Wuhan Open: Johanna Konta loss to Petra Kvitova

Johanna Konta failed to win any of her four break points against Petra Kvitova in China

Britain's Johanna Konta was knocked out of the Wuhan Open in the quarter-finals, losing 6-3 6-4 to Czech 14th seed Petra Kvitova in China.

Kvitova, playing the day after her mammoth three-hour victory over Angelique Kerber, put in a dominant performance against a tired Konta.

The defeat keeps Konta 10th in the Race to Singapore, 273 points behind the final qualifying place.

Kvitova faces Romania's fourth seed Simona Halep in the semi-finals.

football corruption claims

Tommy Wright: Barnsley sack assistant boss amid football corruption claims

The report included footage of Wright apparently accepting money in return for allegedly helping persuade the Championship club to sign players.

He was hanging on Wednesday while the club investigated the allegations.

But the 50-year-old has now been dismissed with immediate effect after a meeting with chief executive Linton Brown.

A Barnsley statement read: "After considering Mr Wright's response to allegations in today's Daily Telegraph about breaching FA rules over player transfers, Mr Wright was dismissed.

"The club was unaware of such matters or involved in any wrongdoing. The club will continue to fully investigate the issues at hand and will co-operate with the regulatory authorities as necessary."

As part of an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption in football, the newspaper claims Wright accepted £5,000 at a meeting in Leeds in August.

A spokesman for Wright has said: "Any suggested acts contrary to criminal law or those of the Football Association and FIFA are categorically denied."

Wright joined Barnsley in February 2015 as number two to former boss Lee Johnson, and continued in the role under current head coach Paul Heckingbottom.

The latest allegations come a day after the Telegraph claimed eight current or former Premier League managers had taken bribes for player transfers.

Sam Allardyce left his post as England manager on Tuesday after claims in the newspaper that he offered advice on how to "get around" rules on player transfers.

The FA, Premier League and EFL have pledged to investigate this week's newspaper allegations.

In a joint statement, they said: "English football takes the governance of the game extremely seriously with integrity being of paramount importance.

"Any substantive allegations will be investigated with the full force of the rules at our disposal, which are wide-ranging and well-developed. In addition, should we find any evidence of criminality we would inform and seek the support of the appropriate statutory authorities."

The League Managers' Association (LMA) has accused the newspaper of holding up any investigation because it has yet to hand over any evidence. It said in a statement it wanted "full and complete unconditional disclosure of all the information it has, immediately".

The Telegraph has said it will pass on all relevant material to the football authorities.

Kyle Edmund beats John Isner to reach fourth round

Britain's Kyle Edmund set up a US Open showdown with Novak Djokovic by beating John Isner to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time.

The Briton, 21, overcame the big-serving American and 20th seed 6-4 3-6 6-2 7-6 (7-5) in two hours and 43 minutes on Court Louis Armstrong.
The world number 84 faces 2015 champion and top seed Djokovic on Sunday.
Djokovic reached the last 16 when a second successive opponent pulled out through injury at Flushing Meadows.
Edmund joined Johanna Konta in reaching the fourth round while compatriots Andy Murray and Dan Evans will on Saturday seek to join them in the last 16.
Edmund was beaten by Isner in straight sets at the French Open this year but the Briton's confidence has risen since he led Britain to Davis Cup victory, without Murray, over Serbia in July.
Isner, 31, fired down 27 aces but could only convert one of his seven break points as Edmund's serve held up under the pressure.
"It's been a great tournament so far," said Edmund, who knocked out world number 15 Richard Gasquet in the first round.

"I've really enjoyed playing here. It may not have been the result you guys wanted but I want to say thank for the support."
Perhaps the key moment came when the American had just taken the second set and created three break points at the start of the third.
Edmund, however, saved all three and then broke twice himself, sealing the set when Isner failed to make a simple forehand volley.
Isner saved two match points in the fourth set tie-break, but a forehand winner confirmed Edmund's thrilling victory.
"Chances don't come very often against John. You have to capitalise when they do. You see how many aces he hits," he added.
"You just have to get a racquet on the ball and hustle really.
"I played the big points well. I knew it would come down to one or two points. I'm just very pleased."

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Big Bash: Ian Bell joins Perth Scorchers for Twenty20

Ian Bell was the Birmingham Bears top scorer this season with 489 runs in 13 innings

Warwickshire and former England one-day batsman Ian Bell has signed for the Perth Scorchers in the Australian Big Bash Twenty20 league.

Bell, 34, led Warwickshire to the One-Day Cup final on Monday with an unbeaten 94 as Warks won by eight runs.

He has not played international T20 cricket since 2014 but captained Birmingham Bears in the T20 Blast.

The Scorchers are the most successful Big Bash team, winning in 2014 and 2015 and twice finishing as runners-up.

Bell was recently tipped for a recall to England's Test side before their winter tours to Bangladesh and India.

He retired from international one-day cricket in August 2015 as England's record run scorer in the format with 5,416 runs in 161 matches.

"He's played at the international level for more than decade so brings experience and leadership, and we're delighted to have him on board," Scorchers head coach Justin Langer said.

England bowler Stuart Broad will also appear in the 2016-17 Big Bash League after joining the Hobart Hurricanes.

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Jack Wilshere: Arsenal midfielder available for loan move from Gunners

England boss Sam Allardyce said Jack Wilshere needs more first-team football after leaving him out of his squad

Arsenal are willing to let England midfielder Jack Wilshere go out on loan to get first-team football.

The 24-year-old, whose career has been plagued by injuries, only made three appearances for the Gunners last season after fracturing his left fibula.

He played six times for England over the summer - including three games at Euro 2016 - but was not named in Sam Allardyce's first squad this week.

Arsenal paid £35m for Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka this summer.

• How to follow Transfer Deadline Day

Wilshere, who has 34 caps, has only started 80 Premier League games for Arsenal, making two substitute appearances so far this season.

He had a loan spell at Bolton in 2010.

Wilshere has less than 48 hours to find a loan club before the transfer deadline. He could be the second established England international to move on loan this week, with Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart set to move to Italian side Torino.

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Kerber resumes bid to be number one

Hercog failed to win a game as she struggled physically

Australian Open champion Kerber made it through to round two without dropping a game, as she looks to land a second major title and end Serena Williams' 185-week run at the top of the rankings.

Kerber, 28, came within one match win of toppling the American eight days ago in Cincinnati, and Muguruza and Agnieszka Radwanska also have a chance to do so in New York.

"To be one day number one, I think this is a goal from everybody, especially also for me," said Kerber.

"But I will not put too much pressure on myself because I know that when I put the pressure on, I'm not playing my tennis then."

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Wayne Rooney stays as England captain under new manager Sam Allardyce

England captain Wayne Rooney after the national side's early Euro 2016 exit

Wayne Rooney will continue as England captain, with manager Sam Allardyce saying it was an "easy decision".

Rooney is England's record goalscorer and took on the armband from Steven Gerrard a year ago.

Allardyce said Manchester United captain Rooney was "hugely respected by his peers" and has "enjoyed the responsibility" as captain.

The England squad is preparing for Sunday's opening 2018 World Cup qualifier in Slovakia.

Rooney, 30, led Roy Hodgson's England side during Euro 2016, which ended with a disappointing last-16 exit to international minnows Iceland.

But Allardyce said Rooney had been "an excellent captain for England" and as the most senior squad member was the "right choice to lead the team".

"You would hope the captain would make a decision on the pitch if he felt it needed to [be made]," said Allardyce, 61. "For me, that's the captain's role. It's a big responsibility at club level and even more so at international level. First and foremost lead by example.

"It's all about the personality. Can you handle the responsibility of being captain? I think he [Rooney] has enjoyed the responsibility. Some players don't want that responsibility."

Allardyce on Rooney's position

Rooney was employed as a midfielder during Euro 2016 under Hodgson. At Old Trafford this season under Jose Mourinho, Rooney has played in a deeper position behind the striker.

"Wayne Rooney's position has changed at Manchester United and that is where I will play him," Allardyce said.

"Dele Alli has started well too, so that makes it a difficult choice. We'll wait and see, but we are looking at balance of positions.

"We want to have two players in each position and not leave ourselves short. Hopefully we make that selection after this [training camp] and we know the best XI to start with."

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