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Tennis

Wild card spree predicted for Sharapova

Maria Sharapova will be back in 2017.

Maria Sharapova can expect a spree of wild cards when she returns to the game at the end of next April, according to Steve Simon, the head of the Women's Tennis Association.

Kyrgios returns to Hopman Cup to defend title

Holding on tight: Daria Gavrilova and Nick Kyrgios with the Hopman Cup.

The planned venue for Roger Federer's comeback from injury will also be the site of Nick Kyrgios' New Year return, with the Australian electing to defend the Hopman Cup title he won with Daria Gavrilova rather than contest the ATP tournament in Brisbane in the same season-opening week.

Argentina, Croatia into Davis Cup final

Party time: Leonardo Mayer is mobbed by his Argentina teammates as they secured a spot in the Davis Cup final.

Argentine substitute Leonardo Mayer has denied holders Britain a second straight Davis Cup final appearance with a 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 defeat of Dan Evans, clinching a 3-2 upset win in the World Group semi-finals.

Hewitt's bid to appeal rape conviction dismissed

Bob Hewitt is shown outside a Johannesburg court in 2015.

South Africa's top court has dismissed an application by disgraced former grand slam doubles champion Bob Hewitt to challenge his conviction for rape and sexual assault, Independent Online service reported on Monday.