Serena Williams’ chances of ending the year on a high note evaporated unexpectedly when she withdrew from the Sony Ericsson championships with a stomach muscle problem on Friday.
The younger of the two world-beating sisters had been in tears during her oddly one-sided 5-7, 6-1, 6-0 defeat to Venus Williams during their round robin match on Thursday — and it emerged that she may have suffered the injury then.
“I had zero pain last night,” Serena said. “But I didn’t serve well and I think that’s why I was doing that. I might have been over-compensating. When I got home, I didn’t feel pain. But when I woke up, I was in pain. I have had this before and so when I felt this it was like a red flag. I went to see how I felt in practice yesterday and it was hard when I was hitting ground strokes. I didn’t want to risk it.”
Serena was challenged by a British journalist who suggested that sometimes in a major tournament such as this she should play through the pain for the sake of the event and for the sponsors.
“I think what I should do is make you work out, have a severe stomach strain and play for the sponsors,” she chided.
When the journalist suggested he would have, Serena responded with satirical laughter, adding: “You really should. You should go for it and live the dream.”
Later she explained: “I had this once in LA and played through it and I was out for six to eight weeks. So when I had these symptoms I thought, I must start the new year well. I can’t afford to be out for so long.”
The setback means that Serena is unable to take the chance of avenging herself for her Olympic loss to Elena Dementieva, who went on to take the gold medal in Beijing in August.
Nadia Petrova came in as the second alternate to take on her fellow Russian instead, but Dementieva is already certain of qualifying for the semi-finals, where she joins her compatriot Vera Zvonareva, Jelena Jankovic, and Venus Williams.
It was the tournament’s second major setback within two hours, for earlier another former world No. 1, Ana Ivanovic, withdrew with a virus.
Jankovic, the world No. 1 from Serbia, meanwhile was beaten on Friday by Zvonareva, the last player to qualify for the original eight.
The little-considered Russian’s 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 surprise victory means that she remains unbeaten with three wins, finishes top of her group and avoids facing Wimbledon champion Venus Williams in the semi-finals.
Instead, Zvonareva will meet her compatriot Dementieva, the Olympic champion, while Venus Williams will play Jankovic.
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
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and