National Sports

MONTMELÓ, Spain — Lewis Hamilton did what he does best on Friday, and Max Verstappen didn’t. Hamilton clocked the fastest time in the second practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix, while Verstappen finished a distant ninth.

PATTAYA, Thailand — Patty Tavatanakit finished with an eagle to take a three-stroke lead over Atthaya Thitikul at the halfway stage of the LPGA Thailand on Friday.

Here are five things to watch in Canadian sports this weekend: CANADIAN CLASH An all-Canadian showdown highlights Saturday's Major League Soccer schedule. The Vancouver Whitecaps host CF Montreal in Sandy, Utah.

TOKYO — The president of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee said Friday that a visit to Japan this month by IOC President Thomas Bach seemed unlikely with a state of emergency order being extended by the government to Tokyo and other areas until

TOKYO — Trains packed with commuters returning to work after a weeklong national holiday. Frustrated young people drinking in the streets because bars are closed. Protests planned over a possible visit by the Olympics chief.

BEIJING — China has opened Mount Everest's northern slope to a few dozen mountaineers who will be tested for the coronavirus and must keep their distance while ascending the world's highest peak.

FRISCO, Texas — Canada is golden at the under-18 men's hockey championship after another strong performance from two of the youngest players at the tournament.

EDMONTON — Travis Hamonic says Thursday night was exactly the kind of result the beleaguered Vancouver Canucks needed. After losing six in a row, the Canucks stormed the ice in Edmonton on Thursday, dominating the Oilers in a 6-3 victory.

CALGARY — Mixed results Thursday have left Kerri Einarson's team in a precarious position entering the final day of round-robin competition at the world women's curling championship.

TAMPA, Fla.