All about Serena Williams win, Naomi Osaka's arrival, PGA Tour

The Major League Baseball Players Association criticized the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday for not promoting top prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. among their September call-ups.

MLBPA critical of Jays for not calling up Guerrero Jr.

The Major League Baseball Players Association criticized the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday for not promoting top prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. among their September call-ups. "The union's position on service-time manipulation is clear, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and other great young talents around baseball have earned the right to play on the field for a major league team," an MLBPA spokesman told Sportsnet. "The decision to not to bring him up is a business decision, not a baseball decision. It's bad for the Blue Jays, it's bad for fans, it's bad for players and it's bad for the industry."

Built to oppress: Arthur Ashe roof turns heat up on USTA

The heat-wave engulfing New York during this year's U.S. Open has left players gasping in distress and organizers faced with burning questions about the suffocating conditions on the tournament's main showcourt. Arthur Ashe Stadium was given a retractable roof, built at a cost of about $150 million in 2016, which has now turned into a public relations disaster for the United States Tennis Association (USTA) on the tournament's 50th anniversary, with the game's top players criticizing the conditions.

Nadal, Djokovic one win from renewing rivalry in New York

Defending U.S. Open champion Rafael Nadal and twice winner Novak Djokovic are one victory away from renewing their rivalry in the final with both expected to get through their semis on Friday. World number one Nadal faces big-serving Argentine third seed Juan Martin del Potro while sixth seed Novak Djokovic meets Japanese 21st seed Kei Nishikori bidding to secure a seventh trip to the showcase match at Flushing Meadows.

Report: Former Cowboys RB Randle held on suspicion of rape

Former Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle is being held without bond on a suspicion of rape in Wichita, Kan., according to multiple outlets that cited jail records. Randle, a Wichita native, was taken into custody at Sedgwick County Jail around 3:45 a.m. on Friday.

Williams crushes Sevastova to reach U.S. Open final

Serena Williams swept past Anastasija Sevastova 6-3 6-0 on Thursday and into the final of the U.S. Open to sit one win away from a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title to continue her remarkable return to the top levels of the game after she almost died while having a baby last year. Williams walked off Arthur Ashe Stadium court with a wave and twirl then waited to find out who she will play in Saturday's final.

She fought for her life, for our child, for recognition, for equal pay, for women's rights. She never gives up.I had this made for @serenawilliams last night after her match with some home videos from 1 year ago this week. Help me make sure she sees it!#iloveyouserena pic.twitter.com/OV6Zo1DBxZ

— Alexis Ohanian Sr. 🚀 (@alexisohanian) September 7, 2018

Former USA Gymnastics trainer in Texas jail on sex abuse charge

A former USA Gymnastics trainer was arrested and jailed in Texas after being accused of sexually abusing a child at a team training facility in Huntsville, jail officials said on Thursday. Debbie Van Horn, 64, was being held in the Walker County Jail on a single abuse count. There was no lawyer listed for her in jail records. She is due to be arraigned on Friday, according to a media report.

Osaka storms past Keys to reach first Grand Slam final

Naomi Osaka announced her arrival on the big stage at the U.S. Open on Thursday, beating last year's runner-up Madison Keys 6-2 6-4 to reach her first Grand Slam final and set up a clash with her childhood idol Serena Williams. The 20-year-old Osaka, who is the first Japanese woman to reach a singles final of a Grand Slam, had to fight harder than the score suggested to get past 14th seed Keys, who paid the price for a lack of killer instinct.

Naomi Osaka's message to Serena before they face each other in the US Open final?"I love you." 😂😭 pic.twitter.com/B7m8FzJWjm

— espnW (@espnW) September 7, 2018

MLB roundup: Bote, Cubs top Nats in 10th

David Bote lined a tiebreaking double to right-center in the top of the 10th inning, and Taylor Davis added an RBI single later as the Chicago Cubs defeated the Washington Nationals 6-4 in the opener of a four-game series Thursday night at Nationals Park. Albert Almora Jr. started the game-winning rally with a one-out double off Jimmy Cordero (1-2) in the top of the frame. Bote followed with his double, and even though Almora held up for a moment to make sure the ball wasn't caught, he scored easily from second base with the go-ahead run.

Ravens' Vedvik released from the hospital

Baltimore Ravens rookie kicker Kaare Vedvik is out of the hospital and expected to cooperate with police investigating an apparent assault on him last weekend. Vedvik was found with substantial facial injuries and bruising on the back of his head in East Baltimore and taken to the hospital early Saturday morning.

Woods, McIlroy share lead for the first time on PGA Tour

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy broke new ground when they tied for the first-round lead at the BMW Championship in Pennsylvania on Thursday. Despite 18 major championships between them, the pair had never shared the lead after any round on the PGA Tour until they carded matching eight-under-par 62s in oppressive humidity on the Aronimink course, west of Philadelphia.

(With inputs from Reuters)