Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Report: Anthony has 'multiple options' for return to NBA

Carmelo Anthony has "multiple options" available to him if he wants to return to the NBA, The Athletic reported Friday. Anthony, 34, is on the roster of the Houston Rockets, but he and the team divorced in mid-November. He signed a one-year, $2.4 million contract in the summer.

Soccer star Ronaldo expected in Madrid Tuesday for tax fraud trial

Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo is expected back in Madrid on Tuesday to attend a trial for tax evasion where Spanish prosecutors are asking for a 23-month prison sentence and fine. Ronaldo's former Madrid teammate Xabi Alonso is also due in court next Tuesday for another case of tax fraud.

Cricket: Supreme Court to rule on Indian players suspended for remarks about women

India's Supreme Court has been asked to decide the future of two international cricketers suspended for their comments about women in a TV show interview last week, stirring a debate over whether they were being treated too harshly. Indian cricket administrators recalled all-rounder Hardik Pandya and batsman KL Rahul from a tour of Australia and charged them with misconduct and indiscipline after remarks condemned on social media as sexist, racist and misogynist.

Trocheck nearing return for Panthers

The Florida Panthers expect to have 2017 All-Star center Vincent Trocheck back in the lineup soon after he practiced with the team for the first time on Thursday since undergoing ankle surgery. Trocheck suffered a broken ankle in a 7-5 win over the Ottawa Senators on Nov. 19 and has missed the past 27 games.

Studious Shapovalov hopes Nadal videos can help topple Djokovic

Denis Shapovalov announced himself to the world by stunning Rafa Nadal two years ago in Montreal and the Canadian teenager will hope to draw from the Spaniard's tactical manual when he meets Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open third round on Saturday. Having blitzed his way through the opening two rounds, the 19-year-old Shapovalov revealed he would study videos of fellow left-hander Nadal to prepare for his first meeting with world number one Djokovic in the hope of sealing another big upset.

Tennis: Birthday girl Kerber completes Australian horror show

Birthday girl Angelique Kerber humiliated Australian wildcard Kimberly Birrell 6-1 6-0 to storm into the fourth round of the Australian Open on Friday and complete a late-night horror show for the locals at Rod Laver Arena. Just after Rafa Nadal subjected Australian number one Alex de Minaur to a straight sets humbling, second seed Kerber pounded into Birrell like a freight train and sent the 240th-ranked 20-year-old packing after 58 scarring minutes.

Lakers G Rondo cleared for full-contact practice

Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo has received clearance to resume full-contact practices, the team announced Friday. Rondo has missed the team's past 12 games after surgery to repair a Grade 3 sprain to his right ring finger, suffered during a win over Golden State on Christmas Day. While he finished out the game, during which LeBron James also suffered a left groin strain, Rondo was in considerable pain the next day and unable to use his hand. He had surgery three days later and was expected to miss at least four weeks with the injury.

Nadal subdues local hope de Minaur in third round clash

Rafa Nadal subdued Alex de Minaur 6-1 6-2 6-4 in their third round clash at the Australian Open on Friday after dominating the home town's top-ranked male player. The second seed comfortably controlled baseline exchanges, forcing the young Australian to take ever greater risks to compete with the 17 times Grand Slam champion.

Tennis: Tiafoe rips into fourth round with LeBron James-inspired celebration

Young American Frances Tiafoe has attributed his entertaining post-match celebrations to basketballer LeBron James after extending his stellar run at the Australian Open with a 6-7(3) 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-3 third round victory against Italian veteran Andreas Seppi on Friday. Tiafoe, who turns 21 on Sunday, has become a crowd favorite in Australia because of his shirt-ripping, fist-pumping routines which he said are spontaneous, but inspired by the basketball great.

Aggressive Sharapova eliminates holder Wozniacki in Melbourne

Maria Sharapova scorched the Rod Laver Arena with her aggressive tennis to eliminate defending Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki 6-4 4-6 6-3 in the third round on Friday. Five-times Grand Slam champion Sharapova, who won her last major at the 2014 French Open, hit 37 winners against 10 from her opponent and converted her second matchpoint to set up a fourth round clash against Australia number one Ashleigh Barty.