While you were sleeping

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BEIJING -- Michael Phelps might as well just set up a cot on the pool deck at the Water Cube. He’s always there.

On Sunday night (Monday morning in Beijing), he qualified for the finals in the 200-meter freestyle and led off for the U.S. men in the 400 freestyle relay, winning his second gold medal after a thrilling anchor leg by Jason Lezak of Irvine. Phelps returned a few hours later and, at about 4:07 a.m. PDT Monday, he set an Olympic record (1:53.70) in the prelims of the 200 butterfly.

That session also produced the eighth world record since the swimming competition began Saturday. Italy’s Federica Pellegrini finished her 200 freestyle heat in 1:55.45. Katie Hoff, disappointed despite a silver and bronze so far, advanced in both the 200 freestyle and 200 individual medley. Natalie Coughlin also advanced in the 200 IM.

Elsewhere:

(All times PDT)

12:38 a.m. China is two for two in its attempt to sweep all eight diving gold medals after Lin Yue and Huo Liang won the men’s 10-meter synchronized title. David Boudia of Noblesville, Ind., and Thomas Finchem of Indianapolis were third after the fourth of six dives but finished fifth.

12:51 a.m. Featherweight Raynell Williams of Cleveland was successful in his boxing opener, winning a 9-1 decision over Italy’s Alessio di Savino.

1:47 a.m. Valerie Gotay of Temecula was eliminated in the second round of the women’s 57 kg judo competition. She won her first match but lost the second when Spain’s Isabel Fernandez double legged her for a yuko. Don’t you hate it when that happens?

2:10 a.m. Corey Cogdell of Eagle River, Alaska, ended the final round of the women’s trap competition in a four-way tie for third place, advancing into a literal shootout for the bronze medal. She won, surprising even herself in only her second year of competitive shooting.

3:11 a.m. The U.S. women won a dramatic 12-11 victory over China in water polo. Lauren Wenger of Anaheim scored with 3:32 remaining for the winning goal. Natalie Golda of Fullerton scored four goals; Kami Craig of Santa Barbara added three.

3:49 a.m. Venus Williams had an easy time in the opening round of the women’s tennis tournament, beating Timea Bacsinskzy of Switzerland, 6-3, 6-2. Sam Querry of Thousand Oaks didn’t fare so well, losing to Russia’s Igor Andreev, 6-4, 6-4. American Robby Ginepri also lost, 6-4, 6-4, to Novak Djokovic. In a match continued from Sunday, Serena Williams needed only four games to win over Olga Govortsova of Belarus, 6-3, 6-1. Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer advanced earlier.

4:09 a.m. Nichole Branagh of Orinda and Elaine Youngs of El Toro remained undefeated in beach volleyball, beating the German team of Stephanie Pohl and Okka Rau, 21-17, 21-16.

6:39 a.m. Former USC players Tina Thompson and Lisa Leslie led the United States to a 108-63 victory over China. Thompson scored 27 points. Leslie had 10 points and 10 rebounds. Leslie’s Sparks teammate, Candace Parker, scored 12 points.

7 a.m. Wake up, smell the oolong tea!

Coming up this morning: Phil Dalhauser and Todd Rogers will seek some redemption in beach volleyball.

-- Randy Harvey