Hopes of a first English win at the U.S. Open since Tony Jacklin 43 years ago were rising on Friday with Justin Rose, Luke Donald and Ian Poulter all in contention at Merion Golf Club.

Rose (69) and Donald (72) both finished the day on level par, just one stroke back from joint leaders Phil Mickelson and Billy Horschel of the United States.

Manuel Pellegrini has pledged to bring titles and style to Manchester City after being named as the new manager of the English Premier League giants.

The 59-year-old Chilean left Malaga to pen a three-year deal as Roberto Mancini's replacement.

Fans will have the opportunity to commemorate the 100th edition of the Tour de France this weekend by taking to the course of cycling's most famous stage race, two weeks ahead of the Grand Depart.

The Tour will celebrate the milestone on Saturday with a host of events organized throughout most of France as part of the "Fete du Tour".

Fittingly, for a man who owns a vineyard, the enduring brilliance of Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo continues to prove the old adage that some things get better with age.

The 34-year-old is expected to make his 100th international appearance against Mexico at the Confederations Cup on Sunday, and with each game, he gives AC Milan fresh reason to regret letting him go in 2011.

Miami's Chris Bosh was slapped with a $5,000 fine for flopping in game four of the NBA finals, the league announced on Friday.

The incident took place 5:53 into the second quarter of the contest at AT&T Center which the Heat won 109-93 over the San Antonio Spurs to knot the best-of-seven series at two games apiece.

Brazil's current side are not good enough to win the Confederations Cup, legend Pele said on Friday.

Brazil are on a hiding to nothing under 2002 World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari as they look to shrug off some recent poor showings which left them a modest 19th in the FIFA rankings.

Striker Mario Balotelli is a doubt for Italy's Confederations Cup opener against Mexico on Sunday after a thigh injury cut short his training session, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced on Friday.

The AC Milan striker, 22, complained of pain behind his right thigh as coach Cesare Prandelli put his side through their paces at the Joao Havelange Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Roger Federer blew past Mischa Zverev 6-0, 6-0 to reach the Gerry Weber Open semifinals on Friday, teaching a painful lesson to a player trying to serve and volley on grass.

Federer will play defending champion Tommy Haas, who beat him in last year's final. The German came from behind to beat Gael Monfils 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-3.

Lleyton Hewitt rolled back the years as the Australian moved into the Queen's Club semifinals with a surprise 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 victory over Argentine third seed Juan Martin del Potro on Friday.

Hewitt is a four-time Queen's champion and this year he is bidding to become the oldest man to win the pre-Wimbledon warm-up event, surpassing American legend Jimmy Connors, who lifted the trophy aged 30 years and 284 days in 1983.

Manchester City has hired Manuel Pellegrini as the club's new manager to replace the fired Roberto Mancini.

The 59-year-old Chilean has been courted for months by City following impressive spells in Spain with Villarreal and Malaga.