ROME – Michael Phelps and the Americans got the best of France again. And just like Beijing, the world’s greatest swimmer owed a big hand to his teammates Sunday.

Phelps led off the 400-meter freestyle relay, his first event of the world swimming championships, but he was only third when he turned it over to Ryan Lochte.

Lochte hung tough against France’s hulking Alain Bernard while surprising Russia also surged into contention. Matt Grevers did his part on the third leg, and Nathan Adrian pulled it out for the U.S. with a blistering down and back, overtaking the Russia...

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