The Chan sisters got off to a flying start in the semi-finals of the women’s doubles at the China Open yesterday, but fell to defeat when the top seeds dug deep and fought back to clinch a 0-6, 6-1, 10-6 victory.
Taiwanese third seeds Chan Hao-ching and Chan Yung-jan looked to be racing to today’s final when they took the first set to love, but French pairing Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic battled back to win the second 6-1, before completing the victory in the super tiebreak in a match that lasted exactly an hour.
The Chan sisters saved both break points they faced in the first set and converted three of six, but the roles were reversed in the second, when the French duo saved both break points they faced and converted two of three.
Garcia and Mladenovic, top of the WTA Tour’s Road to Singapore doubles standings, won 47 of the 89 points contested to improve their record over the Taiwanese sisters to 2-0 following their victory in the semi-finals in Sydney in January.
The Taiwanese sisters are seventh in the Road to Singapore standings, with the top eight pairings qualifying for the season-ending WTA Finals.
In the singles, Johanna Konta became the first British woman in a generation to break into the top 10 as she booked her spot in today’s final.
The Briton put in a solid performance to advance to the biggest final of her career, beating eighth-ranked Madison Keys 7-6 (7/1), 4-6, 6-4.
After a tight first set, Keys’ serve let her down in the tiebreaker, but she rallied in the second despite continued pressure from the Briton.
After demanding seven set points from her US opponent for the second set, Konta stepped up her game in the third, keeping Keys on the defensive to take her a step closer to her second season — and career — title.
“I don’t think she made a lot of unforced errors or gave me a lot of balls to be able to get on the offense,” Keys told reporters after the match.
Konta faces world No. 3 Agnieszka Radwanska, who defeated Elina Svitolina 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 in their semi-final.
On the men’s side, world No. 2 Andy Murray beat Spaniard David Ferrer 6-2, 6-3 for a place in the finals, where he faces Grigor Dimitrov, who advanced after Milos Raonic could not start their semi due to an ankle injury.
JAPAN OPEN
Reuters
Sixth seed Nick Kyrgios battered Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-4, while David Goffin outlasted Marin Cilic 7-5, 6-4 yesterday to advance to the Japan Open final in Tokyo.
Australian Kyrgios overpowered the French second seed in 1 hour, 30 minutes, while Belgian Goffin, who is to play his first ATP final of the season today, trailed 5-3 in the opening set, but broke back and won the next four games against Croatian Cilic.
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