American Caeleb Dressel (in pic) equalled the Olympics record in the men’s 100m butterfly heats and compatriot Katie Ledecky qualified fastest in the women’s 800m freestyle to set up another showdown with in-form Australian Ariarne Titmus. Riding on the adrenaline of his first individual Olympics gold medal earlier in the day in the 100m freestyle, Dressel advanced comfortably in the butterfly heats in a Games record of 50.39. Meanwhile, China gained their first gold with Zhang Yufei winning the women’s 200m butterfly, and then she returned to help her team beat the fancied Americans and Australians to win the 4x200 freestyle relay.

Pole vaulter Kendricks tests positive

American double world champion pole vaulter Sam Kendricks and rival German Chiaraviglio of Argentina were ruled out of the Olympics after testing positive for Covid-19, sending a chill through the Games as infections spiked again in the host city. Daily infections hit a record 3,865. Daily cases nationwide topped 10,000 for the first time, domestic media said.

Djokovic storms into semifinals

Novak Djokovic eased into the last-four with a commanding performance against Japan’s Kei Nishikori but world No. 2 Daniil Medvedev bowed out with a straight-set loss to Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta. Djokovic will next play Germany’s Alexander Zverev, who beat Frenchman Jeremy Chardy. Carreno Busta will face Karen Khachanov, who edged Frenchman Ugo Humbert. In the women’s final, Swiss Belinda Bencic will face Czech Marketa Vondrousova.

Chen keeps China’s perfect record intact

World No. 1 Chen Meng won the women’s singles table tennis final leading China to yet another incredible run of claiming every gold medal in Olympics history. Chen overcame compatriot Sun Yingsha 9-11 11-6 11-4 5-11 11-4 11-9. Agencies