Taiwan took a giant stride toward the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group II final yesterday by taking a 2-0 lead over the Philippines in their best-of-five rubbers match at the Philippine Columbian Association in Manila.
World No. 227 Chen Ti gave the visitors a 1-0 lead in the semi-final in the first singles rubber when he defeated Ruben Gonzales 6-2, 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 in 2 hours, 25 minutes.
Chen saved five of eight break points and converted seven of 11, winning 106 of the 190 points contested against Gonzales, who mixed nine aces with six double faults.
World No. 529 Huang Liang-chi then put Taiwan on the brink of the final by defeating world No. 1,189 Francis Casey Alcantara 6-1, 3-6, 6-7 (4/7), 6-1, 1-0 in a truncated second singles rubber after Alcantara retired after 2 hours, 29 minutes.
Huang saved seven of 11 break points and converted eight of 10, firing nine aces and winning 122 of the 217 points contested.
Taiwan could wrap up the victory today when Hung Jui-chen and Wang Chieh-fu take on Treat Huey and Jeson Patrombon in the doubles rubber.
In the other semi-final, Thailand were also on the brink of making the final after taking a 2-0 lead over Vietnam.
Kittiphong Wachiramanowong won the first singles rubber 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 in Thailand, when Vietnam’s Nam Hoang Ly retired, before Pruchya Isarow defeated Thien Nguyen Hoang 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.
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
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