Biles is best after all-around title
Not even a slight stumble near the end could stop Simone Biles. Less than three months after returning to competition, the American superstar is back at the top of gymnastics once again.
Biles overcame a late blip in her floor routine after an otherwise dominant performance to win the individual all-around title at the world championships for the sixth time. That made her the most decorated gymnast in history, two years after she put her career on hold to focus on her mental health after the Olympics.
Biles scored 58.399 points across the balance beam, floor, vault and uneven bars to beat Rebeca Andrade, the Brazilian defending champion, by 1.633 points. Biles’ U.S. teammate Shilese Jones took the bronze medal with 56.332 points. It was Biles’ 27th world championship medal — and 21st gold. It came two days after the four-time Olympic gold medalist led the U.S women to a record seventh straight win in the team event.
Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara, the reigning National League Cy Young winner, will miss next season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Angels assistant general manager Alex Tamin will not return next season, the team confirmed.
— Sarah Valenzuela
Elena Rybakina advanced to her eighth semifinal of the year by beating top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 7-5, 6-2 at the China Open. Iga Swiatek advanced by defeating Caroline Garcia 6-7 (8), 7-6 (5), 6-1, and Coco Gauff extended her winning streak to 16 matches, beating Maria Sakkari 6-2, 6-4 . ... Thirdseeded Holger Rune lost to 122nd-ranked Brandon Nakashima 6-0, 6-2 in the second round of the Shanghai Masters. Roman Safiullin defeated Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-1 in a rematch of last week’s Chengdu Open final, which Zverev won.
Ben Griffin joined a crowded pack of contenders in the Sanderson Farms Championship and then moved past them with a 30 on the back nine, sending him to a nine-under 63 and a two-shot lead going into the weekend . ... Hyo Joo Kim shot a three-under 68 in The Ascendant LPGA to take a two-stroke lead over Sofia Garcia into the weekend, with resurgent Lexi Thompson tied for third.
Minnesota United dismissed Adrian Heath, their only coach since starting MLS play in 2017.
Max Verstappen underlined why he’s on the verge of a third consecutive Formula One title as he qualified on pole for the Qatar Grand Prix. He can clinch the title in Saturday’s sprint race.