Day 3: Australia turn up the heat; Canada shows medal potential

SYDNEY (Australia) - Australia turned up the dial to move towards the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Quarter-Finals, while flawless Canada are in the last eight after another classy showing. 

Bitter-Sweet for the Opals

Australia showed their teeth with their most impressive display of the tournament so far as they claimed an eye-catching 69-54 victory against Serbia. Playing in front of another huge crowd at the Sydney Superdome, the triumph propelled them a little closer to  the last eight of the competition, but the shine was taken off the result due to an injury to Bec Allen. Named the TCL Player of the Game after amassing 16 points and 5 rebounds, the forward sustained a rib injury and the Opals are now sweating on her availability. 

Flawless Canada looking podium-worthy

Canada are still unbeaten after they collected their third Group B win in a row with a real statement of intent against Japan. They recorded a 68-51 victory to take a Quarter-Finals ticket and show that they might be worthy contenders for a medal. Bridget Carelton showed out with 19 points as Canada put on another defenisve master class.

Kone's amazing double-double gives France a scare 

France improved to 2-1 and bounced back from their big loss to Canada, by beating Mali 74-59, but it was more tricky than the result would suggest thanks to a stunning double-double from Sika Kone. The young Mali powerhouse finished the contest with a brilliant double-double of 18 points and 18 boards. She fell just one board short of equalling the All-Time rebounding record. 

USA into the last eight but China show potential

Reigning champions USA were the first to punch their ticket for the Quarter-Finals as they moved to 3-0 in Group A with a 77-63 win against China. A'Ja Wilson made her first appearance and was a difference-maker defensively and also contributing 20 points and 8 rebounds. The game was played out in front of an incredible near 10,000 fans, the majority of which were supporting China, who despite the loss, showed enough to suggest they might be able to live up to expectation and continue moving towards the podium.

Record-Breaker Kang ends 12-year wait for Korea

The new all-time efficiency record is now held by Leeseul Kang of Korea. Her spectacular 7 triples fuelled a 37 points performance in a 99-66 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Korea last won a game in the competition way back in 2010, so the victory was long overdue.

Relieved Belgium almost undone by red-hot Guirantes

Having won a bronze medal at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket last year and after reaching the Quarter-Finals of the Olympics in Tokyo, Belgium came with big hopes and almost found themselves 1-2 rather than 2-1. They only just pipped Puerto Rico 68-65, thanks mainly to Kyara Linskens and her massive 24 points and 13 boards - plus a best ever 11 assists for Emma Meeseman. But the Cats probably left the court with more questions than answers after they almost suffered a loss in the wake of Arella Guirantes and her brilliant 27 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals.

FIBA