Medvedev puts Russia back in Davis Cup semis
Daniil Medvedev maintained his perfect record at the Davis Cup Finals to put Russia into the last four.
Medvedev defeated
Mikael Ymer 6-4, 6-4 Thursday to give Russia an insurmountable 2-0 lead over Sweden in the quarterfinals of the revamped team event.
Andrey Rublev earlier outlasted Elias Ymer, Mikael’s older brother, in a 6-2, 5-7, 7-6 (7-3) win at the Madrid Arena. With Russia having secured the win after the two singles matches, the doubles match wasn’t played.
Russia will face Germany in the semifinals on Saturday. Serbia and topranked Novak Djokovic will face Croatia in the other semifinal on Friday.
It was the third consecutive straight-set victory for the second-ranked Medvedev.
GULFSTREAM HOSTS CHAMPIONSHIP RACING
The 2021-22 Championship Meet will commence Friday at Gulfstream Park with an 11-race program starting at noon, featuring two stakes races and a welcome return of many of the country’s leading thoroughbreds, owners, trainers and jockeys.
Friday’s $75,000 Pulpit and the $75,000 Wait a While, mile turf stakes for 2-year-olds and 2-year-old fillies, respectively, will kick off a $14.26 million stakes schedule that will include 37 graded stakes among 76 stakes to be run during the Championship Meet that will run through April 3.
The $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational
(G1) and the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) will be renewed on Jan. 29, joined by the newly created $500,000 Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf Invitational (G3) on a day with seven graded stakes that annually showcases World Class racing, entertainment and fashion.
The $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1), a Triple Crown Prep rich in tradition, will to highlight an April 2 program with 10 stakes, including six graded stakes. The purses for the Florida Derby preps, the $150,000 Mucho Macho Man on Jan. 1, the $250,000 Holy Bull (G3) on Feb. 5, and the $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2) on
March 5, all received purse increases.
ETC.
MLB: Pitcher Kevin Gausman and the Toronto Blue Jays finalized a $110 million, five-year contract that fills an opening at the front of Toronto’s rotation. ... Javier Baez celebrated his 29th birthday Wednesday by signing a $140 million, six-year contact to play shortstop for the Detroit Tigers . ... The Chicago Cubs and catcher Yan Gomes finalized a $13 million, two-year contract that includes a club option for 2024 . ... The Los Angeles Dodgers are bringing back free agent Chris Taylor, agreeing with the versatile All-Star on a $60 million, four-year deal that includes a club option.
Golf: has gone from tears at the Ryder Cup to some of his best golf of the year, and right now his only complaint is the calendar. “I wish it was the end of March,” McIlroy said Thursday after a 6-under 66 to share the lead with Daniel Berger and Abraham Ancer in the Hero World Challenge at Nassau, Bahamas.
Soccer: Cristiano Ronaldo reached 800 career goals with a double that secured Manchester United a 3-2 victory against Arsenal in the Premier League, as interim manager Ralf Rangnick saw his new team triumph from the stands. Ronaldo scored the winner from the penalty spot after his first goal allowed him to reach 800 for his career . ... Atletico Mineiro came from two goals down to clinch its first Brazilian championship title in 50 years with a 3-2 win at Bahia.
Auto racing: Chase Elliott held on to one of his titles when fans voted him most popular driver for the fourth straight year. Elliott was the reigning NASCAR Cup champion and most popular driver this season, but he was beaten by new Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson for the Cup title.
Skiing: Marco Odermatt
of Switzerland smoothly glided through the steep and sun-drenched Birds of Prey course to win a men’s super-G race at Beaver Creek, Colorado. It’s the second victory of the young season for the 24-year-old Odermatt, who captured a giant slalom race in Austria in October.