Reuters Sports Schedule at 0001 GMT on Wednesday, May 31

Reuters sports schedule at 0001 GMT on Wednesday:

TENNIS

French Open

Nadal, Djokovic, Muguruza and Kvitova in action on day four

Rafael Nadal faces big-serving Dutchman Robin Haase in the second round and Novak Djokovic meets Joao Sousa of Portugal, while the women's holder Garbine Muguruza plays Estonian Anett Kontaveit and Czech Petra Kvitova continues her comeback after being stabbed late last year when she faces American Bethanie Mattek-Sands. (TENNIS-FRENCHOPEN/(PIX), expect throughout, by Julien Pretot, Karolos Grohmann and John Stonestreet, 600 words)

SHOWCASE - Sara Errani v Kristina Mladenovic

Brave Mladenovic carries French hopes

PARIS - Local hope Kristina Mladenovic, tagged as one of the French Open favourites, will try to put her back problem behind her when she takes on Italian Sara Errani in the second round. (TENNIS-FRENCHOPEN-SHOWCASE, moving at 0200 GMT/10 PM ET, 200 words) Also sees profiles, head-to-head and 2017 record.

SOCCER

Champions League previews

Decisive Ramos is Real's insatiable spiritual leader

MADRID - Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has broken Atletico Madrid hearts and silenced fans of Napoli and Barcelona so few people would be surprised if he cements his reputation on the biggest stage in Saturday's Champions League final against Juventus. (SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-FINAL/RAMOS, moving at 0200 GMT/10 PM ET, by Richard Martin, 450 words)

Higuain gets chance to end final hoodoo v old club Real

MILAN - A first reunion with Real Madrid in the Champions League final is Gonzalo Higuain's chance to get his own back at his former club for never truly appreciating him and an opportunity to shake his reputation as a big game bottler. (SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-FINAL/HIGUAIN, moving at 0200 GMT/10 PM ET, by Richard Martin, 500 words)

We will bring all the latest transfer news from around Europe as teams begin improving their squads for next season. (SOCCER-COUNTRY-TEAM/ expect throughout)

Morocco host Netherlands in friendly international

AGADIR, MOROCCO - Morocco host the Netherlands in a friendly international before they meet Cameroon in an African Nations Cup qualifier while the Dutch play the first of three games in 10 days, with new coach Dick Advocaat missing two of them due to club commitments in Turkey. (SOCCER-FRIENDLY-MAR-NLD/, 400 words)

NBA

Cavaliers, Warriors set for ultimate Finals rubber match

We look ahead to the NBA Finals clash between the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers and top-seeded Golden State Warriors with a six-part package consisting of an overall preview, a piece on whether an unprecedented third consecutive championship match-up is good for the NBA, factboxes on both finalists, a schedule of games for the best-of-seven series and a list of past winners. (BASKETBALL-NBA/FINALS (PREVIEW), moved, by Frank Pingue, 550 words) See also the following moved items: (BASKETBALL-NBA/FINALS-DYNASTY, by Frank Pingue, 440 words) (BASKETBALL-NBA/FINALS-CLE (FACTBOX), 365 words) (BASKETBALL-NBA/FINALS-GSW (FACTBOX), 390 words) (BASKETBALL-NBA/FINALS-SCHEDULE, 75 words) (BASKETBALL-NBA/FINALS-WINNERS, 600 words)

BASEBALL

Maeda leads Dodgers into clash with Cardinals

Japanese right-hander Kenta Maeda takes the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers versus the host St. Louis Cardinals while the American League West-leading Houston Astros visit the Minnesota Twins in two of the 15 games on the Major League Baseball schedule. (BASEBALL-MLB-HIGHLIGHTS/, expect by 0530 GMT/1:30 AM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 800 words)

NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS

Roundups of off-field developments in the major North American professional sports leagues. (expect by 0000 GMT/8 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 500 words)

RUGBY

British and Irish Lions tour

British and Irish Lions arrive in New Zealand

AUCKLAND - The British and Irish Lions arrive in Auckland ahead of their much anticipated rugby union series with the All Blacks. (RUGBY-UNION-LIONS/ (TV), by Greg Stutchbury, 400 words)

INTERVEW-All Blacks brand exceeds $200m, Lions tour will boost further

WELLINGTON - The brand value of the All Blacks has soared past US$200 million and the British and Irish Lions tour will only push it further into the top echelon of global sports brands, according to a branding expert. (RUGBY-UNION-LIONS/ALLBACKS-BRANDS (INTERVIEW), expect 0700 GMT/3 AM ET, by Greg Stutchbury, 650 words)

INTERVIEW-'Grizz' Wyllie pulls no punches on tour rivalry

Blood will be spilt and tempers may flare when the British and Irish Lions clash with the world champion All Blacks but stricter referees and modern technology should prevent a repeat of the thuggish incidents that have blighted past series. (RUGBY-UNION-LIONS/WYLLIE (INTERVIEW), expect by 0700 GMT/3 AM ET, by Ian Ransom, 900 words)

See also:

(RUGBY-UNION-LIONS/HISTORY (FEATURE), moved, 900 words)

(RUGBY-UNION-LIONS/LOGISTICS, moved, 600 words)

(RUGBY-UNION-LIONS/1971, moved, 990 words)

GOLF

European Ryder Cup vice-captain to be named

STOCKHOLM - European Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn is expected to name one of his vice-captains at a news conference in Sweden. (GOLF-RYDERCUP/, expect by 1300 GMT/9 PM ET, by Philip O'Connor, 400 words)

(Asia desk editor: Peter Rutherford)

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)