Reuters Sports News Summary

Paolini survived a wobble midway through the second singles clash before the world number 30 battled past Zidansek 6-2 4-6 6-3 to send her team through to the title clash, sparking huge celebrations from Italian fans at the Estadio de la Cartuja. NBA roundup: Luka Doncic, Mavs overwhelm Clippers Luka Doncic scored 44 points on 17-of-21 shooting and the Dallas Mavericks blasted the visiting Los Angeles Clippers 144-126 on Friday night as part of the NBA in-season tournament.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Soccer-NWSL to launch expansion process for 16th team

The NWSL will begin the process of expanding to a 16th team, Commissioner Jessica Berman said on Friday, as the top-flight North American league looks to build with a landmark new broadcast deal in place. The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) previously announced it will welcome a 13th and 14th club next year, the San Jose-based Bay FC and the Utah Royals, and a Boston-based team is expected to join beginning in 2026.

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.

Golf-Homa takes narrow lead into final round of Nedbank Golf Challenge

Max Homa carded a 69 on Saturday to take a one-shot lead into the final round of the DP World Tour's Nedbank Golf Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City and remains in pole position to win the tournament dubbed "Africa's major". American Homa is on debut in South Africa but has mastered a difficult course and dropped just a single shot in 54 holes to finish his third round on 13 under-par for the tournament.

Cricket-Centurion Marsh sinks Bangladesh as Australia keep winning at World Cup

Mitchell Marsh blasted his second big century of the World Cup as Australia primed themselves for the semi-finals by cruising to their seventh straight victory with an eight-wicket win over Bangladesh on Saturday. Australia lost Travis Head early in their chase of 307 but fellow opener David Warner (53) and Marsh (177 not out) forged a 120-run partnership for the second wicket before the five-time world champions comfortably got home in 44.4 overs.

Cricket-England sign off with victory, Pakistan eliminated

Current champions England ended their dismal World Cup campaign with a 93-run victory over Pakistan on Saturday, denying the 1992 champions the miracle they needed to make it to the last four of the showpiece 50-overs tournament. England had already been eliminated after six defeats in seven matches in a debacle that has prompted demands for an overhaul of their one-day squad.

Alpine skiing-Vlhova dominates slalom, Shiffrin fourth; men's event cancelled

Slovakia's Petra Vlhova was in a class of her own on Saturday as she finished the women's World Cup slalom race in Levi, Finland, more than a second in front of her rivals, while favourite American Mikaela Shiffrin came home fourth. The slopes at the Lapland ski resort were perfect for Vlhova, who won the race 1.41 seconds ahead of Lena Duerr from Germany with a total time of one minute 50.59 seconds.

Tennis-Italy overcome spirited Slovenia to reach BJK Cup final

Jasmine Paolini defeated Tamara Zidansek and Martina Trevisan beat Kaja Juvan as Italy secured a 2-0 victory over Slovenia in Seville on Saturday to reach the Billie Jean King Cup final and stay on course for their fifth crown in the team competition. Paolini survived a wobble midway through the second singles clash before the world number 30 battled past Zidansek 6-2 4-6 6-3 to send her team through to the title clash, sparking huge celebrations from Italian fans at the Estadio de la Cartuja.

NBA roundup: Luka Doncic, Mavs overwhelm Clippers

Luka Doncic scored 44 points on 17-of-21 shooting and the Dallas Mavericks blasted the visiting Los Angeles Clippers 144-126 on Friday night as part of the NBA in-season tournament. Kyrie Irving added 27 points for Dallas, which used a 32-2 burst to overcome an 11-point deficit and turn the game into a laugher. The Mavericks outscored the Clippers 47-18 in the second quarter.

NHL roundup: William Nylander extends streak, Leafs edge Flames

Max Domi scored the decisive goal in a five-round shootout and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the visiting Calgary Flames 5-4 on Friday after blowing a three-goal lead. William Nylander scored twice and had an assist for Toronto to extend his points streak to 14 games -- a team record to open a season.

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.