German-born US midfielder Jones retires

LOS ANGELES - Former Bundesliga and US national team midfielder Jermaine Jones announced his retirement on Friday, calling time on an 18-year career. Jones, born in Frankfurt to a German mother and US soldier, enjoyed Bundesliga stints for Eintracht Frankfurt, Schalke 04 and Bayer Leverkusen and brief turns with England's Blackburn Rovers in 2011 and Turkish side Besiktas in 2014 before spending his final four seasons from 2014-2017 in Major League Soccer. "After 18 years I say good bye," Jones wrote on Instagram. "I have a clear vision, after I had a couple of months to concentrate on what comes next!!! THANKS to all my teammates, coaches and clubs who stuck with me & believed in me through all of the years. And a special thanks to all the fans who supported me all the way. See you all soon."–AFP

Tanihara holds court in European Masters

CRANS-SUR-SIERRE - Japan's Hideto Tanihara holds a two-shot lead at the midway stage of the European Masters after a bogey-free second round 66 at Crans-sur-Sierre on Friday. Last year's winner Matthew Fitzpatrick, who matched the lowest round of the week with a 64, has a share of second alongside Dane Lucas Bjerregaard and American Doug Ghim. Tanihara, in command in a European Tour event going into the weekend for the first time, moved to nine under in the morning. He is a 14-time winner on the Japan Golf Tour and finished fourth at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play and in a tie for third at the PGA Championship. "My game was very consistent and if my putting was better I would have been able to get higher on the score," he said. "I was able to play like yesterday.”–AFP

Germany's Leroy Sane mystery solved

BERLIN - There was speculation ahead of the weekend as to just why Manchester City striker Leroy Sane had suddenly quit the Germany squad and the answer is - to rush to his girlfriend's side for the birth of their daughter. The winger who missed out on World Cup selection and who has been criticised by senior members of the German squad recently met with coach Joachim Loew on Friday and then sparked a Twitter avalanche when he quit the squad. Loew said Sane had withdrawn from preparations for their game with Peru "for private reasons". German daily Bild reported Saturday Sane's partner Candice Brook had given birth late Friday, with reaction from Sane's father. "My grandaughter was born yesterday (Friday), we're very happy, her name is Rio Stella," Souleyman Sane told Bild.–AFP

Husband celebrates Serena's run to final

NEW YORK - Serena Williams's husband Alexis Ohanion celebrated her return to the US Open final with a touching Twitter tribute interspersing video of her on-court exploits and the first days of their daughter Olympia a year ago. Williams suffered life threatening complications after the birth requiring four surgeries to deal with blood clots. "She fought for her life, for our child, for recognition, for equal pay, for women's rights. She never gives up," Ohanion tweeted, urging fans to share the accompanying video. "I had this made for @serenawilliams last night after her match with some home videos from 1 year ago this week," he said. "Help me make sure she sees it! #iloveyouserena" The video contrasts shots of Williams taking the court at Flushing Meadows with those of her in a hospital bed.–AFP

USA adds Peru football friendly

CHICAGO - Peru, coming off its first World Cup appearance since 1982, will visit the United States for an October 16 friendly, the US Soccer Federation announced Friday. The South American side becames the fifth top-20 rival for a revamped young US squad as it begins a new cycle toward the 2022 Qatar World Cup after failing to reach Russia in an epic flop. The 20th-ranked Peruvians will vist October 16 at East Hartford, Connecticut. The match comes five days after the US squad entertains another South American side, 14th-ranked Colombia, at Tampa, Florida. The Americans announced the match hours before the series began against third-ranked Brazil at East Rutherford, New Jersey, with arch-rival Mexico visiting Tuesday at Nashville, Tennessee, for their 68th meeting.–AFP