Digest

VOLLEYBALL

Zhu adds another MVP award to collection

Zhu Ting was on Monday named the Chinese Women's Super League's Most Valuable Player for the 2019-20 season.

The superstar spiker claimed her first domestic top-flight crown last term with Tianjin Bohai Bank.

Zhu, who led China to gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and last year's World Cup in Japan, joined Tianjin in October from Turkish club Vakifbank Istanbul, where she amassed eight titles and was twice selected as MVP at the Club World Cup.

Tianjin's Li Yingying, Wang Yuanyuan and Yao Di were also included in the league's Team of the Year, taking the individual titles of Best Outside Hitter, Best Middle Blocker and Best Setter, respectively.

Beijing middle blocker Zhang Yu, Jiangsu opposite Gong Xiangyu and Guangdong libero Lin Li were also named in the Team of the Year.

The Coach of the Year award went to Tianjin's Wang Baoquan.

SOCCER

UEFA 'in hands of authorities' over virus

European soccer's governing body UEFA says decisions over whether to cancel matches－including playoffs for the upcoming Euro 2020 finals－due to the coronavirus will be made by governments and health authorities and not the game's ruling organizations.

UEFA executives met on Monday but spent only a few minutes discussing the spread of the flu-like disease, which has seen sporting events canceled around the world.

The outbreak has played havoc with domestic soccer in Italy where Sunday's clash between Juventus and Inter Milan was among six weekend games postponed. Last week, Inter played Bulgarian club Ludogorets in the Europa League behind closed doors at its San Siro stadium in Milan.

"We're in touch with the authorities, we're in the hands of the local authorities, and we'll deal with whatever they tell us," a UEFA spokesman said.

"There wasn't much discussion about it because there is not much we can do about it... it's in the hands of those people who are experts in the situation."

Arteta heaps praise on young Gunners

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he was happy to take the risk of playing his youngsters in the FA Cup after they helped seal a 2-0 victory at Portsmouth on Monday that secured a place in the quarterfinals of the competition.

Arteta made nine changes to the team that crashed out of the Europa League to Olympiakos last week. However, the Gunners were still too good for third-tier Portsmouth, as goals from Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Eddie Nketiah ensured progress.

"I'm pleased with all of them, the kids responded really well," Arteta said. "They fully deserve the chance...I don't know if it's risky to play them in this competition but they are worth a risk.

"I was looking at them in the 94th minute and they were still pressing and going and chasing. It's a joy and I'm really enjoying working with them.

"To come here with seven under-23 players and dominate completely is a bit unrealistic."

Victory against Portsmouth was soured by a leg injury to Uruguay midfielder Lucas Torreira, who left the Fratton Park pitch on a stretcher.

GOLF

Dustin decides to give Tokyo Olympics a miss

On the fence about the Olympics at the start of the year, Dustin Johnson has now decided he won't be going.

Johnson's manager said in a text message on Monday that the FedEx Cup playoffs hold as much importance to Johnson as chasing a gold medal in Tokyo this summer.

"I feel certain he would choose otherwise if the timing were different, but feels he is making the best decision under the circumstances," said David Winkle of Hambric Sports Management.

Johnson's name was removed from the Olympic golf ranking on Monday afternoon. At No 5 in the world ranking, he currently would have been No 3 among Americans behind Brooks Koepka and Justin Thomas. Countries are allowed a maximum of four players in golf provided they are among the top 15 in the world ranking.

Golfweek first reported Johnson's decision. Johnson was the leading American for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro when he decided at the last minute to withdraw because of concerns over the Zika virus.

TENNIS

Kunming Open called off due to coronavirus

The Kunming Open, scheduled to take place from April 27-May 3 in Anning, Yunnan province, has been canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak, the WTA has announced.

The women's clay-court event is the second 125K series tournament to be canceled because of the virus after the Xi'an Open, which was also scheduled for April.

"This decision has been made in the best interest of our players, tournament and WTA staff and fans. We look forward to competing in Anning in 2021 along with the 2020 WTA events that are scheduled to take place this fall," the WTA said.

Zhengzhou, Nanchang, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Beijing, Tianjin and Zhuhai are all set to host WTA events in September and October before the season-ending WTA Finals in Shenzhen from Nov 1-8.

"We continue to communicate with medical experts as information evolves on this virus and we will continue to remain vigilant in managing this challenging situation," said a WTA statement.

BASKETBALL

Miami does double over high-flying Bucks

The Miami Heat stand alone, the first team to beat the Milwaukee Bucks twice this season.

Jae Crowder and Jimmy Butler each scored 18 points, Goran Dragic added 15 and the Heat beat the Bucks 105-89 on Wednesday night－moving to 2-0 against the NBA's best team.

Bam Adebayo had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Heat, who improved to 39-22 and matched their win total from last season with 19 games remaining. "Collective effort," Crowder said. "All hands on deck."

It was a season-low in points for the Bucks, set for the second straight day after Milwaukee managed only 93 in a Sunday win at Charlotte. The difference was from the 3-point line: Miami was 18 for 37, Milwaukee was 7 for 34. "Not saying we can hold great offensive teams like this regularly under 90... but we have it in us to do it more consistently," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

Xinhua - Agencies