Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Predators down Stars, extend run of road success

Ryan O'Reilly had a goal and two assists and Roman Josi added three assists as the Nashville Predators earned a 6-3 road victory over the Dallas Stars on Friday. The Predators are 9-1-1 in their past 11 road games. Two of those wins came against the Stars, as Nashville also recorded a 4-3 victory in Dallas on Jan. 6.

Tennis-Navarro beats Mertens to clinch first WTA title in Hobart

Emma Navarro gave herself a huge boost ahead of her Australian Open debut by claiming her first WTA tour title with a 6-1 4-6 7-5 victory over Elise Mertens in the final of the Hobart International on Saturday. The 22-year-old American took the match to her top-seeded Belgian opponent from the start of her first tour final, shooting winners from both sides on the back of her big groundstrokes and wrapping up the first set in short order.

NFC-best 49ers place five on AP All-Pro first team

Running back Christian McCaffrey and middle linebacker Fred Warner top the list of five San Francisco 49ers players selected for The Associated Press 2023 NFL All-Pro Team. McCaffrey and Warner were two of three unanimous selections for the first team among the panel of 50 media members, with Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill rounding out the trio.

Tennis-Djokovic primed for more success in new era at Australian Open

Novak Djokovic begins his Australian Open title defence against qualifier Dino Prizmic when the expanded Grand Slam kicks off on Sunday with few betting against him adding a record-extending 11th crown to his trophy cabinet in just over two weeks' time. The world number one also enters the tournament as the last of the 'Big Three' still standing, following the retirement of Swiss maestro Roger Federer in 2022 and the continued absence of his other fierce rival Rafa Nadal due to injury.

Golf-Flawless Fleetwood overtakes McIlroy going into final round in Dubai

Tommy Fleetwood overtook Rory McIlroy and takes a one-shot lead into the final round of the Dubai Invitational after carding a bogey-free eight-under-par 63 in Saturday's third round at the Dubai Creek Resort. Fleetwood is 15-under overall after he shot the lowest round of the day, and after starting out three shots off McIlroy, by the sixth hole he had already overtaken his Ryder Cup teammate.

Report: Hornets G LaMelo Ball set to return Friday

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball is expected to return Friday night against the San Antonio Spurs, ESPN reported. Ball has been out since Nov. 26 with a right ankle sprain but participated in shootaround on Friday morning in San Antonio. The Hornets (8-27) are just 3-17 since his injury.

NBA roundup: Bam Adebayo's heroics lift Heat over Magic

Bam Adebayo hit a go-ahead jumper at the free-throw line with 18.8 seconds left, leading the host Miami Heat to a 99-96 win over the Orlando Magic on Friday night. Magic star Paolo Banchero missed a short banker with 11.9 seconds left. He grabbed the rebound and missed a layup that would have put Orlando on top.

Flyers rally in third, upend reeling Wild in OT

Joel Farabee scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner in overtime, to lift the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-3 win over the host Minnesota Wild on Friday night in St. Paul, Minn. Farabee scored 3:36 into overtime to give Philadelphia its third win in the past four games. Tyson Foerster and Owen Tippett also scored for the Flyers.

Motor racing-Steiner 'stung' by lack of a proper farewell to Haas

Guenther Steiner said on Saturday he was "stung" by not having the chance to say a proper farewell to the Haas Formula One team after being told by phone last month that his contract as principal was not being renewed. Haas announced the shock departure of the 58-year-old Italian, an accidental cult hero of the Netflix docu-series 'Drive to Survive', last Wednesday.

ATP roundup: Jiri Lehecka, Alejandro Tabilo win first tour titles

Czech Jiri Lehecka rebounded from a set down to defeat Jack Draper 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 and claim his first ATP Tour title on Saturday at the Adelaide International in Australia. It was the second tour final for Lehecka, and he walked away with the trophy after a match that lasted two hours and eight minutes. Lehecka struck eight aces among his 34 winners, which compared to 24 for his British opponent.

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