China :: Sports Extra

Watch Video Play Video A dramatic showdown in men's tennis on Saturday...four-time winner Roger Federer and two-time defending champion Novak Djokovic went head-to-head in the 2011 final of the ATP Dubai championships. This was a repeat of their semi-final clash at the Australian Open. Federer opened the match with a 1-0 lead, but Djokovic fought back and brought the first set level at 1. The Serbian world number three started to build some distance. He broke the Federer serve to go up 2-1 up in the the first set. And that put the pressure on Federer. The former world number one lost his serve again in the ninth game. Djokovic moved ahead in the match by taking the first set 6 games to three. Federer, raised his game in the second set. He recorded a a big service break of his own in the third game. But the Swiss had not answer for Djokovic's intensity and defensive skills. Watch this exchange during a rally with break point in the balance during the sixth game. Djokovic f...

Watch Video Play Video Karrie Webb began the final day of the 2011 HSBC Women's Masters looking up at Japan's Chie Arimura. But the roles would be reversed by the end of the final round at Singapore's Tanah Merah Country Club. Overnight leader Arimura tried to cement her place at the top on Sunday. She hit a second shot that landed next to the flag, and picked up a birdie on the par-four 10th from there. But nothing Arimura did could fend off red-hot Karrie Webb. The Australian finished a run of four straight birdies with this putt on 14, to take a two-shot lead. Webb's bogey on fifteen dropped her back into a tie for the top with Arimura, but she retook sole possession of the lead with her sixth and final birdie of the day on 16. Karrie Webb of Australia gives a thumbs-up with her trophy after winning the HSBC Women's Champions Golf tournament, Sunday Feb. 27, 2011 in Singapore Arimura remained a stroke back on the 18th. She needed to hole this long birdie pu...

Watch Video Play Video The WCBA All-star game got underway last night.. but before the game, the players paid a special visit to a local primary school in Huzhou city, Zhejiang Province. The WCBA stars took to the campus and were greeted by a crowd of students. On behalf of the Chinese Basketball Association, the players donated LED TVs, basketballs, and All-star game tickets to the school. In return for this, the pupils taught the All-Stars how to play diabolo, giving the stars some relaxation ahead of the game. Chen Nan, Bayi Player, said, "I brought my 'teachers' some pencil cases. I hope they can make good use of them and progress in their studies. " Editor: Zheng Limin | Source: CNTV.CN

If a robot competed in a marathon, how fast would it finish? Well as of now, human marathon world record holder Haile Gebrselassie can rest easy, as the answer appears to be several days. On Thursday, five human-like robots in Osaka, Japan took part in the world's first ever robot marathon. The diminutive android athletes, standing just 16-inches high, are competing against each other over a full marathon course, 422 laps around this track built inside an Osaka convention center. Just like humans, the robots are able to do things like pull themselves up when falling over. If the event gathers more support, the organizers says that the marathon will turn into an international competition similar in scale to the Robo Cup, the robot football world cup. On Thursday, five human-like robots in Osaka, Japan took part in the world's first ever robot marathon.

Watch Video Play Video L-A Lakers are counting on All-Star game hero Kobe Bryant to be in MVP mode for the second half of the season. The Lakers matched up against the Atlanta Hawks at the Staples Center Tuesday night. Bryant and Derek Fisher presented Atlanta reserve Josh Powell with his championship ring. Powell spent the last two seasons with the Lakers before signing with Atlanta this season. Bryant then picked up where he left off Sunday. He gave the Lakers an early 8-0 lead. Shannon Brown slammed a dunk for L-A. The Lakers jumped ahead by 14. Brown scored 15 points. Just before the half...Pau Gasol sank a hoop and drew a foul. Lakers by 22...the Spaniard would finish with 14 points on the night. Bryant to Andrew Bynum...it was 54-33 at halftime. Bynum racked up 15 rebounds and three blocked shots to go with his five points. The Lakers outscored the Hawks 26-21 in the third quarter. Bryant drained a three pointer. Kobe hauled 20 points. This one was an L-A runaway. Devin Eba...

Watch Video Play Video In the final of snooker's Welsh Open...it was a Scottish Derby as defending champion John Higgins took on Stephen Maguire. Maguire got off to a promising start, taking the first two frames for a 2-0 lead. Higgins battled back in the third, with a break of 121, as he trimmed the match to 2-1. But Maguire was solid in the rest of first half, wrapping it up 5-3 at break. In the 9th frame, Maguire committed a crucial error when hitting the pink. The reigning champion capitalized on that to win the frame, making it 5-4. Maguire lost his composure in the next three frames, as Higgins blasted several breaks, taking a tournaround 7-5 lead. Maguire made another decisive mistake in the 15th frame, dropping the white ball. Higgins went on to close out the frame, closing out a 9-6 victory, successfully defending his Welsh Open title. Editor: Zheng Limin | Source: CNTV.CN

Watch Video Play Video The NBA All-Star weekend concluded in Los Angeles on Sunday night. Kobe Bryant and the West entertained LeBron James and the East. The Staples Center erupted into volvano one time after another as top NBA stars put on a blockbuster performance. Three minutes into the opening frame, Amare Stoudemire set up Dwight Howard for an ally-oop slam, the East tied the game 6-all. But the West soon pulled away. Blake Griffin connected with Deron Williams, the new-crowned Slam Dunk champion finished an airborne slam with a big throwdown, the West had 35-25 lead. Early in the second, Joe Johnson hit a three, the East cut the deficit to 5. NBA All-Star Game: West defeat East 148-143 But soon after the West regained their momentum. Russell Westbrook drove in and put down a thunderous right hander, 45-37. Late in the second, Kevin Durant struck from mid-air with another slam dunk, the West were in total control, 70-58 Early in the third, LeBron James drove in for a layup, ...

Watch Video Play Video Manchester United met non-league Crawley Town in what looked like a mismatch before the game. Ben Smith tried a 30-metre strike in the first half...but sent it just wide of the mark. Man U broke the deadlock later in the half. Darron Gibson sent the pass in...Wes Brown aimed for the header and deflected it past the Crawley 'keeper. Manchester United took a 1-0 advantage into the interval. Crawley played hard for the equalizer. David Hunt had a chance at 71 minutes, but he flashed his shot just wide. FA Cup: Man. United scrape through 1-0 against Crawley Town Two minutes later, it was Matt Tubbs with a try. He aimed to repeat Wayne Rooney's spectacular goal against Manchester City last week, but his overhead kick sailed over the bar. Man U. turned back every threat from Crawley Town and took the slim win, 1-0.

Watch Video Taj Gibson drives down the lane as he is defended by Blake Griffin and Landy Fields. (Jeff Gross / Getty Images) Second half, rookies up by seven...and it's James Harden's turn, the huge windmill from the OKC Thunder forward. - The Sophomores within five. The rookies, would end up down three...and Wall sets up Cousins for the flush to cut the gap to one. The former Kentucky Wildcats combining again, Cousins ended with a game high 33. The rookies, would take a three point lead, thanks to Gary Neal of the Spurs, his floater falls. The Rookies, would lead by six in the final seconds...and one more ridiculous highlight for you, Cousins to Wall....and down. - Final score, Rookies-148, Sophomores-140. Related stories NBA stars showcase talent during All-Star Weekend 2011-02-20 Editor: Yang Jie | Source: CNTV.CN

Watch Video Play Video Pyeongchang is hoping it's quest to become the host city for the 2018 winter Olympics will be a case of third time lucky. The South Korean resort made its final efforts to impress before saying goodbye to an evaluation team from the International Olympic Committee on Saturday. The 14-member IOC inspection delegation has been in Pyeongchang all week and its chair Gunilla Lindberg said the city had made great progress. Organizers showed off six venues during the visit and said blueprints have been drawn to build seven others if the city wins games. The vote to determine the host will be held in Durban, South Africa, in July. Located 180 kilometers north-east of Seoul, Pyeongchang is bidding against Annecy in France and the German city of Munich. Visitors pose for their souvenir pictures in front of the sign for Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic in Pyeongchang, east of Seoul, South Korea, Saturday,Feb. 19, 2011. Pyeongchang is bidding again to host the Winte...

Watch Video Play Video And Stephen Hendry took on Stephen Maguire. Hendry produced a superb 147 break. It was the seven-time world champion's 10th maximum break, drawing him level with Ronnie O'Sullivanm. But Maguire reeled off the next three frames and although Hendry reduced the deficit to 3-2, he couldn't maintain his form, his effort was in vain as he eventually slipped to a 4-2 defeat. Editor: Zhang Pengfei | Source: CNTV.CN

Also on Wednesday night, Golden State took on Utah. The Jazz took an early lead, but the Warriors' Monta Eills beat the third quarter buzzer and tied the game at 76. Ellis was just warming up for the fourth. He hit from all over the court and somehow scored this three pointer through a trio of Jazz defenders. Golden State led by 5 after the free throw...a four point play for Ellis. The Jazz closed-in for some final minute drama. C-J Miles went in with a lay-up and cut the margin to 4. Then, Deron Williams lined up for a 3-pointer. He cut it to 103-100 with 52 seconds to go. But Stephen Curry dropped a deuce and Dorell Wright added a pair of free throws for a 107-100 Warriors victory. Golden State made 8 of 19 three-pointers, while the Jazz shot only 3 of 14 from beyond the arc. That spelled the difference in this one...Warriors win. Warriors defeat Jazz 107-100

Watch Video Play Video It is a familiar matchup as Arsenal hosts Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 clash on Wednesday night. They will meet in the knock-out stage for the second season in a row. 'Barca' came out on top in that quarter-final clash in ther previous meeting, beating Arsenal 6-3 on aggregate. Lionel Messi scored four goals in the second leg to take the Spanish champions through. Barcelona coach 'Pep' Guardiola is expecting another exciting tie this time around. Pep Guardiola said, "The objective is to play well, dominate the important phases of the game, attack well, defend as well as possible. But, obviously to score away from home is very, very important. To have that advantage when we play at home is essential, so scoring a goal is vital." 'Barca' has never lost to Arsenal in the clubs' five previous competitive meetings, winning three times and drawing the other two. But Arsenal's been impre...

Watch Video Play Video The 14th Fina Swimming World Championships will be held in Shanghai from July 16th to 31st, 2011 and the city is pulling out all stops ahead of the event. The Championships will take place in two locations in Shanghai, with the main site being the Eastern Sports Center on the bank of the Huangpu River. A block of stadiums have been newly built for the events. In previous history, swimming, diving and synchronized swimming events were usually held in the same stadium, but the events for this edition of the championship are scattered over four stadiums. The main swimming venue in the largest of the new stadiums allows a capacity audience of 15,000. The Shanghai organizers hope to provide a unique experience as they host the World Championships that spectators and athletes alike will not soon forget. The Championships will take place in two locations in Shanghai, with the main site being the Eastern Sports Center on the bank of the Huangpu River. Editor: Z...

Watch Video Play Video Top 2010 hurdler, David Oliver, has beaten former Chinese World and Olympic champion Liu Xiang at the BW Bank Meeting in Karls-ruhe, Germany. The 28, -year-old American, won in a time of 7.4 seconds with 27-year-old, Liu Xiang finishing in 7.55 seconds. Liu's personal best is 7.42 seconds a record set in 2007. But this time he finished third in the 60-meter indoor hurdles. On Friday, he also came third, in another the 60-meter hurdles races in Dusseldorf. Related stories Liu Xiang finishes third in Dusseldorf indoor 60m hurdles 2011-02-12 Liu Xiang looks ahead to world championships 2011-02-12 Liu Xiang ready for indoor season 2011-02-10

Watch Video Play Video December 18th...that was the last time the Cleveland Cavaliers won a game. Now, nearly two months later, and after 26 straight losses...the Cavs were hoping that streak would come to an end on Saturday, fittingly, against the traditionally brutal L.A. Clippers. Antawn Jamison and the Cavs...at home, and ready to finally get a win. But at the end of the first half...something that can only happen a team that has lost 26 straight. with 6 tenths of a second on the clock...Blake Griffin converts to send the Clippers into the break with the one point lead. Jump to late in this one...and the Cavaliers, with the lead...stretch it. Mo Williams, drills the triple to put Cleveland up 6, Williams in his first game in nearly a month. Dying seconds, the Clippers up two...when Williams steps up, drilling the jumper to tie it at 110 with with 6.3 seconds to play...Williams with 17 points and 14 assists The Clippers, with a chance to extend the losing streak of the Cavs wi...

Watch Video Play Video A star-studded field at the Dubai Desert Classic has set up a great weekend of golf in the Middle East. Some of the biggest names in the sport, in the hunt after two rounds of play at the Emirates Golf Club. But they are chasing the defending champion from Northern Ireland. The large Friday crowds in Dubai saw an outstanding day of golf. This birdie from Tiger Woods at the fourth was one of six birdies in his bogey-free round which also included this great approach into the sixth, one of the toughest holes on the course. Woods carded a seven under 66...moving him four off the pace heading into the weekend. Tiger Woods said, "I hit the ball better today, felt like I had more control over my shots, more control of my trajectory today. We had some clean greens, which was nice. The greens were perfect this morning so I think all of us made a few more putts." South Africa's Thomas Aiken, who has had a consistent season, was also going along well. A...

Watch Video Play Video A budding international soccer star is setting down in China. Brazilian forward Cleo signed a four-year contract with Guangzhou Evergrande Football Club, on a transfer fee of 3-million, 200-thousand euros. That's a new record in the history of the Chinese professional league. The club's coach and team officials introduced the 25-year-old striker, who scored 10 goals in 12 matches in the European Champions League. Cleo helped Serbia's Partizan qualify for the group stage.He scored two goals in two matches against English Premier League giant Arsenal. That made him attractive to some of the better outfits in the Premier League, Ligue 1 and Lega Calcio. But the Chinese club won the tag of war. International soccer star Cordova Cleverson Gabriel Cleo the second one from the leftis setting down in China. "Thank you for the support from the media and fans.I think the system here in Chinese football shares some similarities with clubs in Europe, a...

Watch Video Play Video Former Olympic 110 metres hurdles champion Liu Xiang says he's ready to challenge for the world title later this year despite finishing third in Dusseldorf, Germany. Liu came in at 7.60 seconds in the 60m hurdles race behind Czech Petr Svoboda and American Kevin Craddock who both clocked 7.57. Liu Xiang says he's now looking forward to the world championships in Daegu, South Korea. The 2004 Athens Olympic champion has also set his sights on an Olympic title in London next year. World record holder Dayron Robles earlier pulled out of the event due to a thigh injury sustained in Stuttgart the previous Saturday. Liu came in at 7.60 seconds in the 60m hurdles race behind Czech Petr Svoboda and American Kevin Craddock who both clocked 7.57. Related stories Liu Xiang ready for indoor season 2011-02-10 Liu Xiang leaves for German indoor tournament 2011-02-09 Liu Xiang wins special contribution award 2011-01-13 Liu Xiang heads! to U.S. for winter t...

Watch Video Play Video Green Bay Packers fans rejoiced one more time with their Super Bowl champions on Tuesday during a frigid ceremony to welcome the Lombardi Trophy back to the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field after a 14-year absence. The celebration capped a party that has been going non-stop in Green Bay since Sunday, when the Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 to win their fourth Super Bowl title and first since 1997. Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers The ceremony shone a spotlight on the decades-old love affair between the team and the NFL's smallest-market city. Veteran wide receiver Donald Driver, who injured an ankle in the Super Bowl and couldn't finish the game, was given a standing ovation before saying anything to the crowd. Driver told fans from a stage in the center of the field that "The Lombardi trophy is back where it belongs." Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback for the Packers and the Green Bay faithful ignored the freezing te...

Watch Video Play Video Liu Xiang starts his journey of the new season, arriving in Germany for two stages of indoor 60M hurdles competition, right after a short period of training. It's 8:30 in a sunny Shanghai morning, when Liu Xiang shows up riding comfortably on his bicycle. He arrives at the Shenzhuang Training Base for yet another day of hard training, looking at ease, but determined. The World Indoor Championship is days ahead for the Asian Games defending champion. Coach Sun Haiping, having finished directing the other team members, starts his "special care" for Liu Xiang along with the team doctor. Before soon, the look on Liu Xiang's face was changed. "From the recent observation, after his foot injury there has been pretty much lack of training in two areas, which are the specific skills and the specific strength. Those are being added on since the start of this winter training. With the two areas made up, I think it's likely for a good level ...