Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya smashes the world record by nearly two minutes

CHICAGO>> Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya smashed the world record by nearly two minutes at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, winning in 2:09:56.

The 30-year-old Chepngetich broke the world record set by Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia in 2:11:53 at the 2023 Berlin Marathon. Sutume Asefa Kebede of Ethiopia finished second in 2:17:32. “I feel so great. I’m very proud of myself,” Chepngetich said. “This is my dream. I fought a lot, thinking about the world record.”

John Korir of Kenya won the men’s race in 2:02:44, besting Huseydin Mohamed Esa of Ethiopia, who finished in 2:04:39.

76ers rule out Embiid for the rest of the preseason with left knee concerns

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid will not play the rest of the preseason as part of what the team calls left knee management.

Embiid did not travel with the Sixers for two road games last week. The Sixers said Sunday the team’s main focus is keeping the oft-injured Embiid on an individual treatment plan designed to support his health and wellness this season.

The 76ers have three games left in the preseason. Embiid should be in the lineup when the Sixers open the season Oct. 23 against Milwaukee.

Billy Crystal and Spike Lee take their places at the Hall of Fame as superfans

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.>> Honored for his devotion to a basketball team that doesn’t have a Hall of Fame history, Billy Crystal couldn’t help but note the irony.

“How strange to be getting a ring before any of the Clippers,” he said.

The actor is being added to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s James F. Goldstein SuperFan Gallery and took part in a ceremony Sunday along with fellow entertainer and filmmaker Spike Lee and Philadelphia businessman Alan Horwitz. Longtime Lakers fan Jack Nicholson is also being added but was not able to attend.

Sinner beats Djokovic to win Shanghai Masters

SHANGHAI>> Top-ranked Jannik Sinner beat Novak Djokovic in straight sets to win the Shanghai Masters on Sunday, giving the Italian his tour-leading seventh title of the season.

The Italian bettered the 24-time Grand Slam champion 7-6 (4), 6-3 in an hour and 37 minutes and never faced a break point in the outdoor hard-court tournament.

Djokovic was aiming for his 100th tour-level title. Only Jimmy Connors with 109 titles and Roger Federer with 103 have hit the century mark.

Sabalenka wins third straight Wuhan Open

Second-ranked Aryna Sabalenka won the Wuhan Open for a third year in a row after beating Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 in the final.

It was a rematch of the Australian Open final, which Sabalenka won.

Pulisic, Pepi and McKennie among 5 U.S. players to miss match at Mexico

AUSTIN, Texas>> Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi and Weston McKennie will miss the United States’ friendly at Mexico on Tuesday in order to return to their clubs in Europe.

Marlon Fossey and Zack Steffen, who didn’t dress for Saturday’s 2-0 win over Panama, also are returning to their teams, the U.S. Soccer Federation said.

— The Associated Press