Taiwanese duo Chan Chin-wei and Hsu Chieh-yu battled into the second round of the Korea Open in Seoul yesterday after being taken to the super tiebreak by Julia Glushko of Israel and Olivia Rogowska of Australia.
The Taiwanese pairing saved none of the three break-point chances they faced, but converted four of nine to complete a 6-2, 4-6, 10-5 victory in 1 hour, 8 minutes.
Chan and Hsu next face Oksana Kalashnikova of Georgia and Renata Voracova of the Czech Republic in the quarter-finals after the fourth seeds defeated Ana Bogdan of Romania and Anna-Lena Friedsam of Germany 6-3, 7-6 (7/4).
Chan and Hsu face a possible semi-final against top-seeded Taiwanese sisters Chan Hao-ching and Chan Yung-jan in the semi-finals should they prevail.
In the singles, top-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland beat Slovakia’s Polona Hercog 6-3, 6-3 to reach the second round.
Defending champion Radwanska converted five of eight break points to defeat Hercog at Olympic Park Tennis Center in 1 hour, 15 minutes and set up a second-round match against Chanelle Scheepers of South Africa.
In other first-round matches, third-seeded Klara Koukalova of the Czech Republic outlasted Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands 6-0, 4-6, 6-4, sixth-seeded Kaia Kanepi Estonia overpowered Russia’s Elizaveta Kulichkova 6-2, 6-4, while wild-card entry Maria Kirilenko of Russia defeated Croatian Donna Vekic 3-6, 6-2, 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