Wariner runs away from the field to win 400

World and Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner led a 1-2 American finish in the men’s 400 meters Saturday at the IAAF Japan Grand Prix in Osaka, Japan, defeating Darold Williamson by more than half a second.

The 23-year-old Wariner was quick out of the blocks and finished in 44.02 seconds at the warmup to the world championships in August. Williamson finished in 44.68; Australia’s Sean Wroe was third in 45.58.

“I feel good and hopefully when the world championships start, I can go under 44 easily,” Wariner said.

Wariner, whose personal best is 43.62, has set his sights on breaking Michael Johnson’s 400 world record of 43.18 at the world championships on an Osaka track that has been re-laid to make it quicker.

“I know the world championships will be a lot faster. The track was real fast. I was impressed with the way it was, so I can’t wait to come back here with more competition,” he said.

Olympic champion and world record-holder Liu Xiang of China won the men’s 110-meter hurdles in 13.14 for his fourth successive victory at Osaka. Shi Dongpeng was second in 13.24.

World champion Bershawn Jackson defended the 400 hurdles title he won at his last meet in Osaka in 48.13, despite suffering an injury to his left hamstring while going over the third hurdle.

Cydonie Mothersill of the Cayman Islands edged American Lauryn Williams in the women’s 100 by 0.11 of a second, winning in 11.33.

In a men’s 100 weakened by the absence of Maurice Greene, who pulled out last week, Japan’s Shingo Suetsugu won in 10.23. Australia’s Joshua Ross was second in 10.37.

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American Anwar Moore ran the fastest 110-meter hurdles time in the world this year, winning at the Modesto Relays in 13.12. He topped Liu Xiang’s mark of 13.14, set earlier in the day at the Japan Grand Prix. Liu holds the world record of 12.88 seconds.

Former world champion Anjanette Kirkland won the women’s 100 hurdles in 12.85. The 33-year-old Kirkland is trying to work her way back into shape after being diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, a nerve condition that required her to undergo surgery last September.

SOCCER

Manchester United closes in on league title

Manchester United took a big step toward winning the English Premier League title for the first time since 2003 by beating Manchester City, 1-0, on Cristiano Ronaldo’s 33rd-minute penalty kick.

United has 88 points and can clinch the championship today if two-time defending champion Chelsea fails to beat Arsenal. Chelsea has 80 points.

Manchester City has only 10 goals in 19 home games -- the lowest ever in England’s top division. In 1913, Arsenal scored only 11 goals, and Sunderland matched that in 2003.

American midfielder DaMarcus Beasley had a chance for City in the 29th, but his shot from outside the box was saved by keeper Edwin Van der Sar.

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AC Milan’s Ronaldo could be out the rest of the season after pulling his left hamstring in practice. The Brazilian striker was not included on Milan’s squad to play Fiorentina in today’s Serie A match.

Ronaldo was examined and further tests were planned over the next few days, the club said in a statement on its website.

TENNIS

Henin beats Jankovic to reach J&S; Cup final

Top-ranked Justine Henin defeated fourth-seeded Jelena Jankovic, 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, to advance to the final of the J&S; Cup at Warsaw. Henin will play Alona Bondarenko in today’s final. Bondarenko, ranked 40th in the world, upset third-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova, 6-2, 7-6 (4).

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Third-seeded Novak Djokovic defeated second-seeded Tommy Robredo, 7-5, 6-1, to reach the final at the Estoril Open in Oeiras, Portugal.

Djokovic will play fifth-seeded Richard Gasquet, who won his semifinal match when Paul-Henri Mathieu withdrew while trailing, 3-1, because of a right hip injury.

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Philipp Kohlschreiber reached the final of the BMW Open at Munich, Germany, by beating fourth-seeded Marcos Baghdatis, 6-2, 6-3.

Kohlschreiber will play his doubles partner, third-seeded Mikhail Youzhny, who defeated second-seeded Tomas Berdych, 6-4, 6-3.

PRO FOOTBALL

Sprinter Gatlin has tryout with Tampa Bay

Olympic 100-meter champion Justin Gatlin, facing a track and field suspension of up to eight years for failing a drug test last summer, is trying to launch a career in pro football as a wide receiver with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“If [his speed] can transfer to football, you have a real threat,” Buccaneers Coach Jon Gruden said. “If it can’t, then it won’t work.”

Gatlin, who is participating in the Bucs’ rookie mini-camp this weekend, said he last played football during his freshman year at Tennessee.

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Kicker Billy Cundiff, who played in six games with the New Orleans Saints last season, signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons. He will compete with Aaron Elling.

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Chad Salisbury threw seven touchdown passes to help the Grand Rapids Rampage beat the Nashville Kats, 71-55, in an Arena League game at Grand Rapids, Mich. Jeff Smoker threw six touchdown passes and also ran for a score for the Kats.

Raymond Philyaw threw six touchdowns passes, and Charles Frederick scored four times to lead the Kansas City Brigade to a 53-41 victory over the host Philadelphia Soul. Juston Wood threw five touchdown passes and also ran for a score for the Soul.

MISCELLANY

NHL, IIHF agree on player transfer deal

The NHL and International Ice Hockey Federation agreed on a four-year deal in which all transfers from Europe to the NHL would be regulated with compensation and a signing deadline.

The IIHF member national associations have until midnight Tuesday to ratify the agreement.

About 30% of the NHL’s players come from Europe.

The NHL annually signs 45 to 60 players from European countries.

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Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Ahmad Carroll faced weapon and drug charges after his arrest on suspicion of being involved in a disturbance with a weapon, authorities said.

Carroll, 23, was questioned by police after he was pointed out as someone involved during a disturbance at an Atlanta restaurant, Atlanta police spokesman officer James Polite said.

Polite said Carroll acknowledged to police that he was carrying a 9mm pistol. Police then searched his car and found 11 pink tablets that were believed to be ecstasy. He was arrested and charged with carrying a weapon without a license, possession of drugs and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Carroll was released on a $7,000 bond.