Sports News Roundup: Gauff sticks up for activists after US Open protest; Van Dijk suspended for extra game and more

Biles rebounded from a two-year break from the sport to capture a record eighth all-around title at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships last week, and until Thursday had kept her competitive plans close to her chest. Tennis-Alcaraz and Djokovic on course for another Grand Slam showdown Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will aim to set up another eagerly awaited matchup in a Grand Slam by reaching the U.S. Open final on Friday, less than two months after their blockbuster showdown in the Wimbledon title clash.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Germany score massive upset over U.S. in FIBA World Cup semis

Germany shocked the fancied United States 113-111 in a high-octane knockout match on Friday to set up a first-ever FIBA Basketball World Cup championship game against fellow European powerhouses Serbia. Guard Andreas Obst carried Germany with his tournament-high 24 points and six assists, including a clutch 3-pointer to build a comfortable lead before they fended off a late rally by the U.S.

Soccer-Clubs spend all-time high of more than $7 billion on mid-year transfers

Football clubs spent an all-time high of $7.36 billion on player transfer fees in the 2023 mid-year window, the governing body FIFA said on Friday. The figure reached between June 1 and Sept. 1 represents an increase of 47.2% compared to the 2022 mid-year period and a 26.8% rise compared to the previous mid-year record set in 2019, FIFA said in a statement.

Cycling-Vingegaard wins Vuelta stage 13 on terrible day for Evenepoel

Jonas Vingegaard tamed the Tourmalet to win stage 13 of the Vuelta a Espana, on a dramatic day which saw last year's winner Remco Evenepoel's challenge wither in the Pyrenees on Friday. The stage, which began in Formigal and ended at the iconic Col du Tourmalet, featured three other climbs before the final ascent to the finish.

Spanish prosecutor files complaint against Rubiales for sexual assault, coercion

A Spanish prosecutor has filed a complaint with the High Court against suspended soccer federation chief Luis Rubiales for sexual assault and coercion over his allegedly unsolicited kiss on the lips of World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso. Prosecutor Marta Durantez Gil's decision came three days after Hermoso lodged a criminal complaint. It is up to the court to present formal charges.

Tennis-Gauff sticks up for activists after US Open protest

American Coco Gauff said she held no animosity toward the protesters who interrupted her U.S. Open semi-final match against Karolina Muchova on Thursday, though she did think their timing could have been a lot better. The sixth seed beat Czech Muchova 6-4 7-5 at Arthur Ashe Stadium to reach the championship match at Flushing Meadows for the first time and continue her terrific season.

Soccer-Van Dijk suspended for extra game

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk will miss his side's next Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers after being suspended for an extra game following his reaction to being sent off against Newcastle United last month. The Dutch defender was also fined 100,000 pounds after admitting he acted in an improper manner, the Football Association said in a statement.

Gymnastics-American Biles says goal is to compete at Paris Olympics

American gymnast Simone Biles aims to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics she told American morning TV show Today, but said she would approach what be her third Games differently. Biles rebounded from a two-year break from the sport to capture a record eighth all-around title at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships last week, and until Thursday had kept her competitive plans close to her chest.

Tennis-Alcaraz and Djokovic on course for another Grand Slam showdown

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will aim to set up another eagerly awaited matchup in a Grand Slam by reaching the U.S. Open final on Friday, less than two months after their blockbuster showdown in the Wimbledon title clash. Defending champion Alcaraz, 20, won his second major at the All England Club in July and said it would be "great" to play three-time U.S. Open winner Djokovic in the showpiece.

Olympics-Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh up for Olympic membership-IOC

Michelle Yeoh, the first Asian actress to win an Oscar, is set to become a member of the International Olympic Committee after being included on a list of eight new proposed members on Friday. Yeoh won the Oscar for best lead actress earlier this year for her role in the movie "Everything Everywhere All at Once" and her proposed IOC membership will be ratified at its session in Mumbai next month.

Motor racing-Marko digs a deeper hole with clarification of Perez comments

Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko drew criticism on Friday after attempting to clarify comments apparently blaming Mexican Formula One driver Sergio Perez's fluctuating form on his ethnicity. The 80-year-old Austrian, a former racer who was a close friend of Red Bull's late owner Dietrich Mateschitz, made the initial remarks on the energy drink company's Servus TV following last weekend's Italian Grand Prix.