NO. 1-RANKED HALEP LOOKING THE PART
CALIF.» Simona Halep is INDIAN WELLS, on track to retain her No. 1 world ranking after defeating Wang Qiang of China 7-5, 6-1 in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open on Tuesday.
Halep improved to 17-1 this year and needs only to reach the final to stay at the top.
American 16-year-old Amanda Anisimova’s run of success ended in a 6-1, 7-6 (2) loss to No. 5 seed Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic.
Halep attended 37-year-old Venus Williams’ straight-set victory over 36-year-old sister and new mother Serena on Monday night.
“I love the way that they are motivated and they are still playing at this age, Serena with the kid,” Halep said. “It’s a great thing what they do for sport, and it’s great that tennis has them. I have many things to learn from them. That’s why I’m trying just to go in to watch every time I can.”
• Ken Flach, who won four Grand Slam titles in men’s doubles and two in mixed doubles, has died, according to the ATP World Tour and International Tennis Federation. He was 54.
Johannson died of heart disease.
SPRINGS» Heart disease COLORADO caused a longtime USA Hockey executive’s death less than three weeks before the PyeongChang Games.
An autopsy report released by the El Paso County Coroner said 53-yearold Jim Johannson’s death was natural and caused by heart disease.
According to USA Hockey, Johannson died in his sleep Jan. 21 at his home in Colorado Springs.
Johannson worked for USA Hockey for decades and at the time of his death he was general manager of the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team. USA Hockey officials have said Johannson relished the chance to put together the men’s team that competed in South Korea.
Turcke promoted to high spot.
YORK» The NFL promoted Maryann NEW Turcke to chief operating officer, making her the highest-ranking woman at the league offices.
Turcke has overseen NFL Network in the last year. She replaced Tod Leiweke, who left the league after three years in the job.
Turcke will lead the marketing, communications, human resources, international and events and technology departments.
America’s Cup skipper joins Italy.
DIEGO» America’s Cup star Jimmy SAN
Spithill is headed to the Italian syndicate Luna Rossa, leaving the future of Oracle Team USA in doubt.
Luna Rossa, backed by the Prada fashion house, announced Spithill, an Australian, rejoined the syndicate after 11 years away. He was helmsman in the 2007 challenger trials, when Luna Rossa reached the finals before losing to Emirates Team New Zealand.
MLS and Mexico make partnership.
Major League Soccer and Liga MX joined in a long-term partnership that will launch later this year when reigning MLS Cup champion Toronto hosts the champion from Mexico’s top league.
The match, dubbed the Campeones Cup, is set for Sept. 19 at BMO Field. The Liga MX opponent will be the winner of July’s Campeon de Campeones match between the Apertura champion Tigres UANL and the Clausura champion determined in May.
Footnotes.
Tiger Woods and Ernie Els are the next Presidents Cup captains for the December 2019 matches in Australia. … The defending WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx signed free-agent guard Tanisha Wright, a 12-year veteran who most recently played for New York in 2016, averaging 6.7 points and 3.6 assists in 29 games. … Washington State women’s basketball coach June Daugherty will not return next season. … The University of Colorado men’s golf team finished eighth in a 16-team field with 11 of the nation’s top 50 teams. The Buffs carded an 8-over-par 296 in the final round for an 11-over 875 total at the Lamkin San Diego Classic. CSU finished 12th at 18-over 882.