CRICKET
Aussies wrap up whitewash
Adam Voges scored his maiden one-day international century as a depleted Australia secured a 5-0 series whitewash by beating the West Indies by 17 runs in the final match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. The 33-year-old batsman blasted an unbeaten 112 off 106 balls to propel Australia to a commanding total of 274-5, before the tourists’ promising chase stumbled in the final overs due to late wickets. Johnson Charles, who replaced injured opener Chris Gayle, also scored a maiden one-day ton to give the West Indies hope of hauling in the total, but the innings quickly petered out when all-rounder James Faulkner had the hard-hitting Kieron Pollard caught for 45.
GOLF
Snedeker wins at last
Brandt Snedeker, who finished second the previous two weekends, busted through for his first win of the year on Sunday, firing a seven-under 65 to capture the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in California. The red-hot Snedeker saved his best round of the week for the final day as he finished with 19-under 267 to beat fellow American Chris Kirk by two strokes. Snedeker’s 267 set a tournament scoring record, bettering the previous mark of 268, which Mark O’Meara established in 1997 and Phil Mickelson tied six years ago.
GOLF
Sterne cruises to victory
South African Richard Sterne cruised to a seven-stroke victory over former US Masters champion Charl Schwartzel on Sunday at the Joburg Open. Sterne, runner-up behind Stephen Gallacher of Scotland in the Dubai Desert Classic the previous weekend, fired an eight-under final-round 64 for a total of 260 in overcast conditions at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club. Pre-tournament favorite Schwartzel, who won the Joburg Open in 2010 and 2011, finished with a 66 for a 267 total. Chilean Felipe Aguilar (67), South African George Coetzee (67) and Portugal’s Ricardo Santos (64) shared third place on 268.
TENNIS
Zeballos stuns Nadal
Argentine Horacio Zeballos sprung a major surprise by beating Rafael Nadal 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 to win the Chilean Open in Vina del Mar on Sunday and clinch the first title of his career. World No. 73 Zeballos held his nerve in the final set, breaking Nadal when he was serving to stay in the match to seal victory after almost three hours.
TENNIS
Cilic sees off Melzer
World No. 12 Marin Cilic needed just 67 minutes to see off Austria’s Juergen Melzer 6-3, 6-1 and lift his third Zagreb Indoors title on Sunday. Cilic dominated from the start and did not give the fourth-seeded Melzer, who has now beaten the Croatian only twice in nine meetings, a chance to turn the score in his favor. “Cilic was much better today and deserved to win in front of his own crowd,” Melzer said.
TENNIS
Gasquet wins in Montpellier
Frenchman Richard Gasquet beat compatriot Benoit Paire 6-2, 6-3 on Sunday in the Open Sud de France final in Montpellier for his second title this season. Gasquet broke Paire twice for a 5-2 lead and took the opening set when a backhand return from Paire sailed wide. The third seed dropped his serve once in the second set, but broke Paire three times. He clinched victory when Paire netted a backhand.
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