Venus Williams joined sister Serena on the sidelines of the Madrid Open on Tuesday after the third-ranked American player was beaten 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 by Alisa Kleybanova.
Serena, who retired from her match on Monday with a right knee injury, watched on from the stands as Kleybanova picked her shots well and ran Williams ragged throughout the 2 hours, 12 minute contest.
After splitting the first two sets, Kleybanova broke early for a 2-0 lead as Williams’ backhand misfired.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Williams broke the 26th-ranked Russian as she served for the match to level the set at 5-5.
But Williams continued to be troubled by erratic play as she lost her serve, eventually hitting long on match point to hand Kleybanova a pass into the third round.
Roger Federer began his final warmup for Roland Garros with a convincing 6-1, 7-5 win over Robin Soderling, while new No. 3 Andy Murray scored a tough 7-6 (9), 6-4 win against Simone Bolelli.
The Swiss star hit 24 winners and took advantage of the Swede’s 25 unforced errors to win four break points. Federer hit 11 aces, including on the final point to clinch his place in the third round.
Murray will next play No. 16 Tommy Robredo after the Spaniard rallied to defeat Mardy Fish of the US 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2.
Earlier, Croatian wildcard Ivan Ljubicic scored the first upset after beating ninth-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4, 7-5.
Madrid’s conversion from a fast-playing hardcourt to a clay surface looked to benefit 14th-seeded James Blake, who beat Romania’s Victor Hanescu 6-2, 6-4.
Other seeded players to advance included No. 7 Fernando Verdasco, No. 10 Nikolay Davydenko and No. 13 Marin Cilic.
On the women’s side, fourth-seeded Jelena Jankovic overcame a stubborn challenge from Daniela Hantuchova to win 7-5, 6-2.
Taiwan’s top women’s badminton doubles duo, Hsieh Pei-shan (謝沛珊) and Hung En-tzu (洪恩慈), achieved a straight-sets victory over Japan’s Kaho Osawa and Mayui Tanabe at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Super 300 Macau Open on Sunday. The Taiwanese pair won the final 21-18, 21-12, marking the duo’s second title this year after their win at the BWF Super 300 Taipei Open in May. The match on Sunday was their first encounter with the Japanese duo, ranked No. 63 in the world. Hsieh and Hung, ranked No. 12, began the opening game well. Hung, who plays left-handed, performed strongly at both the net and the
Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko upset top-seeded Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-4 on Saturday night to reach the National Bank Open quarter-finals. “Your support was incredible,” Mboko told the crowd in French after a chorus of “Ole, Ole, Ole” chants echoed around the venue. “I’m really happy to win today ... It’s incredible. I’m so happy to beat such a great champion.” Gauff dropped to 2-3 since winning the French Open. She followed the major victory with opening losses in Berlin and Wimbledon, then overcame double-fault problems to win two three-set matches in Montreal. Gauff had five double-faults on Saturday after having 23 in
Jobe Bellingham on Tuesday admitted to having “anxieties” on following in brother Jude’s footsteps after joining Borussia Dortmund in the summer. Jobe Bellingham, 19, is two years younger than Jude Bellingham, who joined Real Madrid in 2023 after three years at Dortmund. A centerpiece of the England national team, Jude Bellingham has emerged as one of the best players in the world in recent seasons. The younger Jobe Bellingham joined Dortmund in June from Sunderland after their promotion to the English Premier League. He admitted he understood what the perception would be ahead of the move to Germany. “It’s something you do think about.
Before Tuesday’s 7-2 win at the Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy suggested “most people couldn’t tell you five players on our team.” A look at the standings would indicate more Brewers players soon will be recognized by more fans. After all, it is difficult to overlook a team that not only continues to extend their lead in the National League Central, but also boasts the best record in the majors. “What we’re doing in here right now is special,” right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta said after allowing only four hits and one run in five innings, while setting a career high with
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