Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs. Celtics likely to sign guard Walker

The Boston Celtics are expected to make All-Star guard Kemba Walker a four-year, $141 million contract offer when free agency opens Sunday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported. Walker, who spent his first eight seasons in the league with the Charlotte Hornets, is expected to accept the offer, Wojnarowski reported, citing league sources. Kerber swats aside Halep to reach Eastbourne semi-finals

Angelique Kerber's Wimbledon preparation gained momentum as she thumped Simona Halep 6-4 6-3 in a battle of former world number ones to reach the semi-finals at Eastbourne on Thursday. The Wimbledon champion converted five out of seven break points to secure the win and set up a last-four clash with Ons Jabeur. Golf: Muirfield invites women to join for first time in 275 years

Muirfield has invited women to join as members for the first time in its 275-year history, two years after a vote to change the club's all-male policy. The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (HCEG), based in East Lothian, Scotland invited 12 women including two from overseas and three men for membership from July 1. France-U.S. showdown in Paris cauldron keeps women's World Cup burning

High stakes, high heat, high turn-out and high expectations -- the U.S. women's soccer team have declared themselves ready for a high-profile women's World Cup quarter-final against hosts France in Paris on Friday. For many fans the match is like a final, with "Les Bleues" among the stand-out teams of the tournament and perennial challengers to the domination of the American defending champions. Bring in male referees to help female officials, says former striker Smith

Global soccer body FIFA should bring in experienced male officials to help female referees adjust to the Video Assistant Referee system following a number of incidents at the women's World Cup, former England striker Sue Smith told Reuters. With VAR being used for the first time in women's football at the 24-team tournament in France, many games have had more than 10 minutes of stoppage time due to the delay over checks made by officials who are not familiar with the system. MLB roundup: Keuchel earns first win with Braves

Nick Markakis hit a three-run homer, Brian McCann had a solo shot, and the Atlanta Braves held on for a 5-3 win over the host Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night. Dallas Keuchel (1-1) earned his first win since signing a free agent deal with the Braves earlier this month. He allowed three runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings while walking three and striking out two. Wary of past pain, Nadal eyes third Wimbledon title

Rafa Nadal received a degree of sympathy this week when he questioned a Wimbledon seedings formula that relegated him down to third in this year's draw despite a world ranking of two. After all, he has been champion there twice, is bang in form after a record-stretching 12th French Open, is injury free and last year was a whisker away from reaching the final. Kipchoge to attempt sub-two hour marathon in Vienna in October

Kenyan world record holder Eliud Kipchoge's second attempt to break the two-hour barrier for the marathon will take place in Vienna on Oct. 12 this year, event organizers INEOS said on Thursday. The 2016 Olympics marathon gold medalist lowered the legal world record by an astonishing 78 seconds when posting 2:01.39 in Berlin last September and ran the second-fastest time in history when winning the London marathon in 2:02.37 in April. American Gauff qualifies for Wimbledon, aged 15

Cori Gauff became the youngest player in the professional era to survive the Wimbledon qualifying draw on Thursday as the 15-year-old American thrashed Belgium's Greet Minnen 6-1 6-1 to seal her place in next week's main draw. Gauff, who is combining her practice sessions with her schoolwork, looked like a seasoned grasscourt player as she claimed her a third successive straight-sets victory. Trump's tweets add heat to U.S. clash with France

It is the game which could easily have been the final of the Women's World Cup -- the defending champions and favorites, the United States, against hosts France, seeking their first title. While England take on Norway in Le Havre later on Thursday and Saturday sees Italy face the Netherlands and Germany up against Sweden, it will be the winner of the encounter at the Parc des Princes who will become the tournament's team to beat.