Soccer megastar David Beckham announced on Thursday that he is to retire after a glittering 20-year playing career in which he became one of the most widely recognized figures in world sport.

Slow at the start of the series and strong at the end, the San Antonio Spurs beat the Golden State Warriors 94-82 on Thursday to clinch a 4-2 victory and progress to the NBA Western Conference finals.

Will Middlebrooks had a three-run double off closer Fernando Rodney with two outs in the ninth inning that lifted the Boston Red Sox past the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 on Thursday night.

Stephen Strasburg pitched a career-high eight innings against his hometown Padres, and Bryce Harper and Adam LaRoche homered to lead the Washington Nationals to a 6-2 victory against San Diego on Thursday night.

Defending champion Rafa Nadal recovered from losing the opening five games against Ernests Gulbis to book his place in the quarterfinals of the Rome Masters on Thursday.

The Los Angeles Kings scored two last-gasp goals in the space of just 22 seconds to stun the San Jose Sharks and snatch a 4-3 win on Thursday, taking a 2-0 lead in their NHL Western Conference semifinal series.

South Korea's Ji Eun-hee fired a bogey-free 7-under 65 on Thursday to grab a share of the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic first-round lead alongside American Lexi Thompson.

Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins and defending champion Ryder Hesjedal both withdrew from the Giro d'Italia before the start of Friday's 13th stage.

McLaren's Formula One engine deal with Honda from 2015 is a vital step to ensure they can keep punching at the same weight as works team rivals Ferrari and Mercedes, managing director Jonathan Neale said on Thursday.

Ireland's grand slam-winning captain Brian O'Driscoll ended months of uncertainty over his future on Thursday when he agreed to play on for one more year for province and country.