Sports News Roundup: Djokovic bamboozles despairing Khnachanov; Corona spread has major champions and more

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Djokovic bamboozles despairing Khachanov with drop shots in Dubai

Novak Djokovic used a dizzying array of drop shots to make short work of Karen Khachanov at the Dubai Open on Thursday, reaching the semi-finals with a dominant 6-2 6-2 win over the Russian seventh seed. Victory extended the Serbian world number one's unbeaten start to the season to 16 matches and took his winning streak to 19 matches in a row stretching back to the ATP Finals in November.

Coronavirus spread has major champions Lincicome, Lewis fearing for LPGA season

The LPGA Tour's return to the United States after three Asian events were canceled due to the coronavirus has not allayed the fears of new mothers Brittany Lincicome and Stacy Lewis. Though there had been only 60 known cases diagnosed in the United States as of Thursday, the two major champions worry the virus could spread and potentially cause major disruptions.

Coronavirus could impact NHL's plans to play in China this year

The coronavirus epidemic could impact the National Hockey League's plans to have preseason games in China later this year, according to a report on the North American league's website. The NHL held preseason games in China in 2017 and 2018 but did not return in 2019 because of logistical issues with booking arenas. Any hope of returning this year may be put on hold until the coronavirus is brought under control.

Kobe Bryant handprints among Beverly Hills auction items

A copy of Kobe Bryant's handprints, cast in cement outside Hollywood's famed Grauman's Chinese Theatre, are going up for auction in April along with other memorabilia of the basketball legend who died in January. Julien's Auctions said on Thursday that the handprints are tests that were made by Bryant in 2011 when he became the first athlete to leave his mark alongside some of the movie industry's biggest stars in the forecourt of the theater on Hollywood Boulevard.

Barty sets up Kvitova semi-final after downing Muguruza in Doha

World number one Ash Barty eased into the semi-finals of the Qatar Open with a gritty 6-1 6-7(4) 6-2 victory over Spanish 11th seed Garbine Muguruza on Thursday. The Australian will meet two-times Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in the next round.

Cycling: UAE Tour canceled after positive coronavirus tests

The final two stages of the UAE Tour, which is featuring some of the world's leading riders, has been canceled due to two Italian participants testing positive for coronavirus, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council said on Thursday. The Council did not identify anyone but said that all of the race participants, staff and organizers were being screened for the flu-like virus.

Laviolette to coach Team USA at hockey worlds

Former Nashville Predators coach Peter Laviolette was named head coach of Team USA for the upcoming world hockey championships in May, announced USA Hockey. "It's great to have Peter as our head coach," said Chris Drury, general manager of the 2020 U.S. men's national team. "He brings significant international experience, both as a player and a coach, and his passion and desire to win align with our goal of bringing home the gold medal."

NBA roundup: Embiid injures shoulder in Sixers' loss

Collin Sexton scored 28 points on Wednesday as the host Cleveland Cavaliers posted a 108-94 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, who lost three-time All-Star center Joel Embiid to a shoulder injury. Larry Nance Jr. collected 13 points and a season-high 15 rebounds and Tristan Thompson had 14 and 13, respectively, as the Cavaliers posted their fourth win in five games.

Cycling: Dynamite Danes smash world record again to win team pursuit

Denmark's men's team pursuit squad installed themselves as hot favorites for the Tokyo Olympics as they powered to gold at the world championships with a third world record in little over 24 hours on Thursday. The quartet of Rasmus Pedersen, Lasse Hansen, Julius Johansen and Frederik Madsen once again proved in a class of their own as they destroyed New Zealand in the final.

Vettel fastest as Hamilton hits trouble in testing

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel posted the fastest lap on the penultimate day of Formula One's pre-season testing on Thursday as six-times world champion Lewis Hamilton hit engine trouble. Vettel set a time of one minute 16.841 seconds at the Circuit de Catalunya on the softest C5 tyres, still some way off the best lap of 1:15.732 set by Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas last week.