Digest

TENNIS

Zhang makes last eight at Wimbledon tuneup

China's top-ranked Zhang Shuai booked a quarterfinal berth at the Nottingham Open with a 6-2, 7-6(4) victory over Britain's Jodie Burrage on Wednesday.

World No 41 Zhang will face Tereza Martincova in the quarterfinals after the Czech ousted Poland's Magda Linette 6-2, 7-6 (3).

Zhang, 33, was runner-up in last year's tournament and is seeded fourth this year.

Meanwhile, US Open champion Emma Raducanu expects to be fit to feature at Wimbledon despite her latest injury setback.

Raducanu was forced to retire from her Nottingham first-round match against Viktorija Golubic on Tuesday due to a side injury.

But a scan appears to have allayed fears the British No 1 could miss Wimbledon, even though she won't risk playing in Birmingham next week. "It was disappointing to go out this week with a side injury and unfortunately will no longer be able to play in Birmingham," Raducanu told lta.org.uk on Wednesday.

"I'm looking forward to being back on the match court soon though to enjoy the rest of the grass season."

SCANDAL

Nassar victims seeking over $1bn from FBI

Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and dozens of other women who say they were sexually assaulted by Larry Nassar are seeking more than $1 billion from the FBI for failing to stop the sports doctor when the agency first received allegations against him, lawyers said Wednesday.

There's no dispute that FBI agents in 2015 knew that Nassar was accused of assaulting gymnasts, but they failed to act, leaving him free to continue to target young women and girls for more than a year. He pleaded guilty in 2017 and is serving decades in prison.

"It is time for the FBI to be held accountable," said Maggie Nichols, a national champion gymnast at Oklahoma in 2017-19.

Under federal law, a government agency has six months to respond to the claims filed Wednesday. Lawsuits could follow, depending on the FBI's response.

The approximately 90 claimants include Biles, Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney, all Olympic gold medalists, according to Manly, Stewart& Finaldi, a California law firm. Separately, 13 claims were filed by others in April.

BOXING

African fighter dies from brain injuries

A South African boxer who became disoriented during a fight and walked away from his opponent toward an empty corner of the ring while throwing punches has died of brain injuries.

Boxing South Africa said Wednesday that lightweight Simiso Buthelezi died on Tuesday night following the bout on Sunday in the eastern city of Durban. He had been in an induced coma.

Buthelezi collapsed after the fight, which was stopped in the 10th and final round by the referee when Buthelezi became disoriented. He died in the hospital after the brain injury caused internal bleeding, Boxing South Africa said. His age was not released.

Buthelezi's fight against Siphesihle Mntungwa was shown on national television in South Africa.

Boxing South Africa said it will conduct an independent medical review of the incident.

SOCCER

Bale offered to Getafe says club's president

The agent of Gareth Bale offered the Wales forward to Getafe, the Spanish club's president said Wednesday.

Angel Torres made the comments during the club's launch of its new uniform.

When asked by a presenter about the rumors of Bale possibly playing for the club, Torres said: "People may think it's a joke, but about 45,50 minutes ago I spoke to his representative and they have offered him to us."

Bale is leaving Real Madrid after nine years as his contract expires at the end of the month. He will become a free agent and has been heavily linked with his hometown club, Cardiff City. However, Spanish media said the Welshman wants to continue living in Madrid, where Getafe is based.

"This is not an invention," Torres added. "I saw the news last night and I looked into the reasons why he would want to stay and come to Getafe. We have to study the possibility and talk to our coach, who is away now.

"He was offered and I listened to them and now we will discuss it with the sports director and the coach. Anything is possible."

AMERICAN FOOTBALL

Broncos agree sale with Wal-Mart heir

The Denver Broncos have entered into a sales deal with the Walton-Penner family ownership group, pending league approval of the deal, the NFL team announced late on Tuesday.

The winning bid from Wal-Mart store heir Rob Walton, his daughter Carrie Penner and son-in-law Greg Penner as well as other investors was $4.65 billion, according to multiple reports.

That would be the largest sale price for any North American sports team.

The Pat Bowlen Trust's sale of the three-time Super Bowl champion club must be approved by the NFL finance committee and at least 24 of the league's 32 club owners.

"Today marks a significant step on the path to an exciting new chapter in Broncos history," Broncos president Joe Ellis said. "I'm confident that their leadership and support will help this team achieve great things on and off the field."

Pat Bowlen purchased the Broncos in 1984 and died in 2019. A trust bearing his name had owned the team since then.

The Broncos won their third Super Bowl crown in 2016 but haven't made the playoffs since. They went 7-10 last year for a fifth consecutive losing season.

Agencies