TOP STORIES:
ATH–WORLDS
LONDON — Without Usain Bolt in the field, there will be a new 200-meter world champion for the first time in 10 years. Also, Allyson Felix goes for another gold medal in the 400 metres at the world championships. By Raf Casert. UPCOMING: 600 words by 2200 GMT, photos.
NEW/DEVELOPING:
SOC–PREMIER LEAGUE-SEASON PREVIEW
LONDON — The way Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho have been spending, the Premier League trophy should be returning to Manchester in May. By Rob Harris. UPCOMING: 700 words by 1600 GMT, photos.
TEN–DOPING-ERRANI
MILAN — Former French Open finalist Sara Errani struggled to hold back the tears on Wednesday as she insisted she is not a cheat after being handed a two-month doping ban. SENT: 400 words, photos.
GLF–PGA CHAMPIONSHIP-ERNIE AND PHIL
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els celebrate the century mark by competing in their 100th major at the PGA Championship. By Doug Ferguson. SENT: 980 words, photos.
FOOTBALL:
SOC_LEICESTER
UNDATED — After the giddy heights of winning the Premier League and playing in the Champions League quarterfinals, normality is setting in at Leicester City ahead of the new English soccer season. By Steve Douglas. UPCOMING: 500 words by 1700 GMT, photos.
SOC–ARSENAL-SANCHEZ
LONDON — Alexis Sanchez will miss at least the first two games of the Premier League season for Arsenal, with coach Arsene Wenger saying the absence is due to injury rather than doubts surrounding the forward’s future at the club. SENT: 270 words, photos.
SOC–PORTUGUESE ROUNDUP
LISBON, Portugal — Benfica kicks off its defence of the Portuguese league title by hosting Braga, while FC Porto welcomes Estoril in round one. UPCOMING: 130 words by 2200 GMT.
SOC–JAPANESE ROUNDUP
TOKYO — Mu Kanazaki scored twice in the second half on Wednesday as defending champion Kashima Antlers beat Vissel Kobe 2-1 to move top of the J-League. SENT: 130 words.
CRICKET:
CRI–PAKISTAN-CHAIRMAN
ISLAMABAD — Newly-elected chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board Najam Sethi says one of the challenges for him is to bring back international cricket to Pakistan.
BASKETBALL:
BKL–WNBA ROUNDUP
ATLANTA — Sylvia Fowles had 27 points and 13 rebounds, helping the Minnesota Lynx beat the Atlanta Dream 81-72 on Tuesday night. SENT: 300 words, photos.
BASEBALL:
BBN–DODGERS-DIAMONDBACKS
PHOENIX — The Los Angeles Dodgers can’t win them all, not when Jake Lamb hits a grand slam against one of the game’s better left-handed relievers. By Bob Baum. SENT: 8000 words, photos.
BBN–DODGERS-KERSHAW
PHOENIX — Clayton Kershaw threw aggressively off flat ground on Tuesday but Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts says the team will take a cautious approach to the Dodgers’ ace’s return to the rotation. By Bob Baum. SENT: 350 words.
BBA–RED SOX-RAYS
ST. PETERSBURG, Florida — Working on six days’ rest, Chris Sale followed up his worst start of the season with one of his best. Sale allowed two hits and struck out 13 in eight innings, helping the Boston Red Sox win their seventh straight, 2-0 over the Tampa Bay Rays. By Dick Scanlon. SENT: 490 words, photos.
BBO–Umpire Joe West Suspended
NEW YORK — Joe West, the major leagues’ senior umpire, has been suspended for three days for comments he made about Texas third baseman Adrian Beltre. SENT: 260 words, photos.
Other Stories:
— RGU–Melbourne-Mafi — Melbourne Rebels re-sign Japan rugby international Mafi. SENT: 120 words, photos.
YOUR QUERIES: Questions and story requests are welcome. Contact your local AP bureau or the AP International Sports Desk in London by telephone at 44-2074274105 or email lonsports@ap.org.
The Associated Press
