Italy kept their Hopman Cup hopes alive with a 2-1 win over Australia at the mixed teams tournament yesterday.
After the singles matches were split, the Italian pairing of Flavia Pennetta and Andreas Seppi beat Samantha Stosur and Bernard Tomic in the deciding mixed doubles rubber.
Italy will need to clean-sweep Canada on Thursday and hope Australia do the same to unbeaten Poland to have a chance of advancing to Saturday’s final, while the host nation are out of contention after dropping both their Group A ties.
Photo: AFP
In the women’s singles, 31st-ranked Pennetta continued her dominance of Stosur, beating the former US Open winner and world No. 18 in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.
Pennetta has won all five of their singles encounters and took advantage of the service woes of the Australian.
Stosur is regarded as one of the best servers in women’s tennis, but she also has a habit of starting each season slowly.
Pennetta broke the Australian’s serve four times, most crucially when Stosur served three double faults in the ninth game of the second set.
Not surprisingly, Pennetta was pleased to continue her winning streak against Stosur as she builds toward the Australian Open in Melbourne next month.
“We always have a good fight and then I always win,” she said of the match. “Today was a good match for the crowd and for us to be ready for next week [at the Australian Open].”
The enigmatic Tomic squared the tie by coming from a set down to beat Seppi, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
At times in the second set the Australian world No. 51 looked like he was struggling with his fitness against the 25th-ranked Seppi.
However, Tomic said it was just the legacy of a very heavy training regime in recent days, including two hours on the practice court before the clash with Seppi.
“Everything is main focus for playing the best that I can in Australian Open and in Sydney,” he said, referring to the Sydney International played ahead of the Grand Slam event. “So this week is a training week for me. I’m using every match that I can, playing a little bit tired ... I’ve got to push myself. I know I was feeling a bit tired out there but it’s going to make me stronger for the big one in a few weeks.”
The deciding rubber pitted two experienced doubles players against each other in Pennetta and Stosur, but it was the Italians that won the day, 6-3, 6-4.
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