Huge upsets lit up the basketball World Cup on Wednesday as France beat hosts Spain 65-52 while Serbia thumped Brazil 84-56 to set up an intriguing semi-final clash.
Holders the United States and Lithuania will meet in the first semi in Barcelona on Thursday while the Serbs and the French will lock horns in Madrid on Friday.
Fancied to stroll into an anticipated title bout with the Americans, the Spaniards were stunned by a French side missing several top players including four-time NBA champion Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs.
Defying a deafening roar from the passionate home fans, France led from start to finish in a physical encounter which threatened to boil over in the third quarter when a scuffle broke out among rival players on the court.
The French pulled away in a tense finish as forward Boris Diaw led the charge with 15 points and five rebounds and was aided by Thomas Heurtel, who racked up 13 and four assists.
A resurgent Serbia, who squeezed through the preliminary group stage, produced a second successive upset in the knockout rounds and brushed aside the Brazilians after they eliminated Greece in the round of 16.
Del Potro delays comeback from wrist surgery
Former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro has delayed his comeback from a long layoff following wrist surgery in March and will miss tournaments in China, Japan and Malaysia over the next two months.
The 25-year-old Argentine started the year by winning his 18th ATP title at the Sydney International but since being upset in the second round of the Australian Open by Roberto Bautista has managed to play just four matches at two tournaments.
"I would like to take this opportunity to tell you, my fans, that although the recovery of the wrist is progressing very well, I need a little more time to reach the competitive level necessary to compete week after week," Del Potro said in a message posted on his Facebook page.
Del Potro, the 2009 champion at Flushing Meadows, will miss the Sept. 22-28 Malaysian Open, his title defence at the Japan Open a week later and the Oct. 5-12 Shanghai Masters, where he made the final last year.
The season-ending European swing starts October 13 with tournaments in Russia, Sweden and Austria.
