Digest

TENNIS

Zheng edges Vekic in tense Zhuhai opener

Chinese women's No 1 Zheng Qinwen opened her WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai campaign on Wednesday with a nail-biting three-set win over Donna Vekic of Croatia.

Zheng, seeded seventh, edged the first set 6-4 before Vekic prevailed in a tiebreaker to claim the second set 7-6 (6).

World No 18 Zheng suffered an early break in the deciding set before breaking back to win 6-4.

The 21-year-old Zheng avenged her loss to No 10 seed Vekic in their only previous meeting in 2021.

"It took some time to find my rhythm," said Zheng, who won her first-ever WTA 500 title in Zhengzhou earlier this month.

"In the second set, she was serving really well, so we couldn't break each other. I think I got a little chance at 6-6, but at that moment she played aggressively.

"In the third set, she continued serving really well, but after I started to get more rhythm on the return, I started to feel better and better in my game by playing longer. So I'm really happy to win in the end."

BASKETBALL

Wang Lili named 3x3 Women's Series MVP

Chinese player Wang Lili was named MVP of the 2023 FIBA 3x3 Women's Series, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) announced on Wednesday.

"Chinese talisman Lili Wang was elected MVP for the fourth edition of the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series decided by a panel of players and fans on Oct 24, 2023," FIBA announced.

Wang led Team China to "an incredibly successful regular season" where it finished third at the Ulaanbaatar Final on Sept 16-17.

Wang finished first in the fan vote and second in the player vote for the award while her compatriot Zhang Zhiting finished sixth in the standings. The world No 3 player also ranked fourth in scoring (217 points) and fourth in "player value" (264.0).

World No 1 Michelle Plouffe of Canada was first in the player vote and fifth in the fan poll, finishing second behind Wang in the final standings.

This is the first time a Chinese player has been named MVP of the series.

VOLLEYBALL

Ding already a champ with new Polish team

Chinese setter Ding Xia clinched the Polish Supercup with Chemik Police after her new team defeated LKS Commercecon in four sets (25-20, 20-25, 25-20, 25-17) in Lodz on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old made her official debut for the Polish side on Sunday in a straight-sets (25-23, 25-17, 25-22) win over KS Palac Bydgoszcz.

A key member of China's 'Dream Team' at the 2019 FIVB Women's World Cup, Ding scored one point in Wednesday's game to claim her first piece of silverware as a Chemik Police setter.

Marco Fenoglio's players were seen as favorites and they lived up to expectations as they sealed victory against LKS Commercecon Lodz on a 3-1 scoreline.

Ding's team extended its winning streak to four matches after opening its Polish league campaign with three straight victories.

Wednesday's triumph was the fourth time Chemik Police has lifted the Polish Supercup.

Xinhua