Sports News Roundup: Halep pulls out of Qatar Open; Czech free-diver breaks ice-swim world record

Daniil Medvedev reached the final in Melbourne on the back of a 20-match winning streak but was beaten in straight sets by Djokovic, who clinched his 18th Grand Slam crown. LeBron James: Give preservation 'narrative' a rest LeBron James hushed self-preservation narratives Monday night following the Lakers' latest overtime loss in which the Los Angeles All-Star played more than 40 minutes for the fourth time in February.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Halep pulls out of Qatar Open

World number three Simona Halep has withdrawn from next week's Qatar Open in Doha, the organisers of the WTA 500 tournament announced on Tuesday. Halep, who lost in straight sets to Serena Williams in the Australian Open quarter-finals last week, did not specify why she was pulling out of the March 1-6 hard court tournament.

Czech free-diver breaks ice-swim world record

Czech free-diver David Vencl swam nearly 81 metres (265.75 ft) beneath the ice on Tuesday, breaking the world record after braving the freezing water wearing only a swimsuit. "This will do," Vencl said after emerging from his minute-and-half swim in water measured at temperatures of 3 degrees Celsius and pumping his fist in celebration.

ATP roundup: Nicolas Jarry rallies for win in Cordoba Chilean wild-card entrant Nicolas Jarry came from behind to beat Spain's Jaume Munar 5-7, 7-6 (5), 6-4 in the first round of the Cordoba (Argentina) Open on Monday. Munar served for the match at 6-5 in the second set, but Jarry broke and then jumped out to a 6-2 lead in the tiebreaker. Munar saved three set points before Jarry converted the fourth to level the match.

Chasing pack not close to toppling 'Big Three', says Murray Andy Murray was not surprised that Novak Djokovic won his ninth Australian Open crown on Sunday and said that the 'young guns' on the men's tour have not closed the gap on the 'Big Three'. Daniil Medvedev reached the final in Melbourne on the back of a 20-match winning streak but was beaten in straight sets by Djokovic, who clinched his 18th Grand Slam crown.

LeBron James: Give preservation 'narrative' a rest LeBron James hushed self-preservation narratives Monday night following the Lakers' latest overtime loss in which the Los Angeles All-Star played more than 40 minutes for the fourth time in February. James, 36, is averaging 38.2 minutes per game this month and played 43 minutes in Monday's 127-124 OT loss to the Washington Wizards.

Soccer: U.S. women's team 'past the protesting phase' of anthem debate The U.S. women's national team said their decision to resume standing as a group for the national anthem rather then kneel in protest of racial inequality and police brutality is not the end of the squad's fight for justice. The entire U.S. team, clad in their warmup jackets with the words "Black Lives Matter" on the front, stood for the national anthem ahead of their SheBelieves Cup game on Sunday after some had knelt in the tournament opener last Thursday.

NBA roundup: Wizards top Lakers in OT for 5th straight win Bradley Beal scored 33 points and Russell Westbrook added 32 on Monday as the visiting Washington Wizards rallied for a 127-124 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Lakers for their first five-game winning streak in three years. Westbrook, who added 14 rebounds and nine assists, made a shot inside and was fouled with 11.6 seconds remaining in overtime to put the Wizards up three points. He missed the ensuing free throw to give the Lakers a chance to tie the score, but LeBron James and Kyle Kuzma missed 3-point attempts on Los Angeles' final possession.

NHL roundup: Panthers ride 29-shot period to win The Florida Panthers, with a record-setting second period, defeated the Dallas Stars 3-1 on Monday night at Sunrise, Fla. Trailing 1-0, Florida changed the game's momentum with its gigantic second period, scoring twice and outshooting Dallas 29-4. That set a record for most shots on goal for any period in franchise history. It was also a record defensively for Dallas.

Sagstrom reveals she was sexually abused as a child Swedish golfer Madelene Sagstrom has revealed she was sexually abused as a child and hopes that by speaking out she may help others in the same situation deal with the trauma. Sagstrom, ranked 62nd in the world, said she was abused by an adult male friend in Sweden when she was 7-years-old but kept it secret for 16 years.

Reports: D-backs bring back RHP Tyler Clippard on one-year deal The Arizona Diamondbacks are bringing veteran reliever Tyler Clippard back to the desert after the right-hander agreed to a one-year deal, multiple outlets reported Monday. The deal is worth a guaranteed $2.25 million, according to the Arizona Republic, with a mutual option for $3.5 million in 2022 or a $500,000 buyout.

(With inputs from agencies.)