Sports News Roundup: Tennis-Djokovic missed playing big US events and excited to be back; Soccer-US coach Andonovski resigns after early World Cup exit -ESPN and more

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Tennis-Djokovic missed playing big US events and excited to be back

Novak Djokovic said he missed playing in the biggest tournaments in the United States and was thrilled to be back after easing to victory in his first singles match there in two years at the Cincinnati Open on Wednesday. The 23-times Grand Slam champion was not allowed to compete in the U.S. last year and earlier this year over his refusal to take a COVID-19 vaccine, but returned after the U.S. government relaxed its rules for unvaccinated foreign travellers in May.

Soccer-US coach Andonovski resigns after early World Cup exit -ESPN

Vlatko Andonovski has resigned as head coach of the United States women's national soccer team, ESPN reported on Wednesday, following the four-times champions' early exit from the Women's World Cup this month. The Americans were on the hunt for an unprecedented third consecutive title but crashed out in the round of 16 against Sweden, marking their worst performance in the quadrennial tournament.

Soccer-Man City sink Sevilla in shootout to win first Super Cup

Manchester City held their nerve to beat Sevilla 5-4 on penalties and win the UEFA Super Cup for the first time in their history after an enthralling game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes. The first nine spot-kicks of the shootout were all converted but Serbian defender Nemanja Gudelj struck his penalty against the crossbar to hand victory to City, who lost on penalties to Arsenal in England's Community Shield 10 days ago.

Soccer-'We know how to win finals': England's Bronze targets World Cup gold

Right back Lucy Bronze believes England's experience in winning a major final at last year's Euros could be crucial in Sunday's Women's World Cup title-decider against a Spain side she knows well. Bronze lost World Cup semi-finals with England in 2015 and 2019 but was a core member of the Lionesses team that beat Germany to win a first major title at the European Championship last year.

Tennis-Djokovic enjoys stress-free win in US return at Cincinnati

Novak Djokovic enjoyed a stress-free return to U.S. competition following a two year absence, after second-round opponent Alejandro Davidovich Fokina was forced to retire after dropping the first set 6-4 at the Cincinnati Open on Wednesday.

Djokovic has not competed in the United States since the 2021 U.S. Open final and was subsequently denied entry into the country because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19.

Swimming-Australia eyes governance reforms after World Aquatics expulsion threat

Swimming Australia will hold a vote on Oct. 20 on adopting a new constitution to give athletes and coaches a bigger voice after it was faced with the threat of expulsion from global body World Aquatics ahead of next year's Olympic Games in Paris. The reforms in the constitution will align Swimming Australia's governance with the requirements of World Aquatics and the International Olympic Committee.

Soccer-Neymar credits Ronaldo for Saudi Pro League transformation

Cristiano Ronaldo is responsible for transforming the Saudi Pro League, according to Brazil forward Neymar who is looking forward to facing the Portuguese international when he starts playing for Al-Hilal. The 31-year-old Neymar signed a two-year contract with the Riyadh-based club on Tuesday after spending six years with Paris St Germain, in a deal reportedly worth about 90 million euros ($98 million).

Soccer-Matildas to look back in pride after thrilling host nation

Australia bowed out of the Women's World Cup title race with the sting of a lost opportunity against England, but the co-hosts will look back in pride at a campaign that rallied a nation around them. The home fans at Stadium Australia and a record TV audience that watched Wednesday's 3-1 semi-final defeat will wonder what might have been had the Matildas stayed strong in defence after their captain Sam Kerr's stunning equaliser.

Soccer-England reach first World Cup final despite Kerr stunner

England reached their first Women's World Cup final after beating Australia 3-1 on Wednesday despite a wonder goal from Matildas striker Sam Kerr as the co-hosts' fairytale run came to an end. After falling at the semi-final stage in the previous two World Cups, England will face Spain on Sunday looking to add a world title to last year's European Championship triumph.

Tennis-Swiatek cruises past Collins, Pegula survives test

Iga Swiatek made quick work of qualifier Danielle Collins as she raced to a 6-1 6-0 victory on Wednesday to reach the Cincinnati Open third round as third seed Jessica Pegula survived a tough opening match. World number one Swiatek broke the 29-year-old Collins seven times, faced only two break points and wrapped up a one-sided match in a tidy 59 minutes.

(With inputs from agencies.)