Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs. Soccer-Rapinoe meets high stakes with a smile ahead of NWSL championship The stakes are sky-high for Megan Rapinoe as she plays the final match of her career in the NWSL Championship on Saturday but the two-times Women's World Cup winner said she will walk off the pitch with a smile on her face no matter the outcome.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Soccer-Rapinoe meets high stakes with a smile ahead of NWSL championship

The stakes are sky-high for Megan Rapinoe as she plays the final match of her career in the NWSL Championship on Saturday but the two-times Women's World Cup winner said she will walk off the pitch with a smile on her face no matter the outcome. With an Olympic gold, the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom and the 2019 Ballon d'Or, there are few accolades that the charismatic figurehead of American soccer has failed to collect across her career.

Basketball-Mexican fans dream of an NBA franchise as the league promises expansion

A stormy Thursday evening could not stop the National Basketball Association (NBA) from taking over Mexico City as the Atlanta Hawks beat the Orlando Magic 120-119 in front of a sellout crowd, as the league promises more matches for Mexican fans. NBA commissioner Adam Silver sees Mexico as a gateway for further expansion of the sport throughout Central and Latin America, making it an attractive potential growth market.

ATP roundup: Alexander Shevchenko, Jack Draper reach maiden finals

Russia's Alexander Shevchenko will play in his first ATP Tour final after topping Pierre-Hugues Herbert of France 6-4, 6-4 on Friday in the semifinals of the Moselle Open in Metz, France. Despite 10 aces from Herbert, Shevchenko was the better server in the 77-minute match, hitting eight aces and winning 82 percent of points on first serve compared to 69 percent and three double faults from his opponent.

Cuban athletes seek asylum, new life in Chile after Panamerican Games

On a rare rainy spring day in Santiago, a group of Cuban athletes toured a gym, one of their first public activities since they represented their country at the Panamerican Games - and then asked to stay in Chile. "We already feel calmer; God willing we get everything we're hoping for," said Yunia Milanes, one of six field hockey players who has sought asylum in Chile.

Soccer-Arsenal's Arteta sweating on Saka, Odegaard fitness

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is an injury doubt for the Premier League game against Burnley, manager Mikel Arteta said on Friday. Saka limped off late in the 2-0 Champions League win over Sevilla and was named in the England squad on Thursday. Arteta doesn't want a repeat of his last call-up when he left the England camp having missed Arsenal's game before that international break.

Soccer-Brazil's Kerolin named NWSL's Most Valuable Player

Brazil forward Kerolin of North Carolina Courage has been named the 2023 National Women's Soccer League's Most Valuable Player, the league said on Friday. Kerolin, who scored a career-high 10 goals in 19 games during her second NWSL season and finished as the Golden Boot runner-up, is the first South American-born player and fourth international to win the league's highest individual honor.

Golf-Pavon, Homa share lead after second round at Sun City

Frenchman Matthieu Pavon carded a six under-par 66 to grab a share of the lead with American Max Homa after the second round of the DP World Tour’s Nedbank Golf Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club on Friday. Pavon, who has had two top 10s and a victory in his last four outings, and Homa are at 10 under-par in the tournament regarded as Africa’s major championship, one shot ahead of England’s Don Bradbury (69).

Father of Liverpool soccer star Diaz not leaving Colombia after kidnapping

The father of Liverpool soccer player Luis Diaz said on Friday he will keep living in Colombia after enduring nearly two weeks of captivity by guerrillas, marked by sleepless nights and exhausting days of horseback riding through the mountains. Luis Manuel Diaz, 58, was released on Thursday by the leftist National Liberation Army (ELN) 12 days after he was taken hostage on Oct. 28 in Barrancas, a rural municipality where he lives in the northern province of La Guajira.

Tennis-Murray splits with Lendl for third time

Andy Murray has parted ways with his long-time coach Ivan Lendl for a third time, the former world number one said on Friday. Lendl helped the 36-year-old Murray to his three Grand Slam titles and teamed up with the British player again last year.

Russian anti-doping agency hoping for fair ruling in Valieva case

Russia's national anti-doping agency (RUSADA) said on Friday it hoped for a fair ruling in the doping case of figure skater Kamila Valieva, which is being heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland. Valieva tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine, which prevents angina, at the Russian national championships in December 2021 as a 15-year-old.