TENNIS

Top-ranked Rafael Nadal lost to Dominic Thiem 7-5, 6-3 in the Madrid Open quarterfinals on Friday, breaking the defending champion’s run of 21 straight wins on clay courts.

Nadal hadn’t lost a single set on clay since falling to Thiem a year ago in the Italian Open quarterfinals.

But Thiem succeeded in doing the nearly impossible with his deep drives: Make Nadal look sluggish and a step slow on clay.

Nadal will lose his world No. 1 ranking to Roger Federer because of the defeat.

Thiem will face sixth-seeded Kevin Anderson in the semifinals.

Second-seeded Alexander Zverev beat seventh-seeded John Isner 6-4, 7-5 and will face Denis Shapovalov.

n On the women’s side, two-time former Madrid champion Petra Kvitova beat Karolina Pliskova 7-6 (4), 6-3, in an all-Czech semifinal.

Kvitova will meet Kiki Bertens in the final after she beat seventh-seeded Caroline Garcia 6-2, 6-2.

HOCKEY

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: Captain Patrick Kane scored two goals and added three assists as the United States demolished South Korea 13-1 at Herning, Denmark, for a fifth straight victory.

Charlie McAvoy, playing his first game for the U.S. after being knocked out of the NHL playoffs last weekend, made his presence felt with two goals and two assists. Derek Ryan and Cam Atkinson also scored a couple each.

“It was a long day, got here a couple hours ago,” McAvoy said. “We have such a good team. It was a great opportunity for me to go out there and just feel the puck and get ready for the rest of tournament.”

• The Czech Republic shut out Belarus 3-0, and Denmark closed in on a quarterfinal berth after beating Norway, also 3-0. France defeated newcomer Austria 5-2 to stay in contention.

AUTO RACING

NASCAR CUP SERIES: Fresh off his fourth win of the season last week at Dover, Kevin Harvick turned a best lap of 188.811 mph to easily claim the top starting spot for Saturday’s race at Kansas Speedway.

It was Harvick’s fourth pole at Kansas, his most at any track on the circuit.

Ryan Blaney was a distant second at 187.825 mph, with Kyle Busch, Aric Almirola and Chase Elliott rounding out the top five. Denny Hamlin will start sixth after a solid run, followed by series champion Martin Truex Jr., who won both Kansas races last season. Kurt Busch, Joey Logano and Chris Buescher complete the top 10.

INDYCAR: Will Power won his third IndyCar Grand Prix pole by turning a fast lap of 1 minute, 9.8182 seconds on his final qualifying run for Saturday’s race at Indianapolis.

The Australian claimed his 51st pole win, giving him sole possession of third place in series history. He had been tied with teammate Helio Castroneves.

Power has won the race twice, both after taking the pole.

Rookie Robert Wickens of Canada will start second and France’s Sebastien Bourdais third.

GOLF

EUROPEAN TOUR: Julien Guerrier of France and Lucas Bjerregaard of Denmark had a one-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the Sicilian Open.

Guerrier was the only player in the field yet to drop a shot after adding a 65 to his opening 68 to be 9-under-133, a total later matched by joint overnight leader Bjerregaard, who had a 68 in windy conditions.

– News service report

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