Sports World: Muguruza seals WTA Finals berth

Muguruza seals WTA Finals berth

Garbine Muguruza has secured her spot at this month's BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore.

Injured Johanna Konta's absence from the list of wild cards for next week's Kremlin Cup means that Muguruza - sixth in the Road to Singapore standings - is guaranteed a place because Konta cannot overtake her.

The Spaniard will be making her third consecutive appearance at the event.

"I am very excited to come back to the WTA Finals in Singapore. Two years ago I made it in doubles, and this will be my second year in a row playing singles - both times I had a great experience and am happy to be going back," Muguruza said.


Fifa change favours US World Cup

ZURICH • Fifa's governing council voted on Friday to bar countries in Europe and Asia, which will host the next two football World Cups, from bidding to host the tournament in 2026.

The change to the bidding process - a proposal to make the host confederations of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups ineligible to bid for the 2026 event - significantly increases the chances that the event will take place in the United States.

NYTIMES


Retrial clears Evans of rape charge

LONDON • Wales international footballer Ched Evans was found not guilty of rape by a jury at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday after a retrial.

Evans was accused of raping a 19-year-old woman in May 2011. The 27-year-old was previously found guilty, but the jury was told that the Court of Appeal had quashed the conviction and ordered a retrial. The verdict ended Evans' five-year fight to clear his name.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE


Bolt lays out retirement schedule

KINGSTON • Nine-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt will run his last race on home soil at the Racers Grand Prix next June before retiring two months later, he said on Friday.

The 30-year-old, who won the 100m at this year's Racers Grand Prix, has already said he plans to retire from the sport after the Aug 5-13 world championships in London.

The Racers Grand Prix will be held on June 10.

REUTERS

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on October 16, 2016, with the headline Sports World: Muguruza seals WTA Finals berth. Subscribe