The China Mail

Warriors face Lakers and 76ers meet Celtics in NBA openers

Defending champion Golden State will host the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston will entertain Philadelphia when the 2022-23 NBA season opens on October 18 in a league schedule announced Wednesday.

Norrie dismisses Murray from ATP Cincinnati second round

Andy Murray needed a post-match on-court visit from the trainer after losing 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to fellow Briton Cameron Norrie on Wednesday in the second round of the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Masters.

Euro champ Jacobs hoping for Diamond League finals wildcard

Newly-crowned European 100m champion Marcell Jacobs said Wednesday he was hoping for a wildcard entry for next month's Diamond League finals in Zurich.

Ceccon claims two more Euro golds for dominant Italy, reborn Proud wins 50m free

Thomas Ceccon won the men's 100 metre backstroke at swimming's European Championships on Wednesday before adding the 4x100m medley to claim his fourth gold medal of the event.

Mendy rape accuser tells UK court she tried to fight off footballer

The UK jury in the rape trial of French footballer Benjamin Mendy was on Wednesday told by one of his accusers how she had shouted 'stop' while trying to fight him off.

Norrie nails ATP Cincinnati win over Murray

Cameron Norrie advanced to the third round of the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Masters on Wednesday by overcoming fellow Briton Andy Murray 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Ceccon claims Euro 100m backstroke gold, on-form Proud wins 50m free

Thomas Ceccon won the men's 100 metre backstroke at swimming's European Championships on Wednesday, claiming his third gold medal of the event.

Man Utd legend Giggs cites disciplinary record in assault trial

Former Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs, on trial for assaulting and coercively controlling an ex-girlfriend, told a UK court Wednesday that his record of one sending off in a 24-year career showed he was not prone to violence.

South Africa's Rabada and Nortje rock England in first Test

South Africa quicks Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje did the damage as England slumped to 116-6 before heavy rain forced an early end to the opening day of the first Test at Lord's on Wednesday.

Sevilla sign youngster Nianzou from Bayern

La Liga club Sevilla have signed defender Tanguy Nianzou from Bayern Munich on a five-year deal, the German side announced on Wednesday.

Ronaldo cautioned by police after allegedly slapping phone from fan's hand

Cristiano Ronaldo has been cautioned by British police after footage emerged of the Manchester United forward appearing to smash a phone out of an Everton fan's hand at a match last season.

Baaeed evokes memories of Frankel in International demolition job

Baaeed evoked memories of the now retired unbeaten super horse Frankel as he stormed home to make it 10 wins from 10 races and his sixth successive Group One victory in the International Stakes at York on Wednesday.

Quintana disqualified from Tour de France over tramadol use

Colombian Nairo Quintana has been retrospectively disqualified from this year's Tour de France after testing positive for tramadol, the International Cycling Union (UCI) announced on Wednesday.

Exeter sign veteran Australia prop Sio

Exeter have signed Australia prop Scott Sio from Super Rugby side the Brumbies, the English Premiership club announced Wednesday.

Tour de France sixth Quintana disqualified over tramadol use

Colombian Nairo Quintana has been retrospectively disqualified from this year's Tour de France after testing positive for tramadol, the International Cycling Union (UCI) announced on Wednesday.

South Africa's Rabada sparks England collapse in first Test

Ben Stokes was dismissed on the stroke of lunch on the opening day of the first Test between England and South Africa at Lord's on Wednesday, to leave his side perilously placed on 100-5.

Rabada passed fit as South Africa bowl against England in 1st Test

Fit-again South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada was set to be thrust straight into the action as Proteas captain Dean Elgar won the toss and elected to field in the first Test against England at Lord's on Wednesday.

Ronaldo blasts 'lies' over Man Utd future

Cristiano Ronaldo has hit out at the "lies" surrounding reports about his future at Manchester United.

Women surfers return to daunting Olympic wave at 'End of the Road'

Elite women surfers returned to competition at "the world's heaviest wave" in Tahiti on Wednesday, ending a 16-year absence and getting a taste of the daunting challenge at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Musk says tweet about buying Manchester United was a joke

Elon Musk tweeted on Tuesday that "I'm not buying any sports teams", calling a viral post about him purchasing Manchester United a joke.

Muscat shrugs off Iniesta threat as Asian Champions League returns

Yokohama F Marinos manager Kevin Muscat said Wednesday his team would not fear Andres Iniesta when they face Vissel Kobe in Thursday's Asian Champions League round-of-16 showdown.

New Zealand Rugby stick with Foster as All Blacks coach

Ian Foster will coach the All Blacks through to next year's World Cup, New Zealand Rugby said on Wednesday, giving him a vote of confidence following recent poor performances.

Elon Musk tweets he is 'buying Manchester United'

Elon Musk tweeted Tuesday evening that he is purchasing the Manchester United football club, although it was not clear if the eccentric billionaire, currently embroiled in a lawsuit over his bid to buy Twitter, was being serious.

Tiger Woods huddling with PGA players over LIV split

Tiger Woods was reportedly huddling with the PGA Tour's top professionals on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing battle with the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV golf circuit.

Serena Williams trounced by Raducanu in Cincinnati opener

Serena Williams bowed out of the WTA/ATP Cincinnati Masters at the first hurdle on Tuesday, losing in straight sets to US Open champion Emma Raducanu as the end of her glittering career looms ever closer.

Dutch Vuelta a Espana debut as Roglic targets fourth title

Cycling's Vuelta a Espana embarks Friday with defending champion Primoz Roglic chasing an unprecedented fourth straight victory over a mountainous 3,280km route that begins, however, on the flatlands of the Netherlands.

'Higuita's Rule' cut time wasting and, after 30 years, is still changing football

Sweeper-keepers such as Manchester City's Ederson, his Brazilian compatriot Alisson Becker at Liverpool and Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer are all the rage in modern football.

India present huge ODI challenge for transformed Zimbabwe

Transformed Zimbabwe face their biggest challenge since Dave Houghton became coach two months ago when they host India in a series of three one-day internationals, starting on Thursday.

Serena Williams beaten by Raducanu at WTA Cincinnati Masters