Reuters Sports Schedule at 1400 GMT on Wednesday
Reuters sports schedule at 1400 GMT on Wednesday:
SOCCER
International friendlies
We will bring you all the latest team and injury news ahead of the latest round of international friendlies coming up later this week as teams start the build-up to the World Cup in Russia, which starts in June. (SOCCER-FRIENDLY-TEAMA-TEAMB/(PIX) expect throughout)
TENNIS
Osaka faces Serena, Bellis battles Azarenka in Miami
Indian Wells champion Naomi Osaka of Japan squares off against 23-times grand slam champion Serena Williams in their first career meeting while 18-year-old American CiCi Bellis faces former world number one Victoria Azarenka. (TENNIS-MIAMI/WOMEN, expect by 0200 GMT/10 PM ET, 350 words)
Donaldson faces Baghdatis in Miami
American Jared Donaldson faces Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus and German Mischa Zverev squares off against Benoit Paire of France in first round action at the Miami Open (TENNIS-MIAMI/MEN, expect by 0200 GMT/10 PM ET, 350 words)
MOTOR RACING
Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne (21)
McLaren car is '100 percent' ready, says Alonso
MELBOURNE - Fernando Alonso has moved to hose down concerns about the new Renault-powered McLaren, saying the reliability problems during winter testing have been fixed and the car will be '100 percent' ready for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. (MOTOR RACING-F1-AUSTRALIA/ALONSO (INTERVIEW), moved, by Ian Ransom, 500 words)
Hamilton, Vettel kick off battle royale at Albert Park
MELBOURNE - The first instalment of what racing fans hope will be a genuine season-long rivalry kicks off on Sunday as four-times Formula One champions Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel lock horns at Albert Park. (MOTOR-F1-AUSTRALIA/ (PREVIEW), expect by 1000 GMT/6 AM ET, by Ian Ransom, 500 words)
GOLF
PGA Tour: WGC-Dell Match Play, Austin (to 25)
Johnson begins Match Play title defense against Wiesberger
Defending champion Dustin Johnson faces Bernd Wiesberger while Rory McIlroy, fresh off his win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, battles Peter Uihlein in round one at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play tournament at the Austin Country Club. (GOLF-MATCHPLAY/, expect by 0030 GMT/8:30 PM ET, 400 words)
CRICKET
World Cup qualifiers: Scotland v West Indies
HARARE - The West Indies can claim one of the two slots from the World Cup qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe if they beat Scotland, who are also still in contention. (CRICKET-ODI-WORLDCUP/) expect by 1700 GMT/1 PM ET, by Mark Gleeson, 300 words)
CYCLING
Cycling Union holds news conference on technological fraud
GENEVA - The International Cycling Union holds a news conference on the topic of technological fraud in the sport. (CYCLING-UCI-FRAUD/, expect by 1430 GMT/10:30 AM ET, by Julien Pretot, 300 words)
NBA
Raptors battle Cavs in Cleveland
The Eastern Conference-leading Toronto Raptors take on LeBron James and the third place Cleveland Cavaliers while Milwaukee Bucks lock fight to stay in the playoff picture when they lock horns with the Los Angeles Clippers in two of the eight games on the National Basketball Association's schedule. (BASKETBALL-NBA/HIGHLIGHTS, expect by 0530 GMT/1:30 AM ET, by Field Level Media, 600 words)
NHL
Penguins meet the Canadiens
The defending champion Pittsburg Penguins host the Montreal Canadiens while the Boston Bruins visit the St. Louis Blues in two of the four games on the National Hockey League schedule. (ICEHOCKEY-NHL/HIGHLIGHTS, expect by 0530 GMT/1:30 AM ET, by Field Level Media, 500 words)
NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS
Roundups of off-field developments in the major North American professional sports leagues. (expect by 0000 GMT/8 PM ET, by Field Level Media, 500 words) (Europe Desk Editor: Pritha Sarkar)
