13 May 2019

Today's sports news: What you need to know

9:10 am on 13 May 2019

Latest - The New Zealand womens rugby sevens side is through to the final of the Canada leg of the World Series.

Ruby Tui makes a stunnig run during New zealand v Russia of Pool A match of HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series 2019 - Kitakyushu, at Mikuni World Stadium, Kitakyushu, Japan, 20 April 2019 © Copyright Photo: Kaori Matsumoto / www.photosport.nz

Photo: Photosport Ltd 2019

The Black Ferns Sevens beat Spain 17-7 in their quarter-final in Langford and then beat the USA 26-12 in the semi-finals..

Kelly Brazier scored three tries against a USA side that had a player sent off early in the semi-final.

The Black Ferns Sevens will play Australia in the final after they beat France 26-19 in their quarter-final.

New Zealand is on top of the overall standings.

Another title for Mumbai

The Mumbai Indians became the most successful franchise in the history of the Indian Premier League after their bowlers snatched a thrilling one-run victory over three-time champions Chennai Super Kings in the final.

Mitchell McClenaghan of Mumbai Indians

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Having posted a modest 149-8, butter-fingered Mumbai found themselves on the brink of defeat but Lasith Malinga conceded just seven runs off the final over to seal Mumbai's fourth IPL title.

Chennai opener Shane Watson rode his luck to smash the match's only half-century but his 80 could not prevent his team going down to Mumbai for the fourth time in this year's IPL.

Mitchell McClenaghan conceded just 24 runs from his four overs for Mumabi.

Former Black Caps skipper Stephe Fleming coached the Chennai Super Kings.

-RNZ/Reuters

Djokovic wins in Madrid

World men's tennis number one Novak Djokovic said he was back to his best after winning a third Madrid Open title, defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 6-4.

Djokovic's victory was also a record-equalling 33rd Masters 1000 title for the Serbian, drawing him level with great rival Rafa Nadal at the top of the all-time list.

"I wasn't playing my best tennis after the Australian Open so I was looking to regain momentum," Djokovic told reporters.

"I played some of my best tennis here, it's a big win obviously for me today and in this tournament. I'm really looking forward to continuing this streak in Rome (at the Italian Open)."

-Reuters

Joelle King into final

New Zealand's world number five Joelle King has booked her place in the final of the inaugural Manchester Squash Open after she defeated American, Amanda Sobhy in straight-games.

Joelle King

Joelle King Photo: Photosport

The first game was exhausting for both players as they traded points until King pulled away to a 17-15 win.

From then on the momentum stayed with the Kiwi who didn't put a foot wrong to advance against world number eight Sobhy as she put on a confident display to reach the PSA World Tour Silver final.

The overall score 17-15, 11-5, 11-8 in 39 minutes.

King will face Welsh player Tesni Evans for the title.

Evans knocked out the top seed Nour El Tayeb in the semifinals.

Manchester City retain title

Manchester City retained the English Premier League footbal title, securing top spot with an emphatic 4-1 win at Brighton & Hove Albion on the final day of the season.

City finished with 98 points, one point ahead of second-placed Liverpool, who finished the campaign with a 2-0 home victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

At the conclusion of the highest-quality duel for the title ever seen in the English game, City, with a remarkable 14th straight league victory, came from behind to become the first team since Manchester United in 2009 to earn back-to-back championships.

With Liverpool leading 1-0 at home to Wolves, City's only moment of alarm came when they went 1-0 down at Brighton's AMEX Stadium to a 27th minute Glenn Murray goal.

But Sergio Aguero responded with a goal 83 seconds later and City went on to dominate with Aymeric Laporte heading them ahead before halftime and Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan sealing the triumph after the interval.

Champions League finalists Liverpool, who won with a double from Sadio Mane, had the consolation of achieving the best-ever performance by a second-placed club in the annals of England's top flight.

-Reuters

Hamilton wins again

Lewis Hamilton returned to the top of the Formula One world championship standings by winning the Spanish Grand Prix in a fifth successive one-two for Mercedes.

The 76th victory of the five times world champion's career, and third of the season, sent Hamilton seven points clear of Finnish team mate Valtteri Bottas after five of the 21 races.

The Briton took an extra point for the fastest lap of the race.

Max Verstappen finished third for Honda-powered Red Bull, ahead of Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc.

-Reuters

Sydney storm into A-League final

Perth Glory will meet Sydney FC in the A-League football grand final.

Sydney has beaten Melbourne Victory 6-1.

The magnitude of their success ensures they'll travel west with a full head of steam.

This was Sydney FC's biggest finals win, Victory's biggest loss, and a result no one saw coming.

-AAP