Your Top Plays for Today: AP's Sports Guide

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NIBALI WINS STAGE TO CLOSE ON TOUR DE FRANCE CROWN

Vincenzo Nibali closes in on Tour de France crown by winning tough 18th stage.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/nibali-wins-18th-tour-de-france-stage

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AGUIRRE REPLACES ZACCHERONI AS JAPAN COACH

Japan appoints Mexican Javier Aguirre as new coach of the national team

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/mexican-aguirre-named-new-coach-japan

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AUSTRALIAN WOMEN SET WORLD RECORD IN 4X100 FREESTYLE

Australia's women's 4x100-meter freestyle relay team breaks the world record on day 1 of the Commonwealth Games.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/australia-women-break-freestyle-relay-world-record/2014/07/24/20b5faf4-1373-11e4-ac56-773e54a65906_story.html

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HAMILTON EAGER TO EXTEND MERCEDES CONTRACT

Lewis Hamilton says he is close to signing an F1 contract extension with Mercedes.

http://racing.ap.org/article/hamilton-hoping-extend-mercedes-contract

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LAMPARD JOINS NEW YORK CITY FC

Former Chelsea great Frank Lampard joins MLS expansion team New York City FC.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/frank-lampard-joins-new-york-city-fc-mls