Briefs | Table Tennis: Ding Ning wins gold in all-China women’s table

In another Chinese duel, Ding Ning ended up with Olympic gold. Ding beat teammate Li Xiaoxia in the women’s table tennis final yesterday [Macau time], reversing the result from four years ago. When the 26-year-old Ding lost to Li in the final at the 2012 London Games, she broke down in tears. In Rio de Janeiro, there were tears again as she dropped to her knees in celebration. The tense match, which came down to a deciding seventh game, was filled with long rallies, lighting quick smashes, looping topspin forehands and stretching defensive saves — all signs that these two players have spent many, many hours playing together over the years.

Swimming: Ledecky wins 3rd gold medal

Katie Ledecky was the fastest swimmer in the pool, and she brought her American teammates along for the ride. The 19-year-old turned in another overpowering performance to carry the United States to victory in the 4 x 200-meter freestyle relay, capturing her third gold and fourth medal overall at the Rio Olympics. The U.S. trailed through the first three legs of the race, as Sweden, China and then Australia swapped the top spot. Then, it was Ledecky’s turn on the anchor leg. She blew everyone away. Ledecky turned in a split of 1 minute, 53.74 seconds, which was nearly 2.5 seconds faster than her next-fastest teammate, Allison Schmitt in 1:56.21. Only one other swimmer in the race, Australia’s Emma McKeon, got within a second of Ledecky’s four-lap time.

Basketball: US men’s team gets tested, beats Australia 98-88

The blowouts are over. The Olympics are underway. After nothing but pushovers this summer, the U.S. men’s basketball team faced someone who pushed back. “This is the real world now and that’s good for us,” coach Mike Krzyzewski said. Finally tested, Carmelo Anthony and Kyrie Irving had the answers. Anthony scored 31 points on the night he became the U.S. men’s Olympic career scoring leader, combining with Irving for all the Americans’ baskets in the fourth quarter of a 98-88 victory over Australia yesterday [Macau time].