Taiwan’s Lu Yen-hsun was swept aside in straight sets by world No. 2 Roger Federer in a first round men’s singles match at Wimbledon Monday, but he emerged from the encounter with more confidence and a new coach.
Lu, who had been struggling to recover from an energy-sapping virus since the middle of last month, lost to the five-time Wimbledon champion 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 in 105 minutes, but he told the Central News Agency afterwards that holding a 3-2 lead in the first set despite a heavy bout of nerves left him more confident than ever.
“It had a real motivating effect, because it made me understand that even against a top player like Federer, I could still be competitive and fight to the end,” Lu said. “To have a good showing against a heavyweight is not an impossibility.”
Lu struggled for much of his career against top-ranked players before defeating Andy Murray in the Olympics in Beijing last year and Argentine David Nalbandian in the second round of this year’s Australian Open.
After Monday’s match, even Federer came away impressed.
“He’s a wonderful player. He has got a nice forehand, a nice backhand, very sound game all around,” Federer said. “I knew the danger today. He’s beaten good players in the past.”
Although Lu said he learned a lot during the match and described playing him on perhaps the biggest stage in men’s tennis — center court at Wimbledon — as a “special experience,” it was not his dream draw.
“When the draw first came out, I thought I was really unlucky because I really felt comfortable on the grass surface,” he said. “My coach told me beforehand that as long as I didn’t draw Federer, I had a chance against any of the other 126 players entered.”
The loss to Federer meant Lu was eliminated from Wimbledon for the fourth time in six tries, with his best showings second round finishes in 2004 and 2005.
His best performance in a grand slam singles event came at this year’s Australian Open, when he reached the third round.
Lu said his stamina was not 100 percent against Federer, as he only began training in earnest 10 days ago after a blood test in England found everything was normal, and that he still needs time to regain his prior level of conditioning, but now he’ll have extra incentive.
Former Australian doubles great Mark Woodforde, who won 12 grand slam doubles titles during his career, worked with Lu during the week prior to Wimbledon and will travel with the 25-year-old Taiwanese over the next month to help him during the US hard court season.
Woodforde, who along with Lu’s regular coach Dirk Hordorff helped Lu devise the attacking strategy that paid some dividends against Federer, also used his privileges as a Wimbledon member to get Lu into the closely guarded center court before the tournament began and get a feel for the intimidating arena.
Having a former player with Woodforde’s experience and knowledge of the game at his side can only help Lu in the immediate future.
While Lu made a respectable showing in the men’s draw, compatriot Chan Yung-jan showed she is still far from fully recovered following a two-month layoff because of a toe fracture.
After falling to 12th seed Marion Bartoli of France 6-0, 6-0 in the first round of the women’s singles, Chan said that while her toe had recovered physically, she had yet to overcome the psychological barrier of worrying about reinjuring it and moved too cautiously.
Her conditioning was also a long way from peak form after the layoff, making it difficult to work through long points, she said.
Her focus will now turn to doubles, where she will partner with Hungary’s Agnes Szavay.
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