Digest

SOCCER

'Forza Wuhan!' as Inter shows support for China

Inter Milan showed its support for virus-hit China on Sunday as the Nerazzurri moved top of Serie A thanks to a 4-2 victory over AC Milan.

Inter players wore special patches on their shirts reading "Forza China!" (meaning Go China!) as a show of support to the country amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, which was first reported in Wuhan, Hubei province.

A message which read, "Today and always. Together as a team. Forza Wuhan!" was also displayed around the San Siro stadium.

"We're with you, stay strong! This will be Inter's message to the city of Wuhan and the entire Chinese population in this difficult time after the outbreak of the coronavirus epidemics," Inter president Steven Zhang said in a statement.

Inter, owned by Chinese retail giant Suning, leapfrogged Cristiano Ronaldo's Juventus on goal difference at the top of the standings thanks to second-half strikes from Marcelo Brozovic, Matias Vecino, Stefan de Vrij and Romelu Lukaku.

Milan had led 2-0 at the break through goals from Ante Rebic and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Bale returns as Madrid maintains La Liga lead

Gareth Bale returned to the team as La Liga leader Real Madrid came back to beat Osasuna 4-1 in Pamplona on Sunday.

Bale had been left out completely for Madrid's previous four matches but the Welshman returned to the squad and the starting XI at El Sadar, in a surprise show of faith from coach Zinedine Zidane.

A fortuitous deflection meant Bale assisted Isco's equalizer too before Sergio Ramos put Madrid in front after Unai Garcia had given Osasuna an early lead.

Substitutes Lucas Vazquez and Luka Jovic then scored from late breakaways as Real briefly pulled six points clear of Barcelona, which later reduced the gap back to three with a 3-2 win at Real Betis. "I'm pleased with all the players and what they're doing," said Zidane. "It's very good to stay in front."

Lionel Messi laid on a hat-trick of assists as Barca twice canceled out Betis leads to win through goals from Frankie de Jong, Sergio Busquets and Clement Lenglet.

TENNIS

Clijsters targets Dubai event for comeback

Four-time Grand Slam winner Kim Clijsters announced on Sunday she will return after seven years in retirement at the WTA tournament in Dubai starting on Feb 17.

The 36-year-old former world No 1, who hung up her racket after the 2012 US Open, said: "I am so thrilled to be returning to the court.

"I'm impatient to resume this sport which I love, in front of the fans."

The Belgian described as "extraordinary" the support and encouragement she has received after announcing her comeback plans in September.

Clijsters was originally scheduled to make her return at last month's Australian Open. A knee issue scuppered that plan, with Mexico in March then proposed as an alternative, before she accepted an invitation from the Dubai organizers.

Monfils ends year-long title drought in France

Frenchman Gael Monfils won his first title in a year on Sunday after claiming the Montpellier ATP tournament with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Canada's Vasek Pospisil.

The 33-year-old Monfils, who is ranked ninth in the world and was top seed at Montpellier, last won on the tour at Rotterdam last year but was too good for Pospisil, who is ranked 132nd.

"I think I was very solid and I'm really happy with how I managed the key moments," said Monfils.

This was a ninth career tournament win for Monfils and his third at Montpellier.

"It was a great week, I'm really happy to have won again in France," the Parisian added.

Pospisil's hopes of an upset literally took a tumble when he fell during the match, as he appeared to be playing with a leg injury.

BASKETBALL

Morant triple-double rouses Grizzlies to win

Ja Morant recorded his first career triple-double with 27 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds as the visiting Memphis Grizzlies rallied late to defeat the Washington Wizards 106-99 on Sunday.

Memphis scored 11 of the game's final 15 points after the two teams were deadlocked at 95. The Grizzlies trailed most of the night but Washington went cold in the final minutes, scoring just six points in the final 7:43.

Morant scored six of the 11 points in the final minutes. The rookie also had 17 of his 27 points in the second half as the Grizzlies tried a few times to rally before getting it done in the final minutes.

Both teams went cold in the second part of the fourth quarter but Memphis recovered enough to earn the win.

The Grizzlies have won three of their last four and seven of 10 games.

JUDO

Riner's epic unbeaten streak comes to end

One of sport's longest winning runs came to an end on Sunday when twotime Olympic and serial world champion Teddy Riner was beaten for the first time in over nine years.

After 154 successive wins, the 30-year-old Frenchman, who competes in the 100-kilogram heavyweight category, lost by ippon to Japan's Kokoro Kageura in the third round of the Paris Grand Slam.

Riner's last defeat was back in September 2010 when he was controversially beaten by another Japanese, Daiki Kamikaw, in the openweight final at the world championships in Tokyo. The defeat comes five months before the Tokyo Olympics when Riner will bid to emulate lightweight judoka Tadahiro Nomura in winning gold at three successive Games.