Sports News Roundup: Tomlin's contract extended till 2021; Ireland to host 2026 Ryder Cup

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Kuznetsova unable to defend Washington title over 'visa issues'

Svetlana Kuznetsova said on Thursday she will not be able to defend her title at next week's Citi Open in Washington, D.C. due to issues with obtaining a U.S. visa. The 34-year-old Russian, a twice Grand Slam winner who is 108th in the world rankings, announced her withdrawal from the July 27-Aug. 4 event on her Instagram account.

Quintana takes stage as fellow Colombian Bernal gains time

Nairo Quintana claimed an emphatic win in the 18th stage of the Tour de France, a 208-km mountain trek from Embrun, as fellow Colombian Egan Bernal emerged as the strongest of the top contenders on Thursday. Twice Tour runner-up Quintana, who dropped out of overall contention last week, prevailed from the day's breakaway thanks to an impressive attack in the ascent to the Col du Galibier.

Water Polo: Spain and Italy power into men's world water polo final

Former champions Spain and Italy upset more heralded rivals to reach the men's water polo final at the World Aquatics Championships and qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after stellar performances on Thursday. The Spaniards edged holders Croatia 6-5 after beating Olympic and European champions Serbia in the quarter-finals while Italy overcame Hungary 12-10 in a roller-coaster contest thanks to a strong third quarter.

More gold for Dressel, King DQd at world championships

Another day, another controversy at the world swimming championships, with American Lilly King's disqualification from the women's 200 meters breaststroke on Thursday proving the latest headache for governing body FINA. The championships have been marred by podium protests over the presence of China's Sun Yang, who served a doping sanction in 2014 and was cleared to compete at the worlds despite another doping case pending at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Saints WR Thomas a no-show at start of camp

Seeking a long-term deal worth at least $20 million per season, wide receiver Michael Thomas did not report to training camp with the New Orleans Saints on Thursday morning. Thomas, 26, is set to become a free agent after the 2019 season if the two sides can't strike a deal. The Saints have offered an extension that averages $18 to $19 million annually, per multiple reports.

Steelers extend Tomlin's contract through 2021

Mike Tomlin signed a one-year contract extension on Thursday, keeping him as the Pittsburgh Steelers coach through at least the 2021 season. Financial terms were not released.

Environmentalists urge Tour de France to end 'avalanche of plastic'

The corporate "caravan" that motors across valleys and mountains ahead of the cyclists competing in the Tour de France has been a crowd-pleaser for decades, but ecologists want organizers to put an end to the avalanche of plastic it generates. Every day of the Tour, the event's corporate sponsors cover the route in a column of open-backed trucks that stretches for kilometers, throwing out snacks, drinks, t-shirts, keyrings and other objects, many of them made or wrapped in plastic.

Tour champion Bahamontes laments demise of 1950s-style racing

Federico Bahamontes, the first Spaniard to win the Tour de France in 1959 and still considered to be its best-ever climber, is looking forward to watching the last day of this year's enthralling race on Sunday. Invited by organizers to attend the finale on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, the 91-year-old did not feel like flying at his age so he will instead watch the end of the race on TV.

Adare Manor in Ireland to host 2026 Ryder Cup

The Ryder Cup will return to Ireland in 2026 when Adare Manor hosts the biennial contest between Europe and the United States for the first time, the European Tour said on Thursday. A deal was struck between the Irish government and European Tour organizers to stage the event in County Limerick. The event was last staged in Ireland at the K Club near Dublin in 2006.

MLB roundup: Cards' DeJong blasts 3 homers

Paul DeJong went 4-for-4 with three homers, a double and five RBIs, and the St. Louis Cardinals outslugged the Pittsburgh Pirates 14-8 Wednesday night. DeJong, Andrew Knizner and Paul Goldschmidt all hit two-run homers in the Cardinals' nine-run second inning, helping St. Louis earn its fourth win in a row and its third straight to start a four-game series that concludes Thursday.