Sports News Roundup: De Minaur advances to round two after Raonic retirement; Spanish rider Falcon dies after Dakar Rally crash and more

Swiatek, who is among the favourites for the women's singles title, will be hoping to improve on last year's fourth-round exit after a strong start to the season in which she won all five of her singles matches at the United Cup mixed team event. Aaron Jones, Jordan Love lead Packers to rout of the Cowboys Aaron Jones rushed for 118 yards and three touchdowns, and the Green Bay Packers stormed to a 48-32 win over the host Dallas Cowboys in an NFC wild-card playoff game Sunday afternoon.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Tennis-Rested Swiatek, Alcaraz eye maiden titles at Australian Open

World number one Iga Swiatek and two-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz are primed and ready to resume their quests for a maiden Australian Open title on Tuesday after taking the time to recharge their batteries during the off-season. Swiatek, who is among the favourites for the women's singles title, will be hoping to improve on last year's fourth-round exit after a strong start to the season in which she won all five of her singles matches at the United Cup mixed team event.

Aaron Jones, Jordan Love lead Packers to rout of the Cowboys

Aaron Jones rushed for 118 yards and three touchdowns, and the Green Bay Packers stormed to a 48-32 win over the host Dallas Cowboys in an NFC wild-card playoff game Sunday afternoon. Jordan Love completed 16 of 21 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns to win his first career playoff start for Green Bay. Romeo Doubs caught six passes for 151 yards and a touchdown, and Darnell Savage had a 64-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Tennis-Bulgarian official suspended for 16 years by ITIA on corruption charges

Bulgarian tennis official Stefan Milanov has been suspended for 16 years for 17 breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP), the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said on Monday. The national-level official was also fined $75,000 by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO) Amani Khalifa for charges that included facilitation of betting and delaying or manipulating entry of scoring data from an event.

Tennis-Rusty Osaka falls at first hurdle in Australian Open, Gauff romps

Naomi Osaka did not enjoy the fairytale return she hoped for at the Australian Open as the twice champion lost 6-4 7-6(2) to French 16th seed Caroline Garcia in the opening round on Monday. Osaka returned to the tour after 15 months out during which she had her first child and the four-time Grand Slam champion looked rusty at times in her first appearance at a major since 2022 as Garcia capitalised to ease through the first set.

Tennis-Jabeur eases past Starodubtseva into second round in Melbourne

Ons Jabeur began her latest bid to become the first Arab and African woman to claim a Grand Slam title with a comfortable 6-3 6-1 win over Yuliia Starodubtseva on Monday. The smiling sixth seed - who fans have dubbed Tunisia's "Minister of Happiness" - came within touching distance of Grand Slam glory previously by reaching the last two Wimbledon finals and finishing runner-up to Iga Swiatek at the 2022 U.S. Open.

Tennis-De Minaur advances to round two after Raonic retirement

Home favourite Alex de Minaur eased into the second round of the Australian Open with a 6-7(6) 6-3 2-0 victory on Monday after his Canadian opponent Milos Raonic retired injured early in the third set. Raonic, a former world number three, arrived in Melbourne ranked 317th in the world after struggling with various injuries for more than two years and having not played a competitive match since November.

Motor racing-Wolff signs three-year extension with Mercedes F1 team

Mercedes Formula One team boss and co-owner Toto Wolff has signed a three-year deal to lead the former world champions into the sport's new engine era in 2026, he said on Monday. The 52-year-old Austrian told the Daily Telegraph in an interview that he still felt he was the best man for the job and co-owners Mercedes and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, boss of Ineos, agreed.

Rallying-Spanish rider Falcon dies after Dakar Rally crash

Spanish motorcycle rider Carles Falcon has died more than a week after crashing in the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, his team said on Monday. Falcon, 45, had been in an induced coma since he was flown to hospital in Riyadh, and then back to Spain, after falling 448km into the second stage on Jan. 7 from Al Henakiyah to Al Duwadimi.

Tennis-Murray says 'definite possibility' he's played his last Australian Open match

Andy Murray has enjoyed plenty of deep runs at Melbourne Park but the five-times runner-up was left wondering if this Australian Open would be his last after being dumped out in the first round on Monday. Murray, who lost 6-4 6-2 6-2 to Tomas Martin Etcheverry, last went out in the opening round in Melbourne in 2019 when the Scot expressed doubts about his future in the sport before going on to resurrect his career after having hip-resurfacing surgery.

Olympics-Star chef Mazzia among Paris 2024 torch bearers

Chef Alexandre Mazzia has been named among the torch bearers for the Paris 2024 Olympics, leading a star-studded lineup for the relay that will start the flame's France leg in his town of Marseille, the Games' sponsors announced on Monday. Mazzia, who settled in Marseille in 2010, picked up a third Michelin star in 2021 for his 'AM' restaurant.