Latest - New Zealand driver Liam Lawson has claimed his first pole position in Formula 2.
Liam Lawson celebrates after winning his first race in Formula 2 competition. Photo: Photosport
Lawson has set the fastest time in qualifying for this weekend's grand prix in Baku, Azerbaijan ahead of his Hitech Grand Prix team-mate Jüri Vips.
"I haven't had a pole position in such a long time," Lawson said.
"I had one last year in Formula 3, but it was because in front having penalties, so it doesn't really count. To have it outright on track is pretty cool."
Fellow New Zealander Marcus Armstrong has qualified sixth fastest for the feature race.
Phoenix finish with a bang
The Wellington Phoenix have ended their A-League season on a high, dominating finals-bound Macarthur FC 3-0 in Sydney.
Photo: Photosport Ltd 2021
The Phoenix scored a goal either side of half-time through Englishman David Ball and Israeli striker Tomer Hemed before substitute Ben Waine scored Wellington third in second-half stoppage time.
Macarthur played the last half an hour with 10 men after substitute Loïc Puyo was sent-off for a studs-up challenge on Phoenix captain Ulises Dávila.
The result leaves the Phoenix seventh on the A-League ladder, one point short of the top six playoffs.
Macarthur slip to sixth and will face either the Brisbane Roar or Central Coast Mariners in the first round of the finals.
Olympic champion handed five year ban
American Olympic 100 metres hurdles champion Brianna McNeal has been banned for five years for an anti-doping rule violation, with her participation in the Tokyo Games in doubt until her appeal is heard.
Photo: AFP
McNeal, who had been charged and provisionally suspended for "tampering within the results management process" in January, was sanctioned by a Disciplinary Tribunal as it was her second violation of World Athletics' anti-doping rules.
The ban is effective from Aug. 15, 2020. The Athletic Integrity Unit said McNeal has appealed against the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with the case set to be heard before the July 23-Aug. 8 Tokyo Olympics.
The AIU added that CAS had granted McNeal "provisional relief and temporarily stayed" the tribunal's decision so she can compete until the end of the U.S. Olympic trials on June 27.
The AIU did not elaborate on its decision for "confidentiality reasons".
French Open draw opens up for Serena
Serena Williams powered confidently into the fourth round of the French Open with a 6-4 6-4 defeat of fellow American Danielle Collins as the draw opened up enticingly.
Photo: Photosport Ltd 2021
The 39-year-old seventh seed produced a calm and composed display against a dangerous opponent and is now the highest-ranked player left in the bottom half.
Williams, seeking a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title, but first since 2017, will play Kazakhstan's 21st seed Elena Rybakina for a place in the quarter-finals.
"That felt really good for me," Williams said of her storming finish. "Things were not going my way. It's not like she gave me those games. I had to earn it and turn it around.
"That was really positive for me going into the next match."
Meanwhile, New Zealand doubles players Michael Venus and Marcus Daniell have both exited the French Open in the second round.
Venus and his Australian partner John Peers, the 10th seeds, have been beaten 6-4 7-6 (5) by Germany's Jan Lennard Struff and Dutchman Robin Hasse.
Daniell and Philipp Oswald have been overwhelmed by Frenchman Benoit Paire and Monaco's Romain Arneodo 6-0 6-4 in 53 minutes.
- Reuters/RNZ
Singapore is again struck off the F1 calendar
The Singapore Formula One Grand Prix has been cancelled for the second year in a row due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Photo: AFP
"To cancel the event for a second year is an incredibly difficult decision, but a necessary one in light of the prevailing restrictions for live events in Singapore," said Colin Syn, deputy chairman of Singapore GP Pte Ltd.
"We would not be able to deliver a full event experience fans have come to expect over the years, while safeguarding the health and safety of our fans, contractors, volunteers and staff."
The race attracts tens of thousands of fans from around the world, with concerts and other entertainment around the sidelines.
Singapore follows Canada off the calendar and is unlikely to be the last to fall victim of the pandemic with Japan, Brazil, Mexico and Australia all looking uncertain from the original list of 23 rounds.
Australia has already been rescheduled to November but travel to the country is heavily restricted.
- Reuters
Panthers fall to their first defeat
The Wests Tigers have ended the Penrith Panthers' winning start to the NRL season at 12 matches.
The Tigers have beaten a depleted Panthers 26-6 in Sydney, taking advantage of a Penrith side missing seven front-liners due to State of Origin commitments.
Daine Laurie, Jacob Liddle, Luciano Leilua and Stefano Utoikamanu scored tries for the Tigers, while Matt Burton scored the Panthers' only four-pointer.
It is the Wests Tigers' fifth win of the season, lifting them to 10th on the NRL ladder, two points outside the top eight.
Penrith remain clear at the top of the table despite the defeat.
Saints toppled in Invercargill
The Southland Sharks have handed the Wellington Saints their first defeat of the 2021 National Basketball League season.
Photo: Photosport Ltd 2021
The Sharks have beaten the 2019 champions 84-70 in Invercargill to move to the top of the NBL ladder.
Courtney Belger top scored for the Sharks with 19 points, but was assisted by Dom Kelman-Poto, Alonzo Burton, Brayden Inger and Josh Cunningham who all scored double digits.
The Hawke's Bay Hawks have risen to third on the table after thumping the Franklin Bulls 110-73 in south Auckland.
The Auckland Huskies are level on points with the Hawks and Otago Nuggets after they beat the bottom of the table Taranaki Mountainairs 106-84 in New Plymouth.
