Digest

TENNIS

Bryans' absence sparks retirement speculation

Bob and Mike Bryan were not on the entry list released for men's doubles at the US Open on Wednesday, possibly signaling the end of the 42-year-old American twins' record-breaking careers.

The Bryans won five of their 16 Grand Slam doubles titles together in New York, most recently in 2014.

Mike also won the 2018 US Open with Jack Sock when Bob was recovering from hip surgery.

Three-time US Open champion Kim Clijsters received a wild-card entry in doubles to go along with the one she got for singles as she makes her Grand Slam comeback.

The tournament begins singles competition Aug 31, and doubles on Sept 2. The doubles fields are being cut from 64 to 32 teams for women and men this year to reduce the number of people on site because of the coronavirus pandemic.

SOCCER

Fellaini continues hot streak in Luneng win

Marouane Fellaini was Shandong Luneng's hero once more as the former Manchester United midfielder netted the winner from the penalty spot in a 2-1 victory over Henan Jianye in Dalian.

The 32-year-old Belgian, who tested positive for COVID-19 in March, proved again that he is feeling no lingering ill effects from the virus as he despatched an 83rd-minute spotkick to lift Luneng to the top of the Chinese Super League Group A standings.

Fellaini's strike－his fourth goal this term－saved the blushes of ex-Southampton striker Graziano Pelle, who had a 72nd-minute penalty saved by Jianye's Wu Yan.

Earlier, Moises had given Luneng a 13th-minute lead before Henrique Dourado equalized in the 26th.

CYCLING

Froome targets Vuelta after Tour omission

Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome was on Wednesday left out of the Team Ineos squad for this year's race.

The 35-year-old Kenya-born Briton has been trying to return to peak condition after a high-speed crash last year came close to ending his career. He said he is not in the shape required for Le Tour which starts on Aug 29.

"I'm not confident that I can really fulfill the necessary job that would be needed from me at this year's Tour de France," said Froome, who is instead targeting a third victory in the Vuelta a Espana (Oct 20-Nov 8).

Geraint Thomas, the 2018 Tour champion, was also omitted by Ineos (formerly Team Sky), leaving defending champ Egan Bernal as team leader. Thomas will target the Giro d'Italia (Oct 3-25).

Xinhua - Agencies