Martina Hingis and Kim Clijsters set up an enticing Australian Open quarter-final against each other yesterday, but James Blake suffered the first loss of the season and tumbled out.
Maria Sharapova also made the last eight, outmuscling fellow Russian Vera Zvonareva 7-5, 6-4 to set up a match with another compatriot, 12th seed Anna Chakvetadze, who undid eighth seed Patty Schnyder 6-4, 6-1.
Fifth seed Blake, who won in Sydney this month, crashed in straight sets to Chilean tenth seed Fernando Gonzalez, who will play world No. 2 Rafael Nadal of Spain or British 15th seed Andy Murray for a place in the semis.
Germany's 12th seed Tommy Haas tamed eighth seeded Argentine David Nalbandian in four sets and will face third-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko.
Hingis, seeded six, needed all her big-match experience to overhaul 19th seed Li Na 4-6, 6-3, 6-0, coming back to dismantle the Chinese woman's game and book a quarter-final appearance here for a ninth time.
In an intriging match-up, she will play Clijsters, who beat her at the same stage last year, ending the Swiss star's Grand Slam comeback after a three-year injury hiatus.
"I know I have to come out one hundred percent and be ready from the beginning, otherwise I'll be run over," she said of Clijsters, the fourth seed. "That's the key. I have a day rest, and practice, sleep well, give myself the best shot."
Clijsters has been in scintillating form and was clinical against Slovak pin-up Daniela Hantuchova, powering through 6-1, 7-5, and is looking forward to pitting her wits against one of her best friends on tour.
"It always a pleasure to play against her, she's such a great champion," she said.
With defending champion Roger Federer safely into the quarter-finals, Haas, Gonzalez and Davydenko joined him yesterday.
Gonzalez upset Blake 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) while Haas wore down Nalbandian, a semi-finalist last year, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.
Davydenko, who has been anonymous working his way to the last eight, qualified for his third straight Australian Open quarter-final with a 5-7, 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 (7/5) win over Czech 13th seed Tomas Berdych.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely