Sports News Round Up: Ronaldo to play despite allegations, Osaka gets past Zhang and lot more

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Golf: Snedeker pushes to a three-stroke lead at Safeway Open

Brandt Snedeker fired a seven-under-par 65 on Friday to surge to a three-stroke lead after two rounds of the Safeway Open in Napa, California. Snedeker, who was forced to be a spectator of the season-ending Tour Championship as well as last week's Ryder Cup, made eight birdies on the day which included his last two holes.

Emotional Osaka battles past Zhang into Beijing semis

U.S. Open champion Naomi Osaka fought back tears and rallied from a set down to outlast Zhang Shuai 3-6 6-4 7-5 in the China Open quarter-finals on Friday. Japan's Osaka struggled to find her rhythm throughout the contest, making 66 unforced errors and had tears in her eyes midway through the second set with the match slipping away.

Caps’ Wilson appeals the 20-game suspension

Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson has appealed the 20-game suspension he received Wednesday from the NHL's Department of Player Safety for a check to the head of St. Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist. After Capitals coach, Todd Reirden made that known Thursday, the NHL Players Association confirmed that they filed the appeal Friday on Wilson's behalf.

NBA notebook: Butler, Wolves remain at an impasse

The impasse between four-time All-Star Jimmy Butler and the Minnesota Timberwolves continues with the season opener less than two weeks away. "Obviously, we're trying to get something done," coach Tom Thibodeau said Friday, hours before a preseason game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

NFL notebook: Bell reportedly turns down Steelers' offer

As the high-profile holdout of Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell continues, more reports are surfacing about past Pittsburgh offers that the two-time All-Pro has apparently turned down. The three-time 1,000-yard rusher nixed an offer from the Steelers with the team pledging $47 million to Bell over three years, Pro Football Talk reported Friday.

NHL notebook: Caps’ Wilson appealing suspension

Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson has appealed the 20-game suspension he received Wednesday from the NHL's Department of Player Safety for a check to the head of St. Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist. After Capitals coach Todd Reirden made the suspension known Thursday, the NHL Players Association confirmed the filing of an appeal Friday on Wilson's behalf.

NBA aware of new Mavericks' misconduct claims: Silver

New allegations levied against a Dallas Mavericks employee grabbed the attention of commissioner Adam Silver on his trip to China for NBA preseason games. Silver confirmed Friday he was aware of the Dallas Morning News story and the allegations made against team photographer Danny Bollinger. Silver learned of claims Bollinger has a history of making lewd comments and propositioning women at work. Bollinger has been sent home from the team's trip to China.

Butler's impasse with Timberwolves continues as the season nears

The impasse between four-time All-Star Jimmy Butler and the Minnesota Timberwolves continues with the season opener less than two weeks away. Butler wants no part of returning to the team and has requested a trade.

Seau family reaches a settlement in wrongful death suit against NFL

The family of Pro Football Hall of Famer Junior Seau, who killed himself in 2012 and was later found to have a brain disease, reached a settlement with the National Football League (NFL) on Friday. The wrongful death lawsuit, filed in 2013 in San Diego Superior Court by Seau's children and ex-wife, as well as the trustee of his estate, alleged that the brain damage he suffered during his 20 years in the NFL led to his suicide.

Ronaldo ready to play despite rape allegations: Juventus coach

Juventus coach Massimo Allegri says Cristiano Ronaldo is ready to play for the Serie A team against Udinese on Saturday. The 33-year-old soccer player on Tuesday denied rape allegations levelled against him by a woman who sued him in court in the United States.

(With inputs from agencies.)