Sixth-seed local favorite Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova secured her second-round Kremlin Cup ticket with a straight-sets victory over Croatian teenager Ana Konjuh on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old Russian, seeking her seventh career title at the joint WTA and ATP event, outclassed Konjuh 6-3, 6-4 in their first-ever meeting.
The Paris WTA indoor winner broke midway through the first set and kept her narrow lead to lift herself 1-0 up in 31 minutes. The second set was a virtual copy of the first as Pavlyuchenkova, 30th in the WTA rankings, broke once again to take the set and the match in 1 hour, 21 minutes.
Meanwhile, unheralded Serbian Aleksandra Krunic, who appeared in the main draw via a wild card, produced the first upset by ousting eighth-seeded Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia 6-4, 6-2.
Moscow-born Krunic, 21, broke her rival’s serve twice for a one-set lead, as Garcia, who won her maiden WTA title in Bogota this year, broke back only once.
Among the men, Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan, last year’s runner-up, battled back from a set down to proceed into the second round past Russian wild-card Karen Khachanov with a 6-7 (3/7), 6-0, 6-2 victory.
LUXEMBOURG OPEN
AP, Luxembourg
Top-seeded Andrea Petkovic of Germany exited the Luxembourg Open in the first round on Tuesday, losing 6-4, 6-2 to Pauline Parmentier.
The 78th-ranked Frenchwoman posted her first victory on the main Tour over Petkovic after breaking her five times.
Belgian Kirsten Flipkens, seeded seventh, also bowed out prematurely from the US$250,000 hard-court tournament, losing 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 to Johanna Larsson.
Second seed Alize Cornet of France had a 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) win over Czech Lucie Hradecka, while former Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki of Germany — the No. 3 — beat Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova 7-5, 6-0.
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