Reuters Sports News Summary
Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
Tennis: Sakkari beats defending champion Bertens at Charleston
Defending champion Kiki Bertens suffered a surprise 7-6(8) 6-3 loss to world number 50 Maria Sakkari in the third round of the Charleston Open in South Carolina on Thursday. On a day when top seed Sloane Stephens survived a scare before beating Ajla Tomljanovic 4-6 6-4 6-4, Sakkari showcased supreme court coverage skills throughout her almost two-hour match against Bertens.
NFL notebook: Report details toxic Rodgers-McCarthy dynamic
A day after ESPN aired an interview with former Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy discussing how he was dismissed by the team last December, an explosive report looked at the complicated and disastrous relationship between McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers and how it impacted the team. The lengthy Bleacher Report story, published Thursday, concluded that the coach-quarterback duo had a frosty relationship since McCarthy's tenure began in 2006. That was the year after McCarthy, previously offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, favored Utah's Alex Smith over Cal's Rodgers with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2005 NFL Draft.
Texas Tech's Beard named Coach of the Year
Texas Tech coach Chris Beard was named college basketball Coach of the Year on Thursday. Texas Tech has a school-record 30 wins entering Saturday's national semi-final against Michigan State.
Soccer: Alex Morgan scores 100th international goal as U.S. beat Australia
Forward Alex Morgan reached a personal milestone with her 100th international goal as the United States beat Australia 5-3 in a friendly in Colorado on Thursday. In opening the scoring in the 15th minute with a superb solo run capped by a precise finish, Morgan became the seventh American woman -- 17th from any country -- to reach the century mark.
WTA roundup: Stephens, Keys reach Charleston quarters
Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys will stage a rematch of the 2017 U.S. Open final when they square off Friday in the quarterfinals of the Volvo Car Open in Charleston, S.C. The two Americans earned third-round victories Thursday. Top-seeded Stephens, who won the 2017 U.S. Open for her lone major title, rallied past 14th-seeded Australian Ajla Tomljanovic 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Ibrahimovic back as hot Galaxy face struggling Whitecaps
The rebuilding Vancouver Whitecaps are still searching for their first win of the season, but it won't come easy at home on Friday night against the L.A. Galaxy and, most likely, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Whitecaps (0-3-1, 1 point) finally got their first point of the season last weekend when they kept Pacific Northwest rivals Seattle off the board in a 0-0 draw at BC Place, preventing the Sounders from winning four straight to start the season for the first time in franchise history.
Final Four: Pearl, Auburn banking on bench
Bruce Pearl and Auburn were the first team on the court at U.S. Bank Stadium on Thursday, and the Tigers proved to themselves that 3-pointers count the same even in a football stadium. "We were here this morning and shot, got a lot of shots, and the sight lines are really good," Pearl said Thursday afternoon. "I've been in some bigger domes as a fan, and it doesn't seem like -- it doesn't seem as big. So the guys are -- the guys got lots of shots, and this should not be a factor. The rims are soft. I think the shooting percentages will be good."
Author of Trump golf book describes president as loose with the rules
For Donald Trump, the rigid rules of golf are flexible, allowing for the kick of a wayward ball into a better location, skipping a putt that looks close enough. What's the big deal? That is according to Rick Reilly, a former Sports Illustrated columnist who has just written the book "Commander in Cheat," which alleges Trump is guilty of all sorts of sins on the golf course.
UNC coach Hatchell allegedly made racist remarks: report
North Carolina women's basketball coach Sylvia Hatchell is under investigation for allegedly making racist remarks and pressuring players to compete despite serious injuries, according to a report Thursday from the Washington Post. The Hall of Fame coach allegedly told players they would be "hanged from trees with nooses" if they failed to improve, according to the newspaper, which cites interviews with seven people who have knowledge of the investigation. Six of those interviewed were parents of players on the team.
CONCACAF Champions League: Monterrey build big lead on SKC
The lone remaining Major League Soccer team in the CONCACAF Champions League would need a major comeback to reach the finals. Monterrey routed Sporting Kansas City 5-0 on Thursday in Guadalupe, Mexico, in the first leg of a total-goals semifinal series. The return leg will be played April 11 at Kansas City, Kan.
