Sports News Roundup: Wimbledon witnesses first 12-12 tiebreak; Russell, run with warriors

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Wimbledon witnesses first 12-12 tiebreak

Australian John Peers and Finn Henri Kontinen made a small slice of Wimbledon history when they won the first match decided by a tiebreak at 12-12 in the deciding set on Tuesday. The men's doubles eighth seeds beat 12th-seeded American Rajeev Ram and Britain's Joe Salisbury 7-6(2) 6-4 3-6 4-6 13-12(2) in a third-round match lasting four hours 29 minutes.

Serena survives Riske business to reach Wimbledon semis

Serena Williams clubbed her way into the Wimbledon semi-finals, draining the last drop of fight from fellow American Alison Riske before sealing a 6-4 4-6 6-3 win in a rip-roaring Centre Court contest on Tuesday. For two sets, Riske absorbed every last punishing blow from the seven times champion, while her own lightweight jab inflicted some early pain and then levelled the see-saw encounter at 1-1.

Viviani completes set of grand tour stage wins

Italy's Elia Viviani completed his set of grand tour stage wins when he claimed the fourth stage of the Tour de France, a 213.5-km flat ride from Reims on Tuesday. The Deceuninck-Quick Step rider, in his second Tour after first experiencing it in 2014, beat Norwegian Alexander Kristoff and Australian Caleb Ewan in a mass sprint finish.

Halep steers steady path past Zhang into Wimbledon semis

Former world number one Simona Halep reached her second Wimbledon semi-final after overcoming an early onslaught to deliver another textbook example of matchplay tennis and dispatch China's unseeded Zhang Shuai 7-6(4) 6-1 on Tuesday. Just as she did in quelling the lively challenge of 15-year-old Coco Gauff on Monday, Halep initially struggled and looked in real danger when 4-1 down and facing more break points in the opening set. However, the Romanian dug in to see off the threat then played her usual percentage tennis as Zhang lost her way.

Mets' Alonso captures HR derby title

In a matchup of rookies, Pete Alonso of the New York Mets outhomered Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays 23-22 in the final round of the All-Star Home Run Derby at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Monday. Alonso won $1 million of the $2.5 million prize pool.

Muguruza splits with coach Sumyk

Former Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza has split with her coach Sam Sumyk after a disappointing season, the Spaniard said on Tuesday. The 25-year-old former world number one lost in the opening round of Wimbledon to Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia, the fifth Grand Slam in a row she had fallen before the quarter-finals.

Reports: Westbrook warming to idea of Heat trade

Russell Westbrook is warming to the idea of leaving Oklahoma City, and the Miami Heat are high on the All-Star point guard's list. According to multiple reports, Westbrook signed off on general manager Sam Presti taking trade offers. The decision comes on the heels of the Thunder shipping 2019 MVP finalist Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers for five future first-round picks, Danilo Gallinari and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Svitolina becomes first Ukrainian woman to reach major semi

It was 28th-time lucky for Elina Svitolina as she finally managed to get a grip on her nerves to become the first Ukrainian woman to reach the singles semi-finals of a Grand Slam, with a 7-5 6-4 win over Karolina Muchova on Tuesday. Svitolina has long been expected to join the challenge for the biggest prizes in tennis but until Tuesday, all those attempts had fallen well short.

NBA notebook: Lakers eye James as point guard

LeBron James is preparing to take on a new role with the Los Angeles Lakers this season as point guard, according to a report Monday by Yahoo! Sports' Chris Haynes. The 34-year-old James will take over floor general duties from Lonzo Ball, who was traded to New Orleans, and Rajon Rondo, who remains one of three other point guards on the Lakers' roster along with Quinn Cook and Alex Caruso.

Russell ready to run with Warriors; prepared for trade

D'Angelo Russell was excited to learn he would be running with the Golden State Warriors. But the No. 2 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft also is preparing for the potential reality of a fourth team in five pro seasons if the Warriors decide to flip the 2019 All-Star in a trade.