GOLF
Fisher wins Africa Open
Trevor Fisher Jr claimed his maiden European Tour title on Sunday in East London and maintained a South African monopoly of the Africa Open tournament. The Johannesburg-born and based golfer closed with an eight-under 64 for a 264 total and a five-shot victory in the cosanctioned European Tour-Sunshine Tour championship. Englishman Matt Ford, joint first-round pacesetter and sole second-round leader, finished with a 69 for a 269 total and second place. Spaniards Jorge Campillo (66) and Eduardo de la Riva (66) and Dane Morten Madsen (66) shared third place. Fisher follows Major-winning compatriots Retief Goosen, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen, plus Shane Norris, Darren Fichardt and Thomas Aiken as Africa Open champions. Ranked 271 in the world, Fisher turned professional in 2003, has won eight Sunshine Tour titles and his form this year ahead of the Africa Open was two top-32 finishes.
BADMINTON
Marin takes All-England title
Carolina Marin of Spain staged a remarkable comeback to land the All-England Championships crown on Sunday, as Saina Nehwal blew the chance to become India’s first female winner. In the men’s final, world champion Chen Long captured the title for the second time in three years as he overcame charismatic Dane Jan O Jorgensen 15-21, 21-17, 21-15. It was China’s eighth men’s singles title in the event since 2005. Olympic bronze medalist Nehwal threw away a 6-1 lead in the second game before world champion Marin pressed the throttle to triumph 16-21, 21-14, 21-7. “It is an amazing feeling,” Marin told reporters. “I was making too many easy mistakes and was really nervous at the start, but I just wanted to enjoy it. “In the second game and at 11-9 down I felt there was a change and that I could win.”
TENNIS
Wozniacki beats Dulgheru
Danish star Caroline Wozniacki won the Malaysian Open after dispatching Romania’s Alexandra Dulgheru on Sunday. The top-seed lost the first set, but managed to overcome the initial setback and win the match 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. “I kept making you [Dulgheru] run, because I knew that you would eventually get tired, but well done and good luck in your next tournament,” Wozniacki said. With the win, she has managed to atone for her first-round early exit last year in the same Malaysian tournament. Wozniacki qualified for the final after beating Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei in straight sets in the semi-finals on Saturday. She posted a selfie on Instagram after collecting her trophy and wrote that she “couldn’t be happier” with her 23rd title. “Thank you Malaysia for a great week, can’t wait to be back!” she said.
TENNIS
Bacsinszky wins in Malaysia
Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland rallied to win the Monterrey Open early yesterday for her second straight WTA Tour title in Mexico. The fourth-seeded Bacsinszky beat third-seeded Caroline Garcia of France 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 after waiting out a four-hour rain delay in the second set in the hard-court event at Club Sonoma. Bacsinszky also beat Garcia last week in Acapulco in the Mexico Open final, winning 6-3, 6-0. Bacsinszky has three career WTA Tour titles. Bacsinszky held serve in a 15-minute game to take a 5-3 lead in the final set. Garcia held to cut it 5-4, and Bacsinszky ended the match on serve nearly seven hours after they took the court.
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