brasier walked Eric Sogard and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with the bases loaded to force in two runs - including the go-ahead run -- in a three-run eighth inning and the visiting Toronto Blue Jays came back to defeat the Red Sox 8-7 on Saturday afternoon. Freddy Galvis and Rowdy Tellez homered for the Blue Jays, who overcame a 6-0 deficit and scored four runs in the seventh to close the gap to one.
Toronto mayor: Let Kawhi enjoy the city
Toronto Mayor John Tory held a news conference on Saturday to ask Raptors fans and the media for a favor. Leave Kawhi Leonard alone and let him enjoy Toronto -- and enjoy it so much he wants to stay for good.
World No. 12 del Potro undergoes kneecap surgery
World No. 12 Juan Martin del Potro underwent surgery to repair his fractured right kneecap on Saturday in Barcelona, Spain. The 30-year-old del Potro said he won't play again in 2019. It is the second time in eight months that he has fractured the right kneecap.
Gayle wins long jump at Jamaican trials
Tajay Gayle leapt 8.24 meters to win the men's long jump at the Jamaican trials on Saturday. Gayle, who is aiming to end Jamaica's 16-year wait for a long jump medal at the world championships, told Reuters: "It's a great feeling that I'll finally get to represent my country at the world championship.
NASCAR notebook: Byron appreciates crew chief Knaus' direct approach
William Byron got a surprise as he took his first quick laps around Sonoma Raceway in Friday's opening Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice. "It was wild," said Byron, who was 14th fastest in the session. "I was surprised how much grip the track has lost in some areas. It's not as black as it was last year, for sure. I feel like it has less grip up the hill into Turn 1, which is kind of interesting.
Norway sink Australia in shootout to reach last eight
Norway beat Australia 4-1 on penalties to reach the women's World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2007 following a highly-entertaining 1-1 draw after extra time on Saturday. Norway's Isabell Herlovsen opened the scoring shortly after the half hour but Elise Kellond-Knight's direct corner seven minutes from time sent the game into extra time -- during which Australia's Alanna Kennedy was sent off.
