Digest

ICE HOCKEY

Rangers rout Senators to clinch playoff berth

Chris Kreider scored twice, Artemi Panarin added a goal and two assists and the New York Rangers routed the Ottawa Senators 5-1 on Saturday night to clinch their first postseason berth since 2017.

Ryan Strome and Andrew Copp also had goals and Igor Shesterkin needed just 21 saves to thwart the Senators as the surging Rangers improved to 7-1-1 in their last nine and moved into a tie with Carolina atop the Metropolitan Division with 100 points.

The Rangers have nine games left, while the Hurricanes have 10. The teams meet Tuesday night in New York after Carolina hosts Anaheim on Sunday.

"It feels great. ... We got that accomplished," said first-year Rangers coach Gerard Gallant. "From start to finish, it was an excellent game. We came to the rink wanting to win and get into the playoffs."

Shesterkin improved to 34-10-4, becoming the fourth goalie in franchise history with 34 victories in a season, joining Henrik Lundqvist, Ed Giacomin and Mike Richter.

SOCCER

Ronaldo apologizes for phone incident with fan

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday apologized for knocking a cellphone out of the hands of a supporter as he left the pitch following Manchester United's 1-0 defeat to Everton.

Footage on social media emerged which appeared to show the Portugal star clashing with an Everton supporter as he headed for the tunnel at Goodison Park.

"It's never easy to deal with emotions in difficult moments such as the one we are facing," 37-year-old Ronaldo wrote on Instagram.

"Nevertheless, we always have to be respectful, patient and set the example for all the youngsters who love the beautiful game.

"I would like to apologize for my outburst and, if possible, I would like to invite this supporter to watch a game at Old Trafford as a sign of fair play and sportsmanship."

United's lackluster performance at relegation-threatened Everton left it in seventh place in the table, six points adrift of the Champions League places.

Lewandowski edges Bayern nearer title

Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski converted a late penalty as Bayern Munich rebounded from a Champions League defeat to beat Augsburg 1-0 on Saturday and take another step toward a record-extending 10th consecutive Bundesliga title.

It was Lewandowski's 32nd league goal in 29 matches this season and saw Bayern move nine points clear of second-place Borussia Dortmund. The two teams meet in Munich on April 23.

Augsburg remained six points above the drop zone.

Bayern surprisingly lost 1-0 at Villarreal in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday. The Spanish team visits Munich on Tuesday and Bayern appeared to have one eye on that match in a disappointing first half against Augsburg.

Bayern didn't manage a single shot on target in the first 45 minutes but improved after the break.

TENNIS

Barty turns author to embark on new chapter

Ashleigh Barty

After retiring from professional tennis, former world No 1 Ashleigh Barty is set to open a new chapter in her life with the publication of a series of children's books later this year.

The Australian, who decided to call time on her tennis career at the age of 25 last month, told NewsCorp that she will release a six-book 'Little Ash' series, with many stories based on her real-life experiences and her family.

The book will be published by HarperCollins and begin to hit shelves in July.

"This project has been so much fun and something I have always wanted to do," Barty said on Sunday.

"Lucy was my North Star," Barty said, referring to her 5-year-old niece. "She is the perfect age to understand stories and storylines and read chapter books.

"I just love the fact she tells me what she thinks and what she feels and how she feels when she is reading a book.

BASKETBALL

Warriors tighten grip on third-seed spot

Jonathan Kuminga

Jonathan Kuminga and Jordan Poole each had 18 points and the Golden State Warriors won their fourth straight, beating the San Antonio Spurs 100-94 on Saturday night to strengthen their hopes for a top-three seed.

Golden State is a game ahead of Dallas in the Western Conference and can secure the third seed with a victory Sunday at New Orleans in the season finale. If the Warriors lose, and the Mavericks beat the Spurs on Sunday, Dallas will finish third after going 3-1 in its season series with Golden State.

San Antonio will finish 10th in the Western Conference and must travel to ninth-seeded New Orleans for the opener of the play-in tournament Wednesday.

Lonnie Walker IV had 24 points to lead the Spurs. Walker was the only San Antonio player in double figures through the first 39 minutes. Tre Jones finished with 15 points, Josh Primo had 14 and Josh Richardson added 10.

Agencies