Chile officials will back a request by former world No. 1 Marcelo Rios to have the International Tennis Federation investigate whether Petr Korda committed a doping violation in the 1998 Australian Open.

Korda beat Rios 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 in the final.

Mercedes pair Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are joint favourites for the Formula One world title as well as the season-opening Grand Prix in Melbourne, according to Ferrari star Sebastian Vettel.

And the 27-year-old German -- who admitted he began talking with Ferrari as early as 2008 about a future move to the Italian super team -- said fans may have to wait until 2016 before ending Ferrari's eight-year wait for the world driver's title.

World champions Germany are in advanced negotiations to extend national coach Joachim Loew's contract until the 2018 World Cup in Russia, German daily Bild reported on Thursday.

The 55-year-old Loew currently has a deal to take him through to Euro 2016, and the new deal includes a get out clause should either party wish to part company after the tournament to be held in France. 

Germany are chasing their first Davis Cup win over France for 77 years when the sides meet in this weekend's World Group I clash in Frankfurt.

Adolf Hitler was in power the last time Germany tasted victory on court over their neighbors when Germany beat the French 3-2 in Berlin back in 1938.

Even news of an unfortunate injury to midfielder Nemanja Matic could not overshadow a victory over West Ham United that kept Chelsea five points clear in the Premier League.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho revealed that the Serbian midfielder hurt his ankle in the on-field celebrations that followed his side's League Cup final victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Bayern Munich's Germany defender Jerome Boateng turned down an offer to join Barcelona before the start of the current season, he has revealed.

"I don't know the details of how much Barcelona offered for me, but it is true that I received an offer," the 26-year-old center-back told Bild.

Bayer Leverkusen needed extra-time goals from Hakan Calhanoglu and Stefan Kiessling to beat second-division Kaiserslautern 2-0 on Tuesday for a place in the quarterfinals of the German Cup.

Ciro Immobile scored twice for Borussia Dortmund to advance 2-0 over third-division Dynamo Dresden.

Atlanta showed why it is top of the NBA standings by coming from 18 points down to beat Houston 104-96 on Tuesday, with Jeff Teague's 25 points leading the Hawks to a fifth-straight win.

The Hawks moved a game ahead of idle Golden State for overall top spot, while other key results saw an undermanned Chicago beat Washington to stay top of the Central Division, and Southwest leader Memphis beaten comfortably at home by a revitalized Utah.

Christian Benteke converted an injury-time penalty to earn Aston Villa a 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday, ending the team's seven-match losing run in the Premier League and provisionally lifting it out of the relegation zone.

West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster fouled Matthew Lowton, and Benteke coolly stroked in the spot kick in the fourth minute of stoppage time to seal Villa's first league win since December.

Sadio Mane grabbed a late winner for Southampton in a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Tuesday, boosting the south-coast side's chances of securing European football for next season.

Southampton's three-match winless run ended when the Senegal forward pounced from close range in the 83rd minute, chipping Julian Speroni after the Palace goalkeeper failed to hold a shot from James Ward-Prowse. It was Southampton's first goal in more than six hours.