Reuters Sports News Summary

Spain's 2023 World Cup winner Aitana Bonmati was voted the best women's player of the year. 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.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Smitten with Playoff Jordan, Packers shift focus to 49ers

Special. Surgical. Home run. All of those terms applied to Packers quarterback Jordan Love in his first playoff start, a stunning 48-point effort at Dallas on Sunday that is shifting the trajectory for Green Bay in real time.

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.

Soccer-Messi named FIFA player of 2023, Spain's Bonmati wins women's award

Argentine Lionel Messi retained the FIFA men's player of the year trophy on Monday, beating Manchester City's treble-winning Norwegian striker Erling Haaland and France's Paris St Germain forward Kylian Mbappe to the award. Spain's 2023 World Cup winner Aitana Bonmati was voted the best women's player of the year.

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.

Boxing-Ngannou questions Joshua's chin ahead of March 8 fight in Riyadh

Francis Ngannou questioned Anthony Joshua's ability to take a punch as the two heavyweights held a press conference on Monday to promote a March 8 'Knockout Chaos' fight in Saudi Arabia. Former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou, who will fight Joshua at Riyadh's Kingdom Arena, made his pro boxing debut last October when he lost on a split decision to WBC world champion Tyson Fury in a non-title bout.

Jeremy Swayman's shutout helps Bruins beat Devils

Jeremy Swayman pitched a 31-save shutout as the Boston Bruins beat the visiting New Jersey Devils 3-0 on Monday afternoon. It was Swayman's third shutout this season and the 12th of his career in only 112 regular-season games.

Scrappy Anaheim ties Panthers late, Alex Killorn lifts Ducks in OT

Alex Killorn punched a wrist shot for a game-winner 47 seconds into overtime and the Anaheim Ducks knocked off the Florida Panthers 5-4 on Monday afternoon in Sunrise, Fla. Killorn scored two goals and Frank Vatrano, who spent parts of five seasons with the Panthers, earned his second assist on the deciding score. Goaltender John Gibson made 30 saves to earn the victory.

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.

Tristan Jarry, Sidney Crosby help Penguins snap Kraken's win streak

Sidney Crosby scored twice and goaltender Tristan Jarry stopped all 22 shots he faced Monday as the Pittsburgh Penguins snapped the visiting Seattle Kraken's franchise-record nine-game winning streak with their 3-0 victory. The shutout was Jarry's fifth of the season, 18th of his career and first against Seattle.