Sports News Roundup: NHL-Panthers beat Maple Leafs to grab commanding 2-0 series lead; Tennis-Sabalenka seeking revenge in Madrid showdown with Swiatek and more

Toronto, a talented but long-underachieving club that this year finally won a playoff series for the first time since 2004, were undone by costly turnovers that Florida pounced on to secure a firm grip on the best-of-seven series. Tennis-Sabalenka seeking revenge in Madrid showdown with Swiatek Aryna Sabalenka said she was relishing the challenge of playing Iga Swiatek in Saturday's Madrid Open final, with revenge on her mind having lost to the world number one in the Stuttgart title clash last month.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

NHL-Panthers beat Maple Leafs to grab commanding 2-0 series lead

The Toronto Maple Leafs were considered Stanley Cup favourites when the second round began but now have their backs to the wall and are staring at a 2-0 series deficit following a 3-2 loss to the Florida Panthers on Thursday. Toronto, a talented but long-underachieving club that this year finally won a playoff series for the first time since 2004, were undone by costly turnovers that Florida pounced on to secure a firm grip on the best-of-seven series.

Tennis-Sabalenka seeking revenge in Madrid showdown with Swiatek

Aryna Sabalenka said she was relishing the challenge of playing Iga Swiatek in Saturday's Madrid Open final, with revenge on her mind having lost to the world number one in the Stuttgart title clash last month. Swiatek cruised past Belarusian Sabalenka 6-3 6-4 to win the Stuttgart crown in a repeat of last year's final to confirm her status as favourite for the French Open later this month.

Soccer-Messi receives offer from Saudi club Al-Hilal - source

Lionel Messi has received a formal offer to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal next season, a source close to Argentina's World Cup-winning captain told Reuters on Thursday. The offer from the Saudi club is the only one Messi has received so far, the source added. Argentine media have reported that the offer is worth around $400 million a year.

MLB roundup: Orioles score 13, take another series

The Baltimore Orioles took the rubber game from the host Kansas City Royals 13-10 on Thursday afternoon to collect their seventh straight series victory. After mounting an 8-1 advantage in the third, the Orioles surrendered the lead on eight straight Royals runs. Baltimore's Ramon Urias, who came on as a pinch hitter, made the most of his two at-bats, driving in four runs on hits in the eighth and ninth.

Motor racing-Hamilton no fan of Florida Governor DeSantis

It's probably safe to say Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will not be cheering for Lewis Hamilton this weekend at the Miami Grand Prix and the Mercedes seven-times world champion made it clear he is no supporter of the Republican leader. A long-time champion of LGBTQ+ rights, Hamilton will have a Rainbow Flag on his helmet for Sunday's race and said he stands with the gay, lesbian and transgender community that has come under attack by DeSantis.

Soccer-Ten Hag urges Man Utd to be more clinical after 'annoying' defeat at Brighton

Manchester United need to be more clinical in front of goal and maintain their focus for a full 90 minutes, manager Erik ten Hag said after his side squandered a few chances before conceding late in Thursday's 1-0 Premier League loss at Brighton & Hove Albion. United and Brighton both had opportunities early in the first half, with Antony firing wide in the second minute before Kaoru Mitoma hammered a fierce shot straight into the face of David De Gea.

Horse racing-Kentucky Derby goes on after four horse deaths at facility

A series of horse deaths at Churchill Downs cast a shadow over the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby, which kicks off the prestigious Triple Crown thoroughbred racing series on Saturday. The Louisville racetrack said it was working with regulators to investigate after four horses died at their facility in the lead-up to the 1 1/4-mile race, including one that was entered to run the derby, Wild On Ice.

Motor racing-Lots of sporting buzz in Miami but can F1 deliver?

With Formula One drivers facing off at the Miami Grand Prix, the Florida Panthers making a surprising Stanley Cup playoff run and Miami Heat facing the New York Knicks in the NBA - there is no shortage of sporting buzz this week in South Florida. But sport fans may have to look to the Panthers and Heat for some genuine excitement, warned Aston Martin's double world champion Fernando Alonso, with the Miami Grand Prix shaping up as another Red Bull victory parade.

NFL investigated by two US states over sex bias, harassment claims

State attorney generals in New York and California on Thursday launched a joint investigation into allegations that female employees of the National Football League (NFL) have been subjected to sex discrimination and harassment. California Attorney General Rob Bonta and New York Attorney General Letitia James, both Democrats, said the investigation will examine the NFL's workplace culture and claims made in several pending lawsuits that the league violated federal and state laws banning sex discrimination, including equal pay laws.

Analysis-Soccer-Napoli revive memories of Maradona with Serie A title win

Napoli clinched the Serie A title on Thursday with five games to spare as they ended a 33-year drought stretching back to when Diego Maradona led them to the Scudetto in 1990. At the start of the season it would have been difficult to envisage Napoli becoming champions ahead of heavyweights such as Juventus and the two Milan clubs not to mention AS Roma.