Defending champion Ana Ivanovic sweated to reach the French Open second round yesterday with a grueling 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 win over Italy’s Sara Errani as temperatures hit a sweltering 30ºC.
The cheerful Ivanovic, who skipped the Madrid Open because of a knee injury, had the problem area taped when she walked onto a sun-drenched Philippe Chatrier Court, but it didn’t hinder her in the early exchanges as she edged to a 3-1 advantage.
The 44th-ranked Italian then stormed back to lead 5-4, but once she had squandered an opportunity to serve for the first set in the 10th game, her fight steadily melted away.
PHOTO: EPA
Ivanovic eased through the tie-break and then dominated the second set, stretching out a 5-1 lead on the back of two breaks.
She suffered a slight blip when Errani clawed one break back in the eighth game, but the champion eventually clinched victory with a swooping forehand in the ninth game after more than two hours on court.
China’s Li Na, the 25th seed, earlier had the honor of becoming the first player to reach the second round thanks to a 6-4, 6-2 win over Poland’s Marta Domachowska.
The 26-year-old Li, who missed last year’s tournament because of injury, needed just 72 minutes to make the last 64 where she will face Switzerland’s Timea Bacsinszky.
Li was quickly joined in the next round by promising Russian 17-year-old Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the 27th seed, who eased past Romania’s Ioana Raluca Olaru 6-3, 6-2.
Eighteen-year-old Russian qualifier Vitalia Diatchenko reduced Mathilde Johanssonof France to a tearful wreck after a three hour 2-6, 6-2, 10-8 win.
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