Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Nishikori fights back to reach Geneva semis

Second-seed Kei Nishikori saved three consecutive match points in the final set to beat South African Kevin Anderson 2-6 6-4 7-6 in the quarter-finals at the Geneva Open on Thursday. The 27-year-old Japanese managed an impressive recovery to hold his serve after trailing 0-40 in the 10th game of the third set. He needed a tie-breaker to claim the win and set up a semi-final clash with Mischa Zverev on Friday.

Karlsson dreaming of Ryder Cup role under Bjorn

By Tony Jimenez VIRGINIA WATER, England, May 25 (Reuters) - It is nine years since former European number one Robert Karlsson last sampled the special atmosphere of the Ryder Cup and he would dearly love to be involved in the biennial team event again next year.

Golf: Unknown Swede Carlsson upstages big guns at Wentworth

Little-known Swede Johan Carlsson took full advantage of the new improved greens at Wentworth by firing a pacesetting six-under 66 in the first round of the $7 million BMW PGA Championship on Thursday. The 30-year-old picked up five strokes in a blistering outward half of 30 before three back-nine birdies were partially offset by bogeys at the 10th and 18th.

Motorcycling: Rossi injured in motocross accident

Italian MotoGP great Valentino Rossi has been taken to hospital in Italy after being involved in a motocross accident on Thursday, his Yamaha team said in a statement. They said the 38-year-old rider, a nine times world champion and currently third in the top class, had been diagnosed with "mild thoracic and abdominal trauma" in a hospital check-up after the accident in training in eastern Italy.

Alonso the rising tide lifting IndyCar

There is no mistaking who the headliner is at this year's Indianapolis 500 as Fernando Alonso hogged the spotlight on Media Day at the Brickyard on Thursday. Alonso, the twice Formula One world champion who is skipping the Monaco Grand Prix to chase Indy 500 glory, has provided a captivating storyline that has dominated the build-up to Sunday's race.

Motor racing: Bourdais released from hospital

Sebastien Bourdais, injured in a spectacular crash during qualifying for the Indianapolis 500, was discharged from hospital and moved to a local rehabilitation facility, IndyCar said on Thursday. The Frenchman sustained multiple pelvis fractures and a fractured right hip when he crashed nose first into the wall of notorious turn two at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday.

Djokovic can tap into Agassi's brilliant mind, says McEnroe

Novak Djokovic's decision to work with American great Andre Agassi at the French Open could be an inspired move as he seeks to recover his lost spark, according to John McEnroe. The Serb's insatiable appetite for grand slam titles appears to have waned since he won last year's French Open to take his career haul to 12 with motivational issues and niggling injuries contributing to a surprising slump in form.

Tsonga saunters into semis in Lyon, Raonic joins him

Home favorite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga sauntered into the semi-finals of the Lyon Open with a 6-0 6-4 victory over Russian youngster Karen Khachanov on Thursday. The second seed needed little more than an hour to overwhelm his opponent, dropping only six points on serve.

Motor racing: Vettel sets fastest ever lap at Monaco

Formula One leader Sebastian Vettel looked a good bet for Ferrari's first Monaco Grand Prix victory since 2001 after the fastest lap ever around the metal-fenced street circuit in Thursday practice. The four-times world champion topped the timesheets with a best effort of one minute 12.720 seconds in the afternoon. Mercedes title rival Lewis Hamilton had been fastest before lunch.

Murray slump is a mystery, says Becker

Andy Murray's wretched form ahead of the next week's French Open has left pundits including Boris Becker scratching their heads about what exactly is wrong with the world number one. A year after the Briton produced a stunning claycourt season, winning the Rome title and reaching the final at Roland Garros for the first time, he is struggling to locate his A game ahead of his most important part of the season.