Sports News Roundup: Pro wrestlers return to China as global bouts resume after pandemic; Golf-PGA Tour and LIV announce shock merger to end bitter split and more

Additionally, the organizations said in a joint news release they will work together to allow a process for LIV Golf players to reapply for membership on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, formerly known as the European Tour, following the 2023 season. MLB roundup: Luis Arraez breaks .400 as Marlins beat Royals Luis Arraez went 2-for-4 to raise his batting average to .401, leading the host Miami Marlins to their fifth straight win, a 6-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Pro wrestlers return to China as global bouts resume after pandemic

Not only presidents and chief executives are making their way to China to reconnect after three years of border closures, but also international professional wrestlers, who returned this week after the COVID-19 pandemic. China's professional league, Middle Kingdom Wrestling (MKW), held its championship card of eight bouts on Tuesday evening, featuring both domestic and foreign contestants before a live audience of about 350 fans cheering every body slam.

Golf-PGA Tour and LIV announce shock merger to end bitter split

The world of golf was left stunned on Tuesday as the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and rival Saudi-backed LIV circuit, who have been involved in a bitter fight that has split the sport, announced a shock agreement to merge and form one unified commercial entity. Additionally, the organizations said in a joint news release they will work together to allow a process for LIV Golf players to reapply for membership on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, formerly known as the European Tour, following the 2023 season.

MLB roundup: Luis Arraez breaks .400 as Marlins beat Royals

Luis Arraez went 2-for-4 to raise his batting average to .401, leading the host Miami Marlins to their fifth straight win, a 6-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night. Arraez, who won an American League batting title last year for the Minnesota Twins, scored two runs and drove in one. He leads the majors in batting average. Miami also got a three-run double from Bryan De La Cruz and a solo home run from Jesus Sanchez.

Tennis-Sabalenka sets up Muchova clash at French Open, takes stand against war

World number two Aryna Sabalenka reached the French Open semi-finals on Tuesday beating Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, who accused the Belarusian of fanning the flames of controversy for waiting at the net for a handshake she knew would never come. Novak Djokovic, who put his own political drama in the rear-view mirror last week, continued his bid for a men's record 23rd Grand Slam title by shaking off a first-set blip to beat Russian 11th seed Karen Khachanov 4-6 7-6(0) 6-2 6-4.

Soccer-Former France captain Henry recalled for Women's World Cup

Former France captain Amandine Henry was included in coach Herve Renard's provisional 26-player squad for the Women's World Cup, returning to the international set-up after a two-year absence. The 33-year-old midfielder, who won the last of her 93 caps in November 2020, has been out of the picture since falling out with former coach Corrine Diacre.

Tennis-Top seed Alcaraz hunts down Tsitsipas to set up Djokovic showdown

World number one Carlos Alcaraz survived a third-set wobble to cruise past fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece 6-2 6-1 7-6(5) on Tuesday and earn a spot in the French Open last four. For almost three sets Alcaraz played jaw-dropping tennis, having pulverised his opponent, who staged a brief comeback to force a tiebreak in the third.

Soccer-Gladbach name Seoane as new head coach

Borussia Moenchengladbach have appointed former Bayer Leverkusen manager Gerardo Seoane as their new head coach, the Bundesliga club said. Gladbach parted ways with manager Daniel Farke after one season, having finished the campaign 10th and seven points adrift of the European qualification places.

NBA-Bam is key to Miami's championship aspirations

Underdog Miami's chances of overcoming the odds and beating the favored Nuggets will hinge on big man Bam Adebayo's success in containing dynamic Denver center Nikola Jokic, his teammates said on Tuesday. The series shifts from high-altitude Denver to the humid beaches of Miami after the Heat pulled off a gutsy fourth quarter comeback win on Sunday to even the series 1-1.

Golf-Asian Tour welcomes PGA-LIV merger, Australians seek talks

The Asian Tour, the only one of the major regional golf bodies to have embraced Saudi-backed LIV Golf before the shock merger with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, has welcomed the deal as "a massive stride forward for the game". The sporting world was stunned on Tuesday when the PGA Tour and DP World Tour put aside two years of bitter dispute to announce a merger with the Saudi-backed LIV circuit, forming one unified commercial entity.

Surfing-French Olympic medal hopes boosted by Tahitian qualifier

Host nation France's chances of a first Olympic medal in surfing got a massive boost on Tuesday with the qualification of Vahine Fierro, a Tahitian local among the best at riding the challenging tubes of Teahupo'o, the venue for the 2024 Games. Fierro, 23, won her spot by becoming the last unqualified European woman still in contention at the World Surfing Games at Surf City in El Salvador.

(With inputs from agencies.)