Digest

SOCCER

Shenhua keen to quell title talk after win

Shanghai Shenhua has attempted to play down the significance of its opening Chinese Super League victory over Beijing Guo'an last weekend, insisting talk of a title challenge is premature.

After doing plenty of business in the last transfer window, club chairman Wu Xiaohui had talked up Shenhua's chances this term, with last weekend's 2-1 win sending expectations soaring.

However, Shenhua press official Ma Yue wrote on social media: "Some media began to analyze the title contenders after only one round. It is understandable, this is the media's job. However, our team will stay sober.

"A true powerhouse should be able to stay strong throughout the whole season, not just for one match. Our team is still far from that. We will stay united and always keep focused on the next game."

Bayern in talks to hire Leipzig's Nagelsmann

Julian Nagelsmann

Bayern Munich is in talks with RB Leipzig to tempt Julian Nagelsmann to take over as coach from Hansi Flick next season, but German media claimed on Sunday it could cost them 30 million euros ($36 million).

According to Bild, Leipzig will demand such a sum to release Nagelsmann－who is also being linked with Tottenham Hotspur－as his current contract runs until 2023.

Sport 1 also reported that negotiations have started and said the financial deal will be "significantly greater than 15 million euros".

Flick has asked to be released at the end of this season due to disagreements with club management over transfer policy. However, Flick and Bayern have yet to reach an amicable settlement.

Flick is considered to be the favorite to replace Joachim Loew as German national coach after this summer's European Championship.

BASKETBALL

Curry stays hot with record-setting month

Stephen Curry

Greeted by more "M-V-P!" chants, Stephen Curry dazzled again in one of the most dominant stretches of his career.

Curry scored 37 points and set an NBA record for 3-pointers in a month at 85, leading the Golden State Warriors past the Sacramento Kings 117-113 on Sunday night.

"Obviously when I'm out there I definitely feel like I'm the best shooter in the world," Curry said when asked if he's not the best, who possibly could be. "But it still means I still got to put the work in."

Curry shot 11 of 21 with seven more 3-pointers after the two-time MVP rolled his right ankle during Friday's win against Denver but didn't consider it serious or seem hobbled. His April total surpassed James Harden's NBA record of 82 in November 2019.

"Incredible, man," Green said of the Splash Brother. "It looked like the rim is the size of the ocean, literally."

MOTOR SPORTS

Spectators could return for Monaco GP

Limited number of spectators could be allowed to attend the Monaco Grand Prix on May 23, Formula 1 chief executive officer Stefano Domenicali revealed on Sunday.

However, no fans will be allowed at the races in Portugal next weekend and Spain on May 9.

"We are monitoring the situation on a daily basis, which is changing hour by hour," Domenicali told Sky TG24. "In the next grands prix of Portugal and Spain, unfortunately we will not have anyone, but Monaco is presented as the first where a limited number of people should be admitted on Sunday."

TENNIS

Domestic tour to swing into action next month

The 2021 Chinese Tennis Association (CTA) Tour, a competition series intended for domestic players, is set to begin in May, the organizing committee said on Sunday.

The first leg of this year's tournament, a CTA 1000 event, is scheduled from May 2-9 in Anning, a county-level city of southwest China's Yunnan province.

The tour, which will take in 19 cities across China, comprises 21 legs－four 1000-class, four 800-class, seven 500-class and six 200-class events.

GOLF

Mullet-loving Aussie pair proves a cut above

Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman

Australia's Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith parred the first playoff hole Sunday to win the PGA Tour's Zurich Classic of New Orleans ahead of South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel.

Both teams finished Sunday's foursomes final round at TPC Louisiana at 20-under 268.

"It's been a pretty cool week," said Smith after notching his third PGA Tour title and second Zurich Classic crown. He paired with Sweden's Jonas Blixt to win the tour's only team event in 2017.

The Aussie teammates had fun with the format all week, as Leishman paid tribute to Smith's increasingly famous mullet hairstyle by donning a wig prior to Saturday's four-ball third round.

The demands of the final-round alternate-shot format left little time for frivolity, but both Smith and Leishman said teaming with a friend for a victory was special.

Xinhua - Agencies