GERMANY
Kohlschreiber wins title
Philipp Kohlschreiber claimed his fifth ATP Tour trophy by defeating Ivo Karlovic of Croatia 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) in the Duesseldorf Open final on Saturday. The 35-year-old Karlovic fought back in the second set after the top seed went ahead 4-3. It looked like a decisive break, but the seventh seed took it to the tiebreaker, where the German let two match points go before ultimately claiming the win in 72 minutes. “It’s simply great,” Kohlschreiber said. “It’s one of the nicest feelings in tennis to win a tournament. You don’t get the chance that often.” It was the 30-year-old’s first title since 2012, when he won his home tournament in Munich. Four of his five titles have been on German soil.
FRANCE
Gulbis stays perfect in finals
Second seed Ernests Gulbis maintained his perfect record in ATP Tour finals when he defeated Federico Delbonis to win the Open de Nice on Saturday. The Latvian triumphed 6-1, 7-6 (7/5) for his sixth career tournament victory. Gulbis secured the opening set in just 26 minutes, but then wasted three break points early in the second. He fell behind in the tiebreaker, but fought back to win five of the next six points, securing the victory when Delbonis hit a forehand into the net. “I am really happy to win here,” said Gulbis, who should rise to a career-high of No. 15 in the rankings. “My next goal is to be top 10, even top eight. I think if I play well in the Grand Slams, I have a good chance. It’s tough to kick out somebody from the top as there’s a lot of good players, but I am working on it.”
GERMANY
Bouchard claims first title
Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard defeated Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 on Saturday to win the Nuremberg Cup for her first WTA Tout title. Second seed Bouchard, who had not lost a set on the way to her second career final, held her nerve in the third set after five breaks of serve in a row to win in 1 hour, 53 minutes. Pliskova beat top seed Angelique Kerber and No. 4 seed Elina Svitolina to reach the final, but the Czech was unable to claim her second career title after Kuala Lumpur last year. “She’s a great player and she can be very dangerous at times, so I’m really glad I stayed with it and kept fighting for it during the third set,” Bouchard said. The 20-year-old had won the only previous matchup between the pair in the first round of the US Open last year. “This is kind of like a stepping stone for me. Winning a WTA title is of course a goal I’ve had and I’m so happy to accomplish it, but I still want to achieve more — more titles, bigger titles,” Bouchard said.
FRANCE
Monica Puig makes history
Monica Puig became the first Puerto Rican to win a WTA Tour title on Saturday by beating Silvia Soler-Espinosa of Spain 6-4, 6-3 in the Strasbourg International final. “It’s amazing to do this coming from such a small island, where tennis isn’t necessarily recognized as one of the main sports,” Puig said. “I’m just happy I’m able to be here playing tennis, not only for myself, but for my country too.” In a match between two players appearing in their first final, the 20-year-old Puig was on top from the start as she broke the Spaniard in her first service game. She also broke twice in the second set. Puig dropped just nine points on serve all match. “I woke up this morning and I felt it. I felt I was going to do something amazing,” Puig said. “It was one of those feelings where you just know it’s going to happen and I played some of the greatest tennis I’ve ever played.”
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