Sports News Roundup: Nadal battles past Bergs in Italian Open first round; Chris Sale, Braves blank Red Sox and more

Nadal, who last won the title in Rome in 2021, was given a stiff test by the 24-year-old in a match which lasted almost three hours on centre court, and now faces Polish seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz. MLB roundup: Chris Sale, Braves blank Red Sox Chris Sale threw six shutout innings and Marcell Ozuna hit two home runs to lead the Atlanta Braves to a 5-0 win over the visiting Boston Red Sox on Wednesday and a sweep of their two-game series.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Olympics-WADA must repair trust, says U.S. athletes' commission head

Some athletes have lost trust in world anti-doping agency WADA after the body's handling of failed drug tests in Chinese swimming, according to Team USA Athletes' Commission executive director Elizabeth Ramsey. Ramsey told Reuters Television there were concerns about the independence of an investigation into what had happened and called for further steps to be taken to ensure full transparency.

Tennis-Nadal battles past Bergs in Italian Open first round

Ten-time champion Rafa Nadal overcame losing the opening set to defeat Belgian qualifier Zizou Bergs 4-6 6-3 6-4 and reach the Italian Open second round in Rome on Thursday, as the Spaniard's steady progress continued. Nadal, who last won the title in Rome in 2021, was given a stiff test by the 24-year-old in a match which lasted almost three hours on centre court, and now faces Polish seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz.

MLB roundup: Chris Sale, Braves blank Red Sox

Chris Sale threw six shutout innings and Marcell Ozuna hit two home runs to lead the Atlanta Braves to a 5-0 win over the visiting Boston Red Sox on Wednesday and a sweep of their two-game series. Sale (5-1) scattered six hits, walked one and struck out a season-high 10 batters against his former team. The Red Sox were 0-for-6 with runners on base and left seven runners on base against Sale, whose scoreless outing was saved in the sixth when left fielder Jarred Kelenic reached over the wall to take away a homer from Garrett Cooper.

Motor racing-McLaren can mount title challenge in 2025, says Norris

McLaren can mount a Formula One championship challenge next season after taking the fight to Red Bull in 2024, Lando Norris said on Thursday as the team celebrated his first grand prix victory. The Briton's win in Miami last Sunday was McLaren's first since Australian Daniel Ricciardo led Norris in a one-two at Monza in 2021.

Hornets hire Charles Lee as head coach

Boston Celtics assistant coach Charles Lee agreed to become head coach of the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday. Lee, 39, will continue in his role on the Boston bench until the team is eliminated from the playoffs before replacing Steve Clifford in Charlotte, the team said.

Basketball-Jokic named NBA MVP for third time

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic won the NBA's Most Valuable Player award for the third time in four seasons, the league announced on Wednesday. Jokic beat Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks for the honor, receiving 79 first-place votes from a panel of broadcasters and journalists.

Baseball star Ohtani's ex-interpreter agrees to plead guilty to bank fraud

Japanese baseball great Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges he fraudulently wired nearly $17 million stolen from the athlete's bank account to pay off his own gambling debts, court records showed on Wednesday. The plea agreement between federal prosecutors and Ippei Mizuhara, the onetime translator and de facto manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers' power-hitting pitcher, was announced by the U.S. Attorney's Office in L.A., where the case was first brought last month.

Giants sign WR Allen Robinson

The New York Giants signed veteran wide receiver Allen Robinson on Thursday. Robinson, 30, caught 34 passes for 280 yards with no touchdowns in 17 games (all starts) last season for the Steelers. He was released March 8 after one season in Pittsburgh in a money-saving move.

NHLPA announces Ted Lindsay Award finalists

Auston Matthews, Nathan MacKinnon and Nikita Kucherov were named finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award on Wednesday. Voted on by fellow members of the NHL Players' Association, it is presented annually to the most outstanding player in the NHL.

Union sign Cavan Sullivan, 14, to record homegrown deal

The Philadelphia Union signed 14-year-old midfielder Cavan Sullivan in a record contract for a Major League Soccer homegrown deal. The club touted the landmark agreement without complete financial details, but reports frame the unique agreement as separate contract with Manchester City of the English Premier League, which Sullivan will join once he turns 18. Once the transfer is complete, the Union will receive up to $5 million from Sullivan's new club.

(With inputs from agencies.)