Digest

Soccer

Sabatini named Suning's pointman

Former Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini on Wednesday was named technical coordinator of Jiangsu Suning and Inter Milan, the two clubs owned by Chinese retailing giant Suning.

Sabatini said he would be based primarily in China, but stressed the two clubs are "one big family".

"If Inter wins and Jiangsu loses, it won't be a good weekend. We must aim for two wins every Sunday," the Italian said in Nanjing.

Sabatini's appointment came less than 24 hours after Inter fired coach Stefano Pioli and his technical staff, with three matches left in the Italian season.

Bomb victim Bartra returns to training

Marc Bartra returned to training on Wednesday, almost exactly a month after his wrist was fractured in a bomb attack on the Borussia Dortmund team bus.

In a statement posted on its website, Dortmund said: "Central defender Marc Bartra is back in team training 29 days after undergoing an operation on his right hand and wrist following the bomb attack on the Borussia Dortmund team bus."

The 26-year-old Spaniard's wrist was fractured and he was hit by shards of glass after three bombs exploded beside the bus ahead of Dortmund's Champions League quarter - final first leg against Monaco on April 11.

Ice Hockey

Nelson's pair lifts Team USA over Italy

Brock Nelson scored twice as Team USA cruised to its third win at the IIHF world championship tournament with a 3-0 victory over Italy on Wednesday in Cologne, Germany.

Nelson opened the scoring with a wrist shot to the top right corner early in the first period, then notched a shorthanded marker in the second before before Anders Lee completed the scoring. Dylan Larkin had two assists.

In Group B, Switzerland moved into a tie with unbeaten Team Canada atop the standings after goals by Reto Schappi, Andres Ambuhl and Cody Almond secured a 3-0 win over Belarus in Paris.

Cycling

Nibali, Quintana are frosty rivals

Days after a denial, defending Giro d'Italia champion Vincenzo Nibali conceded his relations with pink-jersey favorite Nairo Quintana are not friendly.

"It's true, we don't like each other," Bahrain team leader Nibali said on Wednesday after a fifth stage into his home town of Messina that saw Colombian sprinter Fernando Gaviria (Quick Step) claim his second triumph.

A two-time champion who is hoping to claim his third maglia rosa when the race ends in Milan on May 28, Nibali isn't considered a favorite in the 100th edition of the race.

Tennis

Djokovic, Nadal struggle in Madrid

Novak Djokovic staved off an upset and Rafael Nadal was made to battle in their opening matches at the Madrid Masters on Wednesday.

In his first outing since splitting with his long-time coaching team, Djokovic had to dig deep before despatching Nicolas Almagro 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 in his second-round tie.

Nadal was also taken to three sets before seeing off Fabio Fognini 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-4.

"My level of tennis was not so high today, but I managed to make it through the first round," said Nadal.

"It was uncomfortable. It was a really awful day because it was really windy."

Agencies