WORLD SPORTS AT 0000 GMT
TOP STORIES
TEN--PARIS MASTERS
PARIS — Roger Federer's bid for a 100th career title remains on as he beat Fabio Fognini 6-4, 6-3 on Thursday to reach the Paris Masters quarterfinals. If he wins that, against Kei Nishikori, he could face Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. By Jerome Pugmire. SENT: 670 words, photos.
GYM--WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
DOHA, Qatar — Simone Biles is still the best even when she's not at her best. The 21-year-old star wins her fourth world all-around championship, surviving a series of uncharacteristic mistakes to become the first woman to earn four all-around titles. By Will Graves. SENT: 950 words, photos.
OLY--WADA-DOPING
LONDON — Facing increased criticism over Russia's reinstatement, World Anti-Doping Agency president Craig Reedie responded to one of his harshest detractors by pointing out that the major American sports leagues routinely ignore international guidelines. By Rob Harris. SENT: 560 words, photos.
BOX--AIBA-KONAKBAYEV
With boxing's Olympic future on the line, Serik Konakbayev will fight to save his sport. The one-time Olympic silver medalist from Kazakhstan is the underdog candidate in Saturday's presidential vote at AIBA, the amateur boxing federation locked in conflict with the International Olympic Committee, which hasn't decided whether boxing will be on the 2020 Olympic program. By James Ellingworth. SENT: 670 words, photos.
FOOTBALL
SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP
MANCHESTER, England — Kevin De Bruyne gave Manchester City a scare by coming off with a left knee injury near the end of the team's 2-0 win over Fulham in the English League Cup round of 16 on Thursday. By Steve Douglas. SENT: 290 words, photos.
SOC--SPANISH ROUNDUP
Real Sociedad substitute Juan Miguel Jimenez dedicated the goal that earned a 1-1 draw at Celta Vigo on Thursday to a teammate recovering from a stroke. By Joseph Wilson. SENT: 360 words.
— Also:
— SOC--EUROPEAN SOCCER WEEKEND — What to watch in the leading soccer leagues in Europe this weekend, including Arsenal facing Liverpool and Santiago Solari's Spanish league debut with Real Madrid. SENT: 830 words, photos.
— SOC--FRANCE SPOTLIGHT-BUFFON'S MOMENT — The biggest game of Gianluigi Buffon's career at Paris Saint-Germain has arrived sooner than expected. The 40-year-old Italian will be in goal for PSG on Wednesday when it travels to play Napoli. By Jerome Pugmire. SENT: 650 words, photos.
— SOC--HERTHA-VIOLENCE — Hertha Berlin announced on a ban on flags and banners for home games following fan trouble at its previous Bundesliga game in Dortmund. SENT: 220 words, photos.
CRICKET
CRI--PAKISTAN-ALI
Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali retired from one-day internationals on Thursday to concentrate on his test career. SENT: 250 words.
OTHER STORIES
— GLF--TURKISH AIRLINES OPEN — Paul Dunne shot a bogey-free, 7-under 64 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Turkish Airlines Open on Thursday. SENT: 270 words, photos.
— HKN--PANTHERS-JETS —Finland native Patrik Laine had a hat trick as the Jets won 4-2 in Helsinki. By Karel Janicek. SENT: 380 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 +44 207 427 4224 or email lonsports@ap.org.
