BEIJING, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- Here are the latest Chinese sports headlines from the past week:
1. China falls to France in FIBA Women's World Cup quarterfinals
France ended China's FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup campaign with a commanding 90-61 quarterfinal victory on September 10.
China stayed within striking distance during a competitive opening quarter, with Han Xu and Yang Shuyu carrying much of the scoring load, but France seized control in the second period and steadily pulled away.
An 11-0 run gave France the first double-digit lead of the game and swung the momentum firmly in its favor. China struggled to keep its opponent off the offensive glass and repeatedly surrendered possession through turnovers, allowing France to establish a 48-31 halftime lead.
China needed a strong response after the break but was unable to produce a sustained run to cut the deficit. Zhang Ziyu contributed seven points and eight rebounds, but also committed seven turnovers in 18 minutes.
Han led China with 21 points and nine rebounds on 8-of-13 shooting, while Yang added 19 points and five assists. The pair accounted for 40 of China's 61 points, with no other Chinese player reaching double figures.
2. China routs Kazakhstan in Asian Games men's basketball opener
China opened its Asian Games men's basketball campaign with a 99-61 rout of Kazakhstan in Group C on September 11.
China seized control with a 14-0 run in the opening quarter to build a 31-12 lead. A 6-0 burst early in the second stretched the advantage to 25 points.
Kazakhstan cut the deficit to 17, but China quickly responded, with Liao Sanning and Cui Yongxi scoring on fast breaks before Yu Jiahao completed a three-point play.
China led 86-48 midway through the fourth quarter and comfortably closed out the victory.
The men's tournament features 12 teams divided into three groups of four, with the top two from each group and the two best third-place teams advancing to the quarterfinals.
China is in Group C with Kazakhstan, Bahrain and the Philippines.
3. China's Zheng beaten by Rybakina in US Open quarterfinals
Second-seeded Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan came from a set down to defeat China's Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 on September 9 and advance to the US Open semifinals for the first time.
Both players held serve through the first seven games of the opening set. Zheng earned the first break point of the match in the eighth game. Rybakina saved it but netted her next return, handing Zheng the break. Serving for the set, Zheng fended off five break points to close it out 6-3.
Zheng's level dropped in the second set as Rybakina broke twice and rolled to a 6-1 win. In the deciding set, Rybakina broke Zheng in the ninth game and closed out the match 6-4.
4. China falls to South Korea in Asian Men's volleyball Championship quarterfinals
China's title hopes at the Asian Men's Volleyball Championship ended on September 10 after a 3-1 quarterfinal loss to South Korea.
China made a strong start and took the opening set 25-17, but South Korea responded by winning the next two 25-21, 25-22.
The fourth set developed into a tense battle as China fought to stay in the match. Neither side managed to pull away in the closing stages before South Korea won two consecutive points at 27-27 to take the set 29-27 and advance to the semifinals.
5. China's Yan, Feng crowned Diamond League Final champions
China's 18-year-old sensation Yan Ziyi completed a perfect Diamond League season on September 5, coming from behind to win the women's javelin with a meeting record of 68.42 meters and secure her first Diamond League Final title.
Her compatriot Feng Bin had won the women's discus a day earlier, meaning China's only two qualifiers at the season finale both left Brussels as champions.
It was Yan's fifth win in as many Diamond League appearances this season. She also swept victories in Xiamen, Oslo, Paris and Monaco, with her winning mark exceeding 67 meters at every meeting.
In the women's discus final, Feng took the lead with 66.67m in the second round before improving to a season-best 67.46m in the fourth to secure her first Diamond League Final title. ■
