NEWSMAKERS
Nadal and Murray advance at Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal is on his way to the fourth round at Wimbledon, and he’s three matches away from taking over as the No. 1 player in the world. Nadal beat Karen Khachanov of Russia 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (3) Friday on Centre Court. If he reaches the final at the All England Club, the two-time Wimbledon champion will become the top-ranked player in the world, surpassing Andy Murray. On Monday, Nadal will face Gilles Muller. Murray held on through a tough fourth set to beat Fabio Fognini 6-2, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5. Earlier Friday, Victoria Azarenka beat Heather Watson 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. The two-time Grand Slam champion will next face Simona Halep. Venus Williams, a five-time Wimbledon champion, beat Naomi Osaka 7-6 (3), 6-4 and will face 27th-seeded Ana Konjuh.
Davies lifts Canada to Gold Cup victory
The Canadian men’s soccer team built up a three-goal lead and hung on to beat French Guiana 4-2 Friday in Harrison, N.J., to begin competition at the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The goals and victory were Canada’s first at the Gold Cup since 2011. Teenager Alphonso Davies, who has impressed with the Vancouver Whitecaps, scored twice in the second half. Dejan Jakovic and Scott Arfield also scored for Canada in the first half. After Canada had gone up 3-0, Roy Contout and Sloan Privat scored two minutes apart with about 20 minutes remaining. Canada travels to Houston to play Costa Rica Tuesday. The Canadians finish the group stage next Friday in Frisco, Tex., against Honduras.
Back-to-back wins for cyclist Kittel in France
Another day, another victory for Marcel Kittel in the Tour de France. Only this time, the German made his move nearly too late and edged Edvald Boasson Hagen of Norway in a photo finish to win his third stage — and second in two days. Three-time champion Chris Froome will wear the yellow jersey into the mountains this weekend. It was Kittel’s 12th career win in the Tour, tying him with Erik Zabel for the German record. Michael Matthews of Australia crossed third. Froome remained 12 seconds ahead of Sky teammate Geraint Thomas and 14 seconds ahead of Fabio Aru of Italy.
McGregor boxing circus stops in Toronto
The biggest circus in combat sports is making a stopover in Toronto next week. On Friday, Mayweather Promotions and the UFC announced that Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor will be launching a four-city press tour next week, and the second stop will see the two fighters in Toronto on July 12. The event will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, with both fighters in attendance for what is being described as a “live show” to help build excitement for their Aug. 26 boxing match in Las Vegas. Doors open to the public in Toronto at 4:30 p.m.
Canada to face U.S. in World Cup hoops semi
Canada will play for its first medal at the FIBA U19 World Cup. R.J. Barrett of Mississauga, Ont., scored 27 points to lead the Canadians to a 73-67 victory over France in Friday’s quarter-finals. Canada will face the United States in the semifinals on Saturday after the Americans beat Germany 81-59. Abu Kigab of St. Catharines, Ont., had 17 points, 15 rebounds and six assists, while Grant Shephard of Kelowna, B.C., chipped in with 12 points for the Canadians. Barrett, who turned 17 last month, added five rebounds and four assists. Canada is 5-1 in the tournament, its one loss coming against Spain.
Heart procedure sidelines Francona
Indians manager Terry Francona underwent a procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat that sidelined him for a few games and will keep him away from the all-star game next week. The 58-year-old Francona, who had been experiencing dizziness, fatigue and a rapid heart rate over the last month, had a cardiac ablation performed Thursday at the Cleveland Clinic. Francona has been hospitalized and undergoing tests since Tuesday, when he was admitted after doctors detected an arrhythmia when reading a monitor the manager has been wearing for several weeks.