Sports Briefs

 

Redskins' Foster has domestic violence charge dropped

 

TAMPA, Florida (AP):

Prosecutors have decided not to pursue a domestic violence charge against Washington Redskins linebacker Reuben Foster, though the NFL continues to review the matter.

Prosecutors in Tampa, Florida, filed a notice of termination of prosecution on Wednesday. The notice states that the first-degree misdemeanour battery charge is dismissed, and there is no need for Foster to appear at any future court hearings.

Prosecutors concluded that there was insufficient evidence to file charges against Foster after "a meticulous review of the facts of the case", said Estella Gray, director of communications for the State Attorney's Office.

 

Wizards' Morris out with neck injury

 

WASHINGTON (AP):

Washington Wizards power forward Markieff Morris will miss at least six weeks with a neck injury, the latest setback in a difficult season for one of the NBA's most disappointing teams.

The Wizards announced on Thursday that Morris was examined by a doctor after dealing with neck and upper back stiffness since getting hit on the chin during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 16. Morris left that game at half-time with what the Wizards said then was a neck strain.

He now will be limited to non-contact basketball activities for the next six weeks. The Wizards are scheduled to play 20 games in that span.

The 29-year-old Morris has never appeared in fewer than the 63 games he played in during his rookie season back in 2011-12.

Coach's words inspire Osaka

BRISBANE, Australia (AP):

Naomi Osaka called in her coach for advice on how to swing momentum after losing the first set to Anastasija Sevastova, and it did the trick.

The US Open champion responded by conceding only five points in the next set on her way to a 3-6, 6-0, 6-4 win yesterday that secured her spot in the Brisbane International semi-finals.

Kei Nishikori worked his own way out of a jam against 2017 champion Grigor Dimitrov when he was down a break in the second set of their quarter-final match, winning six of the last seven games to clinch it 7-5, 7-5.

Osaka was clearly under pressure against the eighth-seeded Sevastova, who had won both of their head-to-head meetings last year and converted two service breaks in the first set.

A disconsolate-looking Osaka went to a courtside chair at the changeover. And whatever coach Sascha Bajin told her during a quick, animated conference, it worked.