Sports News Roundup: NBA fines Lakers coach Walton, Tsitsipas clocks up another win, WADA

With angry athletes demanding an overhaul of the World Anti-Doping Agency following the decision to reinstate Russia's anti-doping authority (RUSADA,) a governance working group has made several recommendations, including the introduction of an independent president.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Osaka pins Singapore losses on serving woes

Naomi Osaka used her potent serve to punishing effect to claim the U.S. Open title last month but the Japanese has been unable to harness it's full power at the WTA Finals, losing her opening two round-robin matches in tight three-setters. Defeats by Sloane Stephens and Angelique Kerber have left Osaka on the brink of elimination and even a win over Kiki Bertens in her final Red Group match on Friday would not guarantee a semi-final spot at the eight-player event.

Baseball-Nunez blast powers Red Sox to Game One win over Dodgers

Eduardo Nunez slammed a three-run pinch hit homer and Andrew Benintendi collected four hits to power the Boston Red Sox to a 8-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game One of the World Series on Tuesday. The first World Series meeting between the two iconic franchises in 102 years had been a seesaw battle until Nunez stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the seventh and took Dodgers reliever Alex Wood over the Green Monster, cashing in Benintendi and J.D. Martinez.

WADA governance group recommends independent president

With angry athletes demanding an overhaul of the World Anti-Doping Agency following the decision to reinstate Russia's anti-doping authority (RUSADA,) a governance working group has made several recommendations, including the introduction of an independent president. The WADA governance group, comprising representatives of athletes, National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) and independent experts, was formed last year to study the running of the agency, which has faced increasing criticism after the lifting of the Russia ban

Tsitsipas clocks up another win in Basel

Stefanos Tsitsipas followed up his maiden ATP title in Stockholm last week by brushing aside Jeremy Chardy in straight sets in the first round of the Swiss Indoors tournament in Basel on Wednesday. It was the 20-year-old Greek's 40th win of the season, compared to only four last year, and earned him a second-round tie with German Peter Gojowczyk.

NBA roundup: Griffin scores 50 in Pistons' OT win

Blake Griffin scored a career-high 50 points, including a game-winning three-point play with 1.8 seconds left in overtime, and the Detroit Pistons edged the visiting Philadelphia 76ers 133-132 on Tuesday. Griffin, whose previous career best was 47 points, made 20 of 35 field-goal attempts and 5 of 11 free-throw attempts. He added 14 rebounds and six assists.

Exclusive: Soccer - Infantino to ask for vote on new tournaments despite opposition

FIFA president Gianni Infantino will put his controversial plans for two new international soccer tournaments to a vote at Friday's meeting of the body's ruling council, a spokesman for the governing body told Reuters on Wednesday. However, with the World Leagues Forum, which represents 38 professional leagues, asking Infantino last week not to go for a vote and strong opposition within Europe, Friday's FIFA council meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, could cause a major split.

Goodnight Vienna for Dimitrov after Kukushkin loss

World number 10 Grigor Dimitrov had his Vienna Open debut cut short by Mikhail Kukushkin on Wednesday, losing 6-4 4-6 6-4 to the experienced Kazakh in the opening round. The Bulgarian third seed, playing only his third Tour match since a first-round exit at the U.S. Open, struggled to contain a tricky opponent who deservedly pocketed his first victory over a top-10 player for four years.

NBA fines Lakers coach Walton, Wizards F Morris

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton received a $15,000 fine from the NBA on Wednesday for public criticism of officiating, while Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris received a similar fine for unsportsmanlike conduct. Walton spoke out against perceived foul disparity following the Lakers' 143-142 overtime loss at home to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday.

CB Peterson: A Cardinal for 'years to come'

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson reaffirmed his commitment to the team Wednesday, saying he intends to be around for "years to come." "I've been incredibly frustrated with how the season has gone," Peterson said in a statement posted on Twitter. "But my energy is 100% focused on being part of the solution & helping us turn this around. I've never shied away from a challenge before and I'm not starting now. I have always given my all to the Cardinals organization, my teammates & fans. That is what I intend to do for the years to come. I am an Arizona Cardinal and my focus is on this week's game."

Stephens uses losing set to lay foundations for Bertens win

Sloane Stephens maintained her unbeaten record at her first WTA Finals with a second successive victory on Wednesday, laying down the foundations of a three-set win over Kiki Bertens as the second set was slipping away. Stephens eventually overcame the Dutchwoman 7-6(4) 2-6 6-3 to sit on the brink of a semi-finals berth after the 2017 U.S. Open champion used the seventh game of the second set to determine the tone for the decider.

(With inputs from Reuters)