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Red-hot tournament favourites the United States have strolled into the women's basketball World Cup final by thrashing rivals Canada 83-43 in Sydney. Never seriously threatened by their opponents, the Americans next face the winner of Friday's second semifinal between Australia and China as they pursue a fourth consecutive World Cup title. Canada will hope to clinch their first World Cup medal since 1986 when they meet the loser of Australia vs. China in the third-place match. After being tested by Serbia early in their quarterfinal, Team USA ran out to a 15-0 lead against Canada, leaving their opponents to play catch-up for the remainder of the game.  The Americans were much too fast on transition for the Canadians, who appeared overawed by the game's frenetic pace, especially in the opening exchanges. Even when Canada could set their defence, the Americans had little trouble maintaining their lead through sharper shooting. Canada did not sink a basket until midway through the first quarter and finished the term having shot at 11 per cent from the field. Canada were able to stem the bleeding in patches, starting the second quarter strongly, but there was no breaking through the resolute American defence to close the gap that had been built. Kahleah Copper missed the semi-final with a hip injury but the Americans had no shortage of firepower in her absence. Canada had no answers for American guard Chelsea Gray, who recorded more assists than in any other match of the tournament (eight) and more than the entire Canada team on Friday (five). Captain Breanna Stewart had a quiet game in the USA's quarter-final but was back on song with four baskets from deep for a total of 17 points. Firmly in the frame for the tournament's All-Star Five, Alyssa Thomas led her US teammates for rebounds, steals and assists coming into the semi-final and was once again important with 10 points and three rebounds. The reigning WNBA Defensive Player Of The Year, A'ja Wilson became the third American to record a double-double this tournament, knocking down 15 points to go with a game-high 12 rebounds. Both sides rested their star players in the final quarter in preparation for the medal round as Team USA notched their 29th consecutive victory at the women's World Cup in emphatic fashion.
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