Reuters Sports News Summary

09/03/2016 0:58

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Barclays winner Reed stays red-hot in Boston

FedExCup points leader Patrick Reed maintained his run of sizzling form as he moved into contention for the Deutsche Bank Championship in Massachusetts on Friday, despite suffering putting woes on his back nine. The burly American, fresh from victory at The Barclays on Sunday when he also locked up a spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team, opened with a three-under-par 68 at the TPC Boston in Norton to finish three shots behind co-leaders Ryan Moore and James Hahn.

Impressive Monfils happy to show his serious side

Seriousness and Gael Monfils usually go together about as well as fish and chocolate. However, 10 months in the company of Mikael Tillstrom seems to have turned Monfils into a more consistent performer and an impressive 6-4 6-2 6-4 win over Spain's Nicolas Almagro put the Frenchman into the last 16 at the U.S. Open on Friday.

Alex shoots 64 for second-round lead at Manulife LPGA Classic

American Marina Alex was "super happy" after finding herself in uncharted waters with the halfway lead at the Manulife LPGA Classic in Ontario on Friday. Alex, buoyed by a 15-foot eagle putt on her final hole, also rode a wave of birdies to surge to the top with an eight-under-par 64 on the Whistle Bear course in Cambridge.

Serena eyes next step on path to history

Serena Williams will try to take a step closer to history on Saturday when she plays her third-round match at the U.S. Open.

The world number one takes on Johanna Larsson of Sweden for a place in the last 16, the third step on the path to an Open Era record 23rd grand slam title.

Rested Djokovic gets another slide at U.S. Open

Top seed Novak Djokovic cannot seem able to get a match in at the U.S. Open, as the world number one was given another rapid advance when Russian Mikhail Youzhny retired due to a leg injury when trailing 4-2 in the first set on Friday. Youzhny was treated during the changeover at 4-1 in the third-round match at Arthur Ashe Stadium and had his left thigh taped. He won the next game on serve but could not continue, giving Djokovic a pass into the round of 16.

Kaepernick protest stirs online storm but some NFL players supportive

NFL fans turned out in force on Twitter on Friday to heap scorn on Colin Kaepernick and two other players who refused to stand during the playing of the U.S. national anthem in a second week of pre-game protests, but some fellow players offered support. Much of the criticism was directed at Kaepernick, the San Francisco 49er quarterback who made good on his vow to carry on with his protest against racial injustice and police brutality before his team's Thursday game against the San Diego Chargers.

Resurgent Wozniacki downs Niculescu to reach last 16

Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki continued her resurgence at the U.S. Open with a commanding 6-3 6-1 win over Romania's Monica Niculescu on Friday to reach the fourth round. The Dane, a U.S. Open finalist in 2009 and 2014 but unseeded this year after being sidelined for two months by an ankle injury, dominated from the start and wrapped up victory in just under an hour and a half.

Nadal fist-pumps way into U.S. Open last 16

Fourth seed Rafa Nadal showed he is healthy and ready to challenge for a third U.S. Open title as he rolled into the last 16 at Flushing Meadows on Friday with a fist-pumping 6-1 6-4 6-2 win over Russian Andrey Kuznetsov. Erasing any lingering concerns over an injured left wrist that kept him out of Wimbledon, Nadal has made a powerful start to the year's final grand slam, racing into the fourth round without dropping a set.

Kerber crushes young Bellis to reach fourth round

Angelique Kerber, enjoying a breakout season that has her challenging for world number one, crushed 17-year-old American qualifier CiCi Bellis 6-1 6-1 to reach the fourth round of the U.S. Open on Friday. Bellis, the second youngest player in the women's field, won three qualifying matches and beat two players within the top 65 in the main draw but her dream run ended in a flood of Kerber winners and a rash of errors from the over-hitting teenager.

Besler misses birth of child, scores first goal for U.S.

American defender Matt Besler scored his first international goal on Friday just hours after learning his wife had gone into labor two weeks early and he had become a father. Besler, who is in the Caribbean with the U.S. team for their World Cup qualifier against St Vincent and the Grenadines, said he was thrilled at the news his wife had given birth to a daughter early on Friday.

09/03/2016 0:58