Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs. Doping: No time for WADA 'victory lap', warn anti-doping bodies

National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADO) applauded the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on Thursday for getting access to Russian laboratory data but warned that it should not yet be doing a "victory lap". WADA said last week that after much feet dragging by Russian authorities, it had extracted doping data from a discredited Moscow laboratory, a condition of its controversial decision in September to restore the accreditation of Russia's anti-doping agency (RUSADA). UK rescuers end search for missing plane carrying soccer player Sala

Rescuers ended their search on Thursday for the plane carrying Premier League soccer player Emiliano Sala, which disappeared over the English Channel three days ago, after saying there was little chance anyone aboard had survived. Sala, Cardiff City's new signing, and the plane's pilot, David Ibbotson, have been missing since Monday night. Rescuers have scoured about 1,700 square miles but have found no trace of the aircraft or those on board. Osaka digs deep against Pliskova to set up Kvitova final

U.S. Open champion Naomi Osaka staved off a fightback from Karolina Pliskova to reach her maiden Australian Open final with a 6-2 4-6 6-4 win on Thursday setting up a title clash with double Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova. Osaka burnished her reputation as one of the cleanest hitters of the ball in women's tennis by smacking winners almost at will from both her forehand and backhand under the roof of the Rod Laver Arena which was closed due to extreme heat. LeBron, Giannis named All-Star captains

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo will be the team captains for the 2019 NBA All-Star Game after leading their respective conferences in voting, the league announced Thursday. Joining them as starters will be Golden State Warriors teammates Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets guard James Harden, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving, Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard and Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker, who is the only first-time starter among the 10. Nadal storms into Melbourne final with Tsitsipas blitz

Rafa Nadal ended Stefanos Tsitsipas's trailblazing run at the Australian Open on Thursday, serving up a semi-final masterclass to blitz the 20-year-old Greek 6-2 6-4 6-0 and reach his fifth final at Melbourne Park. Staging a clinic under the lights at Rod Laver Arena, the Spanish second seed tamed the Tsitsipas serve and racked up 28 sparkling winners against the man who knocked out double defending champion Roger Federer in the fourth round. Montana says comparing QBs from different eras 'almost impossible'

A sixth Super Bowl win for Tom Brady would perhaps end any lingering debate about who is the NFL's greatest ever quarterback but Joe Montana, his rival for that title, said comparing players from different eras is too difficult. Hall of Famer Montana, who was in Toronto this week promoting the online sports streaming service DAZN that will carry the Feb. 3 Super Bowl, said there is just no pure way to compare him and Brady given how much the game has changed since he retired in 1995. MLB notebook: Dodgers, FA Pollock reportedly agree

The Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly reached agreement with free agent outfielder A.J. Pollock. The deal is pending the results of a physical, The Athletic and ESPN both reported Thursday. USA Today reported the deal is for four years and worth around $50 million and loaded with incentives, escalators and opt-outs. Golf: Jon rams in two eagles to lead at Torrey Pines

Jon Rahm used his length off the tee to overpower the par-fives and take the first-round lead at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego on Thursday. The Spaniard played the easier north course at Torrey Pines, and shot a 10-under-par 62, to hold a one-shot advantage over Britain's Justin Rose and American Doug Ghim, who also played the north course. NBA notebook: Oladipo (quad) out for season

Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo will have surgery to repair a ruptured quad tendon in his right knee and will miss the rest of the season, the team announced Thursday. The injury occurred during the second quarter of Indiana's 110-106 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night. Oladipo's leg bent awkwardly as he fell to the floor trying to disrupt an outlet pass to the Raptors' Pascal Siakam and he left the court on a stretcher. NFL notebook: Panthers quarterback Newton has shoulder surgery

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder Thursday. The Panthers said rehabilitation for the former MVP will begin immediately, but gave no timetable for completion of that process.