All about Wuhan second round, World Equestrian Games, WR McDonald

Gavrilova beats Ostapenko to reach Wuhan second round

Australia's Daria Gavrilova produced an inspired performance to defeat 10th seed Jelena Ostapenko 6-2 6-4 in the opening round of the Wuhan Open on Monday. Gavrilova withstood a flurry of early winners from the 2017 French Open champion but then broke Ostapenko's serve five times to prevail in one hour and 26 minutes.

From streets to the spotlight, Obada 'over the moon' after dream NFL debut

Britain's Efe Obada only began playing American football four years ago after a traumatic childhood during which he was abandoned and homeless, but he defied the odds yet again with a dream NFL debut. Nigerian-born Obada, a defensive end with the Carolina Panthers, earned an interception and a key sack in his team's victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday to add yet another chapter to what was already a Hollywood-worthy story.

World Equestrian Games over but Bellissimo back in the saddle

Mark Bellissimo, the man who brought the FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) to this bucolic corner of recession-ravaged North Carolina is widely viewed as a savior for bringing jobs and hope to the depressed region. Not so says Bellissimo, deferring to an elderly employee who works in one of the sprawling facility's kitchens who has apparently taken credit.

NFL roundup: Allen, Bills stun Vikings in a blowout

Rookie quarterback Josh Allen ran for two touchdowns and threw for another to lead the Buffalo Bills in a stunning 27-6 victory over the host Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in Minneapolis. Allen was 15 of 22 passing for 196 yards, with a 26-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jason Croom and no interceptions. He also rushed for 39 yards and two scores for Buffalo (1-2), which had been outscored 78-23 in its first two games.

WADA didn't put money above clean sport on Russia, says the chief

The World Anti-Doping Agency president Craig Reedie is offended by allegations that WADA put money above clean sport while reinstating Russia's anti-doping agency (RUSADA), and said the move was only aimed at achieving Russian compliance. WADA lifted the ban on RUSADA, subject to conditions, on Thursday, thus incurring the wrath of athletes and other anti-doping bodies.

Hall of Fame WR McDonald dies at 84

Hall of Fame wide receiver Tommy McDonald, star of the Philadelphia Eagles' 1960 NFL championship team, died Monday. He was 84. Drafted in the third round from Oklahoma in 1957, McDonald led the NFL in touchdown receptions in 1958 with nine, and in 1961 he led the league in touchdowns (13) and receiving yards (1,144).

Tiger's back on the prowl with Ryder Cup in his sights

The spiraling interest in the Ryder Cup means the biennial golf showpiece hardly needs hyping up but the stunning return to form of Tiger Woods, culminating in his first tournament victory for five years on Sunday, has undoubtedly added some extra French frisson to the event starting in Paris on Friday. Europe's top player Justin Rose finished in a share of fourth at the PGA Tour Championship to scoop the $10 million FedEx prize but all eyes were on Woods, who has overcome four back surgeries and very public personal drama to return to the top of the game.

Dolphins DE Hayes tears ACL, out for the season

Miami Dolphins defensive end William Hayes is out for the season with a torn ACL in his right knee, coach Adam Gase confirmed Monday. Hayes suffered the injury while trying to sack Oakland quarterback Derek Carr in the second quarter of the undefeated Dolphins' 28-20 win against the Raiders on Sunday.

MLB roundup: Astros sweep Angels

Yuli Gurriel and Evan Gattis recorded multi-hit, multi-RBI games while rookie Framber Valdez delivered a strong pitching performance in a pinch as the Houston Astros capped a three-game series sweep of the visiting Los Angeles Angels with a 6-2 win on Sunday. The Astros sliced their magic number to claim the American League West to three. Houston holds a 4 1/2-game lead on the second-place Oakland Athletics.

Woods' victory gives U.S Ryder Cup team a nice buzz

Tiger Woods' victory at the Tour Championship on Sunday has given the entire American Ryder Cup team a "nice buzz", captain Jim Furyk said on Monday. Furyk and his European counterpart Thomas Bjorn heaped praise on each other's teams at a news conference at Le Golf National, where Woods was the center of attention even though he was not present.

(With inputs from Reuters)