Taiwan will have two pairs vying for the women’s doubles at the Olympic Games’ tennis event in Paris as Chan Hao-ching (詹皓晴) and her older sister Latisha Chan (詹詠然) officially clinched their third straight Olympic berth, the Chinese Taipei Tennis Association said Thursday.
According to the association, the International Tennis Federation confirmed Wednesday evening the Chan sisters’ qualification for the event, meaning they will join the duo of Hsieh Su-wei (謝淑薇) and Tsao Chia-yi (曹家宜) to compete in the quadrennial sports jamboree.
There are 16 entries in each doubles event.
Photo: Chen Chih-chu, Taipei Times
Hsieh, ranked No. 2 in the world on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) doubles rankings as of June 24, secured her slot earlier, given that the top 10 players can partner with a compatriot ranked within the top 300.
The 38-year-old former world No. 1 decided to pair up with Tsao, 20.
Following the top 10 players, quotas are distributed to pairs according to their combined ranking, based on which the 30-year-old Chan Hao-ching, ranked No. 24 in the world, chose to team up with her sister.
Latisha Chan has struggled with medical issues and not participated in a formal tournament since Sept. 30, 2023, when the Chans won the women’s doubles at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
Such a long absence from the court has seen her world ranking drop from No. 35 to No. 147, but she still holds a protected ranking of No. 35.
This mechanism allows players who have not played for an extended period due to injury or illness to use their pre- injury ranking to gain entry into tournaments on their return.
Chan Hao-ching’s decision to choose her sister over world No. 61 Wu Fang-hsien (吳芳嫻), whom she has paired with recently, has been questioned by observers.
Talking to the press in mid-June, Latisha Chan said she could not speak for Wu but thanked Chan Hao-ching for picking her, emphasizing that the decision was made in accordance with the rules, with the best chance of qualifying for the competition being the primary consideration.
“It means a lot to me and encourages me greatly to be able to get back on the court again,” she said, adding that it is a great honor for her to represent Taiwan in Paris.
Latisha Chan, who is turning 35 on Aug. 17, has participated in three editions of the Olympics. She said Paris will be her last one.
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
RSS