WORLD SPORTS at 1330 GMT
TOP STORY:
SOC--INTERNATIONAL PREVIEW
A look at what's at stake heading into the final set of matches in the new UEFA Nations League competition in Europe. By Steve Douglas. UPCOMING: 600 words by 2100 GMT, photos.
NEW/DEVELOPING:
TEN--ATP FINALS
LONDON — Top-seeded and world No. 1 Novak Djokovic begins his quest to win the ATP Finals for the sixth time, and first since 2015, when he faces John Isner. Earlier, Alexander Zverev faces Marin Cilic in the first singles match. By Sam Johnston. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos; begins at 1400 GMT.
SOC--REAL MADRID-BENZEMA
MADRID — With four goals in four matches, Karim Benzema has been leading the way for Real Madrid in its successful run under interim coach Santiago Solari. By Tales Azzoni. UPCOMING: 500 words by 1700 GMT, photos.
FOOTBALL
SOC--ENGLAND-WEEKEND WATCH
Xherdan Shaqiri's cut-price arrival at Anfield from relegated Stoke in July could, however, prove to be a masterstroke — an astute piece of business that might yet be a key factor in Liverpool's bid to capture a first English league title since 1990. By Steve Douglas. SENT: 490 words, photos.
SOC--SPAIN-WEEKEND WATCH
BARCELONA, Spain — Real Betis coach Quique Setien likes to say that he would give his little finger to have had the honor of playing for Johan Cruyff. That didn't stop him for masterminding a 4-3 victory Sunday at Barcelona, a team that claims Cruyff as the creator of its playing style. By Joseph Wilson. SENT: 650 words, photos.
SOC--ITALY-WEEKEND WATCH
MILAN — Gonzalo Higuain was so desperate to make his mark against his former team that it proved to be his downfall. After missing a first-half penalty, Higuain was sent off late in AC Milan's 2-0 loss at home to Juventus for arguing with the referee following a booking. By Daniella Matar and Andrew Dampf. SENT: 790 words, photos.
SOC--GERMANY-WEEKEND WATCH
The beer showers usually mark the end of the season for Bayern Munich as players and the coaching staff celebrate their latest Bundesliga title by dousing each other in beer, but they were drenched by celebrating Borussia Dortmund fans after Paco Alcacer scored the winner in a 3-2 win over Bayern on Saturday. By Ciaran Fahey. SENT: 470 words, photos.
SOC--FRANCE-WEEKEND WATCH
PARIS — Monaco's 4-0 loss at home to Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday displayed the alarming hallmarks of a lopsided league where beaten teams seem both helpless against and utterly in awe of PSG. By Jerome Pugmire. SENT: 610 words, photos.
Also:
— SOC--COPA LIBERTADORES FINAL — Boca Juniors and River Plate drew 2-2 Sunday in a passionately contested first leg of the Copa Libertadores final that was delayed by a day because of thunder, lightning and a torrential downpour. By Luis Andres Henao. SENT: 550 words, photos.
CRICKET
CRI--BANGLADESH-ZIMBABWE
DHAKA, Bangladesh — Mushfiqur Rahim hit 219 not out, the highest individual score ever by a Bangladesh batsman, to guide the hosts into a position of dominance against Zimbabwe on Monday, the second day of the final test. SENT: 580 words.
CRI--INDIA-WEST INDIES
CHENNAI, India — India got the benefit of a misfield on the last ball to scrape to a six-wicket victory over the West Indies in the third Twenty20 international and 3-0 sweep of the series. SENT: 350 words, photos.
RUGBY
RGU--SCOTLAND-GRAHAM
EDINBURGH, Scotland — A year after getting a call-up by England for a training camp ahead of the Six Nations, Gary Graham has been selected in Scotland's squad for its remaining November tests as an injury replacement. SENT: 170 words.
SAILING
SAI--ROUTE DU RHUM
Veteran French skipper Francis Joyon has won the Route du Rhum solo race across the Atlantic in the closest finish since the race's inception in 1978. SENT: 310 words, photos.
OTHER STORIES
— TEN--DAVIS CUP-GASQUET OUT — Richard Gasquet has withdrawn from the Davis Cup final against Croatia later this month because of injury. SENT: 140 words.
— CAR--F1-BRAZILIAN GP — Five-time world champion Lewis Hamilton won the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday. By Mauricio Savarese. SENT: 680 words, photos.
— BBO--MLB ALL-STARS-HIROSHIMA — Major League Baseball's All-Star tour of Japan visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on Monday. SENT: 320 words, photos.
— FBN--NFL-ICYMI — Time to start the "Which coaches are on the way out?" watch and all eyes are on Todd Bowles of the New York Jets. By Howard Fendrich. SENT: 930 words, photos.
— HKN--NHL CAPSULES — The Arizona Coyotes became the latest team to take advantage of the Washington Capitals' penalty-killing struggles in a 4-1 win. SENT: 800 words, photos.
— BKN--NBA CAPSULES — LeBron James scored 26 points to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 107-106 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. SENT: 730 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.
