Epic Sports Showdowns: McLaughlin-Levrone's Record, Djokovic's Marathon Win, and More

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone sets a world-leading time in her return to the 400m hurdles, while Novak Djokovic fights through a marathon match at the French Open. The Enhanced Games raise ethical concerns, as other athletes like Medvedev and Jabeur showcase their unique talents. Biden celebrates the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl repeat.

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-Marathon man Djokovic hangs on in latest ever finish at French Open

Novak Djokovic's bid for a 25th Grand Slam briefly hung by a thread on a cold and damp Saturday night at Roland Garros but the Serbian battled back for a 7-5 6-7(6) 2-6 6-3 6-0 win over Lorenzo Musetti in the latest ever French Open finish. The reigning champion showcased the iron will that has made him one of the game's greatest players to avoid defeat in a thrilling third-round contest that got underway at 10.37 p.m. local time on Saturday.

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-Djokovic credits crowd with getting him through French Open late, late show

Novak Djokovic credited a wave of support from the French Open crowd for helping him avoid an upset at the hands of Lorenzo Musetti in a third-round thriller that ended in the early hours of Sunday morning. The world number one is renowned for his will power and stamina but conceded his title defence had been on shaky ground when his Italian opponent took a two sets to one lead during the 4-1/2-hour match.

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.

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.

Tennis-Freedom and flair, Jabeur's name of the game in French Open hunt

Ons Jabeur's unorthodox playing style caught everyone's eye when she broke into the women's tour and despite its risky nature the Tunisian is not willing to compromise on flair and creativity in her quest for a first Grand Slam title at the French Open. Jabeur's unconventional and sometimes unpredictable shots have taken her to three Grand Slam finals but she has fallen short each time, still waiting to realise her dream of becoming the first Arab and African woman to claim a major.