Digest

BASKETBALL

Team China completes perfect Cup campaign

Team China wrapped up its 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifying campaign with a fourth straight win on Sunday in the Philippines－a 91-73 victory over Chinese Taipei that secured top spot in Group B.

China rested center Zhou Qi following his starring role in Saturday's 90-84 victory over Japan that earned qualification for the Asia Cup. Another big man, Shen Zijie, stepped up to provide enough energy in the paint, finishing with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Captain Zhou Peng top-scored for China with 21 points.

China will remain in the Philippines before heading for Canada to play in the Tokyo Olympic qualifying tournament, where Du Feng's men are not expected to earn the solitary berth available for the Games.

"We know that Canada and Greece are very strong teams in the basketball world, but I believe our guys will try their best to play good games," said head coach Du of the forthcoming Tokyo qualifiers.

Chinese point guard Zhao Jiwei wasn't satisfied with his own performance against Chinese Taipei, but added: "We had a very slow start, but we just believe in each other and the result is satisfactory. That will be a great help for us to improve our skills."

Booker's brilliance gives Suns the edge

Devin Booker posted his first career triple-double Sunday afternoon, when he scored 40 points and collected 13 rebounds and 11 assists as the Phoenix Suns outlasted the visiting Los Angeles Clippers, 120-114, in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.

Booker scored 16 consecutive points for the Suns in the third quarter and 29 in the second half for second-seeded Phoenix, which was without Chris Paul after the All-Star point guard tested positive for the coronavirus.

"Just doing anything in my power to get a win," Booker told ESPN after the victory. "We have a really good collective group, we rely on each other."

Game 2 is on Tuesday night in Phoenix. Considering the Clippers dropped the first two games in each of their first two series this postseason, Booker is expecting a strong response from LA.

"The game's never over with them," Booker said. "We've seen their past games and we know what they're capable of, so we've got to be locked in all 48 minutes."

TRACK AND FIELD

Doping fines added to prize pool for worlds

World Athletics will use $2 million in doping fines it has received from Russia to increase the prize pool at the next two editions of the world championships.

Seb Coe, the president of the federation, said Sunday that prize money would increase by $1 million at the worlds in 2022 in Eugene, Oregon and in 2023 in Budapest.

"I was very keen to make sure that got back into the hands of clean athletes," Coe said during a meeting with reporters at the US track and field trials.

It means each of the 44 events will have $23,000 added to the pool. Usually, the top eight finishers receive money. World Athletics hasn't yet decided how to divvy up the extra winnings.

Russia paid a $5 million fine as part of its reinstatement into track and field after a years-long scandal in which investigators uncovered a state-sponsored plan to help athletes dope without getting caught.

Coe said the $5 million would be better off shared with athletes than just sitting in World Athletics' general fund.

SOCCER

Paulinho latest big name to leave CSL

Brazilian star Paulinho has left Guangzhou FC by mutual consent after failing to return for the start of the Chinese Super League season.

The former Barcelona midfielder, who is regarded by many as the best foreign player in CSL history, leaves the Fabio Cannavaro-coached club having made 176 appearances and scored 74 goals across two successful stints.

"After friendly negotiations, our club and Paulinho officially terminated the contract today in accordance with the deal," a Guangzhou FC statement said on Sunday.

Paulinho, 32, joined Guangzhou from Tottenham Hotspur in 2015.His performances in the CSL earned him a 40-million-euro ($47 million) move to Barcelona two years later.

He spent one season with the Spanish giant before moving back to Guangzhou. He won the Asian Champions League, three league titles and a CFA Cup with the club.

Fellow Brazilians Anderson Talisca, Hulk and Alex Teixeira, along with Italians Graziano Pelle, Stephan El Shaarawy and Eder, have all departed the CSL since last season, which saw the introduction of a strict new salary cap.

TENNIS

Jabeur becomes first Arab winner on tour

Second-seeded Ons Jabeur became the first Arab woman to win a singles title on the WTA tour with a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Daria Kasatkina in the Viking Classic final in Birmingham, England, on Sunday.

"I knew I had to go for it, I had to win this title to at least breathe, and give an example," Jabeur said during the trophy presentation. "There's not a lot of Tunisian or Arabic players playing, so I hope this could inspire them. I want to see more Arabic (players) and Tunisians playing with me on tour."

It was also her first victory against Kasatkina. The fourth-seeded Russian, who was going for her third title this year, had won both previous contests against Jabeur, but they were not on grass.

The 24th-ranked Jabeur lost her two previous WTA singles finals－against Kasatkina in Moscow in 2018 and at Charleston earlier this season.

Jabeur has a tour-leading 28 wins this year, tied with the top-ranked Ashleigh Barty.

Xinhua - Agencies