Germany swimmer Britta Steffen breaks 100-meter freestyle world record

BERLIN — German swimmer Britta Steffen has set a world record of 52.85 seconds in the 100 meter freestyle at a meet in Berlin.

Podolski sets high targets on Cologne return

COLOGNE - Germany striker Lukas Podolski hopes his return to former club Cologne can help the German Bundesliga club into the Champions League.

German rider Isabell Werth, Olympic gold medalist, suspended after horse fails doping test

BERLIN — Isabell Werth of Germany, a multiple Olympic dressage gold medalist, has been suspended after her horse tested positive for a banned substance.

Klitschko beats Chagaev in front of biggest German boxing audience in 70 years

GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany — Wladimir Klitschko again proved his dominance of the heavyweight division, stopping Ruslan Chagaev in a hastily put together title fight Saturday night before 61,000 fans at a German soccer stadium.

Klitschko set to fight in front of Germany’s biggest boxing crowd since Schmeling in 1930s

BERLIN — When Wladimir Klitschko steps into the ring against Ruslan Chagaev at Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday, it will be in front of the largest boxing audience in Germany since Max Schmeling fought in the 1930s.

Tommy Haas upsets Novak Djokovic to win in Halle, Germany, for 1st title on grass courts

HALLE, Germany — Tommy Haas upset Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-1 Sunday to win the Gerry Weber Open for his first grass-court title.

Djokovic, Haas to play in the final of Gerry Weber Open

HALLE, Germany — Novak Djokovic defeated qualifier Olivier Rochus 7-6 (7), 6-4 Saturday to reach the Gerry Weber Open final, where he will play Tommy Haas in a bid for his first grass-court title.

Tommy Haas rallies to beat Philipp Kohlschreiber and reach final in Halle

HALLE, Germany — Tommy Haas rallied past Philipp Kohlschreiber 2-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3) in an all-German semifinal Saturday to reach the title match of the Gerry Weber Open.

Schalke midfielder Jermaine Jones, a dual citizen, wants to play for US instead of Germany

FRANKFURT — Schalke midfielder Jermaine Jones has told the governing body of German soccer federation that he wants to play for the U.S. national team.

German firm Adidas: Leadership in soccer products means profitable World Cup year in 2010

FRANKFURT — The 2010 World Cup in South Africa, which kicks off a year from now, will help German sportswear company Adidas AG increase its presence in the world soccer market, the company’s CEO said Wednesday.

Tommy Haas wins first-round match at Gerry Weber Open

HALLE, Germany — Tommy Haas has won his opening-round match at the Gerry Weber Open, defeating Stefan Koubek 6-2, 6-2.

Chagaev will replace Haye in June 20 bout against Klitschko in Germany

FRANKFURT — Ruslan Chagaev will replace David Haye as Wladimir Klitschko’s opponent in a heavyweight title bout on June 20.

Frank Stronach: the man behind the auto parts empire as he expands into Europe

TORONTO — Frank Stronach, the Canadian owner of auto parts maker Magna International Inc., once referred to himself as “king” at one of his shareholder meetings. He’s now added another property to his business empire: General Motors Corp.’s Opel unit.