Iran and Bahrain are to play a 2014 World Cup qualifier here late Tuesday amid ongoing political tensions between the Gulf neighbors.

Security has been heightened for the game, and FIFA have sent a security expert to monitor the event in what the world football governing body described as a routine move, Iran's Fars news agency reported.

NBA commissioner David Stern has cancelled the first two weeks of the 2011-12 regular season after several hours of meetings failed to result in a new labor deal with players.

Stern said he is cancelling 100 scheduled regular season games through November 14 after the two sides in the contract dispute met for seven hours on Monday.

Germany coach Joachim Loew on Monday donated his 'lucky' blue sweater worn during the 2010 World Cup for its inclusion in a museum being built by the German Football Federation (DFB).

"I hope that the pullover will have a worthy place in the museum and will be well looked after," said Loew as he handed over the cashmere sweater.

Sebastian Vettel could become one of the greatest champions in Formula One history and go on to win more titles than Michael Schumacher, two of the sport's most garlanded drivers said Monday.

Jackie Stewart and Niki Lauda, both triple world champions, believe the 24-year-old German can go on and emulate his compatriot's achievements providing Red Bull can maintain their levels of car design.

A frustrated Andy Roddick dug deep to beat Taiwan's Lu Yen-hsun 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 at the Shanghai Masters Monday and avoid a second ignominious first-round exit in a week in China.

The American 10th seed, who lost to Lu at Wimbledon last year in their most recent meeting, started the match in blistering form, breaking twice and racing into a 4-0 lead, taking the first set 6-2.

England midfielder Tom Cleverley has signed a new four-year contract with Manchester United, the Premier League club confirmed on Monday.

The 22-year-old, who is currently recovering from an ankle injury, penned a deal which will see him remain at Old Trafford until 2015.

A one-legged Italian swimmer on Monday became the first amputee to swim across the treacherous Cook Strait, and the first person to complete the feat in the cold New Zealand spring.

Distance swimmer Salvatore Cimmino, 47, who lost his right leg to cancer at 15, crossed the choppy 26 kilometer (16 mile) channel which lies between the North and South Islands in just under eight hours and 20 minutes.

NBA owners, players and their union negotiators met for five hours Sunday in a last ditch bid to resolve their contract dispute and save the scheduled start of the regular season.

Negotiators for the owners and union brass Sunday failed to agree how league revenues will be shared as the deadline for starting the season on time draws near. The two sides pledged to resume talks on Monday.

Red-hot Andy Murray battled back from a set down against defending champion Rafael Nadal in thrilling fashion at the Japan Open on Sunday to claim his second consecutive title.

The British world number four, fresh from winning last week's Thailand Open, put an end to a five-match losing streak against Nadal with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-0 victory over the top seed in Tokyo, dropping just four points in the final set.

Czech Tomas Berdych fought back from a set down to overcome Croatia's Marin Cilic 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, in the final of the China Open on Sunday, winning his first title in more than two years.

In the women's final, Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska won a titanic battle with Germany's Andrea Petkovic 7-5, 0-6, 6-4, taking two hours and 32 minutes.