Reuters Sports News Summary
Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
Djokovic and Osaka top seeds for U.S. Open
World number ones and title holders Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka have been named the top seeds for the U.S. Open which starts on Monday in New York. Three-times U.S. Open champion Djokovic, who comes into the tournament having won his fifth Wimbledon title, is followed in the seedings by 2017 winner Rafael Nadal.
Russian race walker Bakulin gets eight-year ban for doping
Russian race walker Sergey Bakulin has been suspended for eight years for an anti-doping violation, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said on Wednesday. Bakulin, who has served a doping suspension in the past, had already been stripped of his 50 km world title from 2011.
Nine teams vie for football on roller skates World Cup in Belgium
Rollersoccer World Cup kicked off in Brussels on Monday as nine teams from the United States and Europe compete for the honors during the five-day biennial event. Rollersoccer is in essence football on roller skates where players of all ages and both sexes can join up to form a team.
Mayfield clears air with Giants rookie QB Jones
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield told reporters Wednesday that he reached out to Daniel Jones about his recently published comments regarding the New York Giants rookie. According to Mayfield, the two quarterbacks texted and the exchange went well.
Golf: McIlroy questions staggered scoring at Tour Championship
Rory McIlroy is unconvinced by the new staggered start to be used at this week's season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta and questioned on Wednesday whether it could affect the tournament's prestige. The PGA Tour has instigated the scoring system, based on accumulated points, so that top seed Justin Thomas starts the event at 10 under par, with the second seed at eight under, and so on, down to even par for the 26th-to-30th ranked players in the elite field.
Nats reliever Strickland breaks nose lifting weights
Washington Nationals reliever Hunter Strickland isn't expected to miss any playing time after breaking his nose while lifting weights. The 30-year-old right-hander, who joined the Nationals in a July 31 trade with the Seattle Mariners, sustained the injury before Tuesday's game in Pittsburgh.
Revolution sign GK Turner to multi-year extension
The New England Revolution signed goalkeeper Matt Turner to a multi-year contract extension Wednesday. Terms were not disclosed. Turner, 25, has started 13 games this season after beginning the year on the bench.
No. 8 Florida, Miami embrace spotlight showdown
When you think of college football rivalries in Florida, Florida vs. Florida State and Florida State vs. Miami are the ones that come to mind. But on Saturday night, the rare Sunshine State rivalry between the No. 8 Florida Gators and Miami Hurricanes plays for only the seventh time since 1987. The teams are in the spotlight after moving their season opener up a week to make it a standalone feature attraction for TV viewers and a sellout crowd of more than 65,000 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla.
MLB notebook: Indians shut down Kluber after new injury
Cleveland Indians pitcher Corey Kluber was diagnosed with an oblique strain after leaving a rehab start Sunday during the first inning. The Indians will shut down the two-time American League Cy Young Award winner from pitching while he begins a new rehab program, the team said in a statement Tuesday. He will be examined in two weeks to determine if he is ready to resume a throwing program.
Ivanisevic headlines Hall of Fame nominations
Big-serving left-hander Goran Ivanisevic, a former Wimbledon champion who won two Olympic bronze medals, headlined the list of four candidates up for induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Spanish great Conchita Martinez, twice French Open winner Sergi Bruguera and doubles specialist Jonas Bjorkman were the other nominations announced on Wednesday.
