SOCCER
US and Canada advance
The US on Sunday earned the final spot in the Gold Cup semi-finals with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Jamaica at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Matthew Hoppe scored the only goal with a header from a cross by Cristian Roldan in the 83rd minute. The US next face reigning Asian champions Qatar on Thursday. In the earlier game in Texas, short-handed Canada also punched their ticket to the semis after a dominating 2-0 victory over Costa Rica. Junior Hoilett scored in the 18th minute by running onto the ball and lobbing a shot over Costa Rica goalkeeper Esteban Alvarado. Stephen Eustaquio scored Canada’s second in the 69th minute. Canada, who were missing key forwards Cyle Larin and Ayo Akinola, face defending champions Mexico on Thursday.
CRICKET
Kumar stars in India win
Seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar on Sunday took four wickets as a second-string India defeated Sri Lanka by 38 runs in the first Twenty20 international in Colombo. Chasing a target of 165, Sri Lanka fell prey to Kumar, who first removed opener Avishka Fernando, before dismissing Chamika Karunaratne, Isuru Udana and Dushmantha Chameera in the final four overs to guide India to a winning start. “It was a good batting wicket, but there was some help for bowlers, too,” said Kumar, who finished with 4-22. India’s Deepak Chahar (2-24) also troubled Sri Lanka, who were bowled out for 126 runs with nine balls to spare. After being sent in to bat, India got off to a shaky start, with debutant Prithvi Shaw dismissed on the first ball and Sanju Samson out for 27, but a half-century from Suryakumar Yadav and skipper Shikhar Dhawan’s 46 helped them set a decent target.
TENNIS
Teen Alcaraz claims title
Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday became the youngest Spanish champion on the ATP Tour since Rafael Nadal in 2004 when he captured the Croatia Open title in Umag. The 18-year-old swept past 35-year-old Richard Gasquet of France 6-2, 6-2 in the final. Nadal was also 18 when he won the first of his 88 titles in Sopot, Poland, in August 2004. World No. 73 Alcaraz is the third-youngest champion on the ATP Tour since 2000 after Kei Nishikori in Delray Beach, Florida, in 2008 and Nadal in Sopot. “It’s amazing. I have a lot of emotions. I’m really, really happy with this victory, this win, my first ATP title,” Alcaraz told the ATP Web site. “I’m going to enjoy this moment a lot.”
TENNIS
Collins wins in tough year
Danielle Collins of the US on Sunday became the WTA Tour’s 14th first-time champion of the year when she clinched the Palermo Ladies Open title. The 27-year-old top seed eased past Romanian qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse, ranked at No. 137, 6-4, 6-2 in the final. The American did not drop a set all week. “It’s given me so much self-confidence to finally win a tournament, because I’ve been on tour now for a couple of years and that was one of my goals,” world No. 44 Collins said. Victory came after a tough year for the American, who was off the tour between March and May. She had needed surgery to remove “a cyst the size of a tennis ball from my ovary,” she told Britain’s Daily Telegraph. “I’ve been improving, clearly, based on my results and being able to go longer with my stamina throughout the events,” Collins said.
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