IN BRIEF (Page 23)

Impressive showings by Rafa and the roof

Rafael Nadal glided into the third round of the US Open on Wednesday as smoothly as the new roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium slid shut for the first time during a match.

Out in the Open

Headlines Nadal wins under Ashe stadium roof Fifth seed Milos Raonic knocked out Djokovic into last 32 without hitting a ball Konta overcomes on-court collapse to win Former two-time runner-up Wozniacki stuns 2004 champion

Milos melts in marathon loss to qualifier

Milos Raonic became the first major casualty of the US Open on Wednesday when the Canadian fifth seed fell 6-7(4), 7-5, 7-5, 6-1 to qualifier Ryan Harrison on the US.

Wozniacki digs deep to purge problems

Caroline Wozniacki's sunny smile has never masked her deep determination, and the Dane has needed all of her grit to turn around the toughest season of her career.

Big names backing Kaepernick campaign

Basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and NFL legend Jim Brown sprang to the defense of Colin Kaepernick as the furor over the San Francisco 49ers quarterback's national anthem boycott raged on Tuesday.

Tebow struts his diamond stuff

Former NFL quarterback and current ESPN broadcaster Tim Tebow showcased his baseball skills for scouts and media on Tuesday in an attempt to pursue a career in a second professional sport.

TV deal fuels cash splash

Closure of transfer window triggers huge contracts

Rooney will end England odyssey in 2018

Wayne Rooney announced on Tuesday the campaign for the 2018 World Cup in Russia will be his last as an England player.

Venus hits new orbit

Venus Williams racked up a record-setting 72nd Grand Slam tournament appearance on Tuesday and pledged to keep playing in order to give sister Serena a target to chase.

Out in the Open

Headlines

Tomic can't keep his mouth shut

Fiery Australian star Bernard Tomic was at the center of a foul-mouthed US Open controversy on Tuesday when he became embroiled in a lewd exchange with a heckler.