Reuters Sports News Summary

09/10/2016 3:59

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Yao takes friendly shot at Shaq at Hall of Fame induction

Yao Ming, who inspired a generation of NBA fans in his native China, wistfully acknowledged a career that "ended too soon" as he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday. "I treasure each and every moment. I'm grateful for my time on court and for your recognition tonight," Yao said in a speech that was also littered with humorous digs at his fellow inductees.

Oklahoma judge OKs McClendon land sale, freeing Thunder stake

The judge overseeing Aubrey McClendon's estate approved a land deal on Friday that will pay off one of the late energy magnate's major creditors, paving the way for the sale of his stake in professional basketball team the Oklahoma City Thunder. In probate court in Oklahoma City, Judge Richard Kirby approved Jones Energy Inc's plan to purchase 18,000 acres of oil and gas leasehold interests for $136.5 million from the estate. The proceeds from the sale will repay private equity firm Oaktree Capital Group LLC, to whom McClendon owes $85 million, court records show.

New No. 1 Kerber eyes revenge against Pliskova in final

Angelique Kerber, who fulfilled a dream by completing her rise to the rank of world number one in women's tennis, now has a chance to satisfy a more basic urge - revenge - in the U.S. Open final on Saturday. The 28-year-old German goes for her second grand slam title of the year against 10th-seeded Czech Karolina Pliskova, who hopes to ride her huge service game to a maiden major in the Arthur Ashe Stadium showdown.

Course record 63 drives Johnson into share of BMW lead

World number two Dustin Johnson conjured up memories of John Daly as he plundered a course record nine-under-par 63 to earn a share of the second-round lead at the rain-hit BMW Championship in Indiana on Friday. Johnson collected two eagles, holing a 15-yard bunker shot at the par-five ninth and sinking a 25-foot putt at the 15th en route to his sizzling score at Crooked Stick in Carmel.

Second edition of Laver Cup to be staged in U.S.

The U.S. Tennis Association has joined in the partnership launching the new Laver Cup team competition and will help stage the second edition of the event in the United States in 2018. The Laver Cup, named after twice calendar-year grand slam champion Rod Laver, is a three-day team competition modeled on golf's Ryder Cup, pitting a team of six top players from Europe against six of their counterparts from the rest of the world.

Djokovic solves Monfils puzzle to reach U.S. Open final

World number one Novak Djokovic scrapped his way into the U.S. Open final for a seventh time on Friday with a confounding 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-2 win over enigmatic Frenchman Gael Monfils. Often viewed as more showman than competitor, the 10th-seeded Monfils tested the patience of both Djokovic and the fans with a display of tennis that swung wildly from dynamic to indifferent.

NFL's Sept. 11 plans may collide with anthem protests

The NFL said on Friday it will commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States during games on Sunday, the same day when some players plan to protest during the U.S. national anthem. Four players have so far opted to kneel during the anthem in a protest against social injustice, a controversial gesture that started during the preseason and one that many consider to be a sign of disrespect to the American flag.

Wawrinka tops Nishikori to reach final versus Djokovic

Stan Wawrinka outslugged Japanese sixth seed Kei Nishikori 4-6 7-5 6-4 6-2 in energy-sapping humidity at Flushing Meadows on Friday to set up a U.S. Open final against world number one Novak Djokovic. The third-seeded Swiss took a while to get untracked as 2014 U.S. Open runner-up Nishikori played a near flawless opening set of the semi-final with just two errors.

Brazil court indicts 10 nabbed in Rio Olympic ticket scalping ring

A Rio de Janeiro court on Friday accepted prosecutors' charges against the man who until recently was Europe's top Olympic official and nine others in an illegal ticket-scalping ring picked up by police at the Games in August. The defendants, who will now stand trial, include Ireland's Patrick Hickey, who in August stepped down from his position as executive board member on the International Olympic Committee, and Kevin Mallon, a director of international sports hospitality company THG Sports.

Retired NBA star Duncan's ex-financial adviser charged with fraud

Retired NBA superstar Tim Duncan's former financial adviser has been indicted on federal fraud charges accusing him of bilking the long-time San Antonio Spurs player out of millions of dollars, court papers unsealed on Friday showed. Charles Banks, 49, was indicted by a grand jury on two counts of federal wire fraud on suspicion of defrauding Duncan, U.S. prosecutors in Texas said. Banks headed a Colorado-based business called Gameday Entertainment.

09/10/2016 3:59