Sports News Roundup: Kawhi-mania grips Canada with speculation over his next team

Kawhi-mania grips Canada with speculation over his next team

Kawhi Leonard, the Toronto Raptors' two-time NBA finals most valuable player, has captivated Canada for the second time this year as Raptors fans eagerly watch for the basketball superstar's next move. Leonard is a free agent, meaning he could sign with the Raptors at a contract worth $190 million for five years. Or he could accept $150 million for four years with the Los Angeles Clippers or Los Angeles Lakers, the two other teams considered in the running for him, according to ESPN.

Milan Olympic bid promoter is convicted of doctoring paperwork

The mayor who successfully championed Milan's bid to win the 2026 Winter Olympics has been convicted of fiddling paperwork in his previous role as head of the 2015 Milan Expo world fair, a court ruled on Friday. The court gave Giuseppe Sala a six-month suspended sentence for pre-dating works contracts in the build-up to the fair, which defied naysayers and attracted huge crowds. It immediately converted the sentence into a 45,000 euro ($51,000) fine.

Pliskova uses 'amazing' serve to see off tricky Hsieh

Former world number one Karolina Pliskova served superbly to beat Hsieh Su-Wei 6-3 2-6 6-4 on Friday and reach the Wimbledon fourth round for the second time. Czech third seed Pliskova fired down 14 aces on Court One to counter the unorthodox Hsieh's fast feet and soft hands, securing victory in an hour and 46 minutes.

MLB roundup: Indians, Nats sweep series

Francisco Lindor's two-run single keyed a six-run seventh inning as the visiting Cleveland Indians defeated the Kansas City Royals 8-4 Thursday to complete a three-game sweep. Jose Ramirez hit two home runs for the Indians in the series finale, which included a 2 1/2-hour rain delay. All three games in the series ended with four-run margins.

Chilled Halep catches fire to dispatch Azarenka at Wimbledon

Simona Halep was supposedly having a 'chill' year, but for a little, over an hour on Wimbledon's Centre Court, the ice-cool Romanian was on fire as she swatted aside Victoria Azarenka 6-3 6-1 on Friday to reach the fourth round. Halep's form has understandably dipped since she won the French Open last year to lift the weighty millstone of several Grand Slam final failures and she said her intention in 2019 was to mentally ease off the accelerator.

FIFA's Infantino wants to expand women's World Cup to 32 teams

FIFA President Gianni Infantino wants to expand the women's World Cup to 32 teams from 24 for the next edition in 2023 along with doubling the prize money to $60 million, he said on Friday. Ahead of the women's World Cup final on Sunday between holders the United States and the Netherlands, Infantino said he would take his proposals to the FIFA council and member associations for approval.

Pella puts win over Anderson down to focus and aggression

Argentine Guido Pella pulled off a major upset at Wimbledon on Friday, beating fourth seed and 2018 finalist Kevin Anderson in straight sets to reach the last-16 of a Grand Slam for the first time. The 29-year-old, who beat the big-serving South African 6-4 6-3 7-6(4), will play Canada's Milos Raonic next for a place in the quarter-finals.

Raonic outserves Opelka in battle of the big men

Canadian 15th seed Milos Raonic emerged a relatively easy winner from the battle of the big men on Friday when he outgunned American Reilly Opelka in straight sets to advance to the fourth round at Wimbledon. Opelka, 21, was very much in the mix against the 2016 runner-up as the first set went to a tie break but once that convincingly went the way of the favorite, Raonic took command to triumph 7-6 (1) 6-2 6-1 in a surprisingly rapid one hour and 41 minutes.

Lavelle gives physical U.S. team a creative touch

In a team noted for their power, speed and strength along with tactical discipline, midfielder Rose Lavelle provides the United States women's side with a refreshing touch of creativity. Sunday's World Cup final opponents the Netherlands may be preparing themselves for a bruising game but they will also be well aware of the need to neutralize the attacking verve of the 24-year-old from Ohio.

Morgan says U.S likely to make a team decision on Trump invite

The United States forward Alex Morgan said that any decision about whether to accept an invitation to visit President Donald Trump at the White House would only come after Sunday's World Cup final and would likely be a collective team choice. U.S. winger Megan Rapinoe's forceful comments that she would not attend any White House celebration prompted Trump to respond in a series of tweets and caused plenty of controversies.