Digest

Outdoor

Zhang tracking a bright future

When runner Zhang Peimeng was told he had bone cancer at the age of 22, he could not imagine one day becoming a landmark figure in Chinese athletics.

Zhou has a way to go

Yao Ming was 22 when the Houston Rockets made him the first overall pick at the 2002 NBA Draft.

Red-hot Hebei setting pace in CSL

Manuel Pellegrini's Hebei CFFC beat Guangzhou R&F 2-1 to secure its third win in a row on Sunday and move into third place in the Chinese Super League as the battle for places in next season's Asian Champions League heats up.

Score board

Rejuvenated Rafa barely breaks sweat in mismatch

NEW YORK - Rafael Nadal against Kevin Anderson in the US Open turned out to be about as one-sided as most had predicted.

Gutted but pleased, Anderson hopes to build on Open loss

NEW YORK - Kevin Anderson says don't count him out just yet, after an impressive two-week run to his first Grand Slam final ended with a loss to Rafael Nadal in the US Open final.

What they say

Top 10 quotes from the 2017 US Open, which ended on Sunday:

De Bruyne blitz leaves hapless Reds reeling

MANCHESTER - Pep Guardiola said Manchester City was lucky to have Kevin De Bruyne after the Belgium midfielder inspired his team to Saturday's resounding 5-0 victory over Premier League rival Liverpool.

Hoffenheim extends Bayern misery

BERLIN - Coach Carlo Ancelotti said Bayern Munich was caught cold in Saturday's 2-0 loss at Hoffenheim that left it fifth in the Bundesliga - its lowest position since 2014.

Barca pounces on Madrid stumble

MADRID - Lionel Messi's hat-trick saw Barcelona move four points clear of Real Madrid atop the La Liga standings on Saturday and Ousmane Dembele marked his debut with an assist in a 5-0 rout of Espanyol.

Stephens holds Keys in final

NEW YORK - Sloane Stephens' remarkable rise from a world ranking of No 957 a month ago to US Open champion on Saturday began with the slow work of coming back from surgery on her left foot.