Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs. Surfing: Marks riding wave of success despite fear of drowning

Caroline Marks says one of her greatest fears is drowning. Which, if you are a professional surfer like Marks, would appear to be a career limiting condition. Not unlike a Formula One driver who fears going fast or a tight rope walker afraid of heights. Razor-sharp Thiem subdues Khachanov to reach semi-final

Dominic Thiem produced a claycourt masterclass to overwhelm Russian Karen Khachanov 6-2 6-4 6-2 and reach the semi-finals of the French Open for the fourth year in succession on Thursday. The Austrian fourth seed struggled early in the tournament but has warmed to the task and was far too solid for the 23-year-old Khachanov, who was unable to replicate the tennis he produced to beat Juan Martin del Potro in the previous round. Mastercard cancels ad campaign for Brazil soccer star Neymar after rape accusation: report

Mastercard has canceled an advertising campaign featuring Brazilian soccer star Neymar, after a woman accused him of raping her in a Paris hotel, newspaper O Estado de S.Paulo reported on its website on Thursday. Mastercard said in a statement it was suspending its use of Neymar in advertising until the situation is "cleared up," according to the report. Raptors beat shorthanded Warriors, take 2-1 Finals lead

The Toronto Raptors defeated a shorthanded Golden State Warriors squad 123-109 in Oakland on Wednesday to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven NBA Finals. The Raptors won behind 30 points from Kawhi Leonard and a balanced attack that saw five other players score in double digits. Djokovic dismisses Zverev for semi-final spot in Paris

Despite sending mighty serves crashing down from a great height, towering world number five Alexander Zverev could offer only momentary resistance to Novak Djokovic in Paris, as the top seed barged into the semi-finals of the French Open on Thursday in straight sets. The 6ft 6ins (1.98m) tall German had served for the opening set at 5-4 before Djokovic simply clicked it up a notch to steal that set 7-5 then romp through the next two 6-2 6-2. U.S. favorites in toughest-ever Women's World Cup field

The United States may be favorites to retain their Women's World Cup title but the rapid development of the game globally means they will face a tougher field than ever before when the tournament gets underway in France on Friday. Hundreds of thousands of tickets have been sold and world governing body FIFA is banking on the women's game taking a huge step forward on the back of a successful tournament. Defending champion Halep knocked out of French Open

Defending champion Simona Halep was knocked out of the French Open when she lost 6-2 6-4 to 17-year-old American Amanda Anisimova in the quarter-finals on Thursday. The third seed from Romania had been looking to become the first woman to retain her title at Roland Garros since Belgian Justine Henin won three times in a row from 2005-07. MLB roundup: Red Sox ace Sale posts complete-game shutout

Chris Sale shut down Kansas City's offense, and the visiting Red Sox took advantage of a shoddy Royals defense in Boston's 8-0 victory Wednesday night. Rafael Devers hit a home run, scored three runs and drove in three. Brock Holt and Andrew Benintendi each had three hits. Barty outplays Keys to reach French Open semis

Australian eighth seed Ashleigh Barty reached her first Grand Slam semi-final as she outplayed error-prone American Madison Keys 6-3 7-5 at the French Open on Thursday. In a quarter-final clash postponed on Wednesday because of heavy rain, Barty produced an intelligent display full of guile in the Court Suzanne Lenglen sunshine. Exclusive: Two Russian coaches, doctor banned for doping still active in sport

Three years ago, Russian athletics coach Vladimir Mokhnev was banned for 10 years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, global sport's over-arching judicial body, for giving prohibited performance-enhancing drugs to members of the national track team. Mokhnev, the court ruled, had violated international anti-doping rules. His name was taken off Russia's national team roster and added to a list of banned personnel compiled by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).