TENNIS
US stay alive
US pair Steve Johnson and Jack Sock kept the Davis Cup quarter-final against Australia alive with a gritty five-set win over John Peers and Sam Groth in Brisbane, Australia, yesterday. After losing both singles rubbers on Friday, the US needed to win the doubles to give themselves some hope heading into today’s reverse singles. And the American duo made sure the US would live to fight another day when they outlasted the Australian pair 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 2-6, 6-3. The win sets up an intriguing final day, with tennis “bad boy” Nick Kyrgios getting the chance to win over the Australian public when he takes on Sock in the first of the reverse singles.
CRICKET
Windies chase down 308
The West Indies pulled off their biggest successful chase in one-day internationals when they beat Pakistan by four wickets with an over to spare at the Providence Stadium on Friday. Pakistan, heavily favored after winning the Twenty20 series 3-1, were put in to bat first by the heavily depleted West Indies and put up a comfortable 308-5. The home side made a steady and safe start, but the required run rate climbed to nearly 10 an over entering the final 10 overs. However, despite losing three partners, Jason Mohammed took on the Pakistan attack and smashed them for a career-best 91 not out off 58 deliveries to lead the side to 309-6 in 49 overs and an unexpected triumph.
SOCCER
Villarreal stay in hunt
Villarreal stayed in the hunt for a top-four finish and a Champions League berth after beating visiting Athletic Bilbao 3-1 on Friday, despite finishing the match with 10 men. Defender Victor Ruiz helped Villarreal establish their lead by scoring an early goal and setting up substitute Adrian Lopez for their third. However, he also earned a direct red card for a harsh tackle on Inaki Williams with 15 minutes to go. Defender Aymeric Laporte leveled for Bilbao, but the hosts restored their lead just after halftime through striker Cedric Bakambu.
SOCCER
Frankfurt, Bremen draw
Eintracht Frankfurt put the brakes on Werder Bremen’s progress with a 2-2 draw in the Bundesliga on Friday. Bremen looked good for another win after going 2-0 up, but Frankfurt hit back to move into seventh place, while Bremen were in 10th spot ahead of the rest of the weekend’s matches. Bremen struck with their first clear chance seven minutes before the break when Florian Kainz crossed for Zlatko Junuzovic to blast in a volley and Fin Bartels made it 2-0. David Abraham scored just after the break with a header from a corner and then Marco Fabian equalized with a penalty in the 73rd minute
SOCCER
Balotelli scores away goals
Mario Balotelli scored his first away goals of the season as OGC Nice won 2-1 against Lille OSC on Friday. The Italian striker struck twice in the first half, with a neat cushioned volley and a tap-in, to take his season’s tally to 13. The previous 11 had all been scored at home. Midfielder Ibrahim Amadou put Lille ahead in the 14th minute. Balotelli, who has four goals in his past four games, looked sharp throughout and had two other efforts saved in the first half and went close with a late free-kick. Midfielder Ibrahim Amadou put Lille ahead in the 14th minute with a heavily deflected shot from outside the penalty area.
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
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and