Taiwanese No. 1 Lu Yen-hsun crashed out of the first round of the Australian Open yesterday when Russia’s Andrey Rublev rallied from a set down to earn a 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/0), 6-3 victory at Melbourne Park.
The Moscow-born world No. 156 mixed 19 aces with six double faults, converting four of seven break points in winning 137 of the 259 points contested to wrap up the victory in 2 hours, 50 minutes.
Taipei-born Lu, ranked 61st in the world, had his chances, but managed to convert only three of the 22 break points he created to exit the first Grand Slam of the year on the first day.
Photo: AP
Rublev next faces world No. 1 and top seed Andy Murray in the second round.
In the women’s singles, Simona Halep also fell at the first hurdle for a second straight year after the Romanian, hampered by a nagging knee problem, lost 6-3, 6-1 to Shelby Rogers of the US.
Halep, ranked fourth at Melbourne Park, became the first seed to be bundled out of the season-opening Grand Slam, falling to the power-hitting American in 75 minutes.
She sought medical advice after the first set and was seen flexing her left knee throughout the second.
“I had pain at my knee,” Halep told reporters. “For me, in the second set, was difficult to move anymore, but she deserved to win.”
Halep said she had been battling the problem since the WTA Tour Finals in Singapore last year.
“I had some anti-inflammatory [medication] before the match and the previous days,” she said. “I can play about 45, 50 minutes without pain, and then it comes. Today it was about 5-3 in the first set, so then it was tough to fight... and I couldn’t do what I wanted.”
Rogers, who beat former top-10 player Eugenie Bouchard two weeks ago in Brisbane, was overjoyed at her victory and believed making the quarter-finals at Roland Garros last year had helped her confidence.
“The biggest thing I took away from that was just that I can compete with the top players in the world and I’m good enough,” the 24-year-old said.
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