Digest

BASKETBALL

Christopoulos back in charge of CBA's Ducks

Yannis Christopoulos is set to return as head coach of the Beijing Ducks.

Christopoulos was originally appointed Ducks coach in 2017, with the team reaching the last eight twice during his tenure. However, his reign was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Greek unable to gain entry to China last year due to travel restrictions.

Under caretaker head coach Xie Libin, Beijing advanced to last season's semifinals before losing to eventual winner the Guangdong Southern Tigers.

But Beijing had fared poorly this term under Italian Simone Pianigiani, with Xie reappointed to temporary head-coaching duties last December.

Christopoulos, who also served as assistant coach for Team China at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, is expected to rejoin the Ducks next week and prepare the team for the CBA's third stage, which is tentatively slated to tip off in late March.

With a win-loss record of 16-19, Beijing is currently placed 12th.

SOCCER

United loses injured Pogba for 'a few weeks'

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba will be out for "a few weeks" because of a thigh injury, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Monday.

The France international was forced off near the end of the first half of United's 3-3 English Premier League draw against Everton at Old Trafford on Saturday.

"Paul has been very important for us and we're not going to take any risks," said Solskjaer. "A few weeks, definitely."

After a slow start to the season, Pogba has been enjoying some of his best form since returning to United in 2016 for a second spell at the club, netting winners against Burnley and Fulham last month to help Solskjaer's side stay in contention for the league title.

"Paul was really finding his form and enjoying his football," Solskjaer said. "We've been very healthy and strong for a long period so we can't moan too much."

TENNIS

Novak's 'heart full' as fans return to stands

It's been so long since he had a sizable crowd to play for, the showman in Novak Djokovic just had to come out.

Top-ranked Djokovic began his Australian Open title defense with a clinical 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Jeremy Chardy in the closing act of the Day 1 program on Rod Laver Arena.

"Makes my heart full to see the crowd in the stadium again," Djokovic said in the post-match interview at the 15,000-seat arena, which was about one-third full. "This is the most people I've seen on the tennis court in 12 months. I really... I really, really appreciate your support in coming out tonight."

The Serbian bristled at the suggestion that he'd been frustrated during quarantine in the buildup to the tournament, focusing again on the fans.

"I'm just really glad we are free. We're playing tennis," he said. "I'm really glad we're back in Australia. It's a happy place for us. Happy Slam."

The total crowd Monday at Melbourne Park was 17,922, spread across three zones to enhance social-distancing measures. It was well down on the 64,387 fans that crammed onto the grounds on the first day of last year's tournament, but way more than any other major since.

Relief for Shapovalov after toilet tantrum

Denis Shapovalov claims he's got the smallest bladder on tour and the Canadian was not impressed when an umpire at the Australian Open denied his request for a toilet break.

The world No 11 had dropped the fourth set of a five-set epic against Italian teenager Jannik Sinner that finished in the early hours of Tuesday and desperately needed to relieve himself.

"What happens if I go?" asked the 21-year-old, "Do I get a fine? I don't care!" he ranted at German umpire Nico Helwerth, who turned down his request. "What do you mean, I can't go? Are you going to disqualify me? I have to pee!"

Shapovalov stepped up his tirade when it became clear the umpire would not relent. "I'm going to piss my pants!" he said. "I'm going to piss in a bottle."

After coming through the high-pressure first-round match 3-6, 6-3,6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in just under four hours, Shapovalov explained that he needed to use the bathroom more than other players.

Tournament rules that state players are entitled to just one toilet break during women's best-of-three-set matches and two for men's five-setters.

MOTOR SPORTS

Hamilton signs deal to remain with Mercedes

Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton will stay with Mercedes for a ninth season after signing a one-year deal, the team said on Monday.

Since joining Mercedes for the 2013 season, Hamilton has won six world championship titles－moving him level with Michael Schumacher on a record seven for his career.

"Our team has achieved incredible things together and we look forward to building on our success even further, while continuously looking to improve, both on and off the track," said Hamilton, who has won 74 races with Mercedes.

As part of his new deal, Mercedes and Hamilton have established a charitable foundation in a commitment to "supporting greater diversity and inclusion in all its forms in motor sport," the team said.

"I am grateful that Mercedes has been extremely supportive of my call to address this issue," Hamilton said.

The 2021 F1 season begins in Bahrain next month.

Xinhua - Agencies