Digest

RUNNING

Kipchoge misses out on world record in Tokyo

Eliud Kipchoge

Kenya's double Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge won the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday, but an attempt to break his own world record fell short as he crossed the line in 2 hr 2 min 40 sec.

Kipchoge pulled away from countryman Amos Kipruto at around the 35-kilometer mark but was unable to beat the 2:01:39 he clocked at the 2018 Berlin Marathon.

The 37-year-old was not helped by a wrong turn by the leading pack after about 10 kilometers, which cost the runners around 10 seconds and upset their rhythm as they doubled back on themselves.

Kipchoge joined a select club of athletes last year when he defended his 2016 Rio Olympics marathon title at the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games in Sapporo.

"I'm really happy. I'm excited again to be in Japan, especially after winning the Olympic Games last year in Sapporo," he said.

"I really, really, really appreciate the crowd. I think the Japanese are really helpful. That's why I say in the press that I run strong in Japan."

Kipruto finished second in 2:03:13.

Kenya's Brigid Kosgei, another world-record holder, won the women's race in 2:16:02.

TENNIS

Federer won't be back before late summer

Roger Federer said Saturday any tournament comeback from his knee surgery last year will not be until at least the late summer.

The 40-year-old tennis great gave an update on his lengthy rehabilitation to Swiss broadcaster SRF when he attended a women's World Cup ski race at Lenzerheide, where he has a home.

It confirmed Federer's comments in November that he would not return in time for Wimbledon in June, though he did not specify Saturday his plans for the US Open which starts Aug 29.

Federer told SRF his rehabilitation was progressing well enough that he was now thinking in terms of playing again. Previously, he said the motivation for undergoing surgery last August was to protect his future quality of life with his family rather than return to competitive tennis.

Federer's 20 Grand Slam singles titles are tied with Novak Djokovic, one fewer than Rafael Nadal who won his 21st in January at the Australian Open.

CRICKET

Family 'in complete shock' at Warne death

Shane Warne

Shane Warne's family has been "shattered" by the sudden death of the Australian cricket great, and his children are in "complete shock", his longtime manager, James Erskine, said on Sunday.

One of the finest bowlers of all time whose talent and personality transcended cricket, Warne died of a suspected heart attack at the age of 52 on Friday, a day after arriving on Thailand's island of Koh Samui for a vacation.

"The three children are in a complete shock," Erskine told the Nine Network's Today morning show on Sunday. "I spoke to them yesterday and ... Jackson just said, 'We expect him to walk in the door. This is like a bad dream'."

Warne had Jackson, Summer and Brooke with Simone Callahan, to whom he was married for 10 years until they divorced in 2005.

Thai police said Warne experienced chest pains before his death and had asthma and some heart issues. They were not treating his death as suspicious.

SOCCER

Xavi hints Barcelona on Haaland's trail

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez all but admitted his side's interest in signing Borussia Dortmund's prolific Norwegian international striker Erling Haaland over the summer.

Xavi appeared to confirm that he had traveled to Germany during the week to speak to Haaland when he was asked about his trip.

"I can't give details. The only thing I can say about Haaland is that we are working for a Barca of the present and future. If we announce something, you will know it," said Xavi. "I don't know any player who doesn't want to come to Barca."

Xavi insisted that his role in any negotiation was "to explain the project, trust and be honest with the player we want to sign". He added: "I tell them the model, the idea of the game, which he is going to enjoy, the club and the city.

"The most important thing is that I haven't seen any player who has said no to Barca. They all want to come."

Madrid moves up gears ahead of PSG decider

Luka Modric and Eduardo Camavinga struck scorching goals from outside the area as Real Madrid came from behind to beat Real Sociedad 4-1 and increase its La Liga lead on Saturday.

After his midfielders scored just before halftime to overturn an early spot-kick by Mikel Oyarzabal, Karim Benzema added a second-half penalty to put the result beyond doubt and take his league-leading tally to 20. Marco Asensio then finished off the demoralized visitor.

Madrid will prepare for Wednesday's critical game against Paris Saint-Germain with the French powerhouse holding a 1-0 advantage going into the return leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

The comeback over Sociedad lifted Madrid eight points clear of second-placed Sevilla, which a day before was held to a scoreless draw at Alaves.

MOTOR SPORTS

Haas ends Russian Mazepin's contract

Nikita Mazepin

The Haas Formula 1 team has terminated Russian driver Nikita Mazepin's contract "with immediate effect".

Mazepin tweeted he was "very disappointed" at the outcome.

The decision comes on the back of F1's decision to terminate its contract with the Russian GP. That contract had been until 2025.

Haas also ended its sponsorship with Russian company Uralkali, owned by Mazepin's father.

The 23-year-old Mazepin did not score a point in his debut F1 season last year alongside Mick Schumacher, the son of seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher.

"I will have more to say in the coming days," Mazepin said in his tweet.

Preseason testing continues in Bahrain this week before the season-opening race on March 20.

Agencies