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• Tiger Woods given special exemption to play in U.S. Open at Pinehurst

  Tiger Woods will play in next month's U.S. Open at Pinehurst after accepting a special exemption.

  The 15-time major winner had been set to miss out on competing in the event for the first time in his professional career after failing to qualify.

  However, Woods – whose five-year exemption for winning the Masters in 2019 has expired – has been given a special invitation by organisers.

  "The U.S. Open, our national championship, is a truly special event for our game and one that has helped define my career," Woods said.

  "I'm honoured to receive this exemption and could not be more excited for the opportunity to compete in this year's U.S. Open, especially at Pinehurst, a venue that means so much to the game."

  Woods, ranked 789th in the world, has played just two tournaments this year as he continues to struggle with a leg injury sustained in a car accident three years ago.

  The 48-year-old finished 60th in last month's Masters after making the cut for a 24th successive time.

  Woods is a three-time winner of the US Open, most recently doing so in 2008, with this year's event beginning on June 13.

• Sabalenka sets up Swiatek rematch at Madrid Open

  Aryna Sabalenka will face Iga Swiatek in the Madrid Open final for the second year running after beating Elena Rybakina 1-6 7-5 7-6 (7-5) in a semi-final classic on Thursday.

  Fourth seed Rybakina made a flying start and took the opener within just 25 minutes, but Sabalenka hit back in a topsy-turvy second set featuring five breaks of serve to force a decider. 

  Both players were imperious on their own serve from there, with a tie-break required to split them. Sabalenka's power looked likely to overwhelm Rybakina as she raced into a 5-1 lead, but the former Wimbledon champion clung on by saving two match points on her own serve.

  Sabalenka would not be denied third time around, though, a huge serve giving Rybakina no chance as the defending champion teed up a rematch with Swiatek, who she beat in the Spanish capital in last year's showpiece match.

  Data Debrief: Sabalenka's unwanted record

  Sabalenka has dropped 60 games at this year's Madrid Open. That makes her the player with the most games dropped en route to reaching the final since the tournament's inception in 2009.

  The world number two had to dig deep in a match which saw Rybakina win more total points (99 to 95), but she will not mind one bit if she goes on to capture a third Madrid Open title on Saturday.

• Lehecka into maiden Masters semi-final after Medvedev retires hurt

  Jiri Lehecka progressed to the first ATP Masters 1000 semi-final of his career as Daniil Medvedev retired hurt on Thursday at the Madrid Open.

  Lehecka, who beat the great Rafael Nadal in the last 16, had just taken the first set 6-4 when Medvedev threw in the towel.

  Medvedev had earlier received treatment from the physio, having seemingly struggled when moving to his right side.

  "It's never easy in a match like this," Lehecka said. "If I were to choose the way how to win this match, it wouldn't be like that.

  "So of course, it's never easy to see your opponent struggling, but at that moment, you just need to focus on yourself, trying to get the maximum level out of yourself."

  Lehecka will face Felix Auger-Aliassime, who progressed thanks to a walkover following Jannik Sinner's withdrawal, for a place in the final.

  Data Debrief: Czech mates

  Lehecka is the third Czech player to reach the semi-finals in Madrid, following Jiri Vovak and Tomas Berdych.

  Should Lehecka reach the final, he will move into the top 20 of the ATP rankings for the first time.