Taiwan’s Lu Yen-hsun lost to Austria’s Jurgen Melzer yesterday to bring his Olympic medal ambitions to an end.
It was a disappointing end as the Taiwanese No.1 lost 6-2, 6-4 in just over an hour to an opponent ranked 51 in the world.
Meanwhile, signaling his recent tailspin may be over, Roger Federer avenged a defeat four years ago at the Olympics by beating Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 6-3, 7-6 (4) yesterday to reach the quarter-finals.
It was Federer’s biggest victory since he lost to Rafael Nadal in an epic Wimbledon final last month.
Federer wept after losing to Berdych in the second round at the Athens Games four years ago. This time he was shouting “Yes!” and punching the air after he smacked a service winner on match point.
Nadal also advanced, digging out of a hole in a pivotal service game and beating Igor Andreev of Russia, 6-4, 6-2.
Nadal and Federer could meet for the gold medal on Sunday.
Federer will next face No. 8 James Blake, who advanced by beating No. 10 Gilles Simon of France 6-4, 6-2. Blake, the lone American to survive the first round of men’s singles, is 0-8 against Federer and has won only one of their 22 sets.
No. 3 Novak Djokovic, who could face Nadal in the semi-finals, beat No. 13 Mikhail Youzhny of Russia 7-6 (3), 6-3.
Venus Williams, playing her first tournament since winning Wimbledon for the fifth time, also reached the final eight by defeating No. 12 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 6-3, 6-2. Williams, seeded seventh, is seeking to add to her Olympic medal collection after winning the singles and doubles at Sydney in 2000.
■TABLE TENNIS TRIUMPH
STAFF WRITER, WITH AGENCIES, BEIJING
The Taiwanese men’s table tennis team made a winning start to their Olympic campaign yesterday, beating Brazil 3-1 and Sweden 3-2 in the best-of-five format made up of four singles and a doubles.
There was an early hiccup for the Taiwanese when Chuan Chih-yuan lost to Hugo Hoyama of Brazil first up before Chiang Peng-lung levelled things by beating Thiago Monteiro.
Chiang then teamed up with Chang Yen-shu to down Gustavo Tsuboi and Monteiro in the doubles before Chuan beat Tsuboi.
Yesterday evening the Taiwanese earned a close fought victory against the Swedes in a contest that lasted just over two hours.
Chuan beat Jens Lundqvist before Jorgen Persson downed Chiang to make it 1-1.
Taiwan went ahead again when Chang and Chiang defeated Par Gerell and Lunqvist in the doubles.
Persson then set up a winner takes all fifth clash by beating Chang. Chuan then won the nailbiting finale 3-2 in a contest lasting 34 minutes against the unfortunate Gerell.
China’s quest for a gold sweep in their national sport got off to a flying start when both the men and women won their first contests of the team event in straight matches.
The men overcame nerves brought on by a raucous home crowd to beat Greece 3-0. The women brushed aside first Croatia, then the Dominican Republic by the same score, barely putting a foot wrong.
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