Serena’s ump to work Davis Cup
The chair umpire who penalized Serena Williams a game in the U.S. Open final has been assigned to officiate the Davis Cup semifinal matches between the United States and Croatia, The Associated Press has learned.
International Tennis Federation spokeswoman Heather Bowles confirmed to the AP yesterday that Carlos Ramos was chosen to work at the best-of-five series between the countries that begins Friday and concludes Sunday in Zadar, Croatia.
The U.S. team includes Jack Sock, Sam Querrey, Steve Johnson, Mike Bryan and rookie Frances Tiafoe.
Ramos was in the chair at Flushing Meadows last Saturday when Naomi Osaka won her first Grand Slam title by beating 23-time major champion Williams 6-2, 6-4. That match descended into chaos — with thousands of spectators booing and both players crying during the trophy ceremony — after Williams confronted Ramos about his rulings.
Williams, a 36-year-old American, was fined a total of $17,000 by the U.S. Open’s tournament referee the next day for three code violations.
Panthers’ Olsen out
The Carolina Panthers will be without three-time Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen and second-team All-Pro Bowl right tackle Daryl Williams for the foreseeable future.
Olsen re-fractured the same right foot that kept him out of nine games last season in Carolina’s 16-8 win over Dallas on Sunday. Olsen will not have surgery and will be reevaluated on a “monthly basis.”
Williams suffered an undisclosed knee injury and will need surgery . . . .
The Atlanta Falcons placed linebacker Deion Jones on injured reserve, taking a second 2017 Pro Bowler from the defense in less than a week.
The move with Jones comes after coach Dan Quinn on Friday announced safety Keanu Neal suffered a torn ligament in his left knee and will miss the remainder of the season . . . .
The Seattle Seahawks are likely to be without wide receiver Doug Baldwin for at least next week’s game at Chicago and possibly longer due to an MCL injury to his right knee . . . .
Former Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle has been charged with rape in Wichita, Kan. According to reports, Randle was charged with two counts of rape, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, seven counts of aggravated criminal sodomy and one count of aggravated battery. He also was charged with a probation violation. His probation was revoked in two other cases.
GM Yzerman steps down
Steve Yzerman stepped down as general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning after building them into a perennial contender, handing the reins to longtime assistant Julien BriseBois two days before training camp. Yzerman will move to a senior adviser role working under BriseBois and he said he was “100 percent committed” to the Lightning this season. Beyond that, Yzerman’s future is cloudy and BriseBois is now in charge . . . .
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman downplayed the significance of entering mediation with former players in a bid to settle a concussion lawsuit, saying Tuesday the league is simply following a judge’s order.
“The judge asked us to go into mediation and so we’re complying with the judge’s request,” Bettman told The Associated Press.
He said he had nothing to add when asked if there has been progress, and Bettman reiterated the NHL’s position on the lawsuit hasn’t changed, by saying: “We also think the lawsuit doesn’t have merit.”
Adams lifts U.S. by Mexico
Tyler Adams scored in the 71st minute to give the United States men’s soccer team a 1-0 win over Mexico in a friendly in Nashville, Tenn.
Adams scored four minutes after Mexico’s Angel Zaldivar picked up a red card for a dangerous tackle on American Wil Trapp . .. .
Marcus Rashford’s close-range volley in the 54th minute gave England a 1-0 victory over Switzerland in a friendly when coach Gareth Southgate made sweeping changes. Rashford was one of only two players retained in the starting lineup from Saturday’s UEFA Nations League game against Spain when Rashford’s strike was wiped out and England lost 2-1.