SOCCER
Monaco slump to defeat
AS Monaco’s terrible start to the Ligue 1 season continued on Friday as last season’s runners-up slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Olympique Lyonnais. The principality club, who let World Cup hero James Rodriguez join Real Madrid and fellow Colombia forward Radamel Falcao depart for Manchester United during the close season, are fifth from bottom with four points from five games. Lyon, who have also had a rough start to the season, are four places above Monaco on six points. Leonardo Jardim’s team geared up for their Champions League opener against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday in the worst possible fashion. Lyon went ahead on the half hour when Nabil Fekir, set up by Steed Malbranque, beat ’keeper Danijel Subasic from inside the box. Lucas Ocampos leveled nine minutes later with a fine curling shot, but Monaco generally lacked inspiration and Dimitar Berbatov, who must assume the bulk of the scoring duties in the absence of Falcao, missed a sitter on the stroke of halftime. Corentin Tolisso grabbed the winner 17 minutes from time with his first Ligue 1 goal, a low shot after being set up by fellow midfielder Arnold Mvuemba.
SOCCER
Almeira held to a draw
UD Almeria was held to a 1-1 draw at home by Cordoba on Friday, as Spanish league football returned after the international break. Almeria struck first and created more chances than the visitors, but both teams will have to wait for another opportunity to win their first game of the season. Forward Edgar Mendez skillfully volleyed in Joaquin Navarro’s cross to give Almeria the lead in the 12th minute. However, Federico Cartabia, Cordoba’s most incisive player, ran onto Fidel Chaves’ throughball and slotted in the equalizer seven minutes later.
GOLF
Larrazabal sets record
Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal carded a course-record 62 to claim a two-shot lead at the halfway stage of the EPGA Dutch Open on Friday. Larrazabal birdied his first six holes on the par-70 Kennemer Golf Club to be out in 28 and a European Tour’s first sub-60 round was still possible after he followed four pars with another birdie. However, the 31-year-old then recorded four more pars before finishing with two birdies and a bogey in the last three holes to finish 10-under, two ahead of France’s Romain Wattel and Italy’s Edoardo Molinari. Wattel carded six birdies and one bogey in his round of 65, with Molinari hitting six birdies and two bogeys for a second successive 66. The US’ Peter Uihlein, Scotland’s Richie Ramsay and Dane Soren Hansen were two shots further back on six-under.
TENNIS
France, Switzerland on top
France and Switzerland both moved to within one point of the Davis Cup final on Friday when they swept the opening two singles rubbers in their respective semi-finals. In Geneva, Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka both won to put Switzerland 2-0 up against Italy. In Paris, Richard Gasquet and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga were the winners against defending champions the Czech Republic. Both countries just needed a win in yesterday’s doubles to be sure of reaching the Nov. 21-23 final. Federer defeated Simone Bolleli 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, 6-4 in the opening rubber of their semi-final against Italy and then Wawrinka crushed Fabio Fognini 6-2, 6-3, 6-2. Playing at Roland Garros in Paris, French No. 1 Tsonga coasted to a 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 win over Lukas Rosol, following Gasquet’s upset 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 victory over top Czech player Tomas Berdych.
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
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