Sports News Roundup: American hegemony against England; Djokovic sweeps through

American hegemony on the line against England

The United States' status as the leading power in women's soccer will be put to the test by England in Tuesday's World Cup semi-final with the gap between the teams having narrowed dramatically in recent years. The three-times World Cup winners, ranked number one in the world, beat France in their quarter-finals but are set to face an England team full of belief in their chances of glory.

Djokovic sweeps through under keen gaze of Ivanisevic

Novak Djokovic got the defense of his Wimbledon title off to an impressive start when, serving superbly, he overwhelmed Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets in the first match on Centre Court on Monday. After a few early wobbles Djokovic triumphed 6-3 7-5 6-3 as, perhaps already buoyed by the presence of new coach Goran Ivanisevic, he really hit the mark with his serves.

Pliskova follows Eastbourne triumph with slower Wimbledon win

Third seed Karolina Pliskova bludgeoned her way into the second round of Wimbledon on Monday, using her huge serve and searing forehand to fend off tenacious Chinese challenger Zhu Lin 6-2 7-6(4). But Pliskova, who won the Eastbourne grasscourt tournament on Saturday, blowing away Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber in the final, had a tougher time on the All England Club's distant Court Two, against an opponent ranked 98 places behind her.

McIlroy sees no need for superstar caddie

Rory McIlroy has little interest in following Jason Day's example and teaming up with a so-called superstar caddie, the Northern Irishman said in the wake of Day's decision to hire the sport's best known bagman. Day coaxed Steve Williams out of retirement starting at the recent U.S. Open, saying he thought the veteran caddie's experience would be an asset as he tried to play his way back to world number one status.

Wayward Osaka sent packing from Wimbledon

World number two Naomi Osaka's hopes of a third Grand Slam title were shredded on Centre Court as she was dumped out of Wimbledon in the first round, losing 7-6(4) 6-2 to Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva on Monday. The Japanese, who had nervelessly battered her way to Grand Slam success at the U.S. and Australian Opens, failed to find her range on the slick lawns of the All England Club, tumbling out amid a flurry of unforced errors.

Tennis: Wawrinka means business as he opens with easy victory

Stan Wawrinka was barely mentioned in the Wimbledon build-up with all the focus on the men's 'big three' and the young guns hoping to shake things up but the Swiss means business. Outside of eight-time champion Roger Federer, twice winner Rafael Nadal and defending champion Novak Djokovic, Wawrinka is the only other multiple Grand Slam champion in the draw.

Report: RB Elliott, Goodell to discuss Vegas incident

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and the Dallas Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott will meet Tuesday in New York to discuss an incident involving the running back that occurred in Las Vegas in May. TMZ posted a video allegedly showing events that took place early May 18 at the Electric Daisy Carnival festival in Las Vegas. The video shows a man identified as Elliott pushing a security guard against a metal railing and to the ground. Elliott then is handcuffed but not arrested.

Tennis: Anderson makes quick work of dispatching Herbert

Returning to the lush grasscourts of Wimbledon proved to be just the tonic Kevin Anderson needed on Monday as the 2018 runner-up buried memories of an injury-hit year by easing into the second round with a 6-3 6-4 6-2 win over Pierre-Hugues Herbert. The South African, who had played only three tour-level events this year before arriving at Wimbledon due to an elbow injury, moved around a sun-kissed Court Three with ease to dispatch doubles specialist Herbert.

French Open finalist Vondrousova out in Wimbledon first round

French Open runner-up Marketa Vondrousova was knocked out in the first round at Wimbledon on Monday, the Czech 16th seed beaten 6-4 6-4 by American Madison Brengle. A few days after turning 20, the left-hander struggled to get to grips with her opponent's game as she lost in the first round for the third successive year.

Rapinoe a warrior on and off the field, says team mate Press

Megan Rapinoe was hailed as a warrior by team mate Christen Press on Monday, after a week in which the United States winger was criticized by President Donald Trump but still led her side into a women's World Cup semi-final against England. Rapinoe was the target of critical tweets by Trump after video emerged of her saying she would not visit the White House if the U.S. retained the World Cup.