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Josh Ball

The problem with the way tennis times are set out is that they rarely mean what they say.
Take the mixed doubles final involving China’s Wang Xinyu and Zhang Zhizhen; it was listed under the 1am starts, but in reality we had to wait for Novak Djokovic and Lorenzo Musetti to get their men’s singles semi-final done first.
As a result, the match we were really interested in didn’t finish much before the sun came up. So, you’re welcome.
Happily, there was plenty to keep us entertained while we waited, and this is what you missed while you were sleeping.


Every cloud
Might as well start were we left off, and what a final we ended up with.
Wang Xinyu and Zhang Zhizhen may not feel like it, but their mixed doubles silver medal represents a watershed moment for Chinese tennis.
It was the first time since 2004 the country had reached a tennis final at the Olympics, and for a pair that had never played together before it was certainly some achievement.
Having lost the first set 6-2, they bounced back to win the second 7-5, and came oh-so close in a tie-break they eventually lost 10-8 when Wang sent a return long.
A stunning fact
It is a quirk of 24-times grand slam champion Djokovic’s career that he has mustered no more than one bronze medal from four Olympic Games, and that was in Beijing in 2008.
So, for the first time in his career he will get to fight for gold after brushing aside Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in a relatively workmanlike 6-4, 6-2 win at Roland Garros.
Unfortunately for the Serb, the man who stands between him and another title is Carlos Alcaraz, the young Spaniard who downed Djokovic in last month’s Wimbledon final.

Marchand! Qui, Marchand!
Olympic records fell like nine pins at La Defense Arena on Friday, and it should be no surprise to anyone that Leon Marchand was responsible for one of them.
The man who had already taken one of Michael Phelps’ records, in the 400-metre individual medley, was at it again in the 200m version this time.
Marchand made it four golds out of four, winning in a time of 1 minute 54.06 seconds to take a mark that has stood since Phelps’ 1:54.23 at the 2008 Beijing Games.
Duncan Scott took silver for Great Britain in 1:55.31, with China’s Wang Shun picking up bronze in 1:56 flat.
In the women’s backstroke, world record holder Kaylee McKeown is now the Olympic record holder as well, winning the 200m event in 2 minutes and 03.73 seconds, bettering Missy Franklin’s 2:04.06 at the London Games in 2012.
America’s Regan Smith was second in 2:04.26, with Canadian Kylie Masse third in 2:05.57.
A dish best served
France have finally managed to get the better of Argentina when it comes to football. The host nation took an early lead, survived a disallowed goal and 10 minutes of time added on to win their quarter-final in Bordeaux.
The most intense game of the last eight was Egypt’s clash with Paraguay, which needed all 10 penalties before the two sides were finally separated.
Level 1-1 at full time and again at the end of extra time, it took Alaa Hamza saving Marcelo Perez’s spot kick to decide matters, with Egypt winning 5-4.
In the other games, Morocco breezed past the USA 4-0, and Spain beat Japan 3-0.
A record endeavour
Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei withstood surging Ethiopian team tactics to claim gold in the men’s Olympic 10,000m at the Stade de France on Friday.
The three-time world champion timed an Olympic record of 26 minutes and 43.14 seconds for victory.
Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi edged American Grant Fisher by two-hundredths of a second to take silver in 26:43.44.


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Paris 2024 Olympic Games

While you were sleeping: tennis silver for China, more gold for Marchand - 5 things you missed

Silver medalists Wang Xinyu and Zhang Zhizhen show off their silver medals for mixed doubles tennis at the Olympic Games in Paris on Friday. Photo: Xinhua

Gold medallist Leon Marchand salutes supporters after the men’s 200m individual medley. Photo: AFP

China star Huang to leave Paris with badminton gold around her neck and ring on finger

Huang Yaqiong gets emotional as Liu Yuchen (right) proposes at the Paris Olympics. Photo: Xinhua

Huang Yaqiong shows off her ring after getting engaged to boyfriend Liu Yuchen. Photo: Weibo

Paris Olympics: Hong Kong rower Chiu vows to come back stronger, after historic finish

Chiu Hin-chun has finished higher than any other Hong Kong rower at an Olympics. Photo: AP

Chiu Hin-chun competes in the men’s single sculls rowing D final in Paris. Photo: AP

Sport

Paris Olympics 2024

China

Aquatics

French swimming star took another Michael Phelps record and a fourth gold of the Games, while the host nation knocked Argentina out of the football


French swimming star took another Michael Phelps record and a fourth gold of the Games, while the host nation knocked Argentina out of the football.


Swimming

ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals)

Michael Phelps

While you were sleeping