China :: Sports Extra

Watch Video Play Video Still on the women's side, Serena Williams continued her quest to repeat as champion. But she fell short against the number nine seed, Marion Bartoli, in a last 16 clash. The Italian took the first set 6-3 with an ace. Williams and Bartoli slugged it out in a match full of powerful baseline rallies, but it was Bartoli who had the edge over an opponent she had never beaten before. The underdog Bartoli came out on top after a second set tie-break. Williams could not return the heavy serve and her run at Wimbledon was over. It is only the fourth time the women's defending champion has failed to make it to the quarter-finals in the Open era. Venus Williams slumps to Pironkova Five-time champion Venus Williams followed younger sister Serena out of Wimbledon. She was outplayed by Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova for the second year in a row. The American came in seeded only 23rd after missing most of the year because of injury. Venus failed to catch fire...

Watch Video Play Video It's listed as a basketball friendly on the books, but it's all serious business on the court between China and Australia. The two national men's teams faced off for the second time in Singapore. Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian were not in the lineup for China. Australia looked for two straight after a close win in Perth on Friday. Australia jumped out to an early double-digit lead in game two. Captain David Barlow hit the second of his two first quarter three pointers. But the Chinese got untracked in the second quarter. They cut the Australia lead to nine, Zhou Peng drove the baseline, got the basket and foul. Australia's Barlow tried to stifle China's comeback. He hit another three to make it 32-26 Boomers at the break. In the fourth quarter, Yi Li drove to the hoop and drew the foul. He cut the China deficit to four. The Chinese side scored twelve straight points. But the Aussies' Ben Madgen put an end to China's run. He drained a t...

Watch Video Play Video We turn our attention to the NBA and the league's annual entry draft, where the Cleveland Cavaliers held the top pick. As you can tell the team fell on hard times after losing LeBron James to free agency in the offseason. And who would the team take to begin the rebuilding process? Plenty of questions surround the Duke point guard though. He only played 11 games in his only college season because of a toe injury. But he says he has no health concerns and is looking forward to helping his new team. So after Irving went number one, the Timberwolves selected Arizona power forward Derrick Williams. Utah took the first European, Enes Kanter third. Cleveland was up again at four and took Canadian Tristan Thompson from the University of Texas, leaving the Toronto Raptors to choo-choo-choose Jonas Valanciunas. The Washington Wizards then grabbed Jan Vesely sixth. Sacramento would take Bismack Biyambo seventh -- but would deal him in a complex three way deal lat...

Watch Video Play Video The NHL season wrapped up last week, but there was one more bit of business to take care of before the start of next season. The league held its annual end-of-the- season award ceremony. Vancouver's Daniel Sedin was trying to complete an unprecedented MVP double after his twin brother and team-mate Henrik took the honour last year. But it was not to be. Anaheim Ducks forward Corey Perry crashed the Sedins' party, winning the Hart Trophy. Perry scored a league-best 50 goals and surged to the season goals title, racking-up 19 in his final 16 games. Anaheim moved up from 11th to fourth in the Western Conference standings during that stretch. Corey Perry said, "Wow, I didn't expect this, but, I mean, like I said earlier, I can't do it without my team-mates and my line-mates. I got to thank my parents, everybody that came out with me. You know, we're going to have fun and we're going to enjoy this together. Thank you." Apart fro...

Watch Video Play Video China's Zheng Jie defeated Zuzana Ondraskova of the Czech Republic in straight sets. They played a close first set before Zheng won it 7-5. Then she rolled through the second for a decisive 6-0 count. The unseeded Chinese player joined compatriot and French Open champion Li Na in the second round. V. Williams labors through Date-Krumm In another match, five-time champion Venus Williams faced a tough challenge from her second round opponent Kimiko Date-Krumm of Japan. They put on a compelling 3-set show under the roof at Centre Court. Williams and the 40-year-old Date-Krumm duelled for two hours and 56 minutes in a see-saw battle that featured great shot-making from both players. Williams relied on her big serve at the key moments to overcome the Japanese player, who became the oldest woman to reach the Wimbledon second round in the Open era since Martina Navratilova. Williams rallied from a set down to knock out Date-Krumm 6-7, 6-3, 8-6. Nadal breezes p...

Watch Video Play Video Following the match our correspondent Richard Bestic caught up with Li Na who says she is more confident than ever at the moment. Related stories Li Na dispatches Kudryavtseva 6-3, 6-3 at Wimbledon 2011-06-22 Wimbledon challenge for Li Na 2011-06-22 Li Na breezes into second round at Wimbledon 2011-06-22 Federer encourages Li Na for Wimbledon 2011-06-20 Editor: Liu Fang | Source: CNTV.CN

In keeping with tradition, the defending men's champion played the first match on Center Court and top-ranked Spaniard Rafael Nadal put on a worthy performance for the start of the 125th edition of the Wimbledon championships. Up against the 91st-ranked American Michael Russell, Nadal, coming off his sixth French Open title and 10th overall Grand Slam championship, double-faulted to go down a break 4-2 in the first set. But he then ran off six straight games to take the set and go up a break in the second. Nadal was in total command the rest of the way against Russell, taking it 3-0. Nadal advances to next round 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 V. Williams beat Amanmuradova 6-3, 6-1 In the women's singles, Venus Williams, who returned to action at Eastbourne last week after an injury lay-off of nearly five months, looked right at home as she beat Uzbek Akgul Amanmuradova 6-3, 6-1. Willliams took the game with her hard-hitting all-court game. She served seven aces, broke four times and had 2...

Watch Video French Open runner-up Francesca Schiavone's tussle with Jelena Dokic was poised at one set all when the weather halted the contest. Related stories Backgrounder: Wimbledon: oldest tennis tournament in the world 2011-06-20 Federer seeking 7th Wimbledon title 2011-06-20 Li Na faces potential challenges in Wimbledon 2011-06-20 Federer encourages Li Na for Wimbledon 2011-06-20 Editor: Liu Fang | Source: CNTV.CN

Li Na's first Grand Slam title for China and Asia marks a milestone in tennis history. She has become the sports face of China. She is currently ranked World No. 4 by WTA. Starting with her run to the finals at the Australian Open to her victory at the French, Li will start her Wimbledon journey on Tuesday. Li Na is the leading figure of Chinese tennis, and is setting new marks every time she takes the court. In 2011 Australian Open, where she started out as the 9th seed, Li became the first Chinese player to make it all the way to a Grand Slam final. Despite being the runner-up, Li Na's ranking rose to a career high of number 7 in the world. And this summer more glory comes, Asia's newest sports superstar grabbed the spotlight in Paris. She defeated defending champion Francesca Schiavone in the women's singles final. The 29-year-old won the first Major tournament title for China and Asia, and realized a dream come true on the red clay of Roland Garros. The French...

Watch Video Play Video As you know Dallas is still in full celebration mode after winning their first ever NBA Championship. During the week we showed you the street parade in front of an estimated crowd of two hundred thousand. We also showed you an emotional Dirk Nowitzki celebrating both his Most Valuable Player of the Finals award and his birthday, but what we didn't show you was this. Dallas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki (C) mimics teammate shooting guard Jason Terry (L) by impersonating his 'jet on the runway' gesture as point guard Jason Kidd waves to fans as they ride on a float during a parade to celebrate their NBA championship in Dallas, Texas June 16, 2011. Dallas defeated the Miami Heat to win the 2011 NBA title. REUTERS/Mike Stone Dirk Nowitzki, NBA Finals MVP said "(singing)We are the champions...Thank you!!!" Editor: Xiong Qu | Source: CNTV.CN

Watch Video Play Video Today marks the one month countdown to the opening of the FINA World Championships in Shanghai. Here's more on how Chinese national swimming, synchronized swimming and water polo teams are gearing up for the event. The national swimmers are now attending a training camp in Beijing, after completing an intense physical workout. The team is spending its entire day training in the pool. According to the squad's schedule, the closed-door training will continue for three weeks before the swimmers head to Shanghai. Asian Games Champion Sun Yang, together with Olympic silver medalist and World Champion Zhang Lin, will be leading the men's side for China. Sun expressed his excitement about the upcoming tournament. Sun Yang said, "I feel everyone, including my coach, expect a lot out of me. They hope I can produce good results. But I'm not worried or pressured, because I believe I have the potential to win. I will try my hardest in every single ...

Watch Video Play Video To the major leagues now and the Washington Nationals welcomed back injured All-Star third baseman Ryan Zimmerman for their game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The slugger had missed 58 games because of a torn abdominal muscle. We pick things up in the 7th inning and the Nationals down 6-2. Ryan Zimmerman would make his presence felt, picking up a run-scoring double off reliever Miguel Batista to cut the deficit to 6-3. It is 6-4 now with Danny Espinosa at the dish, he scores Zimmerman with an RBI a single to trim the lead to 6-5. Same score and Trever Miller on in relief for the Cards. But he uncorks a wild pitch to pinch-hitter Ivan Rodriguez, allowing the tying run to score. The Cards bullpen had given up the lead and Jason Motte came in and did not help matters. He walked pinch-hitter Laynce Nix as the Nationals take their first lead of the game at 7-6. Jayson Werth would drive in another run as Washington scores 6 runs in the seventh inning en route ...

Watch Video Play Video With Wimbledon starting on Monday the draw is scheduled to take place in two days time but today the seedings were announced with Serena Williams being given a huge boost - she's seeded eight despite her current world ranking of 26. Organizers say it's in keeping with her previous record at the tournament where between her and sister Venus they've won 9 of the last 11 Wimbledon titles. She's out of match practice though and augers well for the recently crowned French Open Champion, Li Na of China, seeded fourth. The top four seedings are the same as the current world rankings. And on the men's side, defending champion Rafael Nadal is seeded No. 1, followed by Novak Djokovic at No. 2. This is the first time in eight years that Roger Federer is not in the top two, bumped down to 3 this year and the eternal local hope Andy Murray is seeded 4th. Related stories Clijsters doubtful for Wimbledon after ankle injury in UNICEF Open 2011-06-15 T...

Watch Video Play Video The top teams are defined by their ability to win the close games. The Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees found themselves battling in a tense, one-run contest at Yankee Stadium on Monday. Indians starter Carlos Carrasco worked himself out of a bases loaded jam with nobody out in the bottom of the first inning. New York led off the inning with an infield hit, but Yankee captain Derek Jeter was left stranded at third. Cleveland's Asdrubal Cabrera hit an RBI single to left field off Yankees starter A-J Burnett in the fourth inning. Michael Brantley led off the 4th with a triple and he came in to score. The Indians held on to beat the Yankees 1-0. Detroit beats Tampa Bay 2-1 In other action, the Detroit Tigers took on the Tampa Bay Rays. Victor Martinez gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead in the 5th inning. His hit plated Brennan Boesch from second base. Rays starter Alex Cobb went 5-and-two-third innings. He allowed a run on eight hits, walked two and struck o...

Zhang Jilong is getting down to work as the acting president of the Asian Football Confederation, in Kuala Lumpur. He talked about his feelings on being the first Chinese to have the job, and gave a CCTV correspondent in the Malaysian capital a preview of what he hopes to do in the position. The 59-year-old Zhang is a highly respected and well-known sports administrator. He's served in several key positions in his AFC career, which spans 30 years. Zhang served as the Director of the Sports Department at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He was also a member of the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee. Exclusive interview: AFC acting Pres. Zhang Jilong With Asian Football Confederation head Mohammed bin Hammam at the center of the FIFA scandal, China's Zhang Jilong has been named Acting President of the AFC. Full story>> Zhang Jilong is AFC Acting President Asian Football Confederation President Mohamed bin Hammam was one of the biggest names singled out. His s...

Watch Video Play Video China's French Open champion Li Na will make her switch from clay to grass in the 2011 AEGON International tennis tournament. And Serena and Venus Williams hope their return from long-term injuries runs smoothly in the quaint English coastal town of Eastbourne this week. The 2011 AEGON International is regarded as a chance for players to gain some last minute experience on grass before they head to the Wimbledon Championships, which begin in just under a week's time. Fresh from an overwhelming victory at the 2011 French Open, China's Li Na is a favorite in the women's draw. Li said, "I think because after (the French Open) win I needed time to just calm down a little bit because the French Open is not the last tournament for the whole year so I still have to prepare Wimbledon and the next tournament and I have like... at the beginning of the year after Melbourne (Australian Open) I have to go back to China and so many things come that I...

The Los Angeles Dodgers on the road in Colorado to take on the Rockies. Both these teams, looking to keep pace with the NL West leading San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers and Giants came into this one 5.5 back. Bottom of one, Colorado gets on the board in a big way. Seth Smith, gets all of the Rubby De La Rosa offering, the three run bomb to right, makes it 3-0. Smith's sixth home run of the season. Top three, and Rockies starter Ubaldo Jimenez, with the bases loaded, get's touched up by James Loney. This one, just has enough to get out for the grand slam, and the Dodgers, on top 4-3 with just one swing of the bat. Top five, more from the LA bats. This time, it's Rod Barajas with the solo home run to straightaway center. Barajas, making it 7-3 Dodgers. Bottom seven, the Rockies made things interesting. Down 9-5, Colorado slugger Troy Tuliwitzki hammers the Ramon Troncoso offering a long way to left center, and it's now a two run ballgame. Same deficit, bottom nineb...

Watch Video Play Video The London Olympics Games will begin on July 27th next summer. As a crucial member of London's Olympic bid team for the Games, David Beckham was in London on Monday to nominate an Olympic torch bearer. Beckham announced that 18 year old Gabriella Roseje from London was his nomination to be one of the torch bearers in the lead up to the Olympic Games. Beckham said he was excited about the Olympics coming to London, where he was born and brought up. The former England captain also said that it was "one of the most rewarding things" of his career to be part of the bid team. He said, "I was very sceptical of it at first because I had never competed in the Olympics, I'm a football player at the end of the day. To be part of a team that was trying to bring the Olympics to our country, let alone somewhere where I grew up, I was very honoured and flattered with that and the moment, as you've seen on the screen, the moment we got the Olymp...

Watch Video Play Video And we hit the sand now for the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour, which is being held in Beijing this weekend. China's Zhang Xi and Xue Chen took on the Czech pair of Hana Klapalova and Lenka Hejeckova with a spot into the last eight on the line. This is the first time the Chinese capital has had an international beach volleyball tournament since the 2008 Olympic Games. The first set was very close and was tied at 14-all. But the Chinese pair would take control of the frame and go on to a 21-15 first set victory. Things were also close in the second set. With the Chinese pair doing a great job of defending. The duo's attacking skills were also very good and that helped them wrap up the second set 21-17 in only 35 minutes. With the win, Zhang and Xue moved into the last eight. Related stories Beach volleyball palyers battle heat 2011-06-08 China beats Dominican Republic 3-0 in international women's volleyball tournament 2011-06-03 Int'l Wom...

Watch Video Play Video The Dallas Mavericks, loaded with 30-somethings or late 30s, entertained the Miami Heat and the Big Three for the Game 5 of the series after tied it at 2-all. The Mavs looked to carry on their momentum they built in Game 2 and 4, taking a giant step towards their first NBA championship title. Late in the opening frame, Jason Terry to Tyson Chandler in the paint, who put in a bucket and drained foul, Dalls built up a narrow cushion. Mario Chalmers, however, was big, he hit a halfcourt buzzer beater, Miami had one point lead at the end of the quarter. Chris Bosh drained a three point play on a layup, Miami stayed in the game, as both sides traded leads. Dirk Nowitzki, who battled through a flu, hit a textbook jumper, making it 2 point game. Dallas shot 60 percent through three quarters. Dirk again, turned and laid in a bucket after dancing through the defence, Dallas regained 2 point lead. June 9: Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki drives past Miami Heat...

Watch Video Game 2 of the women's basketball series between China and Cuba got underway at Lvliang city in Shandong province on Monday afternoon. Related stories Brazilian basketball legend Schmidt released after brain tumor removed 2011-06-03 Chinese premier joins pupils' basketball training, calls for sports activities for children 2011-06-01 Greek basketball team Panathinaikos win EuroLeague Final Four tournament 2011-05-09 Franca advances to semifinals of Brazilian basketball league 2011-04-29

Watch Video NBA Finals: Heat edges Mavs, lead series 2-1 Related stories NBA Finals Game 1: Heat top Mavs 92-84 2011-06-02 Miami Heat beat Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of NBA finals 2011-06-01 NBA Finals Game 1: Miami Heat topple Dallas Mavericks, 92-84 2011-06-01

Watch Video Play Video Rafael Nadal sealed a record-equaling French Open title for the sixth time with a 7-5, 7-6, 5-7, 6-1 win over Roger Federer on Sunday, to continue his dominance on clay. The victory leveled the Spaniard with Bjorn Borg, for the " most men's singles titles" at Roland Garros, while it also made sure he would remain ranked as the world number one. This was a classic duel between two of the greatest players the world has ever seen. Rafael Nadal of Spain holds the trophy during the awarding ceremony for the men's final in the French Open tennis championship at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris June 5, 2011. Nadal claimed the title by defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland with 3-1. (Xinhua/Xu Liang) Like so many of their epic matches over the years, this was another one full of exhilarating rallies and spellbinding winners, but the "King of Clay" Rafael Nadal deservedly prevailed. Nadal strategically played to Federer's backhand ...

Watch Video Play Video American David Oliver avenged a May loss to former Olympic and world champion Liu Xiang of China with a 2011-leading time of 12.94 seconds in the 110 meters hurdles at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League Meet on Saturday. Liu came second in 13 seconds flat with American Aries Merritt third in 13.18. Liu, the former world record holder, appeared to take advantage of his new starting technique to take the early lead over Oliver. By the third hurdle, however, the American record was in command. Liu, who his coach says still feels foot pain from a 2008 surgery, had beaten Oliver by clocking 13.07 seconds in Shanghai to snap the American's 18 race win streak. Liu said he is happy with his time, but expressed disappointment with his finish. American David Oliver avenged a May loss to former Olympic and world champion Liu Xiang of China with a 2011-leading time of 12.94 seconds in the 110 meters hurdles at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League Meet on Satu...

Watch Video Play Video Li Na has reached her second straight major championship final by beating Maria Sharapova on Thursday at the French Open. As she warms up for the final, we take a look at her chances. Li Na has reached her second straight major championship final by beating Maria Sharapova on Thursday at the French Open. As she warms up for the final, we take a look at her chances. Li Na has reached her second straight major championship final by beating Maria Sharapova on Thursday at the French Open. As she warms up for the final, we take a look at her chances. More... Li Na: The new brand for sports China 2011-06-04 Li Na on clay: She gets better 2011-06-04 Dream run: Li Na needs one more step to reach her goal 2011-06-04 The final countdown: Li Na is reday 2011-06-04 Editor: Du Xiaodan | Source: CNTV.CN