Category: Sports

(Xinhua)15:00, May 28, 2019

PARIS, May 27 (Xinhua) — Title favorites Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal took on straight-set wins to book their mens singles second round spots in the French Open here on Monday.

The American veteran Serena Williams, seeded No. 10 in womens singles, had to recover from one set down to eliminate Vitalia Diatchenko of Russia 2-6, 6-1, 6-0 for the 800th main draw victory of her career.

Top-ranked Djokovic, bidding to become the second man in history to hold all four Grand Slam titles at the same time on two separate occasions, recorded his 22nd straight Grand Slam win by overcoming Hubert Hurkacz of Poland 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.

The 15-time Grand Slam winner won 81 percent on first serve, and possessed superior win on second serve over his Polish opponent, striking 27 winners in total.

I thought that I won most of my service games comfortably. I was pretty dominant on my serves, and played a very solid match, commented Djokovic, who will take on Henri Laaksonen in the second round.

Defending champion Nadal tamed German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann 6-2, 6-1, 6-3.

It was a first round, and I did a lot of things well. Not many mistakes. Being very solid all the time, the Spaniard pointed out.

What I did very well today is just about general feeling, which has been positive this

afternoon, he added.

Last years finalist Dominic Thiem bounced back from 4-0 down in the tiebreak of the third set to see off Tommy Paul of the United States 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2.

Russian 12th-seeded Daniil Medvedev pocketed two sets 6-4, 6-4, but Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert turned the table 6-3, 6-2, 7-5.

Williams, 37, lost four straight games after both players tied 2-2 in the opening set, while regrouping herself to win 12 of the next 13 games.

I just got nervous out there and stopped moving my feet. There was like concrete blocks on my feet.

Compared with other matches, Im always a little nervous in Grand Slams, especially in the first round, she explained.

Also on Monday, fourth-seeded Kiki Bertens shrugged off local favorite Pauline Parmentier 6-3, 6-4, but former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki had to stop her journey after losing 0-6, 6-3, 6-3 to Russias Veronika Kudermetova.

Chinas Zhang Shuai, who had failed in the first round on consecutive occasions in recent clay tournaments, whitewashed Varvara Lepchenko of the United States 6-1, 6-1 in just 52 minutes.

Womens world No. 1 Naomi Osaka and reigning champion Simona Halep will embrace their opening matches this year on Tuesday.

No. 16 seed Wang Qiang and Zheng Saisai set up an all-Chinese first round encounter, while their teammate Zhu Lin meets Romanias Irina-Camelia Begu.

(Xinhua)09:23, May 29, 2019

MADRID, May 28 (Xinhua) – Real Madrid president Florentino Perez on Tuesday confirmed that the club captain Sergio Ramos has asked the club for a free transfer so that he could play in China.

Monday saw the Spanish TV network La Sexta broadcast a story saying Ramos, his brother and lawyer had met Perez to ask to be allowed to leave. Speaking on radio station Onda Cero in the early hours of the morning the Madrid president said it was true, while also confirming he had rejected Ramos request.

They came to see me at my office and they asked if he could leave, but without paying a fee as transfers are complicated in Chinese football, said Perez.

I told him that he couldnt go and that we would talk to the Chinese club. It is impossible for Real Madrid to allow their captain for nothing because it would set a terrible precedent, he added.

33-year-old Ramos has a contract which lasts until 2021 and a buyout clause set at 800 million euros, which rules out any club buying him without speaking to the club.

Perez also discussed other possible signings, saying that Chelseas Belgian international Eden Hazard would probably arrive this summer.

I am very interested in Hazard coming, I am not going to deny that I have been very interested in Hazard becoming a Real Madrid player, he commented, although he refused to confirm interest in other possible targets such as Kylian Mbappe, Neymar or Eintracht Franfurt forward Luka Jovic.

(Xinhua)16:53, June 02, 2019

BUENOS AIRES, May 31 (Xinhua) — Lionel Messi has told of his burning desire to win a major trophy with Argentina as the Albiceleste bid to end a 26-year trophy drought at the Copa America in Brazil.

The five-time Ballon dOr winner was a part of the Argentina teams that finished runners-up at the 2014 World Cup, the 2015 Copa America and the 2016 Copa America.

I want to finish my career and win something with the national team, Messi said in an interview broadcast on Argentine television on Friday. I dont want to be left with the thought that things didnt work out. I want to pick myself up and try again. Thats life: fall down, get back up again and fight for your dreams.

Messi said that family life had taught him to better cope with losses, whether playing for Barcelona or Argentina.

The defeats hurt but Im dealing with them differently, the 31-year-old said. When [eldest son] Thiago was born, my priorities changed. It hurts to lose but now I arrive at my house, see my children and wife and I get over it. Before, Id arrive home and not want to watch television or eat. Now I have an obligation to be at the table with my kids.

Argentina, whose last major title came at the 1993 Copa America, are currently training in Buenos Aires in preparation for the Copa America, which will be played in five Brazilian cities from June 14 to July 7.

The two-time world champions will begin their campaign against Colombia on June 15 before facing Paraguay and Qatar in the group stage.

(Xinhua)07:42, June 03, 2019

TIANJIN, June 2 (Xinhua) — A group of American football enthusiasts, wearing helmets, masks and other protective gears, are in full swing to embark on their twice-a-week training in the football playground of Tianjin Medical University on Sunday.

They are members of Tianjin Black Sails American Football Club. Kou Tianming, 30, is the founder of the club.

American football is full of passion, power and speed. And the encouragement from teammates can help people find a sense of belonging and accomplishment, Kou, also an owner of two fitness centers, explained the reason why he founded the club.

Dating back to its starting period in 2016, Kou merely stuck to one tenet to enroll his team members, that is courage.

If someone got the courage to collide with me with his full power, and wanted to try it again no matter he was hit down or not. Then he is the guy that our team is eager for, Kou said.

With half-year of practice and preparation, October 15, 2016 witnessed the first victory of the team as they overcame Tianjins another more famous American football club Pirates.

In the hottest time, we could even squeeze out the sweats from our protective gears, Kou said, but most of them chose to continue.

His club once had over 60 amateur enthusiasts at the peak but now falls to over 40, ranging from 15 to 40 years old. We are not merely friends but more likely a family.

In many peoples eyes, American football is only for those who are strong and powerful. But Kou doesnt think so.

This inclusive game is suitable for people with different figures, but their physical quality must be good, Kou said, we also have a female member in the club, Kou said.

I never thought the city of Tianjin may have a team of American football. I feel like returning home every time Im in the court. said 40-year-old American Andy, who works in Tianjin University of Technology as a teacher. Now he is the linebacker of the team.

Nakul, an Indian student in Tianjin Medical University, said he could not even finish the warming up at the beginning, but now has become an indispensable player of the team.

American football makes me a somebody from nobody, he said.

In Kous eyes, although American football has attracted more and more people in China in recent years, it remains a small sport in the country.

But Im delighted that more and more companies undertake the professional training of American football and youngsters have more accesses to this game and gradually picked up interest in it, Kou said

Kou hopes to manage and operate a club to provide professional training guidance for each club members in the future. Im willing to see more players pursuing the pure happiness from American football.

By huaxia (Xinhua)08:19, June 03, 2019

PARIS, June 2 (Xinhua) — Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal discovered an easy path into the mens singles quarterfinals, but Federers compatriot Stan Wawrinka battled through a five-hour five-setter to knock Greek promise Stefanos Tsitsipas out of the French Open here on Sunday.

Federer reached his 12th quarterfinal at the tournament with a 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 win over Argentinas Leonardo Mayer, also becoming the oldest man to reach the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam since Jimmy Connors at the 1991 US Open.

Big serving, windy, it was a tough condition. We didnt have many baseline rallies. Either one was always pressing and the other guy was defending, Federer commented.

Nadal, bidding to win a record-extending 12th French Open title, swept another Argentinian Juan Ignacio Londero 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.

Its a very difficult day. Very windy out there. So its not easy to find the feelings. But with that condition, I think I did a lot of things well, said Nadal. Hes good and very intense. Good shots from the baseline. Very aggressive.

Nadal will next face Japanese No. 7 seed Kei Nishikori or Frenchman Benoit Paire, whose duel had to be suspended due to darkness.

Federer and Nadal are just one match away from their 39th career head-to-head in semifinals.

But prior to that, Federer had to eliminate in-form Wawrinka, who registered an epic victory of 7-6 (6), 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 8-6 over Tsitsipas in five hours and nine minutes, concluded by his backhand on the baseline and was called in by the umpire afterwards.

Today we saw only one centimeter can change the winner, Wawrinka admitted.

He would have deserved as much as me to win the match today. Its for sure a tough loss for him, but it was something that was a big battle. Im happy with everything that I have done today, the way I was fighting and staying with him, even if I was tired, the way I started to play a little bit more aggressive, he added.

Wawrinka finished 16 aces and 62 winners, also conceding 55 unforced errors in this topsy-turvy battle. The sixth-seeded Tsitsipas recorded 61 winners and 48 unforced errors.

Ive never experienced something like this in my life. I feel very disappointed at the end. Long time since I cried after a match, so emotionally it wasnt easy to handle. I will try to learn from it as much as I can, the 20-year-old Greek noted.

In the womens singles, Petra Martic advanced to her career first Grand Slam quarterfinals by overcoming Estonian veteran Kaia Kanepi 5-7, 6-2, 6-4.

Her next opponent will be Marketa Vondrousova from the Czech Republic, as the latter eased past Anastasija Sevastova 6-2, 6-0.

The other quarterfinal in the bottom half will be played between No. 26 seed Johanna Konta and seventh-seeded Sloane Stephens.

It was a day to celebrate for Chinese players in doubles, as Zhang Shuai partnered Australian John Peers to sail through mixed doubles second round. Duan Yingying/Zheng Saisai rallied past Anett Kontaveit/Daria Kasatkina 5-7, 7-5, 6-4 in the womens doubles third round. Enditem

(Xinhua)09:22, June 03, 2019

SHENZHEN, South China, June 2 (Xinhua) — Chinese veteran Ma Long swept No. 2 seed Lin Gaoyuan 4-0 to win a record breaking 28th mens singles title at the ITTF China Open here on Sunday.

Ma moved one title ahead of Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus, who had 27 ITTF world tour titles. Retired Chinese players Wang Linqin had 21 and Ma Lin had 20, followed by German veteran Timo Boll who had 19.

I did focus on every match, rather than caring about the record, Ma said.

Of course I am very happy to win this title, and I am even happier that it was president Liu who awarded me the trophy, Ma said after the medal ceremony.

Liu Guoliang, the president of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, attended the awarding ceremony and hugged his favorite disciple.

Ma went unstoppable to win the last three games 11-5, 11-5 and 11-4, after edging Lin 12-10 in the first game.

To be honest, sometimes I really dont know why I could win, Ma said.

The only word in my heart is fight, when I encounter some real tough opponents, he added.

Ma overcame world No. 1 Fan Zhendong in the quarterfinal. The 31-year-old believes the younger Fan will be the future of Chinese table tennis.

The future is in Fans hands. Team China is hard to beat because we are a team, Ma said.

(Xinhua)16:52, June 04, 2019

BEIJING, June 4 (Xinhua) — Chinas ice and snow equipment sector is expected to grow on fast track as the country embraces the 2022 Winter Olympics.

The industry aims to rake in sales over 20 billion yuan (2.89 billion U.S. dollars) annually by 2022, growing more than 20 percent on average, according to an action plan by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the General Administration of Sport of China and other seven government agencies.

The country plans to nurture several well-known brands and enterprises with global competitiveness in this field and develop several recreation and tourism complexes to cater to the potential demand of winter sports participants.

A total of 30 ice and snow sports arenas will be selected to be equipped with smart technologies such as artificial intelligence and wearable devices to make them more interactive and energy-efficient, according to the plan.

(Xinhua)15:38, June 06, 2019

PORTO – Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick to help Portugal past Switzerland 3-1 and reach the UEFA Nations League final at Estadio do Dragao here on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old, who had not scored in the last four games for his country since the World Cup, put Portugal ahead in the 25th minute by winning and scoring from a free-kick from 25 meters, which left Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer dumbfounded.

Switzerland levelled eight minutes into the second half when Ricardo Rodriguez scored a penalty kick.

German referee Felix Brych had initially awarded a penalty for Portugal but reversed his decision, and gave one to Switzerland instead after a VAR check. The referee believed that Nelson Semedo fouled in the box against Steven Zuber.

With the match heading to overtime, Ronaldo, making his 157th appearance for Portugal, regained the lead in the 88th minute with a low, first-time finish.

He sealed the victory two minutes later after curling a shot from just inside the Switzerland penalty area into the bottom right-hand corner.

It was the Portugal captains 86th, 87th and 88th goals of a 16-year international career.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos said of the Ronaldo after the match: In terms of adjectives to describe Ronaldos game, Ive used many. I was his coach in 2003 and I could see where hed go. Hes a genius. Theres genius paintings and sculptures and hes a football genius.

Portugal will fight for the title against the other semifinal between England and the Netherlands, which will be held on Thursday.

(Global Times)09:27, June 10, 2019

Anyang, a city in Central Chinas Henan Province, is famous for holding an annual air sports event that started in 2009. It has been dubbed the air sports capital of China.

This years event kicked off on June 3 with aviation enthusiasts from around the world staging thrilling performances at the opening ceremony.

A total of 15 aerobatic aircraft, six R-22 helicopters, 10 hot air balloons, 30 powered parachute groups and 20 drones took part in the performance.

Air sports is a general term that covers a range of aerial sporting activities, including aerobatics, aeromodeling, ballooning and drone racing.

Anyang has many advantages for developing its aviation industry. It has a national industrial zone for general aviation, and 4,420 square kilometers of flying area below 3,000 meters, which is suitable for flying all kinds of air vehicles.

Anyang also has the largest training base for air sports and aeroclub in China.

Experts said air sports has enjoyed rapid development in China in recent years, but also admitted that there are some challenges for its future development.

The shortage of general aviation aerodromes remains one big problem. Some aviation enthusiasts have to go to the US for training, which is more expensive. The weakness of the domestic general aviation industry also hinders the manufacturing of aviation products.

Authorities in China have taken efforts to boost the industry, including building more bases for aerobats.

(Xinhua)15:35, June 16, 2019

Lee Chong Wei embraces Chinas Lin Dan after the Malaysians semifinal victory at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. [Photo/Xinhua]

The retirement of Malaysian badminton icon Lee Chong Wei this week sparked an emotional outpouring of appreciation from Chinese fans and a touching tribute from his longtime on-court Chinese rival, Lin Dan.

Former world No 1 Lee on Thursday called time on his 19-year career due to the effects of his recent battle with nose cancer, with the player fondly acknowledging his inextricable links to China.

I have appreciated the support of my Chinese fans for so many years, said 36-year-old Lee, whose family roots trace back to East Chinas Fujian province.

I always hear them cheering for me no matter where I play. I feel so grateful to have them behind my back. I hope I can see them more in China … at some promotional events or amateur competitions.

Responding to a message Lee posted on Sina Weibo, tens of thousands of Chinese fans left comments paying tribute to the iconic star and his rivalry with Lin, aka Super Dan.

Lin reacted to Lees retirement immediately on his Weibo account by sharing a song entitled Dont Cry, Friend, accompanied by the message: Heading for the battle alone, with no more companion.

Eventually, the day has arrived and we can say that an era has ended, Lin told The Paper.cn on Friday.

I feel like its possible for Chong Wei to come back. Maybe we can still meet each other on the court but it wont matter whether its at the Olympics or not, said the 35-year-old Lin.

Lees epic rivalry with Lin began in 2004 and spanned 40 matches, including two finals and one semifinal at the Olympics.

Ranked No 1 in the world at the time, Lee was overwhelmed by Lin in a straight-sets loss at the 2008 Beijing Games final, and again succumbed to the Chinese superstar in a thrilling London 2012 final, which drew an estimated global TV audience of over 1 billion.

Lee avenged those defeats at Rio 2016 by ousting Lin in the semifinals but then failed to overcome Lins younger teammate, Chen Long, in his third Olympic final appearance.

Lin triumphed 21-16, 21-17 in what turned out to be their last hurrah锛峚 quarterfinal clash at the prestigious All England Open in March last year.

The respect between the two was again evident then, with Lin remarking: Because Chong Wei hasnt retired, that has spurred me on to continue.

Lees unassuming character off the court contrasted sharply with the effervescent Lin, however the two shared the same mindset of pushing each other on to greater heights.

Like Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in tennis who are always competing … if theres no Lin Dan, there would not be Lee Chong Wei today, Lee told Xinhua. Hopefully, we can still work together to promote the sport off the court in the future.

Lee also wished Lin well in his ongoing quest to qualify for a fifth Olympics. We may no longer be opponents but we are still good friends. I am looking forward to seeing him play at the Tokyo Games, he said.

Lee was ranked No 1 for 200 straight weeks from 2008-12 and won 69 major titles, including 47 in the World Tours super series, four All England Opens and two Asian championships.

Doctors have assured him his cancer is in remission but Lee now lacks the endurance for high-intensity training and hasnt played since a semifinal loss to Japans current world No 1 Kento Momota at a tournament in Indonesia last July.