ICE HOCKEY
Canada, Finland make final
Canada blew a lead before making a comeback, fighting past the US 4-3 on Saturday to set up an ice hockey world championship final with Finland. Finland rubbed out Russia 3-1 in the other semi-final for a shot at their first championship in five years. Brendan Gallagher got Canada started with a rebound off Boone Jenner’s shot and Brad Marchand made it 2-0. The US surged back in the second period to go ahead with three goals in eight minutes, the first through Auston Matthews with a deflected slapshot. David Warsofsky tied the game in unusual circumstances when he hit the puck into the top-left corner, but it bounced out again and play continued, only for the goal to be given on review. Tyler Motte’s first goal of the tournament put the US in front off a pass from Dylan Larkin, but Derick Brassard hit back for Canada to level ahead of the third. Ryan Ellis scored the winning goal early in the third with a slap-shot to the top-right corner. “They gave us everything we could handle. We knew it was going to be a battle,” Canada goaltender Cam Talbot said. “There’s no quit in our game.”
TENNIS
Wawrinka wins in Geneva
Stan Wawrinka warmed up for his French Open title defense by winning the Geneva Open on Saturday, beating Marin Cilic 6-4, 7-6 (13/11) in the final. The top seed converted his second match point in a long tiebreaker when the Croatian sent a backhand long. Wawrinka had trailed 3-0 in the tiebreaker and saved four set points. The 31-year-old won his 14th career ATP Tour singles title and his first in Switzerland after more than a decade.
TENNIS
Thiem triumphs in Nice
Top seed Dominic Thiem of Austria beat German teenager Alexander Zverev 6-4, 3-6, 6-0 to win the Open de Nice final and clinch his third ATP Tour title of the year on Saturday. Thiem, the world No. 15, dropped serve four times, but broke Zverev’s serve six times on his way to a sixth career title. Zverev, who was playing in his first career final, double-faulted nine times — including four times in the deciding set, during which Thiem did not face a break point and won every point on his first serve. Thiem’s other titles this year were on an outdoor hard court in Acapulco and outdoor clay in Buenos Aires. Five of his titles are on clay.
TENNIS
Garcia lifts Strasbourg title
Caroline Garcia of France beat veteran Mirjana Lucic-Baroni of Croatia 6-4, 6-1 to win the Internationaux de Strasbourg on Saturday for her second career title. The 10th seed improved her overall record against Lucic-Baroni to 4-0, two on hard courts and two on clay. Garcia led 5-1 in the first set, before Lucic-Baroni — who came through the qualifying rounds — briefly rallied back to 5-4. Garcia had seven aces, dropped her serve twice and broke Lucic-Baroni’s serve five times. The 34-year-old Lucic-Baroni was back in the final 19 years after losing to Steffi Graf in Strasbourg.
TENNIS
Bertens wins in Nuremberg
Dutch qualifier Kiki Bertens defeated Mariana Duque-Marino of Colombia 6-2, 6-2 to win the Nuernberg Versicherungscup on Saturday. World No. 89 Bertens, who beat top seed Roberta Vinci in the second round and Germany’s Julia Goerges in the semi-finals, converted 11 of her 17 break points. It was Bertens’ second career victory after she claimed the title in Fes, Morocco, in 2012.
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