Ryan Lochte did it in the 200-meter backstroke and Rebecca Soni took the 200 breaststroke. Then Lochte faced a double-whammy -- another race 29 minutes later, and a foe named Phelps. He wound up with bronze, with the silver going to Hungary's Lazslo Cseh.
Soni beat Australia's Leisel Jones and took away the record Jones had held for 21/2 years, an eon considering how quickly standards are dropping at this meet.
TRACK AND FIELD: Tyson Gay coasted through two 100 meter preliminary heats, showing his left hamstring is just fine six weeks after hurting it at the U.S. Olympic trials.
World record-holder Usain Bolt and the guy he took it from, fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell, also advanced easily to the final 16. All three are expected to make today's final -- perhaps the most highly anticipated event of the 10-day track and field meet.
SOFTBALL: The U.S. women resumed a rain-stopped game against Canada, trailing 1-0. After being five outs from losing, they wound up winning by the lopsided score of 8-1.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: The U.S. women started slowly, then got clicking, pounding Spain 93-55. Tina Thompson scored nine of her 17 points during a game-breaking 20-5 run in the third quarter and Lisa Leslie added 14 points and 11 rebounds.
TENNIS: James Blake, the last U.S. hope left, lost to Chile's Fernando Gonzalez, who blew four match points before winning 6-4, 5-7, 11-9 in the semifinals.
Blake then accused Gonzalez of failing to concede a point with Gonzalez serving at 8-9 in the final set. On the first point, Blake hit a backhand passing shot long but contended the ball hit Gonzalez's racket before landing, as TV replays confirmed.
BASEBALL: The U.S. baseball team is in trouble. They fell to 1-2, lost a key player to an injury and have angered the mighty Cubans by accusing them of dirty play after losing to them 5-4 in 11 innings.
SHOOTING: The Emmons family picked up another medal. This time, it was American hubby Matt getting silver in the 50-meter prone. His wife, Katerina, who shoots for the Czech Republic, has a gold and a silver.
MEN'S VOLLEYBALL: U.S. coach Hugh McCutcheon rejoined his team today after missing the first three games because of an attack on his in-laws at a popular tourist site in Beijing.
McCutcheon's father-in-law, Todd Bachman, was fatally stabbed one week ago. His mother-in-law, Barbara Bachman, was badly wounded.
WOMEN'S SOCCER: Natasha Kai scored on a header in extra time, sending the defending champion Americans into the semifinals with a 2-1 victory over Canada.
