Sports News Roundup: WADA chief says Valieva case highlights low trust in Russian anti-doping; Rugby-Fijiana Drua changing minds and breaking down barriers for women and more

It will be the first time in more than 11 years that Alvarez has fought at home since stopping Kermit Cintron in five rounds in Mexico City to retain his WBO lightweight world title. Tennis-Gauff survives Peterson test to reach Indian Wells quarters Coco Gauff rallied from a break down in the final set to beat Swede Rebecca Peterson 6-3 1-6 6-4 and reach the Indian Wells quarter-finals for the first time on Tuesday.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

WADA chief says Valieva case highlights low trust in Russian anti-doping

The head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said on Tuesday that trust in Russia's anti-doping system remained low, citing the handling of the doping case of Olympic figure skater Kamila Valieva. Valieva tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine at the Russian national championships in December 2021 as a 15-year-old. The result of her test, however, was only made known on Feb. 8, 2022, a day after she helped her team win a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.

Rugby-Fijiana Drua changing minds and breaking down barriers for women

Bitila Tawake was not even playing rugby four years ago but now she is a bona fide star back home as captain of a Fijiana Drua team that are tearing down barriers for women who want to play the Pacific island nation's favourite sport. Matching the test prop's meteoric rise in the game, the Drua won Australia's elite Super W competition at the first time of asking last year and are now preparing to open their title defence against ACT Brumbies on March 25.

Ryan Redington arrives in Nome, Alaska to win Iditarod sled dog race

Ryan Redington, who hails from a family of hall-of-fame mushers, reached Nome, Alaska, ahead of his rivals on Tuesday to win the grueling Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in his 16th try. Redington completed the nearly 1,000-mile (1,610-km) endurance test in eight days, 21 hours and 12:58 minutes, led by his dogs Sven and Ghost, according to the race results posted on the event's website.

Tennis-Swiatek battles past Andreescu to set up Raducanu clash

Iga Swiatek overcame former U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu 6-3 7-6(1) to reach the fourth round at Indian Wells on Monday and set up a meeting with Emma Raducanu, who scored her biggest win since her own run to the Flushing Meadows title.

Top seed Swiatek has been in superb form on hardcourts since the Australian Open, capturing the Doha title and reaching the final in Dubai, and the Polish player looked set for another comfortable win after cruising through the opening set.

Soccer-Spanish anti-corruption prosecutor to take over Barcelona refereeing case

Spain's anti-corruption prosecutor's office will take over an investigation into alleged payments made by Barcelona to a company owned by a senior refereeing official with a view to influencing match results, the state attorney general said on Tuesday. State Attorney General Alvaro Garcia Ortiz ordered that the case be transferred from the public prosecutor's office due to the high-profile nature of the allegations that could constitute significant corruption offences.

Tennis-Gutsy Medvedev overcomes injury and Zverev to reach Indian Wells quarters

Daniil Medvedev shook off a mid-match ankle injury to reach the Indian Wells quarter-finals with a gutsy 6-7(5) 7-6(5) 7-5 victory over Germany's Alexander Zverev on Tuesday, extending his winning streak to 17 matches. It was an impressive effort from the fifth-seeded Russian whose tournament appeared over when he crashed to the court in the second set with what initially appeared to be a serious ankle injury.

Boxing-Alvarez to face England's Ryder in Mexico for undisputed crown

Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez will defend his undisputed super middleweight title against England's John Ryder in May in Guadalajara, Mexico, he said on Tuesday. It will be the first time in more than 11 years that Alvarez has fought at home since stopping Kermit Cintron in five rounds in Mexico City to retain his WBO lightweight world title.

Tennis-Gauff survives Peterson test to reach Indian Wells quarters

Coco Gauff rallied from a break down in the final set to beat Swede Rebecca Peterson 6-3 1-6 6-4 and reach the Indian Wells quarter-finals for the first time on Tuesday. After taking the first set, the sixth-seeded American began to struggle with her forehand in the second and an opportunistic Peterson began to apply pressure by coming into the net.

Soccer-FIFA approves 2026 World Cup format with record 104 matches

The 2026 World Cup will have 104 matches instead of the traditional 64 games due to the expanded format with 48 teams taking part, global soccer governing body FIFA said on Tuesday ahead of its Congress in Kigali, Rwanda. The 2026 edition, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be the first edition of the quadrennial tournament where 48 teams are taking part. The final will be held on July 19.

WBC roundup: Venezuela stays unbeaten in Pool D

Seattle Mariners third baseman Eugenio Suarez smacked a two-run single to put Venezuela up for good in a 4-1 win over Nicaragua in Pool D play of the World Baseball Classic on Tuesday in Miami. Andres Gimenez of the Cleveland Guardians tied the game 1-1 with a single preceding Suarez's hit, and Anthony Santander of the Baltimore Orioles went on to add an RBI double for Venezuela (3-0). Jose Alvarado of the Philadelphia Phillies struck out two in the ninth for the save as six Venezuelan pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts.

(With inputs from agencies.)