CYCLING
Adam Yates wins Clasica
Adam Yates became the first British winner of the Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian on Saturday with the Orica-GreenEdge rider also claiming his maiden title at UCI WorldTour level. The 22-year-old went into the race on the back of a 50th place finish in the Tour de France. Belgium’s Philippe Gilbert of BMC Racing Team, the 2011 winner, was second just ahead of Spain’s defending champion Alejandro Valverde of Movistar Team. Yates won by 15 seconds after reeling in a late escape launched by young French rider Warren Barguil of Team Giant-Alpecin on the race’s final climb, the col de Bordako Tontorra, 7km from the finish. “Incredible,” Yates said. “I won, but I didn’t know I had won. I spoke on the radio to my sport director, but because of the crowds the radio was too quiet. On the final climb there was a breakaway still up the road. Then there was a lot of carnage on the climb, there was a crash with a motorbike and so I just went full gas. At the time I didn’t know if I had reached the lead or not.”
TENNIS
Goffin facing Thiem in final
Top seed David Goffin of Belgium eased to a 6-4, 6-2 win against two-time champion Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil in the Swiss Open semi-finals in Gstaad on Saturday. In yesterday’s final, world No. 14 Goffin was due to face world No. 24 Dominic Thiem of Austria. Thiem beat second seed Feliciano Lopez of Spain 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 to maintain a winning run he started by taking the Croatia Open title the previous weekend. Goffin never allowed Bellucci a break point in the match and took control after converting the only chance to break in the first set at 4-4. The 24-year-old Belgian was seeking his third career title and his first on clay. Thiem never dropped serve, landed 79 percent of his first serves and was helped by Lopez’s nine double faults.
GOLF
Kiradech makes semis
Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat lived up to his billing as the “Asian John Daly” on Saturday when his ambitious game gave him a place in the Paul Lawrie Match Play semi-finals in Aberdeen, Scotland. The 26-year-old recovered from a shaky start to beat Michael Hoey 2-and-1 in his quarter-final. Kiradech was three down after four holes, but he went on to win four of the final seven to see off his opponent and book a last-four clash against second seed Marc Warren of Scotland. Warren shot an eagle on the 19th hole to secure his spot in the semi-finals. The Scotsman overcame a back problem and a three-hole deficit to beat England’s Tyrrell Hatton in a playoff. David Howell was the first man to qualify for the final four when he beat fellow Englishman Chris Wood 5-and-4. Howell was due to take on Robert Karlsson in the semi-finals after the Swede beat Scotland’s Richie Ramsay by one hole.
GOLF
Widegren grabs the lead
Pontus Widegren of Sweden took a one-shot lead into the final round of the Madeira Islands Open and the hope of a first win on the European Tour. Widegren offset two bogeys with two eagles before the turn, and finished the third round with a five-under 67 to sit on a total of 16-under 200. Widegren said he struggled on the greens, but was able to overcome a tough start by hitting “a nice eagle at No. 3” and building momentum. Tied for second were Scott Henry of Scotland and Roope Kakko of Finland. Henry enjoyed a flawless round of 65 with seven birdies, while Kakko finished his round of 64 with three straight birdies.
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