TENNIS
Venus exits WTA Istanbul
Top-seeded Venus Williams’ bid to win the WTA Istanbul Cup ended at the first hurdle on Tuesday as the US icon lost 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) to Ukrainian qualifier Kateryna Bondarenko. Bondarenko looked to be cruising at 6-4, 5-2 before 35-year-old Williams rediscovered her touch and fighting spirit, and battled back to even serve for the set. However, Bondarenko woke up from her mini-slump and won 11 of the last 15 points to take the match. “Your first match is never perfect. She’s played matches in the qualification and just never missed today, making great shots all game long. I’m really sad. I came here to play and to win, but I ran into an opponent that was just too hot today,” Williams said.
TENNIS
Almagro defeats Verdasco
Nicolas Almagro upset fifth-seeded Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 in an all-Spanish contest on clay to reach the second round of the Swedish Open on Tuesday. Almagro, the 2010 Bastad champion and winner of 12 clay-court titles, sealed victory on his third match point. Sixth-seeded Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil beat Swedish wild-card Elias Ymer 6-4, 6-2 and next faces another Swede, Christian Lindell. Paul-Henri Mathieu beat seventh-seeded Jeremy Chardy 7-5, 6-3 in an all-French first-round match and next plays Ernests Gulbis of Latvia, who easily defeated Marsel Ilhan of Turkey 6-2, 6-0. In other matches, No. 8 Jerzy Janowicz of Poland took 89 minutes to overcome qualifier Andrea Arnaboldi of Italy 6-4, 7-5. His next match is against Steve Darcis of Belgium, who beat Daniel Gimeno-Traver of Spain 6-4, 6-3. Germany’s Alexander Zverev hit nine aces in a 6-7(4/7), 6-4, 6-3 victory over compatriot qualifier Julian Reister to line up a second-round match with No. 4 Juan Monaco of Argentina. Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain beat Luca Vanni of Italy 6-4, 6-4.
TENNIS
Jaziri rallies to beat Krajicek
Seventh-seeded Malek Jaziri of Tunisia rallied to defeat Austin Krajicek of the US 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-4 in the first round of the Claro Open on Tuesday. The 82nd-ranked Jaziri needed 1 hour, 53 minutes to clinch the win and secure a spot in the round-of-16 of the ATP 250 hard-court tournament. In other first-round matches on Tuesday, qualifier Marcelo Demoliner of Brazil defeated Illya Marchenko of Ukraine 6-3, 7-5, while Tatsuma Ito of Japan came back to beat qualifier Matthew Ebden of Australia, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4. Top-seeded Ivo Karlovic of Croatia and second-seeded Bernard Tomic of Australia were scheduled to debut yesterday.
ICE HOCKEY
Las Vegas eyes NHL team
Las Vegas is hoping to gain its first major sports team with confirmation that it is one of two cities to apply to join the National Hockey League. Bids from Las Vegas and Quebec City were submitted to the NHL by the Monday deadline, the league said on Tuesday. “We can confirm that we have received two applications: one from Bill Foley for a franchise in Las Vegas, Nevada, and one from Quebecor for a franchise in Quebec City, Quebec,” the league said. Bill Foley is a businessman who heads the group named Hockey Vision Las Vegas. Quebecor, a Canadian telecom and media conglomerate, announced on Monday that it was seeking a franchise. The league said they were the only two to apply from the 16 that initially expressed interest. Multiple reports said the potential new owners had to include a US$10 million down payment. Two more stages of “documentation submission” are required before a final decision is made.
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