FORMULA ONE
Vettel holds off Hamilton
Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel held off a tremendous late charge from Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton to win the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday and take a seven-point lead in the title race. Hamilton was catching the German on every lap, but ultimately ran out of time and finished almost seven seconds behind. “The car was really amazing to drive,” Vettel said. “Lewis was a threat towards the end and with the traffic you never know.” Vettel and Hamilton were level with a win each, but Vettel’s second victory of the season and the 44th of his career puts him in command heading into the Russian Grand Prix in two weeks. “We just have to make sure we keep it going, but for now the team has done a really, really great job,” Vettel said. “I had a good feeling yesterday and after a couple of laps [today] I thought everything was making sense.” Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas finished third.
TENNIS
Vondrousova wins first title
World No. 233 Marketa Vondrousova won her first WTA Tour title on Sunday when the 17-year-old defeated Anett Kontaveit of Estonia 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) in the Biel Ladies Open final. The Czech teenager came through qualifying at the hard-court event and knocked out top seed Barbora Strycova in the semi-finals. “It’s the biggest win of my career, because I’d mostly played smaller tournaments,” said the left-hander, who was playing in just her second WTA Tour tournament. “This was one of my first big tournaments and I was injured in my left elbow for a lot of last year. I had to do a lot of fitness, which helped me become a better mover. Now I’m playing really great.”
GOLF
Rookie Bryan wins Heritage
Rookie Wesley Bryan carded a four-under 67 on Sunday to claim his first PGA Tour title, edging former world No. 1 Luke Donald by one stroke at the Heritage. Bryan’s four-under effort at Harbour Town in Hilton Head, South Carolina, gave him a 13-under total of 271. He became the first South Carolina-born player to win the event since it was launched in 1969. Bryan also booked an invitation to next year’s Masters. After a dominant season on the Web.com Tour last year, Bryan admitted he had hoped to win on the PGA Tour in time to book a berth in this year’s Masters — which was won by Sergio Garcia the previous weekend. “But I guess the week after Augusta’s not too bad,” he said. Taiwan’s Pan Cheng-tsung carded a 69 to finish tied for 44th place on two-under.
GOLF
Molinari ends title drought
Edoardo Molinari came from four shots behind to win a European Tour event for the first time in almost seven years when he edged Irishman Paul Dunne at the first playoff hole to take the Trophee Hassan II in Marrakesh on Sunday. Italian Molinari, 36, stormed through with two eagles in his final seven holes to shoot 68 and tie the 24-year-old Dunne. Dunne hit his playoff hole tee shot straight into the trees and missed a difficult putt for a bogey on the par-five 18, allowing Molinari a short putt to clinch his first title since Gleneagles in 2010. “It’s been a while now, I’ve been through some tough times in the last years. I felt my chances had gone after a bogey on the 16th, but then I got a birdie on the difficult 17th and a very exciting eagle at the last,” Molinari 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