Update on the latest sports
TENNIS-US OPEN
Medvedev reaches semifinals
NEW YORK (AP) — Daniil Medvedev (DAN’-ihl MEHD’-veh-dehv) has reached the U.S. Open semifinals for the third straight year. He ended the surprising run of qualifier Botic van de Zandschulp with a 6-3, 6-0, 4-6, 7-5 victory.
The No. 2 seed from Russia dropped a set for the first time in the tournament but recovered to keep alive his bid for a first Grand Slam title. Van de Zandschulp was trying to become the first man to come through the qualifying rounds to reach the U.S. Open semifinals.
Medvedev will play either 18-year-old Carlos Alcazar of Spain or No. 12 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada in the semifinals.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL-POLL
AP Top 25: Georgia jumps to No. 2 behind Tide; UCLA moves in
UNDATED (AP) — Georgia has moved up three spots to No. 2 behind Alabama in The Associated Press Top 25. That gives the Southeastern Conference the top two teams in the country for the 30th time in history of the AP college football poll.
The Crimson Tide strengthened its hold on No. 1. It received 59 first-place votes, up from the 47 in the preseason poll. Georgia received the other four first-place votes.
Ohio State moved up to No. 3 and Oklahoma dropped two spots to No. 4. Texas A&M is fifth. Clemson fell three spots to No. 6 after losing to Georgia.
MLB-SCHEDULE
Phillies hope to continue success against Brewers
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Bryce Harper and the Phillies look to beat the NL Central-leading Brewers for the sixth straight time this season when Aaron Nola pitches against Eric Lauer in Milwaukee. Nola is 4-0 with a 2.75 ERA in seven career starts versus the Brewers, including a 6-5 victory on May 4 when he struck out 10 in Philadelphia.
Harper hit one of Philadelphia’s six homers Monday during a 12-0 romp in the series opener. He is batting .383 with five home runs and 14 RBIs in his last 12 games.
Milwaukee has an 11-game cushion in its division, but the Phillies are chasing a playoff spot. They’ve won eight of 10 to close within 1 1/2 games of first-place Atlanta in the NL East and two games of San Diego for the second NL wild card.
Among the other games on the schedule:
— In a matchup of wild-card contenders, Yankees ace Gerrit Cole starts the second game of a four-game seies at home against Toronto. Cole fanned 15 in seven innings against the Angels in his last outing — he’s two behind Philadelphia’s Zack Wheeler for most strikeouts in the majors.
— Aaron Civale returns to the mound when the Cleveland Indians host Minnesota. The 26-year-old Civale was in the middle of a breakout season when he sprained the middle finger on his right hand during a start at the Chicago Cubs on June 21. The right-hander made three minor league rehab starts, going 1-0 with a 0.79 ERA. John Gant pitches for the Twins.
— The Rays and the Red Sox meet again at Fenway. Rays rookie Wander Franco keeps putting up impressive numbers and has reached base safely in 36 straight games. That’s the longest active streak in the majors.
— Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw, who’s been sidelined with elbow inflammation, is scheduled to pitch three innings in a rehab outing for Triple-A Oklahoma City. If all goes well, the team expects the three-time Cy Young Award winner will be ready to return for his next start.
NFL-STEELERS-WATT
Steelers expect Watt to be available
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is optimistic All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt will be available when the defending AFC North champions open the season in Buffalo.
The three-time Pro Bowler is entering the final year of his contract and negotiations on a possible extension are ongoing. Watt didn’t play during the preseason and did not participate in 11-on-11 drills during training camp.
If Watt for some reason can’t go, veteran Melvin Ingram will likely get the start against the Bills.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-VACCINE REQUIREMENT
Seahawks, Sounders, Kraken to require proof of vaccination
SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks, Sounders and Kraken say they will require proof of vaccination for all fans 12 or older attending the teams’ home games. The Mariners also say they will require proof of vaccination beginning in October should the team make the playoffs.
The Seahawks and Sounders will accept proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of an event, beginning with the Seahawks’ home opener on Sept. 19 against Tennessee.
The University of Washington and Washington State University are also requiring a negative test or proof of vaccination. Washington’s begins Sept. 25. Washington State’s will begin in October.
The Kraken are requiring proof of vaccination. Their first home game is scheduled for Oct. 23 against Vancouver.
HOCKEY-NWHL REBRANDING
NWHL rebrands to Premier Hockey Federation entering 7th year
UNDATED (AP) — The National Women’s Hockey League is changing its name to the Premier Hockey Federation.
North America’s first women’s professional hockey league to pay players a salary made the switch as part of a rebranding to reflect sweeping changes made to its management structure. That’s coupled with an influx of private ownership entering its seventh season. The decision to change names also provides the six-team federation an opportunity to make a social statement by removing gender from its title.
The rebrand follows a series of changes made over the past year in the federation’s bid to achieve financial stability. The federation is now run by a board of governors and recently completed the sale of its franchises to private owners.
