Sports Roundup: Biles Dominates, McLaughlin Leads, and Tragedy Strikes

This sports news update covers notable events including Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's world-leading performance in the 400m hurdles, Aryna Sabalenka's victory over Paula Badosa at the French Open, and the tragic death of former NBA player Drew Gordon. It also includes updates on Simone Biles' strong showing at the U.S. championships.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Olympics-McLaughlin-Levrone sets world lead on return to 400m hurdles

Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone ramped up preparations for a title defence at this year's Paris Games by running a world-leading time of 52.70 seconds on Friday in her first 400 metres hurdles race in over a year. McLaughlin-Levrone, the world record holder in the 400 hurdles, last competed in the event in August 2022.

Tennis-Sabalenka wins battle of besties, Gracheva makes new friends

Aryna Sabalenka overcame Paula Badosa in a testing third-round clash between best friends at the French Open on Saturday while Russian-born Varvara Gracheva won plenty of new admirers after she kept the flag flying for her adopted country.

Sabalenka and Badosa have become close but the 26-year-olds put their friendship aside ahead of their seventh career meeting, which promised to go the distance after a tight first set where breaks of serve flowed freely.

Doping-Enhanced Games could lead to the exploitation of young athletes, FIMS says

Young athletes could be exploited if the Enhanced Games are allowed to go ahead, International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS) President Fabio Pigozzi said. The Enhanced Games would allow athletes to use pharmacological or technological assistance, including substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Boxing-Tyson's ulcer flare up forces Paul fight postponement

Mike Tyson and Jake Paul's hotly-anticipated fight is being pushed back from its July 20 date due to the former heavyweight champion's recent ulcer flare up, promoters said on Friday. Medical professionals recommended Tyson, 57, does minimal light training over the next few weeks as he recovers before returning to full training with no limitations, Paul's Most Valuable Promotions said in a statement.

Tennis-Rybakina eases past Belgium's Mertens into the fourth round

World number four Elena Rybakina continued to fly under the radar as she enjoyed a routine 6-4 6-2 win over Belgium's Elise Mertens at the French Open on Saturday to ease into the fourth round. Rybakina, a former Wimbledon champion, is looking to improve on her best performance of quarter-finalist on the Paris red clay, in 2021.

Former 76ers F Drew Gordon dies in car accident at 33

Former NBA player Drew Gordon, the older brother of Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, died in a car crash on Thursday in Portland, Ore. He was 33. According to a Clackamas County Sheriff's Office report, Drew Gordon was the driver of a "three-wheeled autocycle" that crossed the center line into an oncoming pickup truck in an unincorporated part of the county. Gordon died at the scene, according to the report, while two occupants of the pickup were transported to an area hospital "with non-life threatening injuries."

Biden celebrates repeat Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs at White House

U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed the NFL Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs to the White House on Friday, joking about the upcoming presidential election and donning a Chiefs helmet. "Winning back to back, I kind of like that," Biden said, chuckling, as he spoke in front of the National Football League team on the White House's South Lawn. Biden, a Democrat, faces a close rematch with Republican Donald Trump in November.

MLB roundup: Aaron Judge's 2 homers lift Yanks over Giants

Aaron Judge launched two home runs in his first game at Oracle Park, Marcus Stroman was effective into the eighth inning and the New York Yankees beat the San Francisco Giants 6-2 in the first of a three-game road series Friday night. The Yankees trailed 1-0 when Anthony Volpe and Juan Soto hit back-to-back singles against Giants starter Jordan Hicks (4-2) in the third inning. Judge, who is a native of Northern California, followed with a three-run homer to left field.

Tennis-Medvedev overcomes fearless Machac to move into last 16

Fifth seed Daniil Medvedev beat Tomas Machac 7-6(4) 7-5 1-6 6-4 in an entertaining clash under the roof on Court Suzanne-Lenglen on Saturday to move into the French Open last 16. Machac was in the limelight last month when he stunned world number one Novak Djokovic in the Geneva Open semi-finals for the biggest win of his career and he pushed Medvedev in a match lasting nearly 3-1/2 hours.

Gymnastics-Biles dominant on first day of U.S. championships

Simone Biles got her bid for a record-extending ninth all-around title at the U.S. championships off to a sensational start on Friday, piling up 60.45 points to take a more than three-point lead after the first night of the competition. Starting on vault, Biles landed her signature Yurchenko double pike to thrill the fans in Fort Worth, Texas, and was rewarded with a 15.80 from the judges at the meet, which will help determine the U.S. team for the Paris Olympics.