TENNIS
Novak Djokovic can return to the U.S. Open this year after missing the tournament in 2022, because the federal government’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate for foreign air travelers ends next week.
The White House announced Monday most of the last remaining federal COVID-19 vaccine requirements will disappear May 11, when the national public health emergency for the coronavirus ends.
The U.S. Open, the season’s final Grand Slam tournament, begins in New York in August.
Djokovic, a 35-year-old from Serbia, has missed several key events — including the 2022 U.S. Open — because he decided not to get inoculated against the coronavirus.
MADRID OPEN: Zhang Zhizhen needed to save three match points in his win over Taylor Fritz to become the first Chinese player to reach an ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal.
Zhang rallied from a set down against the eighth-seeded American to advance 3-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (8), winning in a final-set tiebreaker for the third straight time at the clay-court tournament in the Spanish capital. It was the first win against a top-10 opponent for the 26-year-old Zhang.
The 99th-ranked Zhang had upset No. 13 Cameron Norrie in the third round in Madrid for his biggest career win. Zhang had beaten 21st-seeded Denis Shapovalov in the second round.
Zhang will next face former No. 14 Aslan Karatsev, who upset second-seeded Daniil Medvedev in straight sets.
BASEBALL
EASTERN LEAGUE: The Portland Sea Dogs game at Akron, Ohio, was postponed due to inclement weather.
It will be made up as part of a seven-inning doubleheader beginning at 5:05pm on Friday.
BASKETBALL
WNBA: The Los Angeles Sparks are parting ways with team president Vanessa Shay after nearly a year on the job.
Shay, who was in charge of business operations, was hired last May. Her departure was “mutually agreed” upon, the team said.
SOCCER
SUSPENSION: Lionel Messi was suspended by Paris Saint-Germain for taking a trip to Saudi Arabia without the club’s permission, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.
The person would not specify the length of the suspension, though French media reported it to be two weeks. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter.
A two-week suspension would mean Messi would miss PSG’s next two games. L’Equipe and RMC Sport both reported the suspension without citing sources.
LIVERPOOL: Jurgen Klopp was charged by the English Football Association with “improper conduct” for his postmatch comments about the refereeing in Liverpool’s dramatic 4-3 win over Tottenham.
The Liverpool manager received a yellow card from referee Paul Tierney after racing along the sideline to celebrate Diogo Jota’s stoppage-time winner Sunday in front of fourth official John Brooks.
Klopp was given until Friday to file an official response before the FA considers disciplinary action such as a suspension.
ENGLAND: England forward Fran Kirby announced she will miss the Women’s World Cup this summer because of a knee injury.
Kirby was injured while playing for her club team Chelsea during the Continental League Cup semifinal against West Ham on Feb. 9.
After trying to rehabilitate the injury, it was determined that Kirby will need surgery and she will miss the rest of the season with Chelsea as well as the World Cup.
AUTO RACING
NASCAR: Toyota will finally expand its fleet in NASCAR by adding Jimmie Johnson’s two-car team next season. The addition of Legacy Motor Club will give Toyota eight Camry TRD’s in the Cup Series.
Toyota has long been the smallest manufacturer in NASCAR and also long eager to add new teams to its roster. It backs four cars at Joe Gibbs Racing right now, and two more at 23XI Racing.
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