Hsieh Su-wei and Sania Mirza cruised into the quarter-finals of the doubles at the Qatar Total Open on Tuesday, while Taiwan’s Chan Hao-ching also advanced.
Top seeds Hsieh and Mirza took just 50 minutes to dispatch Spanish duo Anabel Medina Garrigues and Arantxa Parra Santonja 6-2, 6-2 on the hard courts in Doha.
The Taiwanese-Indian duo, ranked No. 6 and No. 5 in the world respectively, saved all three break-point chances they faced, while converting four of eight to set up a quarter-final against either German pairing Julia Goerges and Anna-Lena Groenefeld or Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic, who were due to play yesterday.
Hsieh and Mirza will be hoping that their new partnership finally begins to gel in Doha after they were knocked out in the round-of-16 in Dubai, in the round-of-32 at the Australian Open and in the semi-finals last time out in Brisbane.
Also advancing was Chan and her partner Casey Dellacqua of Australia, who knocked out third seeds Martina Hingis of Switzerland and Flavia Pennetta of Italy 7-6 (7/5), 6-4.
Chan and Dellacqua saved two of four break-point opportunities and converted three of six to complete the victory in 1 hour, 25 minutes.
The Taiwanese-Australian duo face Gabriela Dabrowski and Marina Erakovic in the quarter-finals after the Canadian-New Zealand pairing defeated Ukrainian duo Yuliya Beygelzimer and Olga Savchuk 4-6, 6-2, 10-8.
In the singles, sixth seed Andrea Petkovic advanced to the second round with a 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-2 win over Belgian qualifier Kirsten Flipkens.
Flipkens, who beat Petkovic in the second round in New Haven in August last year, showed a good touch in the first set — only to crumble in the second as Petkovic opened up a 4-0 lead.
World No. 10 Petkovic was in total control of the third set, with the German winning four games in a row to seal the contest.
“Kirsten isn’t a great matchup for me. I always struggle against her,” Petkovic said. “She played really well, especially in the first set. I was able to step up my game in second and third sets.”
Carla Suarez Navarro advanced after fellow Spaniard Garbine Muguruza retired due to a viral illness with Suarez Navarro leading 6-5 after the first set.
Jelena Jankovic thrashed Chinese lucky loser Zheng Saisai 6-0, 6-2, while Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic beat Swiss qualifier Stefanie Voegele 7-6 (7/4), 6-4.
Seventh seed Venus Williams advanced to the quarter-finals after a 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5) win over Zahlavova Strycova in the only second-round match played.
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