TENNIS
Siegemund defeats Flipkens
Laura Siegemund of Germany on Thursday defeated Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium 7-6 (7/2), 6-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the Luxembourg Open. Siegemund only qualified for the main draw as a “lucky loser” in qualifying, and advanced to the second round when top seed Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland pulled out injured during their first-round encounter late on Wednesday. In a quarter-final yesterday, Siegemund was scheduled to play another Swiss, Stefanie Voegele, who defeated Anna-Lena Friedsam of Germany 6-3, 7-6 (7/4). Seventh-seeded Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic beat Johanna Larsson of Sweden 6-2, 7-5.
GOLF
Hearn shares Shriners lead
Canada’s David Hearn and the US’ Michael Thompson and Mark Hubbard on Thursday each fired seven-under-par 64 to share the lead in the darkness-halted first round of the Shriners Hospital for Children Open. The US’ Tyler Aldridge, level with the leaders at seven-under through 16 holes, was among 13 players unable to complete the opening round due to darkness and was scheduled to finish round one yesterday. Like the others clustered atop the leaderboard, he was seeking his first PGA title at TPC at Summerlin. Hubbard, trying to become the first alternate entrant to win a PGA event since 2013, made back-to-back birdies at 14 and 15 and a 30-foot birdie at the par-five 16th before a bogey at 17 dropped him into only a share of the lead. “I’m just happy to get in this week,” Hubbard said. “My game has been good. I’ve been waiting for the scores to match. It’s perfect conditions. Greens are soft and pins aren’t too tough.”
SOCCER
Champagne files for election
Jerome Champagne said he has filed papers to enter the FIFA presidential election. Champagne, who previously served as FIFA director of international relations, told reporters: “I sent my application letter and eight nomination letters to FIFA on Monday night.” The former French diplomat’s manifesto plans to modernize how FIFA is run, cut European places at FIFA and the World Cup, as well as trial use of video review to help referees. Champagne did not get nominated for the previous election, won in May by his ally, Sepp Blatter. He now joins Michel Platini, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein and David Nakhid in meeting Monday’s deadline to enter the Feb. 26 poll. More contenders are expected. Platini, who helped force Champagne’s FIFA exit in 2010, is unlikely to be accepted as a candidate.
SOCCER
Oceania body rejects appeal
The Oceania Football Confederation has rejected New Zealand’s appeal against disqualification from the region’s Olympic qualifying tournament for using an ineligible player. New Zealand’s under-23 team was ejected from the tournament in Papua New Guinea in July after its semi-final opponents, Vanuatu, protested that South African-born defender Deklan Wynne did not meet FIFA eligibility regulations. Vanuatu was awarded New Zealand’s place in the tournament final, which it lost to Fiji, who are to represent Oceania at the Olympics in Rio de Janiero next year. Wynne, 20, was declared ineligible for New Zealand because he did not meet FIFA’s requirement of having lived in an adoptive nation for five years. He moved to New Zealand with his family at the age of 14 and does not become eligible for New Zealand until 2018.
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