SPORTS DIGEST
BASEBALL
The Cleveland Indians laid down a significant marker in their bid for a first World Series since 1948 with a 6-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs in game one. It puts them in a strong position in the best-of-seven contest as nine of the last ten World Series have been won by the side who were victorious in game one. Roberto Perez was the hero for the Indians as he struck two home runs. WORLD SERIES, GAME 1: Cleveland Indians 6 Chicago Cubs 0
BASKETBALL
The Cavaliers played their part in a memorable sporting night for the city of Cleveland as they began the defence of their NBA title with a 117-88 win over the New York Knicks. The Cavs, celebrating the maiden Finals success they enjoyed in June, bossed the Knicks throughout and were then joined in the winner’s circle by the Cleveland Indians, who were victorious in the opening game of the World Series against the Chicago Cubs. Kyrie Irving top-scored for the Cavs with 29 points, with Lebron James adding 14. The Golden State Warriors may just be suffering a hangover from their Finals capitulation against the Cavs as they were handsomely beaten 129-100 by the San Antonio Spurs. Kawhi Leonard had a career-best 35-point haul for the Spurs, who put a damp squib on Kevin Durant’s Warriors debut following his off-season move from the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Warriors enjoyed a record-breaking 24-0 opening to their home campaign last season, but will not put that under threat this time around. Elsewhere, Damian Lillard led the Portland Trailblazers to a 113-104 win over the Utah Jazz. Lillard scored 39 points with nine rebounds and six assists. NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION: Cleveland Cavaliers 117 NY Knicks 88, Portland Trail Blazers 113 Utah Jazz 104, Golden State Warriors 100 San Antonio Spurs 129.
ICE HOCKEY
Steven Stamkos scored two and made two as the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 7-3 in the NHL. Stamkos notched twice in the first period and then created goals for Victor Hedman and Nikita Kucherov as the Lightning ran riot. The Detroit Red Wings continued their impressive form as they made it five wins in a row by seeing off the Carolina Hurricanes. Dylan Larkin was the hero as he scored twice in a 4-2 triumph. NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE: Boston Bruins 0 Minnesota Wild 5, New Jersey Devils 5 Arizona Coyotes 3, Pittsburgh Penguins 3 Florida Panthers 2, Detroit Red Wings 4 Carolina Hurricanes 2, Philadelphia Flyers 4 Buffalo Sabres 3 (SO), Toronto Maple Leafs 3 Tampa Bay Lightning 7, St. Louis Blues 1 Calgary Flames 4, Dallas Stars 3 Winnipeg Jets 2, San Jose Sharks 2 Anaheim Ducks 1 (OT), Vancouver Canucks 0 Ottawa Senators 3, Los Angeles Kings 3 Columbus Blue Jackets 2 (OT).
SNOOKER
INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (Daqing, China) 3rd rd: John Higgins (Sco) bt Zhou Yuelong (Chn) 6-2, Shaun Murphy (Eng) bt Sam Baird (Eng) 6-1, Stuart Bingham (Eng) bt Allister Carter (Eng) 6-1, Mark Selby (Eng) bt Liang Wenbo (Chn) 6-5.
TENNIS
ATP ERSTE BANK OPEN (Vienna) 1st rd: Albert Ramos-vinolas (Spa) bt Fabio Fognini (Ita) 6-2 6-2, Philipp Kohlschreiber (Ger) bt Stephane Robert (Fra) 4-6 6-3 7-6 (7-3), John Isner (USA) bt Feliciano Lopez (Spa) 7-6 (7-1) 3-6 7-6 (7-2), (8) Ivo Karlovic (Cro) bt Damir Dzumhur (Bih) 7-6 (8-6) 4-6 7-6 (7-5), (1) Andy Murray (Gbr) bt Martin Klizan (Svk) 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-0. WTA FINALS (Singapore) Group B: Svetlana Kuznetsova (Rus) bt Karolina Pliskova (Cze) 3-6 6-2 7-6 (8-6), Agnieszka Radwanska (Pol) bt Garbine Muguruza (Spa) 7-6 (7-1) 6-3.