Reuters Sports News Summary
Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
Teen sensation Gauff eyes next act at U.S. Open
From the throngs of young fans who idolize her, to the tennis experts desperately seeking the sport's "next big thing", there is no shortage of expectations on the shoulders of 15-year-old Cori "Coco" Gauff. After seeing off five-times Wimbledon champion Venus Williams on the way to reaching the last 16 at the All England Club this year, Gauff enters the final Grand Slam of 2019 with the kind of megawatt attention usually reserved only for the sport's highest echelon.
NHL notebook: Senators keep Colin White with six-year deal
The Ottawa Senators signed promising center Colin White to a six-year, $28.5 million contract on Wednesday. The 22-year-old White had 14 goals and 27 assists in 71 games last season. His 41 points marked only the eighth time in franchise history that a rookie scored 40 or more points.
Sixteen years after U.S. Open glory, Roddick searches for American successor
When Andy Roddick hoisted his first -- and last -- U.S. Open trophy in 2003, few could have imagined America's men were in for a more than 15-year Grand Slam title drought. But with the days of Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi long gone, and the women taking up the mantle of American tennis supremacy, the shift in the balance of power is undeniable, Roddick told Reuters, days ahead of the year's final tennis major kicked off.
NFL notebook: Mayfield clears air with Jones
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield told reporters Wednesday that he reached out to Daniel Jones about his recently published comments regarding the New York Giants rookie. According to Mayfield, the two quarterbacks texted and the exchange went well.
Japan speculates over identity of final Olympic torchbearer
With the Tokyo Olympics less than a year away, speculation is growing in Japan over who will be the final torchbearer to light the cauldron in the new Olympic Stadium, in the traditional ritual that begins every Games. Some predict a famous Japanese athlete, such as retired baseball player Ichiro Suzuki, will do the honors. Others say it will be an ordinary, but symbolically important, person.
Djokovic still favorite but defeat gives rivals hope
Novak Djokovic was all set to cruise into the U.S. Open as hot favorite but a semi-final defeat at the Cincinnati Masters last week has at least given hope to his challengers that the world number one is not invincible. Djokovic was on a roll until Cincinnati, having won three titles, including two Grand Slams, on three different surfaces this year.
Ryder Cup player Olesen denies sexual assault charge: report
Danish Ryder Cup golfer Thorbjorn Olesen denied charges of sexual assault, being drunk on an aircraft and common assault stemming from a trans-Atlantic flight when he appeared in court in London on Wednesday, The Times newspaper reported. The 29-year-old, who helped Europe to victory in the Ryder Cup last year, was arrested at London's Heathrow Airport on July 29 following a flight from the United States, where he had been playing a World Golf Championships event in Memphis.
Fans betting on sentimental favorite Serena to win U.S. Open
In the twilight of her remarkable career Serena Williams is more often the sentimental favorite rather than the bettors' choice but the 37-year-old American will be both as she heads to the U.S. Open chasing an elusive 24th record-equaling Grand Slam. Despite fitness concerns and a title drought that stretches back to the 2017 Australian Open, bookmakers are backing Williams to match Margaret Court's record haul and the New York crowds, as always, will be in her corner when play gets underway on Monday at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Olympics: Climbers hoping to boost Japan's medal count at 2020 Games
Tomoa Narasaki and Akiyo Noguchi have boosted Japan's hopes of a medal when sport climbing makes its Olympic debut next year after winning gold and silver at the Climbing World Championships in Tokyo. Narasaki won the men's combined event on Wednesday, a day after Noguchi won silver in the women's competition, as both climbers secured qualification berths for 2020.
U.S. draw Latvia in 2020 Fed Cup qualifiers
The United States will begin their quest for a 19th Fed Cup title when they take on Latvia on Feb. 7-8 next year after the draw was held at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) office in London. Great Britain will travel to Slovakia while Romania, led by Wimbledon champion Simona Halep, host Russia. Belarus, the 2017 finalists, play away at the Netherlands while Switzerland host Canada for the fifth time.
