Digest

BASKETBALL

Lin returns to bolster Ducks' playoff push

The Beijing Ducks on Tuesday announced the re-signing of former NBA star Jeremy Lin for the remainder of the 2021-22 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) season.

"I've finally come back. Playing basketball in China feels like home. Thanks to all the fans for the support, and I am looking forward to the second and third phases of this season," said 33-year-old Chinese-American Lin, whose registration information has been updated on the CBA website.

Lin averaged 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.8 steals in 39 appearances as the Ducks reached the last four of the 2019-20 CBA postseason. Beijing ranks ninth in the current standings, with an 8-5 win-loss record.

PARALYMPICS

Paris 2024 aiming for record ticket sales

The organizers of the 2024 Paralympic Games are aiming to sell three million tickets for the event which they hope will help raise awareness around disability and promote a more inclusive society.

Should all the tickets on sale for the Aug 28-Sept 8 Paralympics be purchased, the Games will break the record from London 2012 when 2.7 million tickets were sold.

"It's three million tickets that will be up for sale. We're very ambitious in terms of ticketing for the Olympics and the Paralympics," Tony Estanguet, the head of the organizing committee for the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday.

"I'm convinced that it is an event that's unrecognized, that must be positioned among the top three sporting events in the world.

"The ticketing will be approached in the same way as the Olympic Games. We want it to be full and to be a total experience."

MOTOR SPORTS

Saudi female driver named F1 ambassador

Saudi Arabia's first female racing driver, Reema Juffali, has been appointed an ambassador for the country's inaugural Formula 1 Grand Prix in Jeddah this week, organizers said on Monday.

The 29-year-old, who competed in the British Formula 3 championship this year, will be one of the first to drive a lap of the street circuit along the shores of the Red Sea.

She will also take part in a track shakedown of a 1979 Williams F1 car, which carried sponsorship for national airline Saudia.

"I'm really looking forward to taking part in the activities over the race weekend and I hope that my story and journey can provide some inspiration to anyone thinking of following their dream," Juffali said in a statement.

Saudi Arabia lifted a ban on women driving in 2018 and Juffali became the first Saudi female license holder to compete in a series that same year.

Sunday's Formula 1 race will be the third of four in the Middle East this season and could also be a title decider.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen leads Mercedes' seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton by eight points ahead of the penultimate round.

SOCCER

England, White smash records in 20-goal rout

Ellen White broke England Women's all-time scoring record as the Lionesses recorded their biggest ever victory by crushing Latvia 20-0 in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.

White scored twice early to take her past Kelly Smith's mark of 46 goals, before completing her hat-trick shortly after the break.

The Manchester City striker was one of four hat-trick scorers on the night. Lauren Hemp netted four times, while Beth Mead and substitute Alessia Russo also registered trebles.

Beth England notched a brace, and there were also goals from Ella Toone, Georgia Stanway, Jess Carter, Jill Scott and Jordan Nobbs on a historic evening in Doncaster. The result smashed the Lionesses previous record win of 13-0 against Hungary in 2005.

England also hit double figures last month when the sides met in Riga with a 10-0 win. It leads Austria and Northern Ireland by five points with four qualifiers remaining.

TENNIS

Germany stuns Britain to reach Davis quarters

Germany came from behind to upset Britain in the Davis Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday after Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz won the decisive doubles match.

The German pair defeated British teammates Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski 7-6(10), 7-6(5) after the best-of-three tie was level following the two singles.

Krawietz and Puetz saved four set points in the tiebreaker before taking the opening set and won the second tiebreaker after winning seven straight points from 5-0 down.

"This is an incredible team achievement," Krawietz said. "We have a great atmosphere in the team from day one."

Dan Evans had given Britain the lead by beating Peter Gojowczyk 6-2,6-1, but Jan-Lennard Struff pulled Germany even with the 10-time champion by beating Cameron Norrie 7-6(6), 3-6, 6-2.

Germany has won the Davis Cup three times but not since 1993. In its first semifinal since 2007, Germany will meet either Sweden or the team from Russia on Saturday. Croatia will face either Serbia or Kazakhstan in the other semifinal.

Xinhua - Agencies