Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Kenin overpowers Schmiedlova in Hobart for maiden title

Big-hitting American Sofia Kenin thrived in blustery conditions at the Hobart International to beat Slovakia's Anna Karolina Schmiedlova 6-3 6-0 and claim her first WTA title on Saturday. Kenin, 20, had breezed through the tournament without dropping a set, but was put under early pressure by Schmiedlova yet still saved eight of the nine break point opportunities she offered up.

NFL notebook: Monday Night Football coming to playoffs?

If the Los Angeles Chargers beat the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts top the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend, the NFL will have a decision to make. Will the Chargers be allowed to host the AFC Championship Game at their temporary home, the 30,000-seat Dignity Health Sports Park in suburban Carson, Calif., or will the league move the game to a stadium with larger capacity?

Tennis: Bautista Agut expects injured Murray to 'fight' in Melbourne clash

Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut will give no quarter to Andy Murray in their first round clash at the Australian Open and expects the injured Briton to "fight" hard in what could be his last match as a professional. Three-times Grand Slam champion Murray said on Friday that he may retire after the tournament, with the pain of his right hip having become almost unbearable.

Coach-less Halep admits behind curve at Melbourne Park

World number one Simona Halep, flying solo after parting ways with coach Darren Cahill, feels refreshed after a long lay-off to recover from a back injury but also concedes she has risked her Australian Open campaign with scant preparations. French Open champion Halep warmed up for her run to the final at Melbourne Park last year by winning the Shenzhen Open in southern China but has played only one match since September, a 6-4 6-4 defeat to Australia's Ashleigh Barty at the Sydney International on Wednesday.

MLB notebook: Arenado, Rockies expected to reach deal

Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado, who is reportedly requesting $30 million in arbitration, didn't reach an agreement with the club on Friday, but there remains a possibility the two sides can avoid an arbitration hearing, ESPN reported. The Rockies are offering $24 million, and ESPN reported the sides likely will settle in the $27 million range, above the $23 million that Josh Donaldson and the Toronto Blue Jays settled on last year.

Tennis: Umpiring a 'strange occupation', says Kyrgios

Nick Kyrgios has had more than his fair share of run-ins with umpires over his career and on Saturday the Australian revealed that he thought it "strange" that anyone would want to officiate on a tennis court. The maverick 23-year-old has been forced to pay out tens of thousands of dollars in fines for swearing, making obscene gestures, racket smashing and not trying after falling foul of officials in his six years as a professional.

Kuchar a one-shot halfway leader at Sony Open as Spieth heads home

Matt Kuchar, in some of the best form of his career at age 40, vaulted to the lead after the second round at the Sony Open in Hawaii on Friday. Kuchar birdied his first three holes on his way to a second straight seven-under-par 63 at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu.

Leaner, mature Osaka stays grounded in Melbourne

Naomi Osaka is no longer a shy, introvert youngster and the newest Grand Slam winner in women's tennis says she owes her maturity to last year's U.S. Open triumph. Last September the Florida-based Japanese player beat Serena Williams at Flushing Meadows, denying her childhood idol a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title.

Tennis: Australian number four Kyrgios 'in a good spot' ahead of home Open

Nick Kyrgios is in the unusual position of being Australia's number four in the men's draw at Melbourne Park this year but the 23-year-old thinks he has found at least some of the answers to the questions that have held back his career. Part of the reason for his lowly spot in the ranks of the home hopefuls for the Australian Open is the improvement in the fortunes of his compatriots with Alex de Minaur (29), John Millman (38) and Matthew Ebden (47) all now in the top 50.

Nadal shrugs off injury concerns, pays tribute to Murray

Former champion Rafa Nadal shrugged off concerns about his fitness ahead of the Australian Open and paid tribute to fellow 'Big Four' rival Andy Murray, a day after the emotional Briton revealed plans to retire. The 2009 winner Nadal pulled out of the Brisbane International warmup with a thigh strain, raising fears about his campaign at Melbourne Park after his 2018 season ended early with ankle surgery and an abdominal injury.