Reuters Sports News Summary
Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
Federer sets up Tsitsipas final in Dubai to put 100th title within reach
Roger Federer took a step closer to his 100th ATP crown on Friday, easing past Borna Coric 6-2 6-2 in the semi-finals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships to set up a title clash with Greek youngster Stefanos Tsitsipas. Federer has been far from his ruthless best in the previous rounds but looked a different player in the last-four tie, as he broke his Croatian opponent four times and needed only 67 minutes to advance to Saturday's final at the Aviation Club.
Athletics: Muir and Johnson-Thompson take gold for Britain
Host nation Britain enjoyed a golden start to the European Indoor Athletics Championships on Friday as Laura Muir successfully defended her 3,000 meters title and Katarina Johnson-Thompson completed a dominant victory in the pentathlon. Scot Muir, a huge favorite of the Glasgow crowd, is seeking a double-double having won the 3,000 and 1,500 in Belgrade two years ago and she wrapped up the first leg in style.
Kyrgios braves cut and cramps to down Wawrinka
A focused Nick Kyrgios overcame a hand injury, leg cramps and a strong performance from Stan Wawrinka to prevail 7-5 6-7(3) 6-4 and advance to the semi-finals of the Acapulco International on Thursday. The mercurial Australian, who defeated Rafa Nadal the night before in a match where the Spaniard later criticized Kyrgios' on-court demeanor, outplayed Wawrinka in the match's biggest moments despite playing in front of spectators who vocally backed the Swiss.
NHL roundup: Tavares jeered in return to face Isles
The New York Islanders scored six unanswered goals Thursday night as they spoiled the return of their former captain John Tavares with a 6-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at a raucous Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y. Anthony Beauvillier, Anders Lee, Casey Cizikas, Valtteri Filppula, Nick Leddy and Brock Nelson scored for the Islanders. New York goalie Robin Lehner recorded 34 saves.
Video shows Giants CEO Baer knocking wife to ground
San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Baer was captured on video pushing his wife to the ground in a San Francisco park on Friday. The video initially was released by TMZ.
Haskins: `Not that important´ to be first QB taken
Former Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins is not lacking in self confidence, but that doesn't mean he cares about being the first quarterback off the board in April's draft. "It's not that important to me," Haskins said Friday at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine. "For me, it's being with the right franchise, being with the right team and winning a Super Bowl. So whether that's first quarterback taken, second quarterback taken, it's all a blessing regardless of where I'm going."
Ravens RB Collins arrested after car crash
The Baltimore Ravens waived running back Alex Collins on Friday afternoon following his early morning arrest after a car accident near the team's headquarters. Baltimore County police and the team confirmed that Collins, 24, was taken into custody around 6:45 a.m. after police responded to a report of a car crashed into a tree in Owings Mills, Md. It was unclear whether Collins was the driver or a passenger.
Boucher ousted as coach of NHL-worst Senators
The NHL-worst Ottawa Senators continued their shakeup Friday, firing head coach Guy Boucher, the team announced. The move comes shortly after a flurry of roster activity at the trade deadline, when leading scorers Matt Duchene, Mark Stone and Ryan Dzingel all were traded. The Senators are 22-37-5, while their 49 points are five less than the team with the second-worst record, the Los Angeles Kings.
NBA roundup: Harden (58) rallies Rockets past Heat
James Harden produced his seventh career 50-point, 10-assist game to spur the Houston Rockets to a 121-118 comeback victory over the visiting Miami Heat on Thursday. Harden finished with 58 points and 10 assists to key the rally but received help down the stretch from Austin Rivers (17 points on 7-of-8 shooting) and Chris Paul, whose pull-up jumper with 46.2 seconds left followed an errant Harden 3-pointer and extended the lead to three.
Murray meeting with Cardinals; would be 'great' to go No. 1
The Arizona Cardinals have publicly supported Josh Rosen as their quarterback of the future, but it appears they are at least considering targeting Kyler Murray in the draft. The Oklahoma Heisman Trophy winner said Friday at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine that he is meeting this week with Arizona, which holds the No. 1 pick in April's draft, and he would be thrilled to be the first overall pick.
