Holders the United States suffered a shock 89-79 loss to France in the quarter-finals of the Basketball World Cup in China on Wednesday. The US had won the past two World Cups and not lost in 58 international games, a run stretching back to 2006. France were 51-41 ahead in the third quarter before the United States moved into a 72-65 lead, but the French fought back to take the victory. Evan Fournier scored 22 points, while Rudy Gobert finished with 21. France will play Argentina in the semi-finals on Friday, with Spain taking on either Australia or the Czech Republic in the other match. This will be the first time the United States have failed to win a medal at the World Cup since 2002, when they finished sixth. As well as winning the past two World Cups, they have also won the past three Olympic titles. Agencies
