Collins goes for crown at Palermo Ladies Open
Top-seeded Danielle Collins will try to win her first WTA title at the Palermo Ladies Open on Sunday in Palermo, Italy, when Elena-Gabriela Ruse of Romania will be aiming for her second title in two weeks.
Collins reached her first career final after beating fourth-seeded Zhang Shuai 6-4, 6-3 in the semifinals on Saturday, breaking the Chinese veteran three times.
The American lost a three-set quarterfinal to Ruse two weeks ago in Hamburg, where Ruse went on to win as a qualifier.
She’s attempting a repeat after reaching the Palmero final from qualifying. Ruse battled past sixth-seeded Oceane Dodin of France 6-7 (4), 7-6 (0), 6-1. Dodin saved 18 break points but committed 22 double faults.
More tennis
In doubles action at the Los Cabos Open, John Isner of the United States and Hans Hach Verdugo of Mexico defeated Hunter Reese of the United States and Sem Verbeek of the Netherlands 5-7, 6-2, 10-4.
Auto racing
NASCAR has penalized the Hendrick Motorsports teams of reigning Cup champion Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman for engine allocation infractions at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Elliott’s No. 9 team and Bowman’s No. 48 were found in violation of a rule that
covers engine assembly.
A statement from Hendrick Motorsports released Thursday said the violations were the result of an administrative error that resulted in a sealed engine assigned to Elliott’s No. 9 Chevrolet being unintentionally allocated to the No. 48.
“We apologize for the mistake and have taken steps to ensure it will not be repeated,” the company said.
Competition officials also deducted 25 points from each team’s total in both the driver and team owner standing. Elliott’s crew chief Alan Gustafson and Bowman’s crew chief Greg Ives each was fined $50,000.
The penalty drops Elliott from fifth to sixth in the Cup series standings. Bowman remains 11th in points.
NASCAR also issued suspensions to Hendrick Motorsports executive vice president
and general manager Jeff Andrews and the organization’s director of track engine support Scott Maxim for the next Cup event, at Watkins Glen on Aug. 8.
Soccer
The U.S. Soccer Federation has asked for New England defender Henry Kessler to replace injured Nashville defender Walker Zimmerman on its CONCACAF Gold Cup roster. Zimmerman was hurt early in the first half of last Sunday’s 1-0 win over Canada, which completed the group stage. The U.S. plays Jamaica in the quarterfinals on Sunday at Arlington, Tex. Kessler, 23, was part of the U.S. under-24 team that failed to qualify for the Olympics. He has not played for the senior national team. Most regulars on the national team are skipping the
Gold Cup.
• Jonathan Mensah’s 65thminute goal was enough as the Columbus Crew shut out Atlanta United 1-0.
• Nick DeLeon scored the game-winner for Toronto FC, who topped the Chicago Fire 2-1.
• The Portland Timbers score 10 minutes in, but Minnestoa United scored two goals in the last 20 minutes to win 2-1.
• FC Dallas rolled to a 4-0 win over the LA Galaxy
• Nashville SC won 3-0 over FC Cincinnati
• Two second-half goals from El Salvador was not enough as Qatar won the Gold Cup quarterfinals matchup. Qatar is able to play in the Gold Cup — a tournament normally made up of North and Central American teams — because they are the host nation for the 2022 World Cup.
• Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has signed a contract extension through at least the 2023-24 season, the club said. The show of confidence in Solskjaer follows a secondplace finish in the Premier League and a trip to Europa League final. The deal includes an option for 2024-25. The Norwegian was hired in December 2018 as an interim replacement for Jose Mourinho, and he was made permanent later that season.
Baseball
The New York Boulders topped the visiting Washington Wild Things 6-5. Wild Things pitcher Ryan Hennen gave up four runs on nine hits.