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Ira Gorawara

In the wake of a night forever etched in Asian history, Hong Kong and China fans can finally breathe a little, although if tennis is your thing then there is a storming men’s singles final to look forward to.
But we doubt we are the only ones still recovering from Zheng Qinwen’s battering of Donna Vekic, so a bit of a snoozy Sunday ticks the boxes.
And away from the latest instalment of the rivalry between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, today’s agenda is more of about enjoying the Olympic classics than anything else.
So here are five things coming up today we think you should know about, with all times noted in Hong Kong time, as always.
Shuttling to glory

Adding some feathered fun to your weekend, badminton women’s singles and men’s singles semi-final matches start at 2.30pm today.
And unlike yesterday, there won’t be gold medal lock-ins in what were family affairs. Today’s line-up features no-holds-barred epics in a battle of global talent.
He Bingjiao, the world No 9, is China’s last hope of winning singles gold, with the world No 4 Carolina Marin, of Spain, standing in the way.
In the men’s doubles, Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang will square off against Chinese Taipei’s Lee Yang and Wang Chi-Lin at 10.10pm for all the marbles.
A ping pong pandemonium
Fan Zhendong’s love for Taylor Swift is now well-known, but he’s trading his ‘Swiftie’ fan gear for his Olympic kit in a battle for gold hardware, against the conqueror of world No 1 Wang Chuqin.
But don’t let Truls Moregard’s world No 26 ranking fool you, the Swede has broken a 24-year streak as the first non-Asian to reach the event’s final.
The pair begin their respective bids for gold at 8.30pm in what promises to be a rally royale.
Twisting, turning to gold

It’s the second-straight night of a triple dosage for gymnastics enthusiasts.
The men on rings, women on bars, and finally men on vault go from 9pm at Bercy Arena.
China are the only nation doubling down on their medal hopes on the rings, with Zou Jingyuan and Liu Yang both vying for a place on the podium.
There is no Simone Biles tonight, which means someone else gets to win for a change. China’s Zhang Yihan and Qiu Qiyuan will launch their routines sometime after 9:40pm.
Speed demons
If Asia’s fastest man had pushed off the blocks 0.001 seconds faster, he’d be in the running to grab the medal all track athletes want.
As it is, Xie Zhenye missed the 100-metre final cut by a hair’s breadth, meaning he too will have to watch the likes of Marcell Jacobs and Noah Lyles haring down the track at at 3.50am.
The Olympic 100m dash is a quadrennial crown jewel of speed, so this one’s worth sprinting out of bed for.
Green jackets go for gold

The final round of the men’s golf begins at 3pm, and if you didn’t already know – because who really watches Olympic golf – global sensations including Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm are all bidding for gold.
China’s Dou Zecheng and Yuan Yechun will also swing their way around Le Golf National.
It could be a putt or a drive to the podium, but hopefully it’s a good cap to the weekend.


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Paris Olympics: Novak Djokovic, Noah Lyles chase gold – 5 things to know for day 9

Noah Lyles (centre) is among the ones to watch in the men’s 100m final later today. Photo: AP

He Bingjiao competes during the women’s singles quarter-final against compatriot Chen Yufei. Photo: Xinhua

Yihan Zhang performs on the vault during the women’s artistic gymnastics team finals. Photo: AP Photo

Xander Schauffele tees off on 16 during the third round of the men’s gold. Photo: EPA-EFE

Paris Olympics: swimmer Leon Marchand’s formula for success copied by Hong Kong cyclists

Leon Marchand of France collects gold for the 200 metres individual medley. Photo: Reuters

Ceci Lee of Hong Kong is preparing to cycle in the omnium event in the Paris velodrome. Photo: Dickson Lee

Ceci Lee (front) will ride in the road race before turning her attention to the track. Photo: Eugene Lee

Paris Olympics: Siobhan Haughey hails ‘legend’ Stephanie Au for her fifth and final Games

Siobhan Haughey (third from right) praised the longevity of Stephanie Au (far right) in swimming in five Games. Photo: Reuters

Stephanie Au goes first for Hong Kong in the women’s 4x100m medley relay. Photo: SF&OC

(From left) Stephanie Au, Natalie Kan, Tam Hoi-lam and Siobhan Haughey after their race. Photo: Mike Chan

While you were sleeping: 5 things to know after Zheng’s Olympic gold and Ledecky’s ninth

Zheng Qinwen celebrates with a Chinese flag after winning gold. Photo: Reuters

Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia (centre) wins the 100m final ahead of Sha’Carri Richardson (left). Photo: AP

Rhys McClenaghan of Ireland in full flight in the men’s pommel horse final. Photo: Reuters

Katie Ledecky (left) celebrates with Australia’s Ariarne Titmus after winning the 800m freestyle final. Photo: AFP

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Athletics

The rivalry between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz is a good appetiser to the first among equals of Olympic events, the men’s 100m


The rivalry between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz is a good appetiser to the first among equals of Olympic events, the men’s 100m.


ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals)

Novak Djokovic

Fan Zhendong

Noah Lyles

Paris Olympics: Novak Djokovic, Noah Lyles chase gold – 5 things to know for day 9

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}The rivalry between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz is a good appetiser to the first among equals of Olympic events, the men’s 100m

Shuttling to glory

The rivalry between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz is a good appetiser to the first among equals of Olympic events, the men’s 100m