Brazilian football wants Diego Costa's Brazilian citizenship voided because the striker chose to snub Brazil and play for Spain.

The federation's legal department told local media on Wednesday it has grounds to ask the justice ministry to strip Diego Costa of his citizenship because of his rejection of the national team.

Defending champion David Ferrer was pushed to three sets by Czech Lukas Rosol in his opening match at the Paris Masters on Wednesday before easing into the last-16, 6-0, 2-6, 6-3.

Rosol, who is part of his country's squad to face Serbia in the Davis Cup final on November 15, appeared to be on the receiving end of a rout before fighting back to give Ferrer a scare when he won the second set 6-2.

LeBron James scored 17 points and Shane Battier made all four of his 3-point tries as the defending NBA champion Miami Heat spoiled Derrick Rose's return to the league by beating the Chicago Bulls 107-95 on Tuesday in the season-opener for both teams.

In the other games on the first night of the new season, the Los Angeles Lakers spoiled coach Doc Rivers' debut with the Clippers by surging ahead in the fourth quarter for a 116-103 win over their inter-city rivals, and the Indiana Pacers defeated the Orlando Magic 97-87.

Australia expects to send its largest Winter Olympics team of 55 athletes to Sochi in February, including 2010 gold medalists Torah Bright in women's snowboard halfpipe and Lydia Lassila in aerials.

With 100 days to go until the Feb. 7 opening ceremony at the Russian Black Sea resort, Australian chef de mission Ian Chesterman said the country hopes to have a top-15 finish in the medal count and win at least four medals.

Cesar Azpilicueta seized on a defensive blunder and Juan Mata scored a slick second as Chelsea dumped Premier League leader Arsenal out of the League Cup with a 2-0 victory at its London rival on Tuesday.

The fourth round loss ends one route to a trophy for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who failed to mastermind a victory over Jose Mourinho for the ninth time as he looks to deliver his club's first silverware since 2005.

Cesc Fabregas scored two goals and played a part in Alexis Sanchez's opener to steer Barcelona to a 3-0 victory at Celta Vigo on Tuesday and keep the pressure on the Spanish league leader's title rivals.

The defending champion's 10th win in 11 rounds provisionally lifted it four points clear of Atletico Bilbao and nine points above Real Madrid before they play matches later this week.

Real Madrid has asked FIFA president Sepp Blatter to apologize for making fun of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Blatter recently told an audience at Oxford University that Ronaldo "is like a commander on the field of play" before strutting around the stage to the laughs of the students in attendance.

Reduced to backup in the Spanish league, Iker Casillas will be Real Madrid's starting goalkeeper in the Copa del Rey in addition to the Champions League.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti told Cadena Cope radio "Casillas, for being such a professional, deserves the Champions League (...) the Champions League and the Copa."

Lionel Messi, Franck Ribery, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Neymar are among 23 candidates on the short list for the Ballon d'Or announced by FIFA on Tuesday.

Ribery, who won UEFA's best player in Europe award for the 2012-13 season, helped Bayern Munich win the Champions League and Bundesliga and German Cup titles.

Idrissa Kargbo threw his arms in the air to try to describe his excitement at learning of his entry into the New York City Marathon.

The runner from Sierra Leone, who boarded a plane for the first time to come to the race, is the sort of smiling face that used to define big-city marathons. On Monday, his story was only a brief delay to the questions about natural disasters and terrorist attacks.