Sports News Round-up: NASCAR notebook, Hatton takes Dunhill, 2026 Winter Games

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has no backup plan for the 2026 Winter Games if more cities drop out of the race, IOC President Thomas Bach said on Saturday.

 

NASCAR notebook: Truex seeks Dover win to ward off Talladega jinx

Martin Truex Jr. is happy to come to his home track, but he also understands its pivotal role in his plan to move through the Round of 12 in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Truex got the first of his 19 career victories in 2007 at Dover International Speedway, the closest track to his Mayetta, New Jersey, hometown. He won again at the Monster Mile in the fall race of 2016, and his average finish in 25 starts at the concrete track is 12.0.

Golf: Hatton takes Dunhill Links lead, eyes third straight crown

England's Tyrrell Hatton fired a six-under 66 in the third round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Saturday to take a one-shot lead as he targets a third straight crown at the event. Hatton went 14-under for the tournament and could become the first since Tiger Woods to win the same title three years in succession. The American achieved the feat between 2005 and 2007 when he won the WGC-Championship and the WGC-Invitational.

Tennis: Nishikori through to Japan Open final against Medvedev

Home favourite Kei Nishikori defeated Frenchman Richard Gasquet 7-6(2) 6-1 in the semi-finals of the Japan Open on Saturday, setting up a final against Russian qualifier Daniil Medvedev. The Japanese world number 12 was made to battle during a tough first set as Gasquet saved three break points to take Nishikori to a tie-break.

MLB roundup: Sox hold off Yanks in first ALDS meeting

Left-hander Chris Sale pitched effectively into the sixth inning, J.D. Martinez hit a three-run home run in the first and the Boston Red Sox opened the American League Division Series by holding on for a 5-4 victory over the visiting New York Yankees on Friday night. Game 2 is Saturday night. Left-hander David Price starts for Boston and opposes right-hander Masahiro Tanaka.

No plan B for 2026 Winter Games campaign: IOC's Bach

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has no backup plan for the 2026 Winter Games if more cities drop out of the race, IOC President Thomas Bach said on Saturday. Calgary, Stockholm and an Italian bid involving Cortina D'Ampezzo and Milan made the IOC shortlist this week, with Turkey's Erzurum dropped.

Mickelson rips Ryder Cup course setup

Phil Mickelson lost both of his Ryder Cup matches last week, including the clinching singles showdown against Francesco Molinari. Back on home soil, Mickelson quietly licked his wounds, until Thursday.

Olympics: Tough decisions needed if Russia does not comply - Coventry

The reinstatement of Russia's anti-doping agency (RUSADA) last month was disappointing for some athletes but it forces Russia to deliver by year's end or face the consequences, the chair of the International Olympic Committee's Athletes' Commission said. Olympic swimming champion Kirsty Coventry, who was recently named Zimbabwe sports minister, said she understood the frustration of athletes following the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) decision last month and admitted a rift had been created.

Tennis: Basilashvili sets up Beijing showdown with Del Potro

Unseeded Nikoloz Basilashvili beat Briton Kyle Edmund 7-6(6) 6-4 in the China Open semi-finals on Saturday to set up a title clash with top seed Juan Martin del Potro. Basilashvili sent down seven aces and won 78 per cent of points on his powerful first serve to prevail in 98 minutes and move into Sunday's title clash, where he faces Argentine Del Potro for the second time in his career.

Tennis: Sevastova to face Wozniacki in Beijing title clash

Anastasija Sevastova defeated U.S. Open champion Naomi Osaka 6-4 6-4 in the China Open semi-finals on Saturday and will take on Caroline Wozniacki in Sunday's title clash. Sevastova, managing a stomach muscle problem and not quite at 100 per cent, controlled the contest by winning three out of eight break point opportunities to knock out the error-prone Japanese player.

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.

(With inputs from agencies.)