Wawrinka wins battle of aged
Stan Wawrinka repeatedly used his trademark one-handed backhand to get the better of Andy Murray at the French Open once again, beating him 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 in what might have been Murray’s last singles match at Roland Garros.
Wawrinka, at 39, is just the third man of at least that age to win a match at the clay-court Grand Slam tournament since 1980, joining his Swiss countryman and pal Roger Federer, who did it in 2021, and Ivo Karlovic, who did it two years earlier.
Murray, 37, and Wawrinka had the second-oldest combined age for two male opponents in Paris since 2000. When it ended, they met at the net for a handshake, an embrace and a lengthy chat.
Other past winners of major titles who reached the second round on Sunday included Carlos Alcaraz, Naomi Osaka, Sofia Kenin and Jelena Ostapenko. But 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova lost 7-6 (3), 6-4 to Viktorija Golubic — making Krejcikova 0-3 in Paris since going 7-0 three years ago to take the title.
Ronel Blanco held Oakland in check for seven innings in his return from a 10game suspension for having a foreign substance in his glove and Kyle Tucker hit a two-run homer to lead the Houston Astros to a 5-2 victory over the Athletics ... Ronald Acuña Jr. left the Atlanta Braves’ 8-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning with left knee soreness. Acuña said he would have an MRI exam Sunday night and expects to be placed on the 10-day injured list.
Tadej Pogacar won the Giro d’Italia with the race’s biggest margin of victory in nearly six decades — earning a third Grand Tour trophy to go with his two Tour de France titles. He had an advantage of 9 minutes 56 seconds over runner-up Daniel Martinez. Geraint Thomas finished third overall, 10:24 behind.
David Pastrnak and David Kampf scored as the Czech Republic shut out Switzerland 2-0 to win the ice hockey world championship in Prague.
In Saturday’s late MLB games, Bryce Harper hit a three-run homer in Philadelphia’s six-run ninth inning, and the Phillies rallied past Colorado 8-4 for their seventh win in eight games.
In Saturday’s late MLS games, Riqui Puig scored the go-ahead goal in the 59th minute, Gabriel Pec added a goal and an assist and the Galaxy beat Houston 2-1 to extend its unbeaten streak to five . ... Mateusz Bogusz scored on a free kick and Hugo Lloris had his third consecutive shutout to help LAFC beat Atlanta 1-0 for its third win in a row.
Angela Stanford became the first player to successfully defend the LPGA Senior Championship title, closing with a three-under 69 on Saturday for a three-stroke victory over Cristie Kerr.