Sports News Roundup: Alonso quits F1, Mexican Grand Prix, Swiss Indoors 2018

Double world champion Fernando Alonso's departure from Formula One at the end of the season reflects badly on the sport, fellow-Spaniard Carlos Sainz said on Thursday.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Woods-Mickelson pay-per-view match to charge $19.99

The $19.99 charge for the pay-per-view (PPV) exhibition between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson is likely to bring in enough viewers to make the event financially viable, two sports marketing experts said. Turner Sports announced on Thursday that viewers in the United States will be charged $19.99 to watch the 18-hole, $9 million "winner-take-all" showdown between Woods and Mickelson on Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving.

Mexico is Red Bull's best remaining chance, says Verstappen

Last year's race winner Max Verstappen expects Sunday's Mexican Grand Prix to be his and Red Bull's best chance of another victory this season. The 21-year-old Dutchman, a winner in Austria in July, told reporters on Thursday that he expected it to be better also than last weekend's U.S. Grand Prix in Texas where he started 18th and finished second.

Alonso's departure reflects badly on F1, says Sainz

Double world champion Fernando Alonso's departure from Formula One at the end of the season reflects badly on the sport, fellow-Spaniard Carlos Sainz said on Thursday. Alonso, 37, is leaving after four frustrating years with McLaren, who have not won a race since 2012.

Vikings dig for repeat of dramatic defeat of Saints

A very long 287 days will pass before New Orleans Saints safety Marcus Williams takes the field at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis for the first time since one of the most discussed missed tackles in NFL playoff history. Williams was on the wrong end of the Minneapolis Miracle on Jan. 14. He whiffed badly on a tackle against Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs, who turned the shocking fortune into to a 27-yard touchdown reception on the final play of the NFC Divisional playoffs. The walk-off TD gave Minnesota a 29-24 victory and a berth in the NFC Championship Game.

Vettel wonders about 'weird' spate of spins

Ferrari's Formula One title contender Sebastian Vettel has suggested his recent series of spins may have been caused by aerodynamics rather than driver error. The German, who must win Sunday's Mexican Grand Prix to have any hope of denying Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton a fifth world championship, has spun three times in the last five races while battling for position at the start.

Federer overcomes sluggish start to brush aside Struff

Holder Roger Federer recovered from a slow start to beat Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3 7-5 and reach the quarter-finals of the Swiss Indoors, his hometown tournament, on Thursday. The top seed was broken in the second game of the second-round match by the big-serving German but, after going 3-1 behind, the 37-year-old hit back to win five successive games in 13 minutes and take the first set.

Thai trailblazer Aphibarnrat wants to inspire next generation

Kiradech Aphibarnrat does not seem to be fazed at the prospect of being the first Thai to play on the PGA Tour as he kept sight of the leading pack at Sheshan International in Shanghai by shooting a four-under-par 68 in the first round on Thursday. He notched up six birdies to trail American leader Patrick Reed by four strokes at the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament.

White House didn't invite 2018 champion Villanova

Villanova hasn't been invited to the White House since winning the NCAA basketball title in April and likely wouldn't be able to go even if the invitation were to come, coach Jay Wright said Thursday during Big East media day. "We probably wouldn't be able to get everybody together. We've lost staff members, we've lost players (to the NBA)," he said.

Devils' Boyle announces cancer is in remission

Brian Boyle has three goals and an assist through his first six games for the New Jersey Devils this season, but he has a bigger reason than stats to possess a positive outlook. He learned this week that his cancer, chronic myeloid leukaemia, is in remission.

Hamilton would be proudest of his fifth F1 title

Lewis Hamilton feels a fifth Formula One title would be his proudest achievement and he wants to seal it by winning Sunday's Mexican Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver, who is set to equal the title tally of the late Argentine great Juan Manuel Fangio, need finish only seventh to be sure of the world championship with two races to spare.

(With inputs from Reuters)