World number 30 Vekic took full advantage of the 42 unforced errors committed by the Czech top seed and defending champion to prevail in 83 minutes.
* Barcelona's stand-in goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen has been ruled out for six weeks with a torn calf muscle, the club said in a statement on Friday, and will miss both legs of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Madrid.
* Borussia Dortmund have exercised their option to sign on-loan striker Paco Alcacer permanently from Barcelona for a fee totalling 28 million euros, the La Liga leaders said in a statement on Friday.
* Manchester United confirmed the departure of midfielder Marouane Fellaini to Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng on Friday, marking the end of the Belgium international's chequered career at the Premier League team.
* Women's tennis organisers announced changes to their calendar for 2019 on Friday, with a new Premier event in Zhengzhou, China marking the start of the Asian swing. The WTA said the Zhengzhou tournament will take place after the US Open in September and will offer US$1 million in prize money, an amount that will rise to US$1.5 million in 2020.
* Barcelona brought forward the signing of teenage defender Jean-Clair Todibo from Toulouse by six months in order to prevent him losing his competitive edge after being discarded by the French club, sporting director Eric Abidal said on Friday. Todibo, 19, completed his signing to the La Liga champions on a four-and-a-half deal on Thursday, having initially agreed to move to Barcelona at the end of this season when his contract with Toulouse expired.
* The Sauber name will disappear from the Formula One grid this season after the Swiss-based team announced on Friday it had been renamed Alfa Romeo Racing as part of an extended sponsorship deal. The team, who finished eighth out of 10 in the constructors' championship last year, will remain under the same independent ownership and management with Frenchman Frederic Vasseur as principal.
* Premier League spending in the January transfer window fell for the first time since 2012 after three of the top six clubs decided not to add players to the squad, according to a Deloitte report published on Friday. Thursday's deadline day spending accounted for 50 million pounds (US$65.49 million) - bringing the month's spending to 180 million pounds. That is less than half of January 2018 spending of 430 million pounds, which included Liverpool signing Virgil van Dijk from Southampton for a world record deal fee for a defender.
* Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny has returned to full training ahead of Sunday's Premier League game at Manchester City after scans confirmed he has not suffered a fractured jaw, the north London club said. Koscielny was caught by a stray boot from Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku in the FA Cup last week, and the French defender did not play in Arsenal's 2-1 Premier League home win over Cardiff City on Tuesday.
* Fulham have signed Serbian winger Lazar Markovic on a free transfer from Liverpool for the remainder of the season, the London club confirmed on Friday. Fulham said Markovic, who has played 34 times for Liverpool but not once this season, was signed after being recommended by compatriot Aleksandar Mitrovic, and club owner Tony Khan said the 24-year-old would strengthen their attack.
* Crystal Palace have signed Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi on loan until the end of the season, the Premier League clubs have confirmed. Palace completed the deal for the 25-year-old Belgium striker minutes before the transfer window closed on Thursday.
* Lille strengthened their grip on the second position in Ligue 1 after crushing Nice 4-0 at home on Friday. Witnessing their sixth consecutive victory in all competitions since the start of 2019, Lille currently possess a six-point lead over Lyon, who will host runaway leaders Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday.
