Digest

BADMINTON

Early exit hits Lin's Tokyo 2020 hopes

Lin Dan's hopes of qualifying for next year's Tokyo Olympics suffered a fresh blow on Wednesday after the veteran crashed out of the Malaysian Masters at the first hurdle.

China's two-time Olympic champion, who is currently ranked 12th in the world, had enjoyed success in the capital Kuala Lumpur last year by winning the Malaysian Open, but failed to rediscover that form as he lost a close contest to Denmark's world No 29 Jan O Jorgensen, 21-19, 21-18, at Axiata Arena.

Despite Lin's loss, there was plenty for China to cheer about in other first-round matches.

In the men's singles, Chen Long demolished Son Wan-ho of South Korea 21-16, 21-14. Shi Yuqi knocked out Wang Tzu-wei of Chinese Taipei 21-12, 22-20, Lu Guangzu beat Hans-Kristian Solberg Vittinghus of Denmark 21-11, 18-21, 21-16, while Huang Yuxiang downed Indonesia's Anthony Sinisuka Ginting 21-16, 22-20.

In the women's singles, China's world No 1 Chen Yufei took out Denmark's Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt 21-12, 20-22, 21-12.

WINTER OLYMPICS

Skater seriously injured in ceremony rehearsal

A female skater was severely injured after falling to the ice from a height of about five meters (16 feet) during a rehearsal for the opening ceremony of the Youth Winter Olympics in Lausanne, Swiss police said on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old Russian is in a serious condition in hospital, police in the canton (state) of Vaud said. An investigation into Tuesday's incident is being led by police in the city of Lausanne, where the third edition of the Winter Youth Olympics began on Thursday and will continue until Jan 22.

Police said the woman was being hoisted by a cable attached to the ceiling of a hockey stadium in Lausanne when she suddenly lost her balance and fell.

The inquiry will try to establish "the reasons, circumstances and possible responsibilities in this accident," police said.

The International Olympic Committee said in a statement a female performing artist was evacuated for treatment at a hospital in Lausanne, without detailing the incident.

SOCCER

Madrid-linked Mbappe coy over PSG future

French World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe brushed aside questions about his Paris Saint-Germain future on Wednesday, saying "it's not the time to make waves" over contract talks.

The 21-year-old striker, long linked with a move to Real Madrid, insisted his mind was only on helping PSG defend its Ligue 1 title and chase an elusive Champions League triumph.

"For now, I am ready to play football," Mbappe said after scoring in his team's 6-1 rout of Saint-Etienne in the quarterfinals of the French League Cup.

"It is January, it's the start of the final sprint where there are titles to play for. Therefore, it's not the moment to make waves."

Mbappe's current PSG deal runs until 2022. Recruited in the summer of 2017 for 180 million euros ($202 million) from Monaco, Mbappe is now estimated to be worth 265 million euros, according to the Swiss-based International Centre for Sports Studies.

TENNIS

Kvitova attacker has sentence extended

A man convicted of attacking Czech star Petra Kvitova has had his sentence increased to 11 years.

Zondra, 34, was last year convicted of causing severe bodily harm and given eight years in prison by a Czech regional court. At the plaintiff's request, an appeals court reclassified the crime to robbery and, on Wednesday, Olomouc High Court upped Radim Zondra's sentence to 11 years.

In December 2016, Zondra entered Kvitova's apartment under the false pretext of being a heating inspector. He attacked Kvitova and seriously cut her left, playing hand. Then he left with the money she offered him.

After the attack, double Wimbledon winner Kvitova underwent surgery on tendons in her fingers and nerves in her hand. She returned to competition in May 2017, at the French Open. The 29-year-old is currently ranked seventh in the world.

AWARD

Hosszu, Nadal named Europe's best athletes

Hungarian swimmer Katinka Hosszu, a three-time Olympic champion, was on Wednesday named European Sportswoman of 2019 by the International Sports Press Association.

It's the third time Hosszu has won the award following victories in 2016 and 2017. Italian skier Dorothea Wierer was second, with British world champion sprinter Dina Asher-Smith third in the vote by sports journalists.

Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal was voted the best European male athlete. After triumphs at Roland Garros and the US Open last year, the 19-time Grand Slam winner topped the poll for the second time after winning in 2008.

Portugal and Juventus soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo was second, with Britain's Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton third.

Xinhua - Agencies