LONDON-- The career of Russian former world number one Maria Sharapova was in tatters on Wednesday after she was given a two-year ban by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) following her positive test for the banned drug meldonium.
ORLANDO-- Philippe Coutinho grabbed a hat-trick as Brazil ramped up their Copa America campaign with a resounding 7-1 win over a hapless Haiti on Wednesday.
Renato Augusto scored a brace and substitutes Lucas Lima and Gabriel also goaled for Brazi, while James Marcelin put in Haiti's consolation goal.
OHIO-- Former world number one Luke Donald earned a berth in next week's U.S. Open at Oakmont following a playoff at a qualifying event in Powell, Ohio, on Tuesday.
CHICAGO-- The United States kept their Copa America hopes alive by thrashing Costa Rica 4-0 in Chicago on Tuesday.
After losing their opener 2-0 to Colombia, the United States were in clinical form against the Central Americans and scored three times in the first half through Clint Dempsey, Jermaine Jones and Bobby Wood.
AUSTRALIA--Sydney’s invitation-only surf competition ran through two hours of battles in extreme waves on the edge of Botany Bay on Monday before being put on hold as officials waited for the wild conditions to relent.
