There are three reasons why Barcelona is favored to defend its Spanish league title.

They are as concise as they are convincing: Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and new arrival Neymar.

Just weeks after winning the Wimbledon title, Marion Bartoli retired from tennis on Wednesday, tearfully conceding that the pain from a series of injuries was too much to bear.

"My body was really starting to fall apart and I was able to keep it together, go through the pain — with a lot of pain — throughout this Wimbledon and make it happen," the 28-year-old French player said, tears running down her cheeks. "That was probably the last little bit of something that was left inside me.

Serena Williams overcame what she described as one of her worst sets before beating qualifier Eugenie Bouchard of Canada 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 on Wednesday in her opening match at the Western & Southern Open.

"So it was just some crazy tennis out there," Williams said.

Gonzalo Higuain and Ever Banega scored as Argentina extended its unbeaten record against Italy to four matches with a 2-1 win over the Azzurri, while Brazil was handed a 1-0 loss by Switzerland in another friendly on Wednesday.

Brazil's 11-match unbeaten run came to an end as Dani Alves scored an own goal with a header into the top-left corner.

ABC says "Grey's Anatomy" star Sandra Oh is leaving the medical drama after the coming season.

Shonda Rhimes, the show's creator and executive producer, said she's grateful for what she called the actress' "brilliant" work. Rhimes said "Grey's Anatomy" will savor Oh's character of Dr. Cristina Yang in the upcoming 10th season and give her the exit she deserves.

A large UPS cargo plane crashed Wednesday in an open field just outside an airport in Birmingham, Alabama, killing two crew members aboard.

Birmingham Fire Chief Ivor Brooks said the pilot and co-pilot, the only people on board, were pronounced dead at the scene

A man who claims he was punched and kicked by a member of Chris Brown's entourage during a fight at a recording studio sued the R&B singer on Tuesday for assault and battery.

Sha'keir Duarte sued Brown for unspecified damages in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming he suffered a concussion as well as humiliation and mental anguish as a result of the attack.

Thai police asked the operator of the popular "Line" instant messaging app for access to records of online chats, raising concerns about intrusive surveillance despite promising only suspected criminals would be targeted.

Technology Crime Suppression division chief Pisit Paoin said Tuesday that police want to review the data of users they suspect are involved in crimes, including making statements against the Thai monarchy, arms trading, prostitution and drug dealing.

Researchers in the U.S. have put together a robot that can jump and climb.

That could make it particularly useful for military search missions or supply transport.

For English football, it has long seemed unthinkable: a league season starting without the finger-jabbing, combative colossus of management on the touchlines.

Alex Ferguson will be a bystander for the first time since 1986, watching from afar as Manchester United starts its pursuit of a record-extending 21st English title.