- 'End of an era' for Hezbollah after Israel's killed its leader
- Lebanon minister says Israel strike puts second Syria crossing out of service
- Ahmed triple strike leaves Pakistan 187-7 in third Test
- Lebanon says Israeli strike killed 3 media workers
- Asia markets diverge after Tesla boosts Wall Street
- Tunisian freediver Walid Boudhiaf eyes records and developing the sport
- Schauffele makes up ground in Japan after opening-day nightmare
- Santner takes seven as New Zealand bowl out India for 156
- Lebanon says Israeli strike kills 3 journalists
- Beyonce v Joe Rogan: stars power up US election
- Locals fume as Lisbon's historic trams become tourist 'toy'
- India 107-7 after Santner takes four wickets for New Zealand
- Myanmar rebels take the road to Mandalay
- Taiwan president says 'won't yield an inch' in defence of island's territory
- Thunder roll past Jokic's Nuggets to open NBA campaign
- Bezzecchi quickest in opening practice for Thai MotoGP
- Commonwealth struggles to overcome splits over brutal past
- Stafford throws four touchdowns as Rams beat Vikings
- More than 150 Rohingya refugees rescued off Indonesia: UN
- Thai massacre families demand justice as charge deadline expires
- Asia markets split after Tesla boosts Wall Street
- Stung in Europe, Bayern and Dortmund face tricky away trips
- Confident Barca visit unpredictable Liga champions Madrid
- Arsenal face must-win match against Premier League pacesetters Liverpool
- Parra's Stade Francais 'lacking confidence' before hosting Clermont
- 'Our pride': Lone child brings hope to Japan's puppet village
- Thompson nets first USA goal in 3-1 friendly win over Iceland
- Biden to issue historic apology for abuse of Native American children
- Baseball blockbuster as Yankees, Dodgers clash in World Series
- Loud US election barges into quiet Amish country
- It's the economy, say voters in swing state Nevada
- Trump vs Harris: Competing visions for a warming world
- Colombia's Awa people resist violence, maintain 'spiritual bond' with nature
- Split Gen Z: Gender divide grows in US youth vote
- Harris joined by Obama, Springsteen at star-studded rally
- Judge relishing World Series duel with 'best player' Ohtani
- Calls to charge tourists to enter Paris' Notre-Dame cathedral
- 'Sho-time' arrives as relaxed Ohtani prepares for World Series bow
- Thai massacre families left without justice as charge deadline expires
- Cricketer David Warner's lifetime leadership ban lifted
- Springsteen, at Harris rally, warns of 'American tyrant' Trump
- Menendez brothers could be freed after prosecutor urges resentencing
- Tottenham teen Moore compared to Neymar after Europa League starring role
- 'Freedom': Russian anti-war sisters find new home in exile
- Ten Hag bemoans United's lack of 'killing' instinct, Spurs march on
- Commonwealth presses UK to atone for brutal past
- Pacers' Wiseman suffered torn Achilles tendon in season opener
- Google urged to step up efforts to demonetize climate falsehoods
- Norris says 'I'll do what I think is right' in Verstappen battle
- USA Volleyball names Kiraly men's coach through '28 Olympics
Djokovic cruises past sorry Moutet in Rome opener
Novak Djokovic got off to a winning start at the Rome Open on Friday after beating France's Corentin Moutet 6-3, 6-1 and advancing to the third round.
World number one Djokovic comfortably saw off his lucky loser opponent as he began his bid for a seventh crown in the Italian capital.
Djokovic will face Chile's Alejandro Tabilo next as the Serb warms up for the French Open with a great chance to add to his array of titles at the Foro Italico, where only Rafael Nadal has won more with 10.
The top seed, who turns 37 a few days before Roland Garros gets underway later this month, easily won his first match since losing to Casper Ruud in the semi-finals at the Monte Carlo Masters.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner has made no secret in the past that he loves playing in Italy and with a clutch of big names either out injured or struggling he will fancy his chances of a record-extending 41st Masters 1000 crown.
The Rome tournament, which runs until May 19, is missing two of its biggest stars with Italian world number two Jannik Sinner and third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz both withdrawing from the men's draw before the start.
Meanwhile clay court icon Nadal had a creaky start in the first round against qualifier Zizou Bergs on Thursday and is on the opposite side of the draw to his great rival, meaning the only way that the pair could face each other would be in an unlikely final.
One of Djokovic's potential threats, third seed Alexander Zverev, breezed into the third round with a 6-0, 6-4 win over Australia's Aleksandar Vukic.
And it was similar story for Djokovic, who after briefly being bamboozled by flamboyant Moutet's array of shots slowly eased into gear, rattling off seven games in a row from 3-1 down in the first set to take control of the match.
Moutet briefly brought a smile to Djokovic and the crowd's faces when his phone went off in the middle of an absorbing opening game of the second set, which lasted nine minutes and saw the Frenchman save four break points before giving way and allowing Djokovic to cruise to victory.
M.Fischer--AMWN