SOCCER - The Socceroos are off to a winning start in the final stage of Asian qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, with second-half goals from Massimo Luongo and Tomi Juric enough to see off Iraq 2-0 in Perth. Elsewhere, United Arab Emirates upset Japan 2-1 and South Korea held off China to win 3-2.
TENNIS - Andy Murray progressed to the third round of the US Open with a 6-4 6-1 6-4 win Marcel Granollers of Spain. Romanian fifth seed Simona Halep advanced with a 6-3 6-4 win over Lucie Safarova.
TENNIS - Bernard Tomic has been fined $US10,000 ($A13,300) for his foul-mouthed spray at a US Open heckler. Despite Tomic claiming he was provoked, officials deemed the Australian's expletive-laden rant was unsportsmanlike.
SOCCER - Swiss authorities have opened criminal proceedings against German legend Franz Beckenbauer and two former presidents of Germany's football federation in connection with its successful bid for the 2006 World Cup.
GOLF - Australia's Marcus Fraser, Richard Green and Scott Hend are among a group of nine players who carded a five-under-par 65 to sit one shot off the lead at the European Masters in Switzerland. Frenchmen Mike Lorenzo-Vera and Gregory Havret and England's Daniel Brooks set the pace.
CRICKET - England have continued their unbeaten record in the one-day series against Pakistan, winning the fourth match by four wickets at Leeds. The home side chased down Pakistan's target of 8-247 with 12 balls to spare.
RUGBY - South Africa captain Adriaan Strauss has announced he will quit international rugby at the end of the 2016 season.
CYCLING - Orica BikeExchange's Jens Keukeleire of Belgium has won a hilly 193km 12th stage of the Spanish Vuelta, while Nairo Quintana maintained his overall lead.
OLYMPICS - Premier Matteo Renzi says Italy will bid with a different city for 2028 if Rome's mayor rejects the capital's candidacy for the 2024 Olympic Games.
MOTORSPORT - Brazilian Williams driver Felipe Massa, an 11-time race winner, has announced he will retire from Formula One at the end of the season.
