Federer can eclipse Agassi as oldest No. 1
Roger Federer has moved within touching distance of eclipsing a record held by Andre Agassi after reaching the quarter-finals of the ABN AMRO tournament in Rotterdam.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion went through after making it 13 wins in as many matches against Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber on Thursday.
One more victory at the indoor tournament will ensure the 36-year-old Federer leapfrogs his old rival Rafael Nadal at the top of the world rankings. He would also become the oldest No. 1 male player, surpassing Agassi, who holds the record at 33 years, 133 days.
Two tied atop Genesis Open
Patrick Cantlay returned to what amounts to his home course on the PGA Tour and shot a 5-under 66 to share the lead at the Genesis Open. Cantlay shared the lead with Tony Finau. Tiger Woods, who also grew up 60 km away, returned to Riviera for the first time in 12 years. Woods shot 72.
Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford was the top Canadian at 1-under 70, tied for 21st.
Ko leads Aussie Open
Jin Young Ko made six birdies on the back nine in her LPGA Tour debut to take a two-stroke lead in the opening round of the Women’s Australian Open on Thursday in Adelaide.
Ko carded a 7-under-par 65 to move past second place Jiyai Shin, a fellow South Korean.
Laura Davies and Canada’s Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., each shot 72.
Bribery case closer to trial
Three men accused of facilitating bribes to entice recruits to play for top-tier college basketball programs moved a step closer to a trial.
U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan on Thursday denied a bid to throw out the charges against former Adidas AG executive James Gatto, consultant Merl Code and agent Christian Dawkins. The three had argued that they were trying to help the University of Louisville and the University of Miami after being asked to do so by their basketball coaches.
Kaplan rejected that claim, saying the coaches may not have been representing the interests of the colleges.
Ex-coach found guilty
A former English youth soccer coach was found guilty on Thursday of seven more charges of sexual abuse on young players. Barry Bennell was found guilty by a jury at Liverpool Crown Court.
Bennell, 64, was found guilty on Tuesday of 36 charges of sexual abuse on 10 young players. Before the trial, Bennell pleaded guilty to seven counts of indecent assault involving three boys.