Fifth-seeded John Isner beat Ryan Harrison of the US 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 in a first-round match at the US Men’s Clay Court Championships on Tuesday.
Isner had three aces in the tiebreaker, including a 201kph shot at set point. His other aces were clocked at 220kph and 222kph.
Harrison broke Isner’s powerful serve in the ninth game of the second set, but Isner broke right back and took the victory at the third match point.
Sixth-seeded Fernando Verdasco of Spain broke a string of three straight opening-round losses with a 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 victory over Steve Johnson of the US.
Verdasco won the tiebreaker when Johnson double-faulted at set point. Johnson held after four break points in the fourth game of the second set, but he was broken in the sixth and eighth games.
Qualifier Robby Ginepri of the US kept eighth-seeded Michael Russell of the US off-balance most of the match for a 6-2, 6-2 first-round victory.
Ginepri broke Russell quickly in the first game of the match and again in the seventh game. He wrapped up the first set in the eighth game aided by three Russell errors and he had an ace at the first set point.
Ginepri took control of the match in the opening game of the second set, breaking Russell at the fifth break point. Ginepri pounded in several down-the-line winners that left Russell flat-footed.
Top-seeded Nicolas Almagro of Spain was to play his first match yesterday against Gael Monfils of France. Monfils, who missed most of last season with a knee strain, beat James Blake of the US in the first round.
GRAND PRIX HASSAN II
AP, CASABLANCA, Morocco
Two-time defending champion Pablo Andujar was ousted from the Grand Prix Hassan II on Tuesday, losing 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 in the first round to qualifier Pablo Carreno-Busta in a match between Spaniards.
Carreno-Busta, ranked 237 places below his opponent, will next play second-seeded Kevin Anderson of South Africa.
Tobias Kamke of Germany beat fifth-seeded Jurgen Melzer of Austria 6-3, 6-3, and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez downed sixth-seeded Daniel Gimeno-Traver 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 6-3 in an all-Spanish match.
Kamke will play former top-five player Tommy Robredo of Spain. Garcia-Lopez faces France’s Edouard Roger-Vasselin, who rallied past Albert Montanes of Spain 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Eighth-seeded Grega Zemlja edged Matthias Bachinger of Germany 6-7 (3/7), 7-5, 7-6 (7/2) in a match featuring 16 aces. The Slovenian next faces Henri Laaksonen after the Swiss qualifier beat Younes Rachidi of Morocco 6-3, 6-7 (8/10), 6-1.
Italian qualifier Filipo Volandri topped Paul-Henri Mathieu of France 6-3, 7-5 and will play third-seeded Martin Klizan of Slovakia. Aljaz Bedene defeated French qualifier Marc Gicquel 6-1, 6-4. The Slovenian next faces fourth-seeded Benoit Paire.
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