TENNIS
Osaka-Stephens face-off set
Naomi Osaka and Sloane Stephens, the last two US Open champions, are to make their career debuts at the WTA Finals by playing each other in their first match in Singapore tomorrow. The initial stage of the eight-player WTA Finals field is a round-robin competition with two teams of four players. The two players with the best record from each round-robin group advance to today’s semi-finals. Stephens, 25, won her first meeting with Osaka in the 2016 Acapulco quarter-finals in straight sets. “I think it will be super fun and it’s a great matchup,” Stephens said.
SOCCER
Maradona needs prostheses
Diego Maradona’s orthopedic surgeon on Friday said the Argentine great has no cartilage left in his knees due to severe osteoarthritis and needs prostheses. German Ochoa also said the 57-year-old must decide if he wants to have surgery. Maradona captained Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title. He last month became the new coach of Mexican second-tier club Dorados de Sinaloa. “The bones are rubbing against each other,” Ochoa told Argentina’s TyC Sports channel. “[The osteoarthritis] is very advanced and causes a great amount of swelling and pain,” he added.
OLYMPICS
Keino innocent, but maligned
Former Kenyan Olympic committee head Kip Keino’s reputation has been damaged unfairly in the Olympic corruption scandal, his lawyer said on Friday as he pushed for charges against the running great to be dropped. Lawyer Cecil Miller said he “very much” believes that the charges would be dropped, and that Keino would instead become a witness in the case against six other Olympic and government officials charged with the misappropriation of more than US$545,000 meant to fund Kenya’s team at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. “I was not writing any government checks,” Keino said. “It’s their people who did it. That’s what I know.”
FORMULA ONE
Hamilton fastest in practice
Even in the rain, Lewis Hamilton seems to be in unbeatable form. As for Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel’s fading title hopes, another unforced error might doom his chances once and for all. Hamilton’s Mercedes posted the fastest lap of Friday’s soggy practice sessions at the US Grand Prix, a race where he can clinch a fifth career championship today. Vettel was hit with a three-spot starting grid penalty for driving too fast under a red flag in the morning session. “In my opinion it is not the right thing: If there is a car behind you, it might run into you — but it is more important you don’t get a penalty,” Vettel said.
SOCCER
Bayern Munich attack media
Leading figures at German champion Bayern Munich hit out angrily against the media for their reporting of the club’s recent loss of form, even threatening to take legal action if necessary. Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, president Uli Hoeness and sport director Hasan Salihamidzic on Friday held a news conference to speak out against what they consider unfavorable media coverage. Rummenigge labeled some of the criticism aimed at Bayern “derogatory, slanderous reporting.” “It’s time that the most important club in Germany positions itself,” Hoeness said. “We will not accept any disrespectful and irreverent criticism anymore.”
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