There is a lot to Aron Baynes’s game these days, but the Boomers’ heavy-hitter is still keeping things simple. The intimidating centre was instrumental in shutting down French NBA star Rudy Gobert in Australia’s 100-98 basketball World Cup win that set up a Wednesday quarter-final against the Czech Republic. New Phoenix Suns signing Baynes (21 points) made five-of-six triples and …

Chinese swimmer Sun Yang has reacted angrily after another professional swimmer – Britain’s Duncan Scott – refused to shake hands amid allegations of doping against the Chinese athlete. Footage has emerged of Yang smirking and calling Scott a “loser” after the Briton, who won bronze on Tuesday night, ignored the Chinese champion’s offer to shake hands on the podium. “”You loser,” Sun …

Serena Williams remained tantalisingly one short of a record-equalling 24 Grand Slam singles titles as Simona Halep thrashed the off-key American in a one-sided Wimbledon final on Saturday. Halep began the week halting American 15-year-old Coco Gauff’s dream run and will end it at the Champions Ball after dismantling seven-times winner Williams 6-2 6-2 with an inspired display on Centre …

The United States won a record-extending fourth women’s World Cup with a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands on Sunday as second-half goals from Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle confirmed their status as the leading power in the women’s game. The defending champions struggled to gain dominance for an hour before a Rapinoe penalty, her sixth goal of the tournament, broke …

In the wee small hours, long after those most likely to have their tennis-loving senses offended had finished their Bovril and shortbreads and turned in, Nick Kyrgios again produced the kind of performance that inspires open-mouthed awe from some, undisguised disdain from many others and gives TV programmers grey hairs. Kyrgios didn’t beat Rafael Nadal. Not this time. Nor did …

One wanted a hug. Another thirsted for a beer. A third wept tears of joy. A triumphant trio of Australian women reacted with a common theme after delivering an unheralded burst of brilliance to Australia’s sporting landscape. Within a dozen hours; Australia found three fresh sporting heroines. Around 11pm Australian time on Sunday night, Ashleigh Barty became women’s tennis world …

The Matildas have crashed out of the Women’s World Cup, losing to Norway in a penalty shootout after scores were locked at 1-1 after extra time. In a tense, dramatic and controversial affair, Australia looked to be mounting another trademark comeback, before Alanna Kennedy was sent off in the 104th minute to turn the tide in favour of the Norwegians. …

French Open champion Ash Barty warmed up for Wimbledon with a comfortable 6-4, 6-3 win over Venus Williams to reach the semi-finals of the Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham. Barty is now two wins away from becoming the first Australian woman to top the tennis rankings in more than 40 years as a title win in Birmingham will allow her …

Rafael Nadal maintained his stranglehold on the French Open by beating Austrian fourth seed Dominic Thiem in four sets to lift a 12th men’s singles title. The Spaniard won for the third straight year at Roland Garros with a 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 victory in a high-quality final. The 33-year-old is the first player to win 12 singles titles at …

Ash Barty is through to the French Open final after beating American teen Amanda Anisimova 6-7, 6-3, 6-3 in a three-set tussle on Court Suzanne Lenglen. The Queenslander is the first Australian finalist at Roland Garros in nine years after fighting back from a set down and a break down in the third set. She will now face unseeded Czech …