Astana looks to Armstrong for needed redemption

PARIS - Kicked out of the 2007 Tour de France and then banned from the 2008 edition because of doping, Kazakhstan’s Astana team are looking to redeem themselves with a resounding victory in this year’s race.

The wheel turns for suspected dopers with officials to test targeted riders at Tour de France

PARIS — When the Tour de France starts Saturday, some cyclists may as well wear targets on their backs.

French anti-doping head guarantees fair treatment for Armstrong at Tour de France

PARIS — When Lance Armstrong and France’s anti-doping agency were at odds last spring over a surprise doping test, the seven-time Tour de France champion’s return to the Tour appeared to fade.

Armstrong’s return brings buzz to Tour de France bracing for next round in doping fight

PARIS — France’s anti-doping crusaders are stockpiling needles for testing blood and cups for sampling urine, and two new books on Lance Armstrong have just been released in France.

Bayern ready to double Ribery’s salary

PARIS - Bayern Munich are ready to double Franck Ribery’s salary to eight million euros (11.2 million dollars) in an effort to make the French winger stay in the wake of interest from several teams led by Real Madrid.

Lance Armstrong takes back seat to Alberto Contador in Astana lineup for Tour de France

PARIS — Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong will return to the Tour de France in the unfamiliar role of support rider after his Astana team chose 2007 winner Alberto Contador as its leader for the race.

Astana announces Tour de France roster around Alberto Contador and Lance Armstrong

PARIS — Astana announced its lineup for the Tour de France on Thursday, with its challenge built around 2007 winner Alberto Contador as its leader and seven-time champion Lance Armstrong.

Mosley says deal reached over unified F1 championship, won’t seek re-election as FIA president

PARIS — The cash-strapped Formula One series prevented a break up Wednesday when the FIA’s divisive and scandal-plagued president, Max Mosley, agreed to scrap a planned budget cap and step down at the end of his term.

Mosley says deal reached for unified F1 championship, won’t seek re-election as FIA president

PARIS — FIA president Max Mosley says there will be a unified Formula One championship in 2010 after reaching a cost-cutting deal with the eight teams which threatened to form a rival series.

FIA World Council gathers for crucial F1 meeting

PARIS - The World Motor Sport Council of the ruling body FIA gathered Wednesday for a crucial meeting regarding the future of Formula One over a row between the governing body and eight teams.

FIA panel meets amid threat of Formula One breakaway series over $65M budget cap dispute

PARIS — Motor sport’s ruling body opened what could be an acrimonious meeting at its Paris headquarters on Wednesday, nearly a week after Formula One teams announced plans to set up a rival series.

Team says Spain’s Alejandro Valverde won’t race in Tour de France

PARIS — Top-ranked cyclist Alejandro Valverde’s team says the Spanish rider will not compete in the Tour de France because of a doping ban in Italy.

Former world champion banned from Tour de France

PARIS - Organisers of the Tour de France have said they would not allow 2005 world road race champion Tom Boonen to take part in this year’s race because he tested positive for cocaine.

Belgian rider Tom Boonen banned from Tour de France after positive test for cocaine

PARIS — Tour de France organizers banned former world champion Tom Boonen from next month’s race after the Belgian rider tested positive for cocaine for the second time in less than year.

Formula One to feature 13 teams in 2010 season, including all 10 current entrants

PARIS — Formula One will feature three new teams in the 2010 season, including one from the United States.

Bicycle chain gang: French convicts get their own ‘Tour de France’ to build self-esteem

PARIS — From behind prison bars, the view never changes. From behind the handlebars of racing bikes, dozens of French inmates are seeing the vineyards of Provence, the sun-drenched Mediterranean coast and the majestic spires of the Alps in their own special Tour de France.

Tour de France to conduct more than 500 doping tests, cycling chief says

PARIS — More than 500 doping tests, including targeted checks, will be conducted before and during the Tour de France, says the head of the cycling union.

Federer closer to No. 1 Nadal in ATP rankings, Soderling up to 12th; Kuznetsova No. 5 in WTA

PARIS — Roger Federer’s French Open victory cut the points gap between him and No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the ATP rankings by more than half.

After finally winning French Open, Federer says: ‘I do think I’m the favorite’ at Wimbledon

PARIS — To Roger Federer, what’s important is not only that he finally won the French Open.

Federer’s Paris perfection may take time to sink in (Lead)

PARIS - It will take a day or two for the enormity of his first French Open title to sink in for Roger Federer, with the Swiss now forced to shift attention from the clay of Paris to the brief grass-court season starting Monday.

Best ever? After finally winning French, Roger Federer says he’s glad to be part of debate

PARIS — With his first French Open title, Roger Federer strengthened the argument he’s the best tennis player ever.

Federer French Open triumph may be slow to sink in

PARIS - Roger Federer was only starting to realise late Sunday his remarkable success of winning Roland Garros after years of trying and three finals lost to Rafael Nadal.

French Open champ, at last: Federer completes career Grand Slam, ties Sampras with 14 majors

PARIS — Oh, how Roger Federer savored every moment with his first French Open trophy.

Robin Soderling’s improbable run to French Open final ends in loss to Federer

PARIS — Robin Soderling did the impossible at the French Open once. He just couldn’t do it twice.

Berta of Sweden wins French boys’ title; Mladenovic of France wins girls’ title

PARIS — Sweden had one champion Sunday at the French Open: Daniel Berta.

AP Interview: His Grand Slam record tied, Pete Sampras calls Roger Federer ‘greatest ever’

PARIS — Pete Sampras already figured Roger Federer would go down as the greatest tennis player in history.

Tennis players with all Grand Slam titles

PARIS - The six male tennis players who have won all four Grand Slam titles are:

Andre Agassi, US: Australian Open 1995, 2000, 2001, 2003

Federer makes history with French Open title (Lead)

PARIS - Roger Federer wrote more tennis history as he defeated Robin Soderling 6-1, 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 Sunday, finally winning the French Open title to become the sixth man in tennis history to win all four majors.

Federer wins French Open, ties Sampras’ record by beating Soderling 6-1, 7-6 (1), 6-4

PARIS — Roger Federer beat Robin Soderling, tied Pete Sampras and won the French Open at last.

French Open 2009 winners

PARIS - Title-winners at the 15.5-million-euro French Open which ended Sunday:

Men’s singles: Roger Federer, Switzerland

Federer wins French Open to complete Grand Slam

PARIS - Roger Federer defeated Robin Soderling 6-1, 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 in the French Open final Sunday to become the sixth man in tennis history to win all four Grand Slam titles.

Federer ties Sampras’ record of 14 major titles by finally winning French Open

PARIS — Roger Federer has won his first French Open championship to tie Pete Sampras’ record of 14 major titles and complete a career Grand Slam.

Man runs onto court in French Open final, waves flag, tries to place hat on Federer’s head

PARIS — Stunned and shaken, Roger Federer stood on center court during the French Open final wondering if the intruder who had just run up to him posed a threat.

When Safin helped Kuznetsova

PARIS - New French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova said she almost quit the game during a low period in spring 2008, but was talked out of the idea by fellow Russian Grand Slam champion Marat Safin.

Federer wins another thriller to reach French Open final against Soderling

PARIS — A relieved Roger Federer leaned on the net following his latest French Open escape, then looked up to accept a handshake from his 6-foot-6 opponent, Juan Martin del Potro.