De Minaur beats Rudd to defend title

Acapulco (Mexico): Alex De Minaur beat Casper Rudd 6-4 6-4 to become the first player to win back-to-back titles in the Mexican Open since 2012. The third-seeded De Minaur won his eighth ATP title to become the fourth player to repeat as champion in Mexico, the first since David Ferrer.

Prague
Pragg checkmates Gujrathi, Gukesh falters

R Praggnanandhaa crashed through the defence of compatriot Vidit Gujrathi while D Gukesh suffered a shock defeat from a position of strength against Czech Republic’s David Navara in the fifth round of the Prague Masters. Nodirbek Abdusattarov of Uzbekistan continued with his dream run and ran over Mateusz Bartel of Poland to emerge as the sole leader.

Los Angeles
LeBron becomes first player to score 40,000 points

LeBron James on Saturday became the first NBA player to score 40,000 career points, hitting a scoop layup off the glass in the second quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers home game against the Denver Nuggets. The sold-out crowd roared with approval when James made the highly-anticipated shot to reach 40,000 points and gave him a standing ovation when he went to the bench at the next break. The 39-year-old is the oldest player in the NBA, but continues to produce at an elite level in his 21st season.

Tokyo
Kipruto, Kebede win Tokyo Marathon in course record

Kenyan Benson Kipruto won the men’s Tokyo Marathon in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds, breaking former world record holder Eliud Kipchoge’s course mark in perfect racing conditions on the streets of the Japanese capital. Ethiopia’s Sutume Asefa Kebede won the women’s race ahead of Kenya’s defending champion Rosemary Wanjiru in 2:15:55, also bettering the best previous women’s time over the course from Shinjuku to the Imperial Palace. —Agencies