Australia have claimed the inaugural womens rugby sevens gold medal on day three of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro with a 24-17 victory over New Zealand in the final in Rio.The Australians entered the womens competition as raging gold medal favourites and they didnt disappoint -- stretching the countys gold medal tally to four.Star guards Matthew Dellavedova and Patty Mills combined for 49 points in a 95-80 win over Serbia on Monday as Australia took a giant stride towards a top-two group finish in the Olympic mens basketball competition.The Boomers will now meet the all-conquering United States on Thursday and are confident of challenging the world champions.In the swimming pool, Australia have suffered two devastating defeats with Mitch Larkin and Emily Seebohm both missing a medal in their respective 100m backstroke finals.Larkin and Seebohm, pool deck partners, went into the meet as hot race favourites having each completed the 100m-200m backstroke double at the 2015 world championships in Kazan, Russia, but they suffered double disappointment after each lead at the turn.Larkin finished fourth behind winner Ryan Murphy of the United States, while Seebohm slumped to seventh in her race.The Rio Olympics will be Alicia Coutts swimming farewell but she could go out in style after qualifying sixth-fastest for the 200m individual medley semi-finals.Coutts, who won five medals at the London Games, matching Ian Thorpe and Shane Gould for most medals by an Australian at one Olympics, was second in her heat.Just knowing that I have got nothing to lose, Im here to give it everything I have got and after this event I have other things to look forward to.Emma McKeon and Bronte Barratt are through to the womens 200m freestyle final after touching the wall in second and fourth in the first semi while Grant Irvine clocked the fourth best time ahead of the mens 200m butterfly semis.A last-gasp shot and four goals from Richie Campbell helped Australia snatch a 9-9 draw in their clash with water polo powerhouse Hungary.Samantha Stosur has marched into the third round of the womens singles with a straight sets win at the Olympic tennis centre.The top-seeded Australian eliminated Japans Misaki Doi 6-3 6-4. Stosur will next face German second seed and Wimbledon finalist Angelique Kerber.John Millman has blown a massive chance to join Stosur in the third round of the Olympic tennis singles, almost toppling fourth seed Kei Nishikori. The Australian was beaten?7-6 (7-4) 6-4, but does leave Rio as the first player in Olympic history to win a match?6-0 6-0 -- after his round one drubbing of?Lithuanian Ricardis Berankis.Jessica Fox has progressed to the semi-finals of the K1 canoe slalom after finishing second in her qualification runs at the Rio Olympics.Foxs penalty-free second run gave her a score of 99.51, leaving her just behind fastest qualifier Stefanie Horn (99.07) from Italy at the Whitewater Stadium in Deodoro on Monday.Australias mens four is also into Wednesdays semi-finals as they moved a step closer to toppling Britains dominance of the event when they posted the fastest time in Tuesdays heats.Australia sits in the box seat for double equestrian gold with one round left of the three day eventing at the Rio Games with Chris Burton leading the individual rankings and Australia on top of the teams event with the show jumping to finish off the competition.In rowing, the Australian mens four have moved a step closer to reviving the Oarsome Foursome tag after posting the fastest heat time at Lagoa Stadium.Veteran Australian rower Kerry Hore had to be consoled by her teammates as the devastation of missing the womens quad scull Olympic final set in.The Australians missed the medal race by a heart-breaking 0.06 seconds, bringing an end to four-time Olympian Hores rowing career.Hore broke down in tears during the post-race interview with her teammates supporting the sobbing Tasmanian.This wasnt how I pictured finishing up, the 35-year-old said.Australian sailor Ashley Stoddart has finished eighth in her first race in the Laser Radial in Rio.Adam Vella has admitted the controversy around the selection of Australias male trap shooters played a part in their disappointing performance at the Rio Olympics.Three-time Olympian Vella confirmed his Games career was over after finishing 12th while teammate Mitchell Iles was 26th.Meanwhile, Australia is last in Pool B in womens hockey after the Hockeyroos suffered a 2-1 loss to the USA following their opening defeat against Great Britain. 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BALTIMORE -- Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta didnt just sprain a finger on his right hand in a scuffle during Monday nights practice.Pitta later took a verbal jab in the locker room, compliments of quarterback and supposed good friend Joe Flacco.He got his little baby injury that he always gets in camp and gets himself out of a week in camp, Flacco said with a big grin while looking at Pitta in the locker room. Thats better than breaking his hip, though.Pittas twice-fractured right hip can be a sore subject with him. But, apparently, Pitta is Flaccos favorite target on and off the field.I heard Joe say, Its a good thing he didnt break his hip again, which isnt that funny, Joe, Pitta said while cracking a smile.Pitta injured the finger -- his index and middle fingers were taped together -- during a fight with rookie linebacker Kamalei Correa. He described the injury as nothing serious.Flacco did stand up for Pitta and the offense a few plays later when he ran up to Correa after the linebacker delivered a hit on wide receiver Mike Wallace.When asked about Flaccos assertion that this is a ploy to get time off, Pitta said after a long pause, I have nothing to say about it. I will get some rest over the next couple of days.I wont miss much time, Pitta said. But obviously well have to bee cautious this time of the year and just make sure it fully heals so I can get back out there.ddddddddddddRavens coach John Harbaugh said, Its going to be a little while for him.The Ravens practice Monday night was the most intense of training camp. There were a half-dozen scuffles during the 2 1/2-hour session, and it surprisingly included the usually mild-mannered Pitta.According to Pitta, he hadnt been in a fight since his college days more than seven years ago. He wouldnt specifically say what led to his altercation with Correa but indicated it started when there was after-the-whistle stuff that wasnt necessary.But Pitta said the issue has been resolved.Me and KC already talked about it, Pitta said. So, were good.Harbaugh thought it was a positive sign from Pitta.I like the fact that Pitta is out here making plays, and hes blocking people and hes getting after it, Harbaugh said.Pitta doesnt remember how he injured it in the melee. After Pitta confronted Correa, players from the offense and defense converged.I didnt feel it in the moment, Pitta said. It just felt like I jammed it. Then, we just took a look at it and it was just a little bit more than a jam. ' ' '
