Snooker: Ricky Walden continued his love affair with China as he won the International Championship in Chengdu, beating Mark Allen 10-7 in the final, yesterday. It was the Chester player’s third ranking title, all in China after winning the 2008 Shanghai Masters and 2012 Wuxi Classic. It capped a fine week for Walden, who hammered Robert Milkins 9-2 in his semi-final. He clinched the 17th frame in just two visits yesterday, a 54 putting him on top before a 62 saw him capture the £125,000 first prize. Runner-up Allen collected £65,000.

Motor Racing: Sauber have snapped up Marcus Ericsson to race for them next season after the collapse of the Caterham team. The Swede, 24, made his debut in Formula One this season but did not race in yesterday’s United States Grand Prix after Caterham were put into administration. The move leaves the futures of both Sauber’s current drivers Esteban Gutierrez and Adrian Sutil in doubt.

Rugby Union: Code hopper Sonny Bill Williams made a successful return to international rugby union by scoring two tries as New Zealand hammered the United States 74-6 in their test at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday. Williams also made several tackle-bursting runs for the world champions, but suffered a blow to his hip in the second half and was replaced.

Marathon: Wilson Kipsang won a duel to the finish to join compatriot Mary Keitany in a Kenyan sweep of men’s and women’s races at a cold, windy New York City Marathon yesterday. Kipsang ran shoulder to shoulder with Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia over the last two miles. In the last half mile, Desisa snuck ahead of Kipsang, who turned on a final burst to claim a victory that was worth $600,000 to the Kenyan. Keitany also won an exhilarating duel to claim the women’s crown. She overcame compatriot Jemima Sumgong with a little more than a mile to go after widening her lead at the end with a winning time of 2:25:07.