Sports News Roundup: Nadal topples Querrey to set up blockbuster Federer semi; Penguins' Cullen retires after 21 years

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Quiet man Pinot ready to make his presence felt on the Tour

Thibaut Pinot's love-hate relationship with the Tour de France will face a big test on Thursday when the overall contenders take on their first hilltop finish at the top of La Planche des Belles Filles -- the Frenchman's back yard. The Tour has always been a complicated affair for the Groupama-FDJ climber, who burst into the limelight in 2012 by winning a mountain stage in Porrentruy.

NBA notebook: Leonard, George officially join Clipper

The Los Angeles Clippers signed free-agent forward Kawhi Leonard to a three-year, $103 million maximum contract and officially completed a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder for Paul George. President of basketball operations Lawrence Frank announced the moves Tuesday but did not disclose terms of the deal, which have been reported by multiple outlets. It was originally reported that Leonard would receive a four-year, $142 million maximum contract.

New York showers confetti, love on U.S. women's soccer team

Amid confetti and chants of "equal pay," New York honored the U.S. women's soccer team on Wednesday with a ticker-tape parade up the "Canyon of Heroes," celebrating its World Cup triumph and hailing the players' emergence as icons of women's rights. The squad's 2-0 win over Netherlands in the final match on Sunday capped a World Cup campaign that attracted vast television audiences, reflecting the popularity of a U.S. soccer team that has dominated international competition, winning a record fourth title.

Nadal topples Querrey to set up blockbuster Federer semi

The deafening cheers erupting around Wimbledon as Rafa Nadal stood at the baseline, bouncing a ball and poised to take a two-set lead against Sam Querrey, provided the newsflash he welcomed and dreaded with equal measure -- Roger Federer was through to the semi-finals. It meant it was game on for a Federer-Nadal blockbuster and all the Spaniard had to do to ensure Act 40 of the most compelling rivalry in tennis became a reality was to win one more point and another set.

NHL notebook: Penguins' Cullen retires after 21 years

Matt Cullen, who was the oldest player in the NHL last season, retired Wednesday at the age of 42. The forward played 21 seasons in the NHL, including last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, when he had 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) in 71 regular-season games.

Federer overcomes shaky start to join Grand Slam 100 club

Roger Federer chalked up another monumental milestone to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals on Wednesday, recovering to beat Japan's Kei Nishikori in four sets and become the first man to record a century of singles wins at any Grand Slam. Federer, who won 4-6 6-1 6-4 6-4 and now faces Rafa Nadal in a mouthwatering contest, was so poor in the first set that the eighth-seeded Nishikori may have felt the 37-year-old Swiss's advancing years had finally caught up with him.

Fans heckle U.S. Soccer president, demand 'equal pay' for World Cup winners

The head of the U.S. Soccer Federation was overpowered by chants of "equal pay" and booed as he spoke at Wednesday's victory parade for the country's women's team who won a record-extending fourth World Cup in France last weekend. The crowd's condemnation followed on from the team's high-profile lawsuit filed against the national soccer body in March, demanding equal compensation with their male counterparts, and by extension, the issue of equal pay for women in general.

Former big-leaguer Jim Bouton, author of groundbreaking 'Ball Four,' dies at 80

Former New York Yankees pitcher Jim Bouton, whose irreverent, raunchy baseball memoir, "Ball Four," attracted both hostility and acclaim, died on Wednesday at his home in Massachusetts, according to media reports. He was 80. The Newark, New Jersey, native died following a battle with a brain disease linked to dementia after weeks of hospice care, New York's Daily News reported.

MLB notebook: 'Right deal' could reportedly net Mets' Syndergaard

Right-hander Noah Syndergaard could be traded if the New York Mets are approached with the "right deal," MLB Network reported. Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler are reportedly available, but the Mets are not soliciting offers, according to the report.

NFL notebook: Rams' Gurley unsure how knee will hold up

Todd Gurley, the Los Angeles Rams' primary ballcarrier, said he isn't certain how his arthritic knee will hold up over the long haul. An "arthritic component" in his knee became problematic in the playoffs last season, when the team attempted to manage his workload on the fly. "I'm just like, hey, we're going to find out in training camp, you know? Once training camp comes, you've got the preseason, but you don't have a lot in preseason," Gurley told NFL Network.

Also Read: Britain must live within its means, finance minister Hammond warns PM contenders

(With inputs from agencies.)