Fourth-seeded Kevin Anderson and sixth-seeded Adrian Mannarino set up a semi-final showdown between the last two seeded players at the SA Open as they both cruised through to the last four in straight sets on Friday.
Home favorite Anderson dropped just four games in a one-sided 6-3, 6-1 win over Slovakia’s Karol Beck in less than an hour. Anderson mixed powerful serves with clever drop shots and led 10-3 on winners for a place in the last four and was due to play Mannarino of France, who was too strong for Canada’s Frank Dancevic, going through 6-3, 6-2 in just 54 minutes.
Dancevic beat top-seed Feliciano Lopez in the first round, but Mannarino broke three times and powered past his opponent.
India’s Somdev Devvarman and South African wild card Izak van der Merwe complete the semi-final lineup.
Van der Merwe and Anderson are the first home players to reach the semis of the SA Open since its return to the tour in 2009.
The unseeded Devvarman improved his record to 3-0 over Rik de Voest, another South African wild card entrant, with a comeback 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-1 win for a place in his second ATP semi.
Devvarman was 4-1 up in the second set but let it slip, and was two points away from defeat in the tiebreak before wrestling back the momentum.
He took the breaker 7-5, then broke twice straight away and raced through the deciding set for a place in the last four.
South Africa had three players in the last eight for the first time at an ATP event since 1996.
Van der Merwe broke Greul twice in the second set for another surprise win after upsetting last year’s runner-up Stephane Robert of France in the first round.
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