Reuters Sports News Summary
Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
FIFA to stick with 32 teams for Qatar World Cup
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be held with 32 participating teams and not an expanded 48 teams, organizers FIFA said on Wednesday. FIFA President Gianni Infantino had proposed expanding the tournament and explored the idea of adding additional host nations.
ATP roundup: Wawrinka among top seeds upset in Geneva
Two-time winner and local favorite Stan Wawrinka was ousted in the Round of 16 at the Banque Eric Sturdza Geneva Open in Switzerland on Wednesday, as Bosnia's Damir Dzumhur rallied past him 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Having worked his way back from injury and the No. 263 world ranking last June to No. 27, the second-seeded Wawrinka needed five set points to close out the first set and then was broken twice to lose the second. He went up a break and led 3-0 in the third but was broken twice in a row and lost 17 of the final 25 points in the match.
IOC recommends boxing keeps its place in Tokyo but not under AIBA
Boxing should keep its place at next year's Olympic Games but recognition of AIBA, the governing body of the sport's amateur version, should be suspended, the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) executive board recommended on Wednesday. The IOC said in a statement that it would instead set up a task force to organize the boxing competitions, including the qualification events to be held between January and May.
Bucks look to reclaim momentum from Raptors in Game 5
The Toronto Raptors have the momentum, but the Milwaukee Bucks will be playing on their home court Thursday night in the pivotal Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Raptors will try to maintain the energy they showed in winning the past two games at home to even the best-of-seven series at 2-2.
Agent blasts Drake over trolling of Antetokounmpo
Is rap star Drake getting into the heads of the Milwaukee Bucks, especially star player Giannis Antetokounmpo? The recording artist and Toronto Raptors fan might take credit for having something to do with the Eastern Conference finals being tied at 2-2 after the Bucks dropped Games 3 and 4 in Toronto.
WTA roundup: Putintseva rallies to reach quarters in Germany
Top-seeded Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan saved three set points in the first set and went on to defeat Mona Bathel 7-6 (8), 6-1 on Wednesday to reach the quarterfinals of the Nurnberger Versicherungscup in Germany. Bathel, a German, trailed 0-3 on a double break in the opening set but rallied to force a tiebreaker, staving off four set points before losing the set.
Warriors' owner 'confident' of keeping Thompson, Durant
Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob intends to re-sign Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant when they become unrestricted free agents this summer, even though Durant's agent said the superstar is undecided. With the Warriors in the midst of a nine-day break before the NBA Finals as they await the winner of the Toronto Raptors-Milwaukee Bucks series, Lacob answered questions about the futures of Thompson, 29, and Durant, 30, from The Athletic.
Reports: Vikings TE Rudolph confirms five-year offer
After weeks of trade rumors and prior broken-down negotiations over a contract extension, Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph confirmed a report that the team has offered him a five-year extension, according to multiple reports Wednesday. Rudolph, 29, was quoted by ESPN on the second day of the Vikings organized team activities (OTAs) as asserting the Pro Football Talk report was accurate. The PFT report stated that the team's offer would make Rudolph one of the highest-paid tight ends in the NFL.
Long admits marijuana use, points to flaws in NFL testing
Recently retired defensive end Chris Long admits to using marijuana as an NFL player, saying that the league should move toward a place where testing positive does not result in a suspension. "I certainly enjoyed my fair share on a regular basis throughout my career. I was never afraid to say that, but I'm able to say it more explicitly now," Long said of his marijuana use on The Dan Patrick Show on Wednesday.
Canha, A's sweep Indians with sixth straight win
Mark Canha homered and drove in three runs, and Frankie Montas struck out nine over six scoreless innings as the visiting Oakland Athletics completed a sweep of the Cleveland Indians with a 7-2 victory on Wednesday afternoon. Nick Hundley belted a homer among his three hits and joined Robbie Grossman in driving in a pair of runs for the Athletics, who extended their season-high winning streak to six games.
