U.S.A tops Greece atWorld Cup

The MVP was good. The USA was better.

And the Antetokounmpo getting talked about most by the Americans when this muchanticipated World Cup matchup was over wasn’t Giannis — but rather Thanasis, the younger brother, who sent U.S. forward Har r ison Barnes sprawling with an ill-advised foul from behind on a fast break in the final moments.

Barnes avoided injury, and the U.S. avoided defeat. Kemba Walker scored 15 points and handed out six assists, DonovanMitchell scored 10 on his 23rd birthday and the U.S. beat Greece 69-53 to move on the cusp of qualifying for the quarterfinals.

“We played well,” Walker said. “We had a great game plan and we stuck to it and we were able to come out with a big win.”

Tennis

WILLIAMS FALLS IN US OPEN FINAL >> First item Bianca Andreescu displayed the same brand of big-serving, big-hitting, in-your-face tennis that Serena Williams usually does. And now the 19-yearold from Canada is a Grand Slam champion, earning her first such title while preventing Williams from collecting a record-tying 24th. Andreescu took charge early in the U.S. Open final, going up by a set and two breaks, then held off a late charge by Williams to win 6-3, 7-5 for the championship Saturday night.

Minors

CLIPPERSADVANCE>> TripleColumbus defeated the Gwinnett Stripers in comeback fashion, 5- 4, taking the series 3-1. Columbus trailed, 4-3, from the fifth inning until the eighth. Connor Marabell doubled to score Mark Mathias and Ernie Clement to take a 5-4 lead and eventual win. Ka’ai Tom was a triple shy of hitting for the cycle. Jon Edwards earned the win. He threw 1 1/3 innings, surrendered no hits, runs or walks and struck out one. Josh D. Smith earned the save. He threw one-third of an inning and ended with a strikeout. Up next, the Clippers will play the Durham Bulls in the upcoming round.