SOCCER
Leipzig defeat Hamburg 3-1
RB Leipzig on Tuesday eased past second-division Hamburg SV 3-1 to reach the DFB-Pokal final for the first time in their young history. Leipzig, formed by energy drinks maker Red Bull 10 years ago as a fifth-division club, are now face the winners of yesterday’s semi-final between Bayern Munich and Werder Bremen for a shot at the club’s first silverware. Yussuf Poulsen headed the visitors in front in the 12th minute, but Bakery Jatta’s audacious strike from outside the box caught Peter Gulacsi off guard to level for the hosts. Hamburg, battling to return to the Bundesliga next season after last year’s relegation, were a step slower than their opponents. Leipzig, who hit the woodwork three times, went back ahead eight minutes after the restart thanks to a Vasilije Janjicic own-goal. Emil Forsberg then threaded in his shot in the 72nd to guarantee their maiden final appearance.
TENNIS
Kerber to face Petkovic
Germany’s Angelique Kerber is to face compatriot Andrea Petkovic in the second round of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, after Petkovic beat Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo in straight sets on Tuesday. World No. 5 Kerber was granted a bye to the second round after Romanian world No. 2 Simona Halep withdrew from the tournament with an injury, and is now face her friend and compatriot in an all-German duel today. “I will send Angie a SMS or two this evening,” Petkovic said after beating Tormo 6-3, 6-4. “Usually, the loser has to buy the other one dinner.” In the other ties, Belgium’s Greet Minnens sprung a surprise when she beat Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova, ranked 159 places above her, to set up a second-round meeting with Czech world No. 3 Petra Kvitova. Laura Siegemund became the third German to reach the second round when she beat Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko, while Anna-Lena Friedsam went down fighting in two sets against Dutch sixth seed Kiki Bertens. Earlier in the day, Elise Mertens of Belgium was knocked out by Russia’s Darya Kasatkina, while Anastasika Sevastova overcame fellow Latvian Jelena Ostapenko in a roller-coaster battle over three sets.
TENNIS
Zverev ousted in first round
Alexander Zverev on Tuesday crashed out of the Barcelona Open in the second round, continuing his troubled start to this year. The German, who joined the tournament on a late wild-card, was beaten 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7/5) by lucky loser Nicolas Jarry. German world No. 3 Zverev, who is looking to improve on his disappointing start to the year, came back from a double break down in the third set, but blew a match point at 6-5. It was the biggest win of Chilean Jarry’s career. The world No. 81 is now to face either Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria or Fernando Verdasco of Spain in today’s third round. Zverev’s brother, Mischa Zverev, was also eliminated, going out 6-3, 6-1 to David Ferrer in the first round, while Kei Nishikori eased to a 7-5, 6-2 win over Taylor Fritz to secure a place in the third round. Top seed and world No. 2 Rafael Nadal of Spain was yesterday to begin his campaign to win the Barcelona Open for a record 12th time against Leonardo Mayer.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
Rafael Nadal on Tuesday lost in straight sets to 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round at the Madrid Open, while Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei advanced to the semi-finals in the women’s doubles. Nadal said that he was feeling good about his progress following his latest injury layoff. Nadal called it a “positive week” in every way and said his body held up well. “I was able to play four matches, a couple of tough matches,” Nadal said. “So very positive, winning three matches, playing four matches at the high level of tennis. I enjoyed a lot playing at home. I leave here with
When 42-1 underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson 34 years ago at the Tokyo Dome, the result reverberated worldwide. Spectators at the 45,000-plus seater venue witnessed one of boxing’s biggest upsets as unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson was knocked out in the 10th round by the unheralded Douglas in February 1990. Boxing returns to the famous venue on Monday for the first time since that unforgettable encounter when Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue puts his belts on the line against Mexican Luis Nery. The 31-year-old Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) is a huge star in Japan and is just
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at