Federer reaches No. 1, Stuttgart final
Roger Federer defeated Nick Kyrgios 6-7 (2), 6-2, 7-6 (5) to book his place in the Stuttgart (Germany) Open final and reclaim the No. 1 ranking from Rafael Nadal on Saturday.
“It’s nice that it happened but I’ve other problems,” said Federer, playing his first tournament since March. “I hadn’t played in three months, it’s on grass, it’s fast and difficult to get so far here. Still, I’m delighted to have achieved it.”
The Swiss great will play Milos Raonic as he bids for his 18th grass-court title and 98th altogether.
Raonic earlier hit 19 aces and saved the only break point he faced as he defeated defending champion Lucas Pouille 6-4, 7-6 (3) in the other semifinal. KONTA, BARTY IN NOTTINGHAM FINAL » Johanna Konta overcame a rain delay and defending champion Donna Vekic to secure a place in the Nottingham (England) Open final for the second successive year. Local hope Konta beat Croatia’s Vekic 6-2, 6-3 in the semifinals. Top-seeded Ashleigh Barty awaits in today’s final after the Australian beat Naomi Osaka of Japan 6-3 6-4. MURRAY TO MAKE RETURN » Andy Murray confirmed he will make his return to competitive tennis at the Queen’s Club tournament in London next week after almost a year out injured and faces Nick Kyrgios in his opening match. The threetime major winner has not played since last year’s Wimbledon due to a hip injury and subsequent surgery.
Golf
NORDQVIST, PACE LEAD LPGA EVENT » Anna Nordqvist and Lee-Anne Pace each shot 8-under 64 on Saturday to share the thirdround lead in the Meijer LPGA Classic in Grand Rapids, Mich. Nordqvist and Pace each birdied four of the first five holes and two of the last three each making 20-footers on the par-4 18th in their bogeyfree rounds. They were at 18-under 198 at Blythefield Country Club.
Motorsports
COURTNEY FORCE TOPS
QUALIFYING IN TENNESSEE » Courtney Force topped Funny Car qualifying for the fifth time in the last six events and the seventh time this season at the Fitzgerald USA NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tenn.
Force had a 3.993-second pass at 325.92 mph Friday during her second qualifying run. The points leader has four victories this season, three in the last four events.
Clay Millican qualified first in Top Fuel, and Greg Anderson led the Pro Stock field also with their second runs Friday.
MOFFITT WINS TRUCK RACE » Brett Moffitt won the NASCAR Truck series race at Iowa Speedway, his hometown track. The 25-year-old Moffitt, from nearby Grimes, led 76 laps for his second victory of the season in the No. 16 truck. He started 16th, the lowest spot on the grid for a race winner in 2018. Noah Gragson was second.
NBA
KINGS’ RANDOLPH LOSES
BROTHER IN SHOOTING » Authorities said Sacramento Kings forward Zach Randolph’s brother was shot and killed early Saturday outside of a bar in the Indiana city where the two grew up.
Police said that an officer heard gunfire at around 5 a.m. and found Roger Randolph bleeding between two cars outside of Hop’s Blues Room in Marion, which is about 60 miles northeast of Indianapolis. They said investigators don’t know the circumstances surrounding the shooting, but they don’t think it was a random attack.
Boxing
SPENCE JR. KEEPS BELT » Errol Spence Jr. stopped Carlos Ocampo in the first round to retain the IBF welterweight crown in Frisco, Texas. Spence improved to 24-0 with his 11th straight knockout and 21st overall.