Simona Halep’s preparations for Wimbledon were cut short at the Topshelf Open on Wednesday as she retired from her second-round match against Germany’s Annika Beck with a shoulder injury.
Top seed Halep, who reached the final of the French Open, where she was narrowly defeated by Maria Sharapova, won the first set 7-5, but the defending champion pulled out trailing 2-3 in the second set.
The Romanian received treatment on her right shoulder before retiring and will be hoping for a swift recovery ahead of next week’s Grand Slam at the All England Club, where she is the third seed.
Fourth seed Carla Suarez Navarro was another injury casualty as the Spaniard was forced to retire with a back problem having lost the first set to China’s Zheng Jie, 7-5.
The seeds continued to fall on Wednesday as Belgium’s Kirsten Flipkens, the sixth seed, succumbed to a 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 defeat against Ukrainian Elina Svitolina.
Klara Koukalova was the lone seeded player to advance to the quarter-finals on Wednesday after beating German qualifier Mona Barthel 6-2, 7-6 (8/6).
The eighth-seeded Czech joins seventh seed Garbine Muguruza, the highest-ranked player left in the draw, in the last eight and will face Yaroslava Shvedova for a place in the semis after the Kazakh beat Dutchwoman Michaella Krajicek 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/4).
World No. 27 Muguruza, who reached her first Grand Slam quarter-final at Roland Garros, will play Coco Vandeweghe as the American progressed following the third-set retirement of compatriot Vania King.
Fernando Verdasco is through to the men’s quarter-finals after seeing off Dutchman Jesse Huta Galung 7-5, 6-3.
The 23rd-ranked Spaniard, the top player in the draw, will face Juergen Melzer of Austria next after the eighth seed recovered from a set down to beat Slovak qualifier Lukas Lacko 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.
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