TENNIS
Hsieh exits Valencia
Taiwan’s Hsieh Yu-chieh and partner Beatrice Gumulya of Indonesia on Thursday crashed out of the women’s doubles quarter-finals at the WTA Internacional de Valencia tournament in Spain. The Czech duo of Anastasia Detiuc and Miriam Kolodziejova beat Hsieh and Gumulya 6-3, 6-3 in 1 hour, 17 minutes.
GOLF
Poulter appeals suspension
Britain’s Ian Poulter on Thursday said he would appeal his suspension from the PGA Tour for playing in the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series. The breakaway circuit has shaken the sport to its core, with the likes of six-time major champion Phil Mickelson and former world No. 1 Dustin Johnson signing up. Poulter was among 17 golfers sanctioned by the US-based Tour shortly after play started at LIV Golf’s inaugural event outside London. “I will appeal for sure. It makes no sense,” the former world No. 5 said after carding a five-over-par 75 in the opening round at Centurion Club. “Having two Tour cards and the ability to play golf all over the world, what’s wrong with that? I didn’t resign my membership because I don’t feel I have done anything wrong. I have played all over the world for 25 years. This is no different ... it’s a power struggle and it’s just disappointing.”
ATHLETICS
Russian blasts IOC
Olympic champion high jumper Maria Lasitskene on Thursday criticized International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach in an open letter for banning Russian athletes in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The 29-year-old — who has never lost a major international competition, but will likely be kept out of the world championships in Eugene, Oregon — wrote that banning Russians did not stop the war, “but on the contrary, it gave birth to a new one, around and inside the sports, which is impossible to contain.” Lasitskene, whose main competitors in high jump over the past five years have been from Ukraine, wrote: “I still don’t know what to say [to] them or how to look into their eyes. They and their friends and relatives are experiencing what no one human being should ever have to feel.” She said that people should stop identifying athletes by their country. “Fans fall in love with athletes not because of their nationality or citizenship, but because of what those show at competitions,” she wrote.
FORMULA ONE
Brazil votes on Hamilton
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton on Thursday said he was speechless after being made an honorary citizen of Brazil, after the lower house of parliament passed a bill to do so. The move had been proposed by Brazilian Federal Deputy Andre Figueiredo after the British driver won last year’s Brazilian Grand Prix and unfurled the Brazilian flag at Sao Paulo’s Interlagos circuit. “Today I was granted honorary citizenship to one of my favorite places in the world,” Hamilton, who is racing in Azerbaijan this weekend, told his 28.4 million followers on Instagram. “I don’t really have the words right now. Thank you Brazil, I love you.” The vote was largely symbolic, but some lawmakers criticized it. “I recognize Lewis Hamilton’s achievements ... but this bill makes clear that we are not addressing Brazil’s structural problems as a priority,” Tiago Mitraud of the New Party said.
After letting another big lead slip with an error-strewn performance at the French Open on Wednesday, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka felt like getting as far away from the courts as possible. “Just want to quit tennis right now,” Sabalenka said after wasting a lead of a set and two breaks in a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 loss to Diana Shnaider in the women’s singles quarter-finals. “We’ll see in few days. Hopefully I’ll get back on track mentally.” Sabalenka’s wait for a first French Open title continues despite the four-time major winner leading 4-1 in the second set and being two points from victory while
BIG NAMES GONE: Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title, reaching semi-finals for the fifth time in six years and finishing second on three occasions Alexander Zverev on Tuesday breezed past Rafael Jodar to stay on course for an elusive Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Jakub Mensik halted Joao Fonseca’s scintillating run in the quarter-finals. Zverev, the highest-ranked player left in the men’s draw, put an end to Spanish teenager Jodar’s impressive Roland Garros debut, easing into the semi-finals with a 7-6, (7/3), 6-1, 6-3 win. The 29-year-old Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title. He has finished runner-up on three occasions, including at the 2024 French Open. “I want to win the matches that are ahead of
Liverpool are in advanced talks with former AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as they seek a replacement for Arne Slot, reports said on Tuesday. Iraola has emerged as Liverpool’s top target to replace Slot, who was sacked on Saturday last week after a turbulent second season in charge. Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal in principle to bring the Spaniard, who left Bournemouth at the end of this season, to Anfield. Sporting director Richard Hughes was heavily involved in hiring Iraola during his time at Bournemouth and is again spearheading the recruitment of the highly rated coach. The Reds are
US President Donald Trump said he would attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday at Madison Square Garden, but said he does not have much sympathy for ordinary basketball fans who cannot afford sky-high ticket prices to do the same. “They can watch it on television,” Trump said aboard Air Force One on Friday as he flew to Wisconsin for an event with farmers, after he was asked about tickets that have climbed as high as US$8,000 each when the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs square off in Manhattan for the first time in the series. “It’s sorta
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