Taiwanese sisters Chan Yung-jan and Chan Hao-ching both had to rally from a set down on Wednesday to advance to the quarter-finals of their respective doubles tournaments at the Mallorca Open and Aegon Classic.
Top seeds Chan Yung-jan and Martina Hingis overcame a tricky encounter against Veronica Cepede Royg of Paraguay and Sara Sorribes Tormo of Spain 5-7, 6-2, 10-7 on the grass courts in Mallorca.
The Taiwanese-Swiss duo saved three of six break points and converted four of seven in 1 hour, 19 minutes to advance to a quarter-final against Elise Mertens of Belgium and Demi Schuurs of the Netherlands.
Photo: Screen grab from facebook
The Taiwanese played her first ever match in shorts after spending her fourth day in Mallorca still awaiting the arrival of her suitcase.
In Birmingham, England, younger sister Chan Hao-ching and Zhang Shuai also had to fight back from a set down against Alize Cornet of France and Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan.
The Taiwanese-Chinese duo saved eight of 13 break points and converted five of 14 on their way to a 5-7, 6-3, 10-3 victory in 1 hour, 27 minutes at the Edgbaston Priory Club.
In the quarter-finals, Chan and Zhang face Shuko Aoyama of Japan and Yang Zhaoxuan of China, who comprehensively ousted third seeds Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada and Xu Yifan of China 6-3, 6-0.
In the singles, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova produced her most encouraging result since returning from a knife attack to advance to the quarter-finals.
The left-handed Czech hit 25 winners with 11 unforced errors as she easily beat fellow wild-card Naomi Broady of Britain 6-2, 6-2.
Kvitova has recently returned to action after sustaining a serious injury to her left hand — when she was stabbed by an intruder last year at her home in the Czech Republic — playing two matches on clay at the French Open.
“I have a little bit different view for tennis right now and for matches,” Kvitova said. “When I’m playing, I’m just a little bit more relaxed, I think, and I’m not as nervous as I was before.”
Kvitova hit some raking ground strokes, gradually made some enterprising net plays and widened her range of tactical choices as her confidence grew. There were some double faults, but when Kvitova needed to serve well, she did so, and at the end she was loudly cheered.
“I am trying to find my best each time I play,” Kvitova said. “I am here to play tennis and on the grass that I love. My tournament isn’t finished yet, for which I am really glad.”
Kvitova next faces either France’s Kristina Mladenovic, the fifth seed who ended Garbine Muguruza’s French Open title defense earlier this month, or world No. 31 Zhang.
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