Iran’s soccer team arrives in Mexico for training ahead of the World Cup
TIJUANA, México (AP) — Iran’s soccer team has arrived in Mexico for training ahead of the World Cup, before three group matches in the United States later this month. Ehsan Hajsafi was the first player to exit the plane in Tijuana, which arrived at about 5:05 a.m. Sunday. He led the team through a brief security check with Mexican officials and dogs before boarding a bus. The bus stopped briefly at the entrance to the Tijuana airport, where around 20 or so Iran fans waved flags. The team’s participation in the World Cup has been complicated by the Iran war. Problems with processing visas earlier led Iran to move its training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, which is on the border with California.
Alexander Zverev faces Flavio Cobolli in French Open final chasing elusive Grand Slam title
PARIS (AP) — Alexander Zverev is under pressure to win an elusive Grand Slam title when he plays 14th-ranked Flavio Cobolli in the French Open final. It’s the fourth major final of Zverev’s career and it’s a unique opportunity for the third-ranked German without Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz across the net. The final on the red clay of Roland Garros starts at 3 p.m. (1300 GMT; 9 a.m. ET). Zverev has been an overwhelming favorite for the title ever since the top-ranked Sinner struggled in the first week’s heat wave and lost in the second round. Two-time reigning champion Alcaraz withdrew before the tournament with an injured right wrist. Cobolli had never been past a Grand Slam quarterfinal until this week.
Messi sits out Argentina’s friendly against Honduras while managing muscle fatigue, hamstring strain
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Lionel Messi sat out Argentina’s friendly match against Honduras as he manages muscle fatigue and a mild hamstring strain. Messi watched from the bench Saturday night as Argentina won 2-0. The team has said his recovery will depend on his progress. Argentina plays Iceland on Tuesday in Auburn, Alabama, in another friendly before resuming training in Kansas City. Argentina begins its World Cup title defense against Algeria on June 16. Messi is expected to retire from international soccer after this tournament. He holds the record for most World Cup matches and is close to breaking the goal record.
J.T. Poston seizes control at the Memorial to build a 4-shot lead
DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) — J.T. Poston took a commanding lead at the Memorial after a stellar performance with his wedge. He finished the rain-delayed third round with a 69, building a four-shot lead. Poston has a few hours before starting the final round, aiming for the biggest win of his career. Ryan Gerard fell back with a 72, trailing by four shots. Sam Burns struggled with a double bogey but rallied with birdies and was five shots behind. Scottie Scheffler’s hopes dimmed with a 68, leaving him nine shots back. A victory by Poston would secure spots in the U.S. Open and British Open.
Kimi Antonelli wins delayed Monaco Grand Prix to extend his victory streak and F1 lead
MONACO (AP) — Kimi Antonelli’s rise to the top of Formula 1 continued in bizarre circumstances as the 19-year-old Mercedes driver won a much-delayed Monaco Grand Prix. Antonelli was on course for victory with 10 laps remaining when the race was red-flagged as parts of the asphalt broke away and two cars crashed in quick succession, one of them third-placed Charles Leclerc. The race resumed from a standing start and Antonelli took his fifth Grand Prix win in a row and extended his already vast standings lead. Numerous drivers received time penalties or were under investigation, meaning the final standings remained uncertain.
Knicks coach Mike Brown again finds himself reveling in a long playoff win streak
It was April 23, or 6 1/2 weeks ago. The New York Knicks had just endured their second consecutive one-point loss to the Atlanta Hawks, and this one left them trailing 2-1 in their Eastern Conference first-round series. Signs of trouble were everywhere. The mood in New York was abysmal. Mike Brown’s future as coach was a hot topic. The Knicks are 13-0 since. And Brown is now part of the two longest single-season playoff winning streaks in NBA history.
Knicks, up 2-0 in NBA Finals, say the job is far from over. And the Spurs aren’t conceding anything
The New York Knicks are up 2-0. They say they’re unfazed. The San Antonio Spurs are down 0-2. They say they’re unfazed. Such is the state of things in the NBA Finals, where both teams were taking a travel day on Saturday. Practices resume Sunday and Game 3 of the title series is Monday night at Madison Square Garden, where President Donald Trump will be watching alongside fans who are willing to pay nearly $10,000 for seats so far from the court that 7-foot-4 Spurs center Victor Wembanyama will look tiny.