On Thursday, they were overrun by the group leaders French at the Stade de France in their heaviest defeat for more than half a century. NAME AND FAME The Japanese media is as meticulous in its preparation as Nozomi Okuhara was in winning her title. Sharapova, the champion in New York in 2006, returned from a 15-month doping ban in April but was refused a wildcard for the French Open while injury ruled her out of Wimbledon. The contest was 25-year-old Zhang’s best showing against the tournament’s top seed but she is now winless in five matches against Pliskova. Coach Slavoljub Muslin’s preferred 3-4-3 formation pinned the Moldovans back from the start an. THE FANTOM CHAMPS Tai Tzu Ying is missed at the World Championships — when she chose to play the World Universiade. On Friday, many booed off their own team at half time and others left before the late glut of goals. Asked whether the think-tank asked feedback from players on Oltmans, Govinda said senior players had vouched for more involvement in team planning and strategy. ’ She ended with a surprise bronze — though neither the city, nor Kiran are particularly surprised. Tell him to gain strength but not at the cost of his footwork,” says Chris Pang of Malaysia.