Sports News Briefs: Roger Federer reaches Wimbledon final; NFL, NBA, MLB notebook

Vintage Federer holds off Nadal to reach Wimbledon final

Even for the two players vying for the title of GOAT (Greatest of All Time) it was perhaps greedy to expect them to produce a blockbuster to compare with their previous duel at Wimbledon. They are human after all.

Vegas cashes in with 62 at John Deere Classic

It was another day, another 62 on the PGA Tour as Jhonattan Vegas became the latest player to post the score en route to a one-stroke lead after the second round of the John Deere Classic on Friday. It was the sixth round in succession in which someone has managed 62, a reflection not just of the quality of play on the tour but also relatively easy conditions.

Frustration for Nadal as Wimbledon mission falls short

Rewarding as it was for Rafael Nadal to become the only player to win the same Grand Slam 12 times by chalking up his dozen at last month's French Open, the Spaniard arrived at Wimbledon this year like a man on a mission. In the end, however, it became mission impossible as he lost to inspired Roger Federer in Friday's blockbuster semi-final.

Hassan breaks women's mile world record on an emotional night

Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands broke the 23-year-old women’s mile world record on Friday when she clocked four minutes 12.33 seconds in a race dedicated to former American runner Gabe Grunewald, who died from cancer last month at the age of 32. Hassan, 26, initially looked to be off the record pace in the rarely-run event but finished strongly to edge the 4:12.56 set by Russia’s Svetlana Masterkova in Zurich in 1996.

NFL notebook: 18-game sked under discussion

While the concept of a future 18-game NFL season is nothing new, with players objecting to the wear and tear of an added two games, the Wall Street Journal reported a potential compromise Friday. In early negotiations regarding the league's current collective bargaining agreement, which expires after the 2020 season, an addition to the schedule reportedly has been discussed with the owners proposing the players remain limited to 16 games in an 18-game schedule.

NFL notebook: Chargers' Gordon demands new deal or trade

Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon will not report to training camp without a new contract, ESPN reported Thursday. Gordon also reportedly told the Chargers that failure to reach agreement on a contract would result in a trade demand. Gordon's agent, Fletcher Smith, told ESPN's Adam Schefter of the holdout and trade scenarios on Thursday.

Ageless Federer enjoys turning the tables on great foe Nadal

There was no rain break, no twilight five-set drama and no Wimbledon trophy on offer on Friday but none of that bothered ageless Swiss maestro Roger Federer. The only thing that mattered to the 20-time Grand Slam champion was that, unlike in his last grasscourt duel with Rafael Nadal 11 years ago, he had won the "crazy last game" which sealed his passage into a 12th Wimbledon final.

NBA notebook: Westbrook thanks OKC, Thunder eye Paul trade

Russell Westbrook's time with the Oklahoma City Thunder is over, but he is leaving the franchise and the state with no bitterness. Westbrook was traded to the Houston Rockets on Thursday night in a deal that sent Chris Paul and two first-round draft picks to Oklahoma City. But he thanked the organization and the people of Oklahoma in an Instagram post on Friday night, saying he was "eternally grateful."

Classy Djokovic charges into another Wimbledon final

Top seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic held off a spirited challenge from Spanish outsider Roberto Bautista Agut on Friday to triumph in four sets and advance to a mouthwatering Wimbledon final against Roger Federer. Remarkably the Serb's 6-2 4-6 6-3 6-2 success was the 12th victory in his last 13 Grand Slam semi-finals and he is now one win away from his fifth title at Wimbledon and 16th Grand Slam singles crown as he resumes his great rivalry with the Swiss.

MLB notebook: Scherzer scratched from Sunday's star

Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer has been scratched from Sunday's start against the Philadelphia Phillies due to back soreness, manager Davey Martinez told reporters on Friday. The three-time Cy Young Award winner underwent an MRI exam, and Martinez said it came back negative. The right-hander experienced soreness in his middle back after his last outing on July 6 against the Kansas City Royals.

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(With inputs from agencies.)