RIATH AL-SAMARRAI, PHILADELPHIA: McIlroy has been struggling with the blister for the past week, which included a misguided attempt of self-surgery when he ripped off the toenail.

Three-time champion Iga Swiatek beat Jessica Pegula of the United States in straight sets on Wednesday to advance to the Italian Open semifinals.The fourth-ranked Swiatek needed just 67 minutes to sweep aside No. 5 Pegula 6-1, 6-2.Swiateks impressive form bodes well for the upcoming French Open, which she has won four times.Im happy that I can spend some time on the court and play really solid matches against the best girls, Swiatek said. "For sure its giving me confidence because you can practice as much as possible, but if you dont test it out on the court, play matches and face pressure or something, youre going to still feel the little bit rusty when it comes.Now Im happy I played couple matches. Ill play hopefully two more here.Swiatek will next face either Elena Rybakina or Elina Svitolina, who are both also former Rome champions.In the mens quarterfinals, two impressive sets from Casper Ruud saw the Norwegian overcome 13th-ranked Karen Khachanov 6-1, 1-6, 6-2.The match was suspended for more than two hours at the start of the second set because of rain and Khachanov seemed to have dealt better with the enforced break.However, the 23rd-ranked Ruud broke Khachanov's serve twice at the start of the third set and then again to take the match on the second of three match points.Ruud will face either 19-year-old Rafael Jodar of Spain or Italian player Luciano Darderi in the semifinals.___AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Sarah Taylor has been appointed as England's fielding coach for the forthcoming Test series against New Zealand, a role which makes her the first female coach of an England men's team in any major sport.The 36-year-old former wicketkeeper will take up her position ahead of the opening Test at Lord's on June 4.Taylor played for England on 226 occasions between 2006 and 2019, establishing herself as one of the finest gloveworkers in the history of the game."I love being a trailblazer but without the attention," Taylor told BBC Sport last winter.TRENDINGStoriesVideosYour SayShe added: "I want to see how far I can go, and work with some of the best players that I can." Her coaching credentials are well established, having worked with Sussex, Manchester Originals and the England Lions, where she spent time this winter.Rob Key, England's managing director of men's cricket, backed the appointment of Taylor.He said: "She's one of the best in the business at what she does.LATEST SPORTS NEWS:Middlesbrough players to crack on with training amid hope Southampton will be banned from play-offsInside Jordan Spieth's quest for golfing immortality at PGA ChampionshipEmma Raducanu makes big decision just weeks before French Open"She's been outstanding, and she's worked a lot with [Lions head coach] Andrew Flintoff and Ed Barney [performance director]."They can't speak highly enough of her. So from what we can see, she's one of the best in the business."The appointment comes as England prepare for their first Test match since a disappointing Ashes campaign in Australia.During that series, the team came under criticism for lacking a dedicated fielding coach on its staff, with dropped catches at pivotal moments drawing particular scrutiny.Questions surrounding the professionalism of the setup extended beyond fielding, with allegations of excessive alcohol consumption among the squad.The Ashes tour prompted wider concerns about tactical decisions and the positions of both Key and head coach Brendon McCullum.A curfew implemented during January's white-ball tour of Sri Lanka will remain in effect for the New Zealand series.McCullum, who has been on a break since the T20 World Cup concluded in March, will rejoin the squad when they gather for a three-day training camp at Loughborough beginning May 25.The squad features pace bowler Ollie Robinson alongside uncapped players James Rew, Emilio Gay and Sonny Baker.Tim Southee, the former New Zealand seamer, will miss the camp but returns as bowling coach for the series against his old team.When asked about changes to the setup, Key said: "What we want is to have players to go out and play their best game."You do not want to see what has made Harry Brook go to number one in the world change. You just want him to refine."Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

The drug counsellor was one of five people accused of supplying ketamine to Perry and exploiting his drug addiction.

PASCO - A park once known for its cavernous dimensions saw the Tri-City Dust Devils (18-16) hit four home runs Tuesday night against the league-leadin... - NWL Tri-City Dust Devils

Victoire imprative pour les Cityzens en match en retard s'ils veulent continuer mettre la pression sur Arsenal et remporter le championnat de Premier League sur le fil.

Virat Kohli achieved a significant IPL milestone, becoming the first player with 12 seasons of 400+ runs and the most capped player with 279 appearances. He silenced critics with a crucial half-century against KKR, continuing his strong record against them. KKR posted 192/4, driven by Angkrish Raghuvanshi's career-best 71 and Rinku Singh's unbeaten 49.

Consider New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart a fan of new head coach John Harbaugh. "What he wants to do is what everybody on this team wants to be about. We're hungry to win. I couldn't think of a better coach to play for," Dart said about Harbaugh in an interview with ESPN. New York hired Harbaugh in January following his dismissal from the Baltimore Ravens after 18 seasons as their head coach. From 2008-25, Harbaugh's Ravens went a combined 180-113 in the regular season, 13-11 in the postseason and won Super Bowl XLVII. Harbaugh brought former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator and former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy to the Meadowlands to be the Giants' offensive coordinator, which has generated excitement for the team's second-year quarterback. "I just think that we're very versatile," Dart said of the Giants' new offense. "I think it starts there. The other thing is I just can't wait for all my boys to be back healthy. I'm excited for the pieces that we've brought in that are going to help us a ton. We're just going to be a physical, violent team, and that goes on the offensive side of the ball, the defensive side of the ball and special teams. I can't wait to get out there." Dart is coming off a successful rookie season that saw him make 12 starts. Across the dozen starts and 14 appearances that the Ole Miss product made in 2025, he totaled 2,272 passing yards, 15 passing touchdowns, five interceptions and a 91.7 passer rating, while completing 63.7% of his passes. Dart also rushed for 487 yards and nine touchdowns. As for the Giants' recovering playmakers, star wide receiver Malik Nabers a Pro Bowler in his 2024 rookie campaign who set the Giants' single-season record with 109 receptions in 15 games in said year is working his way back from a torn ACL that he suffered in Week 4 of last season. Meanwhile, running back Cam Skattebo saw his 2025 rookie season end after eight games due to a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula; across eight games, Skattebo rushed for 410 yards and five touchdowns on 4.1 yards per carry, while totaling 24 receptions for 207 yards and two touchdowns. As for the new "pieces" that Dart is alluding to, the Giants signed former Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (three-year, $40 million deal), former Ravens All-Pro fullback Patrick Ricard (two-year, $7.6 million deal), former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (one-year, $3 million deal) and former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin (one-year, $1.5 million deal), among other offensive pickups. In the 2026 NFL Draft, New York selected Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa at pick No. 10 and traded up to select Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Malachi Fields at pick No. 74. The Giants are coming off a 4-13 season and have won just 13 games over the last three seasons.