Thursday at the Games

Tennis

Roger Federer and the Williams sisters also know what it's like to be the unquestioned best in the world. However, none will be going home with a singles title. Federer was knocked out by American James Blake, Serena Williams by Russia's Elena Dementieva and Venus Williams by Li Na of China. Blake, had won only a single set in his previous eight matches with Federer, knocked him out 6-4, 7-6 (2). Serena Williams overcame two match points, but ultimately lost to Dementieva 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. Li beat Venus Williams 7-5, 7-5.

Gymnastics

China's Yang Wei added the individual gold to the team title, and the Americans weren't able to add anything to their bronze collection. Jonathan Horton finished ninth and Sasha Artemev was 12th. Yang won by nearly three points over Kohei Uchimura of Japan. Benoit Caranobe of France won the bronze.

Wrestling

Remember Rulon Gardner's glorious victory in Sydney? Good, because there won't be one like it this time. Adam Wheeler unexpectedly won bronze at 96 kilograms, but that was it as Dremiel Byers and Brad Vering, Americans' top Greco-Roman wrestlers, were bounced.

Golds went to Cuba's Mijain Lopez in the 120-kilogram division, Aslanbek Khushtov in 96 kg and Italy's Andrea Minguzzi in 84 kg.

Track under way

But as American Tyson Gay embarks on one of the most anticipated 100-meter races in two decades with preliminary rounds today, he believes he is up to the challenge of stopping the Jamaican train of Asafa Powell and Usain Bolt. Also, Americans Adam Nelson, Reese Hoffa and Christian Cantwell are vying for a medal sweep of men's shotput.

Softball test

The U.S. women's softball team, seemingly on another roll to an Olympic gold medal, may run into its toughest test yet today against Japan. Japan, coming off a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics, gave the Americans their toughest battle in Athens with a 3-0 victory in eight innings and has defeated the American team twice since then. Both the USA and Japan had tough victories against Australia in recent days.

OLYMPIC UTAHNS

Baseball

• Matt Brown hit a solo home run in the second inning, with the first baseman going 2-for-2 with two walks in the United States' 8-0 victory over The Netherlands (0-2). Pitcher Kevin Jepsen didn't play for the U.S. (1-1)

• Ryan Radmanovich went hitless in his one at-bat as a substitute designated hitter, and Steve Green struck out two and walked two while pitching the eighth inning for Canada (1-1) in a 7-6 loss to Cuba (2-0).

Men's basketball