TENNIS
Keys wins in Strasbourg
Top-seeded American Madison Keys overcame an inconsistent serve to reach the second round of the Strasbourg International with a 6-4, 6-3 win against countrywoman Christina McHale on Monday. Keys had four aces, but also double-faulted twice, dropped her serve twice in the first set and saved all three break points in the second set. The 20-year-old Keys next faces Croatian veteran Mirjana Lucic-Baroni. American Alison Riske also reached the second round after upsetting fifth-seeded Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan 7-5, 4-6, 6-1. Second-seeded Jelena Jankovic of Serbia advanced with a 7-6(6), 6-3 win against Irina Falconi, third-seeded Samantha Stosur of Australia beat Monica Puig 6-0, 6-3, fourth-seeded Alize Cornet of France won 6-3, 6-3 against Qiang Wang, and sixth-seeded Coco Vandeweghe beat Oceane Dodin 7-6(3), 7-5.
BASKETBALL
Pelicans eye Chinese star
The New Orleans Pelicans have invited Chinese forward He Tianju to attend the NBA Summer League in July with an eye on drafting him. His Chinese club, Liaoning Leopards, yesterday published the invitation from Pelicans’ director of player personnel David Booth, asking the 24-year-old to train from July 3 and play in games in Las Vegas on July 11 and July 21. “I became familiar with He Tianju from a recent scout trip to China at the beginning of January,” Booth was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying in the letter. “I have observed him on several occasions and think that it would be a great experience for him as a player to be involved with our summer league team.” The 2.06m-tall He was voted starting forward in the China Basketball Association All-Star games this year after helping Liaoning to the runners-up position in the league. There are no Chinese players currently playing in the NBA after Yi Jianlian left the Dallas Mavericks in 2012.
FOOTBALL
Williams to undergo surgery
The Seattle Seahawks’ defensive tackle Jesse Williams is to undergo kidney surgery after being diagnosed with cancer. The Seahawks announced Williams’ diagnosis of papillary type 2 cancer on Monday, but did not provide details. In a statement, the 24-year-old Williams of Australia said he is going to focus on his health and “fighting this battle with a return to football as my ultimate goal.” According to statistics from the American Cancer Society, the average age of people diagnosed with kidney cancer is 64 and kidney cancer for those under the age of 45 is rare. Williams was taken by Seattle in the fifth round of the 2013 draft, but he has been plagued by knee injuries and is still awaiting his NFL debut.
TENNIS
Hewitt to remain on bail
A South African judge has extended the bail of retired doubles tennis champion Bob Hewitt, who wants to appeal his conviction for raping and sexually assaulting minors in the 1980s and 1990s. Judge Bert Bam yesterday ordered that Hewitt, who was sentenced to six years in prison on Monday, be confined to his home until a June 19 hearing on whether he can appeal his conviction and sentence. Bam said he is allowing time for Hewitt’s new lawyer to review case records. Theresa Tolken, one of Hewitt’s accusers, said the defense team is trying to delay the legal process to keep the former Tennis Hall of Famer out of prison. Under Bam’s ruling, 75-year-old Hewitt can only leave his home in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province for medical appointments.
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