TENNIS
Germany take early lead
Alexander Zverev yesterday handed Germany a 1-0 lead in their Davis Cup World Group first-round tie against Australia when he outlasted Alex de Minaur in a four-hour marathon in Brisbane, Australia. Zverev was forced to fight every step of the way before seeing off the challenge of the 18-year-old De Minaur 7-5, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) on Pat Rafter Arena. The world No. 5 had looked down and out when De Minaur, playing superb defensive tennis, took a two sets to love lead. However, Zverev fought back to win the fourth set before recovering from an early break in the fifth to force a tiebreak. He then created a mini-break at 3-4 in the tiebreak and served superbly to take the match and give his country the early advantage. Zverev, 20, has had a disappointing Davis Cup record, with one win and four losses before yesterday’s match.
GOLF
Haas leads at Phoenix Open
Bill Haas used a hot start to jump to the first-round lead on Thursday, as several big names queued up close behind at the Waste Management Phoenix Open in Arizona. Haas shrugged off a late tee time to card seven-under-par 64 in front of a typically raucous and large crowd at TPC Scottsdale, two strokes ahead of a five-strong group including fellow American Rickie Fowler. Spanish world No. 2 Jon Rahm is three behind, while American Justin Thomas trails by four. In a field that includes four of the top five players in the world rankings, Japanese two-times defending champion Hideki Matsuyama made a decent start to trail by five shots, but out-of-sorts American Jordan Spieth struggled to a one-over 72.
OLYMPICS
Russians hail ban ruling
Russia has hailed a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Thursday to overturn Olympic doping bans on 28 of the country’s athletes, with the Russian Ministry of Sports declaring that “justice has finally triumphed.” The court ruled that there was insufficient evidence that 28 Russians, including several medalists, had broken anti-doping rules at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia. “This, of course, cannot but give us joy,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said. “It confirms our position on the fact that the vast majority of our athletes are clean.” On Tuesday, Putin had admitted that some Russian athletes had been involved in doping, but he portrayed allegations of a state-sponsored doping program at the 2014 Sochi Games as a politically motivated attack on Russia by Western countries.
FORMULA ONE
Grid girls, start times out
Having controversially dropped grid girls from Formula One, chiefs on Thursday axed another long-standing tradition — the 2pm start time. From this year, races are to start 10 minutes later, while the European and Brazilian grand prix are to begin an hour later than in previous years, Liberty Media Co said. “Some broadcasters usually go on air precisely on the hour, hence missing the tension and emotion that characterize the minutes before the start of each Grand Prix,” a statement said. “Thanks to this change, television viewers will be brought closer to the teams and the drivers and fully enjoy the spectacle offered just before the red lights go out.”
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