Tennis

Nadal shoots down Federer

The world's top two tennis players, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, both suffered shock defeats on Friday, while Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer at the Cincinnati Masters. No 3 Nadal booked a spot in the semifinals by rallying past Federer, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3. No 1 Djokovic fell 7-6 (5), 3-6, 7-5 to unseeded John Isner and two-time champion Murray was eliminated 6-3, 6-4 by Tomas Berdych.

Sharapova splits with Connors

Maria Sharapova has confirmed she has severed ties with coach Jimmy Connors after one match together. The world No 3 said in a statement e-mailed to Tennis.com that the pairing had not been "the right fit for this time in my career". The brief experiment ended after one match, a second-round loss to Sloane Stephens in the Western and Southern Open on Tuesday.

Soccer

Suarez back in training

Controversial Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has returned to first-team training, British media reported on Friday. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers had said the only way the Uruguay forward would be back training alongside his teammates was if he first apologized for suggesting the Reds boss had gone back on a deal allowing him to leave for a Champions League club. However there has, as yet, been no public confirmation from Liverpool as to whether Suarez has apologized.

Basketball

Wade set to return to court

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade expects to be on the court this weekend for the first time since Game 7 of the NBA Finals. He has been resting a bone bruise and has received shock treatments on both knees to help with tendinitis issues. "I won't be ready for opening night when training camp starts," Wade said. "But I'll be ready for opening night when opening night gets here."

T-Wolves re-sign center Pekovic

The Minnesota Timberwolves announced on Friday they had re-signed restricted free-agent center Nikola Pekovic. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Pekovic has averaged 11.6 points and 6.2 rebounds in 23.6 minutes per game over his career.

Baseball

Soriano sparks Yankees victory

Alfonso Soriano drove in four more runs and Andy Pettitte avoided his first-inning troubles to lead New York over AL East-leading Boston 10-3. The Yankees won for the fifth time in six games and sent the Red Sox to their third consecutive loss. Boston's lead in the division was trimmed to one game. Soriano was 3 for 4 with a hit-by-pitch and a three-run homer in the third that made it 6-0. He has 13 hits and 18 RBIs in his past four games.

Agencies

(China Daily 08/18/2013 page7)