Former champion Agnieszka Radwanska reached the semi-finals of the Aegon International in Eastbourne, England, on Thursday with a straightforward 6-2, 6-2 defeat of Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova.
The 2008 champion from Poland, who went out in the first round on the English south coast in three successive editions from 2012 to last year, needed just 1 hour, 5 minutes to advance with four breaks of serve.
World No. 13 Radwanska, seeded ninth, was due to face off against Sloane Stephens yesterday after the American advanced without hitting a shot when Russian lucky loser Daria Gavrilova had to retire before their quarter-final with an abdominal strain.
Photo: AFP
Radwanska improved her Eastbourne record to 12-7 as she beat Pironkova for the ninth time in 11 meetings, following up her semi-final on the grass courts in Nottingham earlier this month.
While Radwanska wasted no time in advancing on a sunny day at Devonshire Park, it took Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic just under 2 hours to eliminate the last British challenger of the week at the Wimbledon warm-up.
The world No. 31, who played a grass-court final this month in the Netherlands and lost to Italy’s Camila Giorgi, defeated Australia-born Johanna Konta of Britain 2-6, 6-0, 6-3.
World No. 146 Konta came in on a wild card and turned in the best week of her career as she won three consecutive matches. The last Briton to do that in Eastbourne was Jo Durie 32 years ago.
Two of Konta’s wins came over fourth seed Ekaterina Makarova of Russia and 14th seed Garbine Muguruza of Spain.
Bencic lost the opening set, but changed tactics to get back into the contest.
“It was a very difficult match, she’s a good player and really made me work,” said Bencic, who is advised by the mother of former Swiss prodigy Martina Hingis. “We had some great rallies.”
“I didn’t play badly in the first set, but I missed on some key points,” she said.
“In the second and third I played more aggressively, and got in more first serves. Of course, I knew that the crowd was on her side, but thanks to the fans who cheered for me. I was fighting on every point,” she added.
Bencic survived six aces from Konta and saved 10 of a dozen break points against her serve.
In yesterday’s semi-finals she was due to face second seed and former champion Caroline Wozniacki, who defeated 10th seed Andrea Petkovic of Germany 7-5, 6-1 in Thursday’s final quarter-final.
In the early doubles semi-final yesterday, fourth seeds Caroline Garcia of France and Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia ousted top seeds Hingis of Switzerland and Sania Mirza of India 7-5, 6-4 in 1 hour, 21 minutes.
The French-Slovenian duo saved 12 of 15 break points and converted five of 12 to set up a final against either Taiwan’s Chan Yung-jan and Zheng Jie of China or second-seeded Russian pairing Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina, who were due to play their semi-final later yesterday.
Additional reporting by Dave Carroll
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