Latest - Austria's Dominic Thiem produced a fearless display of attacking tennis to beat Rafa Nadal 7-6(7) 7-6(4) in a high-quality duel to book his place in the last four at the ATP Finals in London.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The world number three struck 37 clean winners to claim his second round-robin victory and reigning champion Stefanos Tsitsipas's narrow defeat of Andrey Rublev later guaranteed the Austrian a semi-final spot with a match to spare.
"Definitely one of the better matches I have played so far in my career," this year's U.S. Open champion Thiem said.
Greek Tsitipas beat Rublev 6-1 4-6 7-6 (8-6).
The second semi-finalist from the group will be decided when Nadal plays Tsitsipas.
-Reuters
Second Fiji rugby test cancelled due to COVID-19
Fiji's rugby test against Italy this weekend has been called off following 29 positive COVID-19 cases within the Fiji team.
The match was due to be played in Ancona.
It means Italy will be awarded a 28-nil win.
Fiji's match against France last weekend was also cancelled because of Fiji players having contracted COVID.
Fiji are also scheduled to play Scotland at the end of the month with a final-round fixture against either England, Wales, Ireland or Georgia early in December but these matches must also now be in doubt.
CA still planning on Adelaide test against India
Cricket Australia is still planning to host the first test against India in Adelaide next month despite moving players out of South Australia after a cluster of new coronavirus cases in the state.
Adelaide Oval at night. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
South Australia reimposed social distancing restrictions on Monday after detecting 21 cases of the virus, most of which were acquired locally in Adelaide.
With neighbouring states starting to close the borders with South Australia to try to contain the outbreak, Cricket Australia shifted international players from their Twenty20 and one-day squads north to Sydney.
India's squad is already in quarantine in Sydney preparing for six limited-overs matches against Australia in November and December followed by the four-test series, which is scheduled to start at Adelaide Oval on Dec. 17.
Cricket Australia said in a statement it "remained committed" to playing the first test at the ground.
South Australia was more successful than New South Wales and Victoria at containing the virus when it first arrived in Australia and hosted the first four rounds of the domestic Sheffield Shield competition from mid-October.
-Reuters
Canterbury held to draw in Plunket Shield
Canterbury will take a comfortable lead into the Plunket Shield break but it could have been more.
Otago managed to bat out the last day in Alexandra to salvage an unlikely draw against canterbury who has scored three outright wins in their first three games.
Canterbury have a 20 point lead over Northern Districts who beat central Districts by 40 runs in Nelson.
Auckland are another point back in third after their match in Wellington at the Basin Reserve ended in a draw.
The Plunket Shield returns in March.
IOC won't force athletes to get vaccinations
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach says athletes would not be forced to get Covid-19 vaccinations ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, but he said they should as a "demonstration of solidarity" with the Japanese.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Bach visited the Athletes' Village yesterday before concluding his two-day Tokyo trip with a visit to the National Stadium.
"We will encourage athletes that whenever possible they have the vaccination because it is better for their health, and it is also a demonstration of solidarity with their fellow athletes and also the Japanese people," said the German.
Bach's trip, his first to Japan since the decision to postpone the Games in March, has been up-beat throughout and he has spoken about the great impact a vaccine could have on Tokyo's ability to host the Olympics next year.
More than 11,000 athletes are expected to descend upon Tokyo for the Olympics, which are due to begin on July 23, with thousands more coming for the subsequent Paralympics.
Tokyo 2020 organisers are holding a project review meeting this week and hope to decide on a range of Covid-19 counter-measures, including whether spectators will be allowed in venues next year.
-Reuters
South African rugby players reminded to stick to rules
South African rugby players have been warned to practise strict compliance with measures to minimise the risk of Covid-19 infection, following the cancellation of a third Super Rugby Unlocked match.
The Sharks against the Stormers in Durban on Saturday has been cancelled following positive tests among the Sharks forwards.
It followed the cancellation of two Lions matches -- against the Cheetahs and Pumas.
"Players and management are urged to employ extreme caution in their social engagement," SA Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux said.
"It only takes one careless interaction by a single player to have the knock-on effect that impacts on 45 other players, team managements, the schedule and potentially the destination of the title.
-Reuters