Sports News Roundup: Milan part ways with sporting director Massara; Roma's Abraham undergoes knee surgery and more

The 27-year-old battled from a set down to win a second set tiebreak before running away with the third for a 3-6 7-6(5) 6-1 victory and a first ever spot in the last four where she will face top seed Iga Swiatek. Tennis-Swiatek puts business first but keen to enjoy wins at French Open Iga Swiatek's laser focus at Grand Slams means she barely gets to celebrate her wins, but the French Open top seed said she is learning to mix business with pleasure after reaching the semi-finals at Roland Garros on Wednesday.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

PGA Tour, LIV merger may lead to higher viewers and costs for golf sponsors

The stunning announcement on Tuesday of a merger between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi-backed LIV Golf could generate higher viewership, and loftier costs, for advertisers and sponsors to reach golf audiences, marketing experts said. The move ends a bitter legal battle between the organizations that has split the golf world and its top players.

Soccer-Roma's Abraham undergoes knee surgery

AS Roma's Tammy Abraham has undergone reconstructive surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, the Serie A side said on Wednesday. The England international striker suffered the injury on Sunday in the final minutes of Roma's win over Spezia during their last Serie A game of the season.

Tennis-Supreme Swiatek outclasses Gauff to reach French Open semi-finals

Holder Iga Swiatek was tested by American sixth seed Coco Gauff in a rematch of their 2022 French Open title clash but the world number one showed her class to secure a 6-4 6-2 victory and reach the semi-finals on Wednesday. The top seed will take on Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia in the last four as she continues her bid for a third crown in four years at Roland Garros and her fourth Grand Slam title overall.

Olympics-International Boxing Association to be stripped of recognition - IOC

The International Olympic Committee executive board on Wednesday recommended withdrawing recognition of the International Boxing Association (IBA) over its failure to meet a set of reforms, the Olympic body said in a statement. A source with direct knowledge of the proceedings said the IOC had also decided to have the sport as part of the Olympic Games programme at Los Angeles 2028.

Tennis-Haddad Maia's patience rewarded with French Open semi-final spot

Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia was left stunned following her French Open quarter-final victory over seventh seed Ons Jabeur on Wednesday, crediting her patience for landing the biggest win of her career. The 27-year-old battled from a set down to win a second set tiebreak before running away with the third for a 3-6 7-6(5) 6-1 victory and a first ever spot in the last four where she will face top seed Iga Swiatek.

Tennis-Swiatek puts business first but keen to enjoy wins at French Open

Iga Swiatek's laser focus at Grand Slams means she barely gets to celebrate her wins, but the French Open top seed said she is learning to mix business with pleasure after reaching the semi-finals at Roland Garros on Wednesday. The Polish world number one overcame an early test on a windy centre court to move past sixth seed Coco Gauff 6-4 6-2 and celebrated the win by pumping her fists in an emotional release that was missing from her previous matches.

Cricket-Head leads Australia charge in WTC final

Travis Head shared a 94-run unbroken fourth-wicket stand with Steve Smith to power Australia to 170 for three at tea on the opening day of the World Test Championship (WTC) final against India on Wednesday. Put into bat, Australia were 76-3 when Head counter-attacked to help his side regain control having lost two important wickets either side of the lunch break.

Sailing-Investigation launched after Ocean Race skipper steps down

The French Sailing Federation (FFV) is investigating an incident which led to an Ocean Race team skipper quitting the event midway through, and has alerted the French Sports Ministry, it said. French sailor Kevin Escoffier stepped down from skippering Swiss Team Holcim-PRB at the weekend, announcing the move on Instagram.

Soccer-Milan part ways with sporting director Massara

AC Milan have parted ways with sporting director Frederic Massara, a day after the announcement of the dismissal of technical director Paolo Maldini. "AC Milan announces that Frederic Massara is concluding his role at the Club," the Serie A club said in a statement on Wednesday. "The Club thanks Ricky for his contributions to the growth of AC Milan during his tenure with us."

Soccer-Messi to join Inter Miami after PSG exit - BBC

Lionel Messi will snub a lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia and move to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami as a free agent after parting ways with French champions Paris St Germain, the BBC reported on Wednesday. Messi, who played his final game for PSG over the weekend, was also linked with a return to Barcelona but the Spanish club have had their hands tied due to LaLiga's financial fair play rules.

(With inputs from agencies.)