Reuters Sports News Summary

Kirk surges to Players lead, McIlroy lurking

Three birdies in his final four holes catapulted American Chris Kirk into the lead after the third round of the Players Championship on Saturday. But he had 24 players within four shots of his 10-under 206 total at TPC Sawgrass.

Memphis wins at home to take series lead

The Memphis Grizzlies held off a late charge by the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night at FedExForum for a 99-89 victory and a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinal series. Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph scored 22 points and center Marc Gasol posted a double-double with 21 points and 15 rebounds.

Kvitova downs ailing Kuznetsova for second Madrid title

Petra Kvitova swept to a second Madrid Open title and put her recent struggles behind her when she thumped an ailing Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1 6-2 in a hopelessly one-sided final on Saturday. Champion on the clay at the premier event in 2011, the Czech fourth seed's powerful ground strokes were far too much to handle for the unseeded Kuznetsova, a former world number two who was hampered by a thigh problem.

Nadal into Madrid final after seeing off Berdych

Defending champion Rafa Nadal continued to look more like his old self as he crushed Czech Tomas Berdych 7-6(3) 6-1 to reach the Madrid Masters final on Saturday. The home favorite, bidding for a third consecutive Madrid title but still searching his for his best form, will face either Andy Murray or Kei Nishikori in the final.

Powell speeds to year's fastest 100 meters

Asafa Powell ran the fastest 100 meters in the world this year when he clocked a blazing 9.84 seconds at the Jamaica International Invitational in Kingston on Saturday. The time was the former world record holder's fastest in five years as the 32-year-old beat American Ryan Bailey (9.93) and Jamaican Nesta Carter (9.98) in the first sub-10 seconds 100 of the year.

Canadiens force Game Six with late goal

The Montreal Canadiens won their second in a row on a late goal from Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau to force Game Six in their NHL playoff second-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 after Parenteau scored with 4:07 remaining in the third period at the Bell Centre on Saturday night.

Pierce buzzer-beater lifts Wizards past Hawks

Forward Paul Pierce banked in the winning jumper at the buzzer as the short-handed Washington Wizards beat the Atlanta Hawks 103-101 in Game Three of their Eastern Conference semi-final playoff series on Saturday. Guard Bradley Beal and forwards Nene and Otto Porter each scored 17 points as the Wizards survived a furious comeback by the Hawks and took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series against the top seed in the East.

To Clippers' delight, Rivers more than just coach's kid

Austin Rivers has gone from the 'coach's kid' to proving he belongs with the championship contending Los Angeles Clippers. A flurry of jump shots and a blur of drives to the basket sparked the coach's son to 15 of his playoff-high 25 points during a defining third quarter as the Clippers beat the Houston Rockets on Friday.

Brazil soccer legend Pelé leaves hospital after prostate surgery

Brazilian soccer legend Pelé left hospital on Saturday after undergoing prostate surgery and tests showed he has a benign condition. Pelé, 74, whose given name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, left Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein at around 6:30 p.m. local time (5:30 p.m. Eastern time), a statement from the hospital said. This was the second time the former footballer has been hospitalized in six months.

RSL's Rimando hits the century mark

Real Salt Lake ended the Chicago Fire's three-game win streak at home with goals early in the first and second half from Alvaro Saborio and Luke Mulholland for a 2-1 road victory on Saturday. The win marked the 100th for goalkeeper Nick Rimando with Real Salt Lake. He yielded a late penalty kick goal from Chicago's Jeff Larentowicz.