Cycling

Motorcycling-Aprilia's Martin set to return to MotoGP action at Czech Grand Prix

(Reuters) -Reigning MotoGP champion Jorge Martin will make his long-awaited return from injuries at the Czech Grand Prix later this month after he completed a testing session on Wednesday, his team Aprilia said.

Football

Soccer-Bigger stakes, rising stars and Marta's return set the stage for Women's Copa America

(Reuters) -The best women's teams in South America will meet in Ecuador starting on Friday, when the 2025 Women's Copa America kicks off, with Olympic and Pan American qualification, regional glory and a shifting competitive landscape all on the line.

Football

Soccer-Sweden's Asllani gives away special shirt after fan's heartfelt plea

ST. GALLEN, Switzerland (Reuters) -Sweden captain Kosovare Asllani had every intention of keeping the shirt she wore for her 200th cap in her side's 1-0 win over Denmark in their Women's Euros opener last week, but a woman's pleas from the stands as she left the pitch put paid to that idea.

Tennis

Tennis-Sinner tames Shelton to reach Wimbledon semi-final

LONDON (Reuters) -World number one Jannik Sinner shrugged off any doubts about his fitness to reach the Wimbledon semi-final for the second time with a clinical defeat of American Ben Shelton on Wednesday.

Cycling

Cycling-Evenepoel wins Tour time trial, Pogacar takes yellow jersey

FRANCE (Reuters) -Belgian Remco Evenepoel lived up to his favourite's tag in the individual time trial by winning stage five of the Tour de France on Wednesday, with defending champion Tadej Pogacar's second place enough to take hold of the leader's yellow jersey.

Football

Soccer-Everton sign French forward Barry from Villarreal

(Reuters) -Everton have signed French forward Thierno Barry from LaLiga side Villarreal on a four-year contract, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.

Football

Soccer-Bayern's Musiala says 'no one to blame' for leg-break at Club World Cup

(Reuters) -Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala said no one was to blame for the horrific leg-break he suffered in their Club World Cup quarter-final against Paris St Germain, adding on Wednesday that "situations like this happen".

Football

Soccer-Manchester City women sign Germany's Lohmann from Bayern

(Reuters) -Manchester City women have signed Germany midfielder Sydney Lohmann from Bayern Munich on a three-year deal, the Women's Super League club said on Wednesday.

Tennis

Tennis-Swiss mum Bencic through to her first Wimbledon semi-final

LONDON (Reuters) -Switzerland's Belinda Bencic won two tiebreaks to beat teenage Russian seventh seed Mirra Andreeva 7-6(3) 7-6(2) on Wednesday and become a first-time Wimbledon semi-finalist.

Rugby

Rugby-Kinghorn injury in Lions' win over Brumbies isn't serious, says Farrell

CANBERRA (Reuters) -British & Irish Lions fullback Blair Kinghorn's knee injury that marred a patchy win over the ACT Brumbies in Canberra on Wednesday did not seem serious, coach Andy Farrell has said.

Football

Soccer-England midfielder Henderson to leave Ajax on free transfer, say reports

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -England international Jordan Henderson is to leave Ajax Amsterdam on a free transfer after 18 months at the club, Dutch media said on Wednesday.

Cricket

Cricket-India's Pant flays 'irritating' Dukes ball in England test series

LONDON (Reuters) -India vice captain Rishabh Pant said the Dukes balls being used in the current test series against England are losing their shape very quickly and cannot be good for the game.

Tennis

Tennis-'Best way to say goodbye': Fognini retires after Wimbledon epic with Alcaraz

LONDON (Reuters) -Italy's Fabio Fognini announced his retirement from tennis on Wednesday, calling time on a 21-year career that culminated with a memorable five-set thriller against defending Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz that left Centre Court on its feet.

Tennis

Tennis-Ball whisperer Swiatek bludgeons Samsonova to reach first Wimbledon semi

LONDON (Reuters) -The balls kept on listening to Iga Swiatek on Wednesday as the Polish eighth seed walloped Liudmila Samsonova 6-2 7-5 to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals for the first time.

Football

Soccer - Spanish court hands Carlo Ancelotti one-year prison sentence for tax fraud

MADRID (Reuters) - A Spanish court on Wednesday handed Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti a one-year prison sentence for failing to pay tax on his image rights revenues in 2014 when the Italian was Real Madrid manager, according to a statement.

Cricket

Cricket-Archer makes hotly-anticipated return to England team for third test v India

(Reuters) -England's Jofra Archer has been named in the team to face India in the third test of the series at Lord's, England's cricket board (ECB) announced on Wednesday, as the fast bowler prepares for his first test in more than four years.

Football

Soccer-Olympique Lyonnais to remain in Ligue 1 after appeal

(Reuters) -Olympique Lyonnais' relegation to Ligue 2 was overturned by the appeals committee of the DNCG, French football's financial watchdog, on Wednesday.

Rugby

Rugby-Lions ease to 36-24 win over proud Brumbies in Canberra

CANBERRA (Reuters) -The British & Irish Lions were made to work, but eased to a 36-24 win over a depleted ACT Brumbies team in Canberra on Wednesday in a victory soured by another backline injury.

Motorsport

Motor racing-Horner's departure leaves F1 wondering what next for Verstappen

LONDON (Reuters) -Christian Horner's sacking as Red Bull team boss, a seismic moment for the sport despite warning tremors, raises immediate questions about the future of star driver Max Verstappen.

Football

Brazilian Careca aims to stamp his mark with Terengganu

PETALING JAYA: Brazilian playmaker Rainderson da Costa also known as Careca is back on Malaysian soil and determined to make an impact, this time in the black-and-white of Terengganu.