Croatia and Serbia meet on Friday in a highly charged World Cup qualifier -- the first between the two former foes as independent nations since the bloody 1990s war that tore apart the former Yugoslavia.

Croatia fans geared up for the match on a sunny but cold morning in Zagreb, with those who failed to secure a ticket for the game at the Maksimir Stadium expected to watch on a giant screen in the capital's main Ban Josip Jelacic square.

A thrill-seeking Japanese octogenarian said Friday his third assault on Mount Everest will be the "ultimate anti-aging" remedy, despite his recurring heart troubles.

Yuichiro Miura is readying to begin his third ascent of the 8,848-meter- (29,028-foot) peak and recapture a record he previously held for being the oldest person to scale the world's highest mountain.

Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel warned disintegrating tires could ruin his Malaysian Grand Prix after some worrying signs during free practice on Friday.

Vettel, gunning for his fourth straight world title, said he didn't know if Red Bull would be able to stick to their planned pitstop strategy after his tires quickly fell apart on the Sepang circuit.

Corey Brewer sank three free throws in the final 2.1 seconds to help the Denver Nuggets extend their club-best winning streak to 14 games with a thrilling 101-100 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday.

Anthony Randolph blocked Damien Wilkins' desperate jump shot at the buzzer to secure Denver's 16th straight win at the Pepsi Center — and its most unlikely.

Playing again at No. 1, Serena Williams routed Flavia Pennetta of Italy 6-1, 6-1 on Thursday in the second round of the Sony Open.

Williams is playing her first tournament since she regained the No. 1 ranking at the Qatar Open. Williams lost the Doha final to Victoria Azarenka, but overtook her for the top ranking the week of February 11.

Former tennis star Jennifer Capriati has been charged after police said she punched her ex-boyfriend on Valentine's Day while he was working out at a gym.

Palm Beach County court records show Capriati was charged by prosecutors Wednesday.

The Florida city of St. Petersburg honored the late British racing driver Dan Wheldon on Thursday with a monument to him on the street circuit in his adopted hometown.

The monument at Turn 10 includes bricks from Indianapolis Motor Speedway, stones from his native England and the handprints of his wife and two sons. It's located near the sign marking "Dan Wheldon Way" that was dedicated last year.

Mario Balotelli scored a stunning goal as Italy came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Brazil in an entertaining friendly in Geneva on Thursday.

It looked as if Italy would pay for its missed opportunities when Brazil took a 2-0 halftime lead thanks to goals from Fred and Oscar.

Miami's winning streak was in danger of disappearing — in Cleveland, of all places.

But LeBron James wouldn't give up, and the second-longest winning streak in NBA history has now increased to 24 games.

After a season-opening Formula One weekend to forget in Australia, Pastor Maldonado must be wondering when he might win his second race.

The Venezuelan driver was billed as a rising star after winning in Spain last year to give Williams its first victory since 2004. But everything went wrong after that, from mechanical problems to a collision at the European Grand Prix with Lewis Hamilton that cost Maldonado a podium spot.