Reuters Sports News Summary
Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
History-chasing Serena already best ever: analysts
Serena Williams is on the brink of a crowning achievement in tennis, but as far as several top analysts are concerned, the 33-year-old American has already established herself as the greatest women's player ever. Williams would become only the fourth woman to sweep all four grand slams in a season should she win a fourth consecutive U.S. Open title in the tournament starting on Monday.
Czech mates Kvitova, Safarova in New Haven final
Petra Kvitova and Lucie Safarova will meet in an all-Czech final at the Connecticut Open after the compatriots enjoyed straight sets wins in their respective semi-final matches in New Haven on Friday. Defending champion and second seed Kvitova found herself 5-3 down in the first set against Caroline Wozniacki but stormed back to win 10 of the next 11 games to secure a 7-5 6-1 win over the Dane.
Los Angeles committee gives support to bid to host 2024 Olympics
A committee of the Los Angeles City Council voted on Friday to support an effort to bring the 2024 Summer Olympics to Los Angeles, ahead of a deadline next month for U.S. Olympic organizers to decide on an American city to bid for the games. The U.S. Olympic Committee has turned to Los Angeles after dropping Boston in July, after that city's mayor said he would not expose taxpayers in the Massachusetts capital to assuming possible cost overruns.
Slovakia's Toth wins 50 km walk at world championships
Matej Toth became the first Slovakian to win a gold medal at the world athletics championships when he cruised to victory in the men's 50 km walk on Saturday. The 32-year-old Toth surged ahead after opening an early lead in the grueling event to win in a time of three hours, 40 minutes and 32 seconds on a hot and humid morning in the Chinese capital.
French qualifier Herbert maintains marathon run
Marathon man Pierre-Hugues Herbert of France delivered another Houdini-like escape to reach his first ATP World Tour final with a 3-6 7-6(5) 6-2 victory over American Steve Johnson at the Winston-Salem Open in North Carolina on Friday. The French qualifier will meet second-seed Kevin Anderson in the final, after the South African outlasted Tunisian Malek Jaziri 6-4 6-3 in the other semi-final.
Mariners overcome losses to eke out win over White Sox
A day of losses concluded with a win for the Seattle Mariners when they beat the Chicago White Sox 2-0 at U.S. Cellular Field on Friday. Paced by a dominant performance from right-hander Taijuan Walker, the Mariners evened the series at a game apiece despite struggling to convert scoring opportunities into runs for the second straight night.
Phenom Finau keeps his irons in the fire at The Barclays
Tony Finau is the first player of Tongan and American Samoan descent to compete on the PGA Tour and the former fire knife dancer has been able to transfer his skills to a different kind of blade to compete at the highest level. Finau's rise from Salt Lake City poverty to golf's premier tour is the stuff of Disney movie scripts but the strapping rookie is proving more fact than fiction as he stands one shot off the lead halfway through The Barclays.
Strong finish puts Tseng one ahead in Alabama
Taiwan's Yani Tseng produced a stunning eagle-birdie finish to seize a one-stroke lead in the weather-disrupted second round of the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic in Prattville, Alabama, on Friday. The former world number one covered her final six holes in five under par to shoot a flawless eight-under 64 on the Senator Course at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.
Grand Slam question: Who can challenge Serena?
Serena Williams has been vulnerable this grand slam season but unbeaten in the year's first three major championships. With the 33-year-old American looking to register the first Grand Slam in 27 years with a triumph at the Aug. 31-Sept. 13 U.S. Open, the question remains: Who can beat her?
Gregorius shines as Yankees find power to crush Braves
Shortstop Didi Gregorius went a surprising 4-for-5 with a homer and a career-high six RBIs as the New York Yankees broke out for a 15-4 interleague rout of the Atlanta Braves to remain 1 1/2 games behind Toronto in the AL East. "I felt really good," said Gregorius, whose only out was a long drive to center field. "We need this. The offense had been struggling the last couple games. I was just trying to help the team win."
