Chan and Hall earn invites to Singapore

Hong Kong's Tiffany Chan and England's Georgia Hall have been awarded sponsor invitations to compete in next month's HSBC Women's World Championship.

The pair of golfers will join a strong field, which includes the top three players in the world - China's Feng Shanshan and Korean duo Park Sung Hyun and Ryu So Yeon, in the tournament at Sentosa Golf Club from March 1 to 4.

Chan, 24, represented Hong Kong at the 2016 Olympic Games and is the first Hong Konger to qualify for the LPGA Tour. Hall, 21, was the 2013 winner of the British Ladies Amateur Golf Championship before turning professional the following year.

Barca's draw lets Atletico close gap

BARCELONA • Spanish LaLiga leaders Barcelona failed to break down Getafe in a dull 0-0 draw on Sunday, leaving the Catalan giants seven points clear at the top of the table with 59.

After second-placed Atletico Madrid won at Malaga on Saturday, Barca's draw means Diego Simeone's side have eaten into their lead by two points.

Valencia beat local rivals Levante 3-1 on Sunday to end a six-game losing streak in all competitions and go third in the football league standings on 43 points, one ahead of Real Madrid.

REUTERS

Serena loses on return although US progress

LOS ANGELES • Serena Williams lost her first official tennis match since maternity leave, as she and older sister Venus were beaten in a doubles dead rubber by the Netherlands in the Fed Cup in Asheville, North Carolina, on Sunday.

The 36-year-old American, who gave birth to her first child last September and had not played a competitive match since her triumph at last year's Australian Open, showed glimpses of her prowess and rust during the 2-6, 3-6 loss to doubles specialist Demi Schuurs and world No. 165 Lesley Kerkhove.

The US, who are defending champions, won the first-round tie 3-1 and will face France in the semi-finals in April.

REUTERS