TABLE TENNIS
Taiwanese duo place second
Taiwanese players Chen Yi-ching and Huang Yi-hua had to settle for second place in the finals of the women’s doubles at this year’s China Open tournament on Sunday after they were defeated 3-4 by their Chinese opponents. The Taiwanese pair played a hard fought match against Guo Yue and Liu Shiwen, the first and second seeds in the women’s singles in the tourney. In the fourth set, Chen and Huang pulled even with the Chinese duo, but lost the fifth as Guo and Liu rebounded to score straight two points. The Taiwanese duo played steadily to even the score again in the sixth set, but were unable to maintain their momentum in the final set. Chen and Huang scored 8-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-9, 11-13, 11-9 and 7-11 in the seven sets.
BADMINTON
Lin’s flu was real: BWF
Officials said world No. 2 Lin Dan was unlikely to face further action after he controversially pulled out of the Singapore Open final citing illness, angering suspicious fans. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) said there was no evidence “Super Dan” faked the bout of gastric flu, which prompted his late withdrawal from the men’s singles decider against Chinese teammate Chen Jin. Fans booed loudly and some stormed out of Singapore Indoor Arena after Lin appeared on court to announce his pull-out, which follows a string of similar incidents involving all-Chinese matches. However, a tournament doctor confirmed Lin’s illness and nothing more could be done until the BWF receives the referee’s official report in about two weeks, BWF spokesman S. Selvam said.
BASEBALL
Indians fire batting coach
The first-place Cleveland Indians fired their hitting coach on Sunday following a recent offensive slump that has loosened their grip atop the American League Central division, the team said on Sunday. Jon Nunnally will be replaced by Bruce Fields, the team said in a statement. Cleveland, who led the division by seven games as recently as May 23, are clinging to a one-game lead over Detroit. The decision did not have a consensus. “It’s sad. You don’t want to lose somebody that’s a part of what’s been going on here,” right-fielder Choo Shin-soo told the team’s Web site. “During the season, a new hitting coach comes in, it’s tough. Everybody has different styles, but you don’t want to think about new coaches coming in.”
BASEBALL
Buchholz placed on DL
The American League--leading Boston Red Sox have placed starting pitcher Clay Buchholz on the 15-day disabled list because of lower back strain, the MLB team said on Sunday. Buchholz, who is coming off a career-best 17-7 record last year, is 6-3 with a 3.48 ERA this season. During his last start, Buchholz allowed one run and two hits in five innings before leaving Thursday’s game because of lower back tightness. Boston said in a statement that left-handed pitcher Andrew Miller from Triple-A Pawtucket was added to the roster.
BASEBALL
Escobar signs extension
Cuban shortstop Yunel Escobar has signed a two-year, US$10 million extension with the Toronto Blue Jays that will keep him under contract through the 2013 season, the American League team said on Sunday. The deal also includes club options of US$5 million each for the 2014 and 2015 seasons, the Blue Jays said in a statement. Escobar, 28, has a .281 batting average with eight home runs and 26 runs batted in this season.
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