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    Reuters Sports News Summary

    Synopsis

    SPORTS:Reuters Sports News Summary

    Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

    Is racism legal in France?: asks Balotelli

    A furious Mario Balotelli asked fans if racism was "legal in France" after the Nice striker accused Bastia supporters of abusing him during his team's 1-1 Ligue 1 draw on Friday, prompting a French League investigation. The Italian posted a message on his Instagram page on Saturday, saying the incident was a "real shame".

    Serena marches on to fourth round

    Serena Williams gave compatriot Nicole Gibbs a lesson in grand slam tennis with a 6-1 6-3 thrashing to charge into the fourth round of the Australian Open on Saturday. Having passed her earlier tests against more accomplished players, second seed Williams had far too many weapons for the 92nd-ranked Gibbs, who appeared overawed by the occasion at a sun-drenched Rod Laver Arena.

    Dimitrov easily tames Gasquet to reach last 16

    Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov produced a brilliant display to end Richard Gasquet's promising Australian Open campaign with a 6-3 6-2 6-4 victory in the third round on Saturday. Dimitrov, who ended a 2-1/2 year trophy drought by winning the Brisbane International title in the run up to the season's opening grand slam, appeared to be in a hurry to get off court after the players were kept waiting until almost midnight to start the match.

    Packers, Falcons set to give Georgia Dome explosive sendoff

    The Georgia Dome's final game could fittingly be an explosive one with the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers poised to blow the roof off the place when the NFL's most potent offenses clash on Sunday for a berth in the Super Bowl. With Atlanta's Matt Ryan and Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers leading supercharged offences against leaky defenses, Las Vegas bookmakers have set a record high "over-under" -- or the total combined points scored -- for a playoff contest at 60 points.

    NFL-Patriots and Steelers in royal clash for shot at Super Bowl

    In a match-up of NFL royalty, the New England Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Sunday's AFC title clash with the winner earning a record ninth trip to the Super Bowl. Both teams have been on a tear, with the Patriots riding an eight-game winning streak, while the Steelers and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger have claimed nine straight.

    Federer comeback continues against Nishikori

    Roger Federer took a massive step forward upon his return to the weekly grind of the tennis circuit with his third round thrashing of Tomas Berdych and is enthused at the prospect of facing Kei Nishikori at the Australian Open on Sunday. Federer, seeded 17th at the season-opening grand slam after a knee injury cut short his 2016 schedule, demolished 10th seed Berdych on Friday to set up his clash with the in-form Nishikori on Rod Laver Arena.

    Vonn wins in second race after injury layoff

    Irrepressible Lindsey Vonn won the women's downhill at Garmish-Partenkirchen on Saturday in only her second race since returning after an 11-month injury layoff. The four-times World Cup overall champion, and 2010 Olympic downhill champion, was fastest at every intermediate stage on the Kandahar course as she finished 0.15 seconds ahead of Switzerland's Lara Gut. Germany's Viktoria Rebensburg was third.

    Warriors top Rockets for sixth straight win

    Having already delivered convincing statements earlier this week by drubbing the Cavaliers and Thunder, the Warriors were quick to send the message on Friday that exacting revenge for a previous loss was a pressing priority. While All-Star Game starters Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry split responsibility orchestrating the offense, the Golden State Warriors' collective length dominated defensively in a 125-108 victory over the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center.

    Agassi backs Djokovic to rebound quickly

    Andy Murray is yet to reach his maximum potential and should only get better but the world number one has not seen the back of Novak Djokovic, according to eight-times grand slam champion Andre Agassi. Djokovic, a six-times champion at Melbourne Park, was bundled out of the second round by Uzbek wildcard Denis Istomin on Thursday, leaving top seed Murray a raging favorite to win a first Australian Open title after five trips to the final.

    Nadal holds off rising talent Zverev to reach last 16

    Rafa Nadal held off a fierce challenge from one of the hottest prospects in the game when he outlasted German teenager Alexander Zverev 4-6 6-3 6-7(5) 6-3 6-2 to reach the last 16 of the Australian Open on Friday. The Spaniard, champion here in 2009, needed to be at his resilient best to come out on top after more than four hours of top quality shot-making and thrilling rallies which earned both players a huge ovation from the Rod Laver Arena crowd.



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