SOCCER
Australia fan banned for life
A fan who made a Hitler salute at a match in Australia was yesterday banned for life, with the sport’s governing body saying it had a zero-tolerance for “offensive behavior.” The man, who has not been named publicly, was among a group of supporters at the Australia Cup final in Sydney on Saturday caught on camera making fascist gestures and reportedly chanting far-right Croatian songs. Football Australia said one spectator has been identified and handed a lifetime ban from any future games it sanctions, including national team, A-League and Australia Cup fixtures. “The conduct in question relates to a fascist salute or similar gesture conducted during the match and captured on the host broadcast,” the governing body said.
TENNIS
Alcaraz stunned in Astana
Carlos Alcaraz’s first ATP Tour event as world No. 1 on Tuesday ended in a 7-5, 6-3 defeat to David Goffin at the Astana Open and the Spaniard said he would have to learn how to play against opponents who dial up the pressure and aggression. Alcaraz, the youngest player to top the men’s world rankings, was broken five times by lucky-loser Goffin. “He played better than me, really, really aggressive,” said 19-year-old Alcaraz, who won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open last month. Goffin said he had been confident of pulling off an upset despite not playing well in his last few tournaments. “When you play against the world No. 1 on a big stage, big crowd, the fire inside gives you so much power to play your best tennis because you don’t have any choice,” he said.
GOLF
Woods to help US team
Tiger Woods is to be involved with the US Ryder Cup team in “some capacity” next year in Rome, captain Zach Johnson said on Tuesday. Woods, 46, has played in three majors this year following a car crash last year that nearly cost him his right leg. The 15-time major champion finished 47th at the Masters in April, withdrew in pain after the third round of the PGA Championship in May and missed the cut at The Open Championship in July — his most recent start. Woods has played at eight Ryder Cups and was vice captain in 2016. Johnson told reporters that even if Woods does not go with them to the tournament, he would be part of the team in some capacity. “He already is, practically. I can’t put this mildly — he loves the Ryder Cup,” Johnson said.
HORSE RACING
King Charles gets first win
King Charles III on Tuesday celebrated his first winner since he inherited the late Queen Elizabeth II’s horses when Just Fine eased to victory at Leicester. The 10-3 shot was ridden by Ryan Moore and trained by Michael Stoute — the same combination behind the queen’s win with Estimate in the Gold Cup at Ascot in 2013. “A winner for the King,” Stoute said. “It is great to have done that for him — and he was very impressive.” The king’s racing manager John Warren said he was “delighted that the king and queen consort [Camilla] have had their first winner and they’ll be delighted.” Just Fine, the sixth runner in the king’s name, won Leicester’s Premier Event Hire Venue Handicap by four-and-a-half lengths.
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
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
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
Playing soccer and competing for trophies is the best way that many transplanted Hong Kongers and Macanese have found to stay in touch, and to interact with Taiwanese society, said officials at the Taiwan-Hong Kong-Macau Football Friendship Cup, which was held on April 13. Twelve clubs, mostly of players and coaches originally from Hong Kong and Macau, took part in the tournament in New Taipei City. The event is sponsored by the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) and the Taiwan-Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Co-operation Council. Participating teams were from the wider Taipei area, Hsinchu, Taichung, Kaohsiung and other areas. They divided into two