ROME — Michael Phelps and the Americans got the best of France again in the relay. And just like Beijing, the world’s greatest swimmer owed a big hand to his teammates.
Phelps led off the 400-meter relay, his first event of the world swimming championships, but he was only third when he passed off to Ryan Lochte.

Matt Grevers and Nathan Adrian pulled it out for the U.S. on the back end, overtaking both favored France and surprising Russia to win in 3 minutes, 9.21 seconds on Sunday.
Phelps pumped his fists on the pool deck, then leaned over to congratulate Adrian — whose comeback was reminiscent of Jason Lezak’s amazing final leg at the Olympics, in which he caught Alain Bernard to keep Phelps on course to win a record eight golds.