Following is a summary of current sports news briefs. Djokovic wins fifth Italian Open to make Masters history

World number one Novak Djokovic overcame a sluggish start to lift his fifth Italian Open title on Monday, defeating Argentine Diego Schwartzman 7-5 6-3 for a record 36th ATP Masters crown. Playing his maiden ATP 1000 final, eighth seed Schwartzman raced out of the blocks to convert two break point opportunities for a 3-0 lead as Djokovic struggled to put a lid on his backhand errors. Six players out of French Open qualifying due to COVID-19

Six players in the men’s and women’s qualifying draw for the French Open have been withdrawn due to COVID-19 concerns, organisers have said. Initially, two players and a coach tested positive for COVID-19 and three others with confirmed close contact with the coach were withdrawn. MLB roundup: Padres clinch rare playoff berth

Mitch Moreland’s bloop double down the left-field line scored Manny Machado with the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th inning Sunday as the San Diego Padres clinched their first National League playoff berth in 14 years with a 7-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners at Petco Park. Wil Myers hit a three-run homer for the Padres (34-20), who captured at least a wild-card berth. UK sports bodies ask government for emergency aid

A coalition of over 100 sports bodies, including the Premier League and Football Association, have asked British Prime Minister Boris Johnson for emergency funding because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the BBC reported on Monday. The group, which also comprises the UK’s tennis, cricket and rugby governing bodies, is worried about “a lost generation of activity” says a letter to be presented to the government. A new era? DeChambeau’s U.S. Open triumph puts field on notice

As the golf world turns its gaze from Winged Foot Golf Club to the year’s final major at Augusta National in November, questions remain over just how much Bryson DeChambeau’s hard-charging U.S. Open win could shift the sport’s landscape. With an average drive of 325.6 yards in Mamaroneck, New York — the furthest of any U.S. Open champion in four decades, according to data compiled https://www.usopen.com/2020/articles/10-notes-to-know-from-final-round.html by 15th Club content head Justin Ray for the United States Golf Association (USGA) — DeChambeau showed he could win by saving his precision for the greens. Trailblazing ‘Original 9’ headline Hall of Fame nominees

The ‘Original 9’ group, whose efforts ultimately led to the creation of the WTA, headlined the list of nominees up for induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The ‘Original 9’, who took a stand against a disparity in prize money and playing opportunities for women in professional tennis, were nominated in the Contributor Category, the Newport, Rhode Island-based Hall of Fame said on Monday. Halep claims Rome title after Pliskova retires with injury

Top seed Simona Halep claimed the Italian Open in Rome on Monday after second seed Karolina Pliskova retired from the final with injury when she was down 6-0 2-1. Halep raced into a 5-0 lead in the opening set, breaking the defending champion three times and also saved three break points at 0-40 down in the fourth game. MLB, MLBPA commit $10 million to Players Alliance

Major League Baseball and the Players Association jointly committed $10 million to The Players Alliance on Monday to help boost the participation of Black Americans in all levels of the sport. The Players Alliance, a nonprofit organization comprised of active and former players, will use the money to fund annual grants through 2024 to improve access to the sport from the youth level all the way to MLB front offices. Two in custody in Tour de France doping probe – Marseille prosecutor

Two people were in custody on Monday after an investigation was opened into suspected doping by the Arkea-Samsic team at this year’s Tour de France, the Marseille prosecutor said on Monday. Dominique Laurens said in a statement that the probe was targeting a “small part of the team” and that those in custody were part of the “close entourage of the main rider”. NFL roundup: Wilson tosses five touchdowns as Seahawks outlast Pats

Russell Wilson threw five touchdown passes and the Seattle Seahawks made a defensive stand at the goal line on the game’s final play to defeat the visiting New England Patriots 35-30 on Sunday night. Cam Newton nearly rallied the Patriots from a 12-point deficit in the final 4:32. He scored on a 1-yard TD run with 2:16 left to make the score 35-30 and, after Seattle went three-and-out, drove to New England’s 1-yard line with two seconds left. Newton tried to run for the score, but was stopped by Seattle’s L.J. Collier for a 1-yard loss.