TENNIS
Cuevas victorious in Brazil
Pablo Cuevas won his third ATP title on Sunday by defeating qualifier Luca Vanni 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(4) in the Brazil Open final. The 32nd-ranked Uruguayan lost his serve at 4-4 in the third set, but rebounded to force the tiebreaker and clinch the victory at the clay-court tournament in Sao Paulo. Cuevas has won all three singles finals he has played. His first two titles came last year, also on clay. The 149th-ranked Vanni, who served 13 aces, had the tournament of his career despite the loss. The 29-year-old Italian had never won a match on the ATP World Tour entering the week. He was the first qualifier to reach the Brazil Open final in the tournament’s 15-year history.
TENNIS
Nishikori wins in Memphis
Top seed Kei Nishikori completed a Tennessee triple when he won the Memphis Open tennis tournament in straight sets on Sunday. Japan’s Nishikori beat second-seeded South African Kevin Anderson 6-4, 6-4 for his third consecutive title in this indoor hard-court event. Nishikori clinched his eighth ATP Tour title in what proved to be his easiest match of the week. He dropped the first set in each of his three previous matches before battling back to advance. The 25-year-old Nishikori became the first Asian man to make a Grand Slam singles final when he finished runner-up at last year’s US Open.
CYCLING
Cavendish fastest in Spain
Mark Cavendish continued his flying start to the season as he sprinted to victory in the Almeria Classic on Sunday. The British rider edged out Spaniard Juan Jose Lobato and Australia’s Mark Renshaw to claim victory in the 185.9km race in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia in a time of 4 hours, 36 minutes, 19 seconds. Cavendish won two stages on his way to overall victory at the Tour of Dubai last week.
ICE HOCKEY
Montador found dead
Former NHL defenseman Steve Montador has died aged 35. Peel Region Police say Montador was found unconscious in his home in Mississauga, Ontario, early on Sunday morning and was later pronounced dead. No foul play was suspected. Montador made his NHL debut in 2001 with Calgary and played for six teams in parts of 10 seasons. The defenseman had 33 goals and 98 assists in 571 career games. Montador had five goals and nine assists in 52 games with Chicago in his last NHL season. He suffered a concussion in February 2012 and played in just one game the rest of the year.
SKIING
Grange claims slalom gold
Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Grange stole the limelight from reigning champion Marcel Hirscher of Austria to win the men’s slalom on Sunday in the final event of the Alpine Ski World Championships. Fifth after the opening leg, 2011 world champion Grange stormed down the twisting Birds of Prey piste in steady snowfall to post a combined time of 1 minute, 57.47 secondS. Grange, 30, covered the second run in 53.21 seconds. German Fritz Dopfer finished 0.35 seconds back in second with his compatriot Felix Neureuther taking bronze. Hirscher, bidding for his third gold medal of the championships, led by 0.28 seconds after the morning run and stayed out in front through the first three intervals of his second trip down the track before skiing out after straddling a gate.
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