Sports Highlights: Biles Shines, Zverev's Grit, McLaughlin-Levrone's Triumph

This summary covers various highlights from the sports world, including Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's world-leading time in 400m hurdles, Alexander Zverev's scare at the French Open, and Simone Biles' dominant start at the U.S. championships. Additionally, Real Madrid's 15th European Cup win, and Aaron Judge's home runs are discussed.

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-Zverev survives scare at French Open, Djokovic kept waiting

Alexander Zverev survived a big scare in an evening marathon at the French Open on Saturday, as more rain delays kept defending champion Novak Djokovic waiting in the Roland Garros locker room before a potential milestone. Second seed Aryna Sabalenka overcame Paula Badosa in a testing clash between best friends, while Russian-born Frenchwoman Varvara Gracheva won plenty of new admirers after she kept the flag flying for her adopted country.

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).

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.

Soccer-US start Hayes' reign with 4-0 thrashing of South Korea

The United States women's team trounced South Korea 4-0 in a pre-Olympics friendly as Emma Hayes took her bow as coach of a team eager to stage a comeback after recent disappointments. A sell-out crowd in Commerce City, Colorado got their first glimpse of Hayes whose side took the lead through Mallory Swanson in the 34th minute from a Sophia Smith pass.

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.

Soccer-Real Madrid strike late to beat Dortmund and lift 15th European Cup

Real Madrid were crowned kings of Europe for a record-extending 15th time with a trademark 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final at a raucous Wembley on Saturday as they were outplayed for an hour but then showed their clinical edge. After Dortmund had made, but spurned, several good chances, particularly in a one-sided first half, Real took control as Dani Carvajal headed in from a corner after 74 minutes and Vinicius Jr fired home the second nine minutes later.

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.