SOCCER
Higuain puts Napoli ahead
Gonzalo Higuain shot SSC Napoli to within three points of second-placed AS Roma after scoring twice in an entertaining 3-1 home victory over AC Milan in Serie A on Saturday. The Argentine striker is second behind ACF Fiorentina’s Giuseppe Rossi in the league scoring charts with 12. Higuain’s goals moved Rafael Benitez’s side up to 47 points in third place, 12 behind leaders and champions Juventus. Napoli are three points ahead of Fiorentina, who beat 12th-placed Atalanta BC 2-0 thanks to a stunning 16th-minute free-kick from Slovenia international Josip Ilicic and a solo effort from Rafal Wolski. Elsewhere in Serie A, Udinese moved a point behind Atalanta in 13th after a 3-0 win over AC Chievo Verona.
TENNIS
Gasquet seeks 11th title
Top-seeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet beat third-seeded Jerzy Janowicz of Poland 7-6 (6), 7-6 (4) on Saturday to set up an all-French final in the Open Sud de France against Gael Monfils. The fifth-seeded Monfils earlier beat sixth-seeded Jarkko Nieminen 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 and improved to 4-0 against the Finn. Defending champion Gasquet is chasing his 11th career title. Monfils won the tournament four years ago and was aiming for his fifth career title yesterday, but his first since winning indoors at Stockholm three years ago.
TENNIS
Haas faces Cilic in Zagreb
Top-seeded Tommy Haas of Germany and defending champion Marin Cilic of Croatia reached the final of the Zagreb Indoors on Saturday. Haas rallied to defeat British lucky loser Daniel Evans 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, while fifth-seeded Cilic defeated German qualifier Bjorn Phau 6-3, 6-4 in the other semi-final. “I am happy to play in the final, excited to play against the player who is a big star in his country,” Haas said. “He is a three-time champion, many things say in his favor, but I’ll try whatever I can to make his run stop.” Haas was to attempt to win his 16th ATP title yesterday against Cilic, who won at Zagreb in 2009, 2010 and last year. It will be the eighth time in the tournament’s nine-year history that a singles final features a Croatian.
GOLF
Walker close to Pebble win
Red-hot Jimmy Walker is on the verge of his third victory of the PGA Tour season after his third round at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on Saturday left him six strokes clear of his nearest pursuers. Walker opened his lead with two late birdies to post a four-under-par 67 on Saturday at Monterey Peninsula, one of three courses used for the US$6.6 million pro-celebrity event in California. The 35-year-old American’s round came on a day with high winds that delayed play for more than two hours. Twelve players, including second-round coleader Jordan Spieth, did not complete the round and were to return at 7am to finish their third rounds. Walker posted a 13-under-par 202 total heading into yesterday’s final round. Fellow American Hunter Mahan (72) and New Zealander Tim Wilkinson (69) were tied for second on seven-under.
TENNIS
Fognini, Mayer reach final
Top-seeded Fabio Fognini of Italy beat No. 3 Nicolas Almagro of Spain 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(5) Saturday to reach the final of the Royal Guard Open clay-court tournament. Fognini will be playing for his third ATP singles title in the final — the other two came last season on clay. The Italian will be a strong favorite in the final against unseeded Argentine Leonardo Mayer, who beat Colombia’s Santiago Giraldo of 7-6 (2), 6-3 in the other semi-final.
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