Federer into last four
Six-time champion Roger Federer advanced to the last four of the ATP Finals for a record-extending 15th time with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Kevin Anderson in London. Federer, chasing his 100th title, needed only a set to advance and produced his best performance at the season-ending tournament to end the round-robin stages with a 2-1 win-loss record.
Dominic Thiem’s 6-1, 6-4 victory over Kei Nishikori earlier had left Federer with a modest task and ensured that Anderson became the first South African ever to reach the semifinals.
Charles Howell bundled up on a chilly day to shoot eight-under 64 for the lead after the first round of the RSM Classic at St. Simons Island, Ga., the last tournament of the year on the PGA Tour.
Howell played the Plantation course at Sea Island Resort without a bogey. The Seaside course was more exposed to blustery conditions. Brian Harman and Peter Uihlein had the best scores there, each shooting a four-under 66.
Amy Olson shot a nine-under 63 to take a one-shot lead over Brittany Lincicome and Nasa Hataoka after the first round of the LPGA’s season-ending CME Group Tour Championship at Naples, Fla.
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey was fined $8,468 but not suspended for unsportsmanlike conduct against Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie. The NHL’s department of player safety announced the punishment after a disciplinary hearing with Morrissey. The fine is the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement.
Vanderbilt forward and Syracuse transfer Matthew Moyer received an NCAA waiver enabling him to play for the Commodores immediately rather than sitting out a season. Moyer transferred to Vanderbilt last summer after playing one season with Syracuse.
The U.S. national men’s soccer team failed to muster much of an attack in a 3-0 loss to England at London that marked Wayne Rooney’s farewell with the home team. Jesse Lingard and Trent Alexander-Arnold scored in a 104second second span midway through the first half, and Callum Wilson beat U.S. goalkeeper Brad Guzan in the 77th minute.
Benji Michel scored in the 31st minute, helping Portland to a 1-0 victory over UCLA at Portland, Ore., in the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament. In other first-round matches: UC Irvine and Grand Canyon played to a 1-1 tie at Irvine, with Irvine advancing on penalty kicks; Anthony Orendain’s goal in the 24th minute gave Pacific a 1-0 win over UC Riverside at Fresno.
Gabriel Castillo scored in the 85th minute to give Cal Poly Pomona a 1-0 victory over Azusa Pacific in the NCAA Division II men’s soccer tournament West Regional final at Azusa Pacific.