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Wawrinka struggling postsurgery
Stan Wawrinka is still struggling to regain his form following surgery on his left knee.
Playing his first match since February, the three-time Grand Slam champion lost to 55thranked Steve Johnson 6-4, 6-4 Sunday in the first round of the Italian Open. Wawrinka committed 30 unforced errors to Johnson’s 17, was broken once in each set and failed to take advantage of his only two break opportunities. Wawrinka was operated on in August — twice — and returned in January at the Australian Open, where he was eliminated in the second round by Tennys Sandgren. He then retired from a match against 193rd-ranked Ilya Ivashka in Marseille, France, in February, citing a left knee injury.
Also on the red clay of the Foro Italico, Italian wild card Lorenzo Sonego had strong fan support as he came back from a set down to defeat Adrian Mannarino 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3.
Hawks to hire Pierce as head coach
The Atlanta Hawks are giving Lloyd Pierce his first head coaching job in the NBA, choosing a man who has been an assistant with Philadelphia and Memphis to rebuild the franchise.
The Hawks announced Friday they had agreed to terms on a deal with Pierce. General manager Travis Schlenk says the Hawks wanted a teacher to develop their young core and feel Pierce checks every box.
Pierce, 42, spent the past five seasons as an assistant coach in Philadelphia where the 76ers just reached the Eastern Conference semifinals after finishing third in the conference with a 52-30 record. Pierce also spent two years as assistant coach with Memphis Grizzlies, including 2013 when they reached the 2013 Western Conference finals.
He replaces Mike Budenholzer who left last month after the Hawks went 24-58 this season.
Basketball Without Borders returns to India
Basketball Without Borders is returning to India.
The NBA and FIBA announced Friday that Basketball Without Borders Asia 2018 will be held May 30-June 2 at The NBA Academy India in Delhi National Capital Region.
The event with the Basketball Federation of India will bring together top male and female players ages 17 and under to learn from NBA and FIBA players and coaches.
Former WNBA stars Jennifer Azzi and Ruth Riley also will oversee a development camp for female prospects. The NBA Academy India will host the camp as part of The NBA Academies Women’s Program on May 27-29.
Basketball Without Borders returns to India for the first time since 2008. It launched in 2001 and has reached more than 3,000 participants from 127 countries.