AUTO RACING
Simon Pagenaud turned a stressful weekend into an unforgettable celebration.
Pagenaud earned his first career Indianapolis 500 pole with a four-lap average of 229.992 mph, edging three-time pole winner Ed Carpenter and Spencer Pigot. He is the first Frenchman to win the Indy 500 pole in 100 years.
Carpenter, also the team owner, will start second while Pigot, the fastest qualifier Saturday, completes the front row and Chevrolet sweep of the top three spots.
Pagenaud will try to become the 18th Indy 500 winner for Team Penske and second consecutive to sweep the month of May at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Will Power of Penske did it last season. TENNIS
Rafael Nadal is right back where he wants to be. After losing in the semifinals of three straight clay-court tournaments, Nadal dominated for stretches against his longtime rival, Novak Djokovic, in a 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 win for a record-extending ninth Italian Open title.
It marked the first time in an Open Era-record 54 meetings, and in their 142nd set against each other, that Nadal won a set against Djokovic without conceding a game – otherwise known as a bagel.
The timing for Nadal’s return to form could not have been more opportune, as he will seek a recordextending 12th title at the French Open starting next weekend.
“Winning a title is important but for me the most important thing is feel myself competitive, feel myself healthy,” Nadal said. “Then with the feeling that I am improving. I know if I’m able to reach my level you can win, you can lose, but normally I’m going to have my chances, especially on this surface.”
Top-ranked Djokovic, meanwhile, appeared exhausted after spending more than 5 ½ hours on court against Juan Martin del Potro and Diego Schwartzman the previous two days.
NFL
Eagles defensive lineman Chris Long announced his retirement from football Saturday night, ending an 11-year NFL playing career that included winning two Super Bowl titles and the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
Long posted his decision on Twitter , with a tweet that included a picture of his right hand holding up a red cup with a grassy field, trees and mountains in the background.
“Cheers,” Long wrote. “Been a hell of a journey. Eleven years and I can honestly say I put my soul into every minute of it. Highs and lows. I’ve seen them both and I appreciate the perspective. Gratitude and love to those who lifted me up.”
The 33-year-old son of Hall of Famer Howie Long had 70 career sacks with the Rams, Patriots and Eagles.
HOCKEY
Dylan Larkin scored a tiebreaking goal midway through the third period and the United States went on to beat Germany, 3-1, Sunday at the world championships in Kosice, Slovakia.
The Americans have won five straight games in Group A since opening the tournament with a 4-1 loss to the host Slovaks.