Referees will have help in Russia

SANTIAGO - FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed on Wednesday that video-assistant referees will be used at next year's World Cup in Russia for the first time.

Sharapova lights it up in return

STUTTGART, Germany - Maria Sharapova says she would "play in the juniors if I have to" in order to compete at the French Open and Wimbledon - but has no interest in building bridges with her rivals after making her comeback from a doping ban.

Ding cashes in after Ronnie's maximum miss

SHEFFIELD, England - Five-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan bowed out of the World Snooker Championship on Wednesday after spurning a shot at a 147 break during a 13-10 quarterfinal loss to China's Ding Junhui.

Lozano has his work cut out

Raul Lozano on Wednesday embraced his new role as the first foreign head coach of China's men's volleyball team, telling a Beijing media conference his goal is to helm the squad to the top level in Asia and return it to the Olympic Games at Tokyo 2020.

Rockets steal Russell's Thunder

HOUSTON - The Houston Rockets are headed to the Western Conference semifinals after using strong defense and a balanced scoring attack to overcome another big game by Russell Westbrook and eliminate the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 105-99 victory in Game 5 on Tuesday night.

'Grandpa' Ginobli an inspiration for Spurs

SAN ANTONIO - The Spurs turned to their "grandpa" on Tuesday for the lift their young stars struggled to provide in the previous two games of their Western Conference quarterfinal against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Turner warms to task as Rockies get burned

DENVER - Trea Turner wore everything he could to stay warm, including a red ski mask that covered his face.

Digest

Soccer

China's jewels added to Diamond lineup

A slew of world-class Chinese talent, spearheaded by sprinters Su Bingtian and Xie Zhenye, has been added to the star-studded Shanghai Diamond League athletics meet on May 13.

Seniors setting pace on run to wellness

Running marathons has fired up a Zhengzhou senior couple's zest for life.

Score board

Diego's double widens Blues' gap

LONDON - Diego Costa scored his 50th and 51st Premier League goals as Chelsea overcame spirited Southampton 4-2 on Tuesday to establish a seven-point lead atop the standings.