Giants Beckham, Serena, Leafs GM and many more

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Giants Beckham says trash talk won't affect him

New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. told reporters Wednesday that he isn't going to let trash talk from opposing players get to him this season. Last week, Beckham became the NFL's highest-paid wide receiver when he signed a five-year contract worth $90 million, with an additional $5 million available through incentives. Part of the reason the Giants agreed to the contract was that they believed Beckham had shown a new maturity.

Serena not looking past Sevastova semi-final showdown

Serena Williams, who is gunning for a record-equaling 24th Grand Slam title, and rising Japanese talent Naomi Osaka are each a win away from meeting in what could prove to be a fascinating U.S. Open women's final. The next obstacle standing between Williams and a ninth trip to the final is rejuvenated Latvian Anastasija Sevastova in Thursday's first semi-final at the Arthur Ashe Stadium before Osaka faces 2017 runner-up Madison Keys.

Leafs GM will not rush to name a captain

The Toronto Maple Leafs approach training camp with one of their deepest rosters in years -- but no team captain. That fact likely will not change anytime soon, Toronto general manager Kyle Dubas told TSN on Wednesday. The Maple Leafs have not had a team captain since trading Dion Phaneuf to the Ottawa Senators on Feb. 9, 2016, and they are unlikely to name one before the start of this season.

MLB notebook: Tommy John surgery likely for Angels' Ohtani

An MRI on the right elbow of Los Angeles Angels pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani showed new damage to his ulnar collateral ligament, and doctors have recommended Tommy John surgery, the team announced Wednesday. The Angels said further updates would be provided when appropriate. If Ohtani is to undergo Tommy John surgery, he would be unable to pitch all of next season while recovering, though his return to hitting would likely be expected to come sooner.

Former Grand Slam champ Schiavone retires

Former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone, who once reached a career-best ranking of No. 4, announced her retirement during a news conference Wednesday at the U.S. Open. "I arrive (at) this decision to say goodbye to the tennis with my heart," said an emotional Schiavone, who became the first Italian woman to win a Grand Slam when she captured the 2010 French Open. "Because my head, when I arrive here, says, 'Please go to the court, fight, because I can beat many other players.'

Nishikori takes revenge on Cilic

Kei Nishikori advanced to the U.S. Open semi-finals on Wednesday with a grinding 2-6 6-4 7-6(5) 4-6-6-4 win over Marin Cilic, gaining a small measure of revenge on the man who crashed his Grand Slam dream in 2014 final. After Naomi Osaka had routed Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko 6-1 6-1 to become the first Japanese woman in 22 years to reach a Grand Slam semi-final, Nishikori followed his compatriot into the last four in a match lasting over four hours.

Trump slams Nike as Kaepernick ads spark some boycotts

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday criticized Nike Inc following the debut of its advertising campaign with Colin Kaepernick, the NFL quarterback who sparked a national controversy by kneeling during the national anthem. Trump, without offering evidence, said the sportswear company was "getting absolutely killed with anger and boycotts."

NFL notebook: Earl Thomas reports to Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas is ending his holdout, but his announcement posted to Instagram on Wednesday made it clear reporting to the team was not his first choice. "I worked my whole life for this..... I've never let me teammates, city or fans down as long as I've lived and don't plan on starting this weekend," he wrote, his words accompanied by a photo of him sitting on a weight bench. "With that being said, the disrespect has been well noted and will not be forgotten. Father Time may have an undefeated record but best believe I plan on taking him into triple overtime when it comes to my career."

Keys lock another U.S. Open semi-final

American Madison Keys clinched her second consecutive U.S. Open semi-final berth on Wednesday, using her powerful serve to get an edge on 30th seed Carla Suarez Navarro and win 6-4 6-3. While the pair initially seemed evenly matched, the momentum shifted in Keys' favor in the second set of the 83-minute affair, as she dominated with her powerful service game.

Osaka steamrolls Tsurenko to reach U.S. Open semis

Naomi Osaka enjoyed a comfortable 6-1 6-1 win over Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko at the U.S. Open on Wednesday to become the first Japanese woman in 22 years to reach the semi-final stage of a Grand Slam. The 20th-seeded Osaka, a rising talent who won her first career title in March at Indian Wells, used a lethal ground game and solid serving to overwhelm a fatigued Tsurenko, who labored in stifling conditions on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court.