Sports News Roundup: Federer shows killer instinct to crush Clarke at Wimbledon; Gauff tipped for top five in five years

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

'Superstar' Gauff tipped for top five in five years: Wilander

American teenager Cori Gauff is destined for the tennis top five in five years' time unless someone such as an agent, trainer or boyfriend blocks her path, seven-times Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander said. Downing five-times champion Venus Williams and 2017 semi-finalist Magdalena Rybarikova, the 15-year-old, known as Coco, has made waves at the All England Club, playing a fearless brand of tennis that the Swede says belies her age.

Dutch upstarts bid to shock mighty U.S. in World Cup final

The Netherlands will bid to begin a new era in women's soccer in Sunday's World Cup final when they try to stop the all-conquering United States team from claiming a record fourth crown. It is almost a classic David v Goliath clash, although the Dutch did produce a major shock two years ago when, ranked 12th in the world, they won the European Championship on home soil to lift their first trophy.

Murray makes winning doubles return as Brits march on

Andy Murray thought his days of gracing Wimbledon showcourts were behind him after hip surgery but he returned to the All England Club in the men's doubles on Thursday and eased into the second round with French partner Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Murray, who had a hip resurfacing operation in February, having announced his probable retirement from the sport, has won 45 singles titles, including three Grand Slams, but the Scot is a relative novice in the doubles tournaments.

Doping: WADA chief says path to bringing Russian cases to justice has been painful

WADA Director General Olivier Niggli said the process to get the first batch of Russian doping cases turned over to international sports federations had been "very painful" but he was confident that sanctions would soon follow. The 43 Russian doping cases were all built on data retrieved in January from a discredited Moscow laboratory, access to which was a key condition behind WADA's decision last year to reinstate Russia's banned anti-doping agency.

For rebel pioneers of women's game, World Cup brings back memories

As the United States and England did battle in their World Cup semi-final, in front of 55,000 fans at Olympique Lyon's stadium, there was the sensation that this was a breakthrough moment for women's football. But for some in the crowd at Tuesday's game, it was more of a flashback moment, a reminder of when, 48 years ago, women's football appeared ready for take-off before being blocked by the conservative attitudes of the authorities.

Serena survives Fourth of July test by Slovenian student

For the second time in four days a Wimbledon champion called Williams found herself being whipped by a high school teenager but in the end it was Serena Williams dishing out the punishment on Thursday. Slovenia's Kaja Juvan, 18, appeared to have being inspired by fellow qualifier and teenager Cori Gauff's sensational first-round win over Williams's elder sister Venus, a five-times winner at the All England Club, as she came out swinging to break Serena twice in the opening set.

Isner's hopes extinguished on 4th of July as 10 Americans march on

There were no celebratory 4th of July fireworks from John Isner as Wimbledon's ultra marathon man perished on Thursday and failed to join his 10 fellow Americans who have made it into round three. Isner is likely to forever hold the distinction of contesting Wimbledon's two longest ever matches -- an 11-hour-five-minute first-round humdinger in 2010 and last year's six-hour-36-minute semi-final against eventual runner-up Kevin Anderson -- but his 2019 challenge fizzled out in the second round.

Tennis royalty hands down tips to Britain's Next-Gen royals

Almost a century has passed since Prince Albert – later crowned King George VI – turned up in his pristine white trousers and collared shirt to compete in the men's doubles at Wimbledon. Now Roger Federer is playing his part in helping to further the prospects of a Next-Gen player from Britain's royal family -- one who is likely to end up being known as King George VII.

Nadal survives Kyrgios test in Wimbledon thriller

Twice Wimbledon champion Rafa Nadal emerged victorious from a memorable four-set duel with Australian wild man Nick Kyrgios that delivered everything it had promised in front of an enraptured Centre Court crowd on Thursday. The fiery Kyrgios threw everything he had at the third seed - including an extraordinary 143mph second-serve ace - and undoubtedly had him rattled before the Spaniard eventually prevailed 6-3 3-6 7-6(5) 7-6(3) in the second round clash.

Federer shows killer instinct to crush Clarke at Wimbledon

With his usual level of ruthlessness and near effortless efficiency, Roger Federer dashed home hopes of an outlandish upset at Wimbledon by easing into the third round with a straight sets victory over Britain's Jay Clarke on Thursday. There were just enough of the usual flourishes and moments of brilliance to suggest the Swiss is firmly on track to challenge for a ninth Wimbledon title, but he faced limited real resistance in the 6-1 7-6(3) 6-2 win over the world number 169.