SPORTS SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2016

Women need five-sets to win equality battle

PARIS: After a bruising start, this ultimately 6-4, 6-4 victory for women players in their wrong. There will always be those who feel they’re not worth forking out for like the morphed into a points-scoring week for unfinished battle for equality. And it will that men’s matches offer better value for men. At the in June, hospitali- women’s tennis. Quick recap: Novak remain unfinished just so long as tennis money because they are more likely to run ty packages for the men’s final will cost Djokovic put both feet in his mouth by continues to make women play a different longer. That ignores the fact that a hard- twice as much as for the women’s final. suggesting that male players should be game from the men. fought 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 - to cite just the exam- Organizers say that is because there is paid more, and by condescendingly prais- Not having women play best-of-five-set ple of against Victoria greater public demand to watch the men. ing women athletes for overcoming “a lot matches, like men, at major tournaments is Azarenka in the French Open third round Djokovic followed similar logic in arguing of different things that we don’t have to go core to tennis’ equality problem, because it last year - can be more memorable than a that male players should get more money. through. You know, the hormones and dif- hardwires gender inequality into the sport. men’s 6-3, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 - the score of Rafael “We have much more spectators,” he ferent stuff.” At the Olympic Games, the equivalent Nadal’s fourth-round win at Roland Garros said. But popularity is cyclical. As the gold- Sigh. Hardly the sort of forward-look- would be 80-meter sprints for women, against . en era of Roger vs. Rafa comes to an end, ing, 21st century leadership one wants to while men run 100. Or 40-meter pools. Or, The quantity-trumps-quality mindset is Djokovic cannot be sure that audiences hear from the top-ranked man. Billie Jean in football, 60-minute matches. impossible for women to beat completely won’t shift from the men’s game. It wasn’t King, , and a few days of reflec- Truncated tennis for when they are not playing the same for- that long ago that vs. Martina tion subsequently helped to put him right. women perpetuates offensive myths mat as men, and not being allowed to sell Navratilova was a more intriguing rivalry Djokovic backpedaled with a qualified about weaker and superior sexes. It sug- the same product. Best-of-five tennis can than Djokovic against Andy Murray is now. apology. Then, Raymond Moore resigned gests that women aren’t physically and be more dramatic, because the additional Forget the argument that best-of-five as the Indian Wells tournament director, mentally strong enough to play five sets, length can encourage more momentum matches for women couldn’t be shoe- falling on his sword for suggesting that even though that is patently false. It fuels swings, comebacks, collapses, and epic horned into cramped Grand Slam sched- women players should fall to their knees in noxious arguments that women don’t marathons. Women are being deprived of ules. That assumes that men can’t make thanks for male counterparts who have deserve the equal prize that stage. Cheaper tickets for best-of- space. Best-of-three for both men and “carried this sport.” money at majors they fought long and three major finals than for best-of-five also women in early rounds of the showcase Sexism coming back to bite men who successfully for, because they play fewer send the message, tournaments, followed by best-of-five for should know better. Count this week as a sets than men to win it. In short, it is plain even before women have played, that both in the later stages might work. — AP

Federer to return from 2-month layoff Friday at Key Biscayne

KEY BISCAYNE: Roger Federer wasn’t playing tennis when he hurt his knee two months ago. He was playing Dad. Federer said he was preparing a bath for his twin daughters when he turned and heard a click in his left knee, leading to the first surgery of his career Feb 3. “It was a very simple movement, probably a movement I’ve done a million times in my life,” Federer said Thursday. “I didn’t think much of it when it did happen.” Soon his knee was swollen and required arthroscopic surgery to repair torn cartilage. He’s scheduled to return from his layoff Friday against longtime rival Juan Martin del Potro at the . The 34-year-old Swiss star has been a model of durability throughout his career. He’s playing Key Biscayne for the 16th time, although he did skip the tournament last year for scheduling reasons. Federer made a late decision to enter the event this month, sur- prised and pleased by his speedy recovery. He was on crutches for 12 days and has trained without restrictions for the past nine days. “Expectations are really low, which is nice for a change - just see where I am,” the 17-time Grand Slam champion said. “I’m just really pleased I’m back. I didn’t expect myself to be back here, to be quite honest, after the surgery.”Winners on the women’s side included No. 1-seeded Serena Williams, who began her bid for a ninth Key Biscayne title by beating fellow American Christina McHale 6-3, 5-7, 6- KEY BISCAYNE: Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic plays a backhand against of Germany in their 2. Williams earned her 19th consecutive victory in the tournament second round match during the Miami Open Presented by Itau at Crandon Park Tennis Center yesterday in Key and hasn’t lost since the 2012 quarterfinals. Biscayne, Florida. — AFP Facing McHale for the first time, Williams converted only five of 17 break-point chances. She let a match point get away in the second set and had to play for an additional 50 minutes, losing five consecu- Serena withstands fightback tive games before she regrouped. “Christina just started playing better, and playing tennis she has never played before,” Williams said. “I made a few mistakes and then I to advance at Miami Open just had to pull myself back together.” Wild-card Heather Watson beat 20th-seeded 6-3, 6-0. No. 3 Agnieszka MIAMI: World number one Serena Williams Williams served for the match in the 10th Two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Radwanska and No. 7 Petra Kvitova also advanced. launched her bid for a ninth Miami Open game of the second set but netted a back- Kvitova reached the third round with a 6-1, Federer, who is seeded third, had a first-round bye. His recent lay- crown Thursday by outlasting US compatriot hand to surrender a break. McHale held and 6-4 victory over 83rd-ranked American Irina off came during an eventful stretch for his sport, with Maria Christina McHale 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 to reach the won the first three points of the 12th game Falconi. Sharapova’s career in jeopardy following a failed a doping test, and third round. off Williams’ serve. The top seed pulled back Kvitova next faces Russian 30th seed renewed debate about equal prize money for men and women. The 34-year-old defending champion, two but swatted a forehand wide to force a Ekaterina Makarova, who ousted Ukraine’s Federer offered his thoughts on each subject and said he was who like all seeds received a first-round bye, third set. 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. “completely surprised” by Sharapova’s suspension. He said he will next face of Kazakhstan, McHale denied Williams on three break “I served pretty well,” the Czech eighth doesn’t believe tennis has a doping problem but would like to see who ousted Australian 7-5, points to hold the first game of the final set seed said. “She played better in the second more consistency in testing. 6-3. Williams, who watched tournaments at but the defending champion broke in the set and that’s what made it tougher. It’s “I’ve been in Dubai now for 10 years there and been tested once,” the combined WTA and ATP hardcourt third and smashed a backhand service always a little bit tricky when it’s someone he said. “That’s not OK for me. I get tested more in Switzerland event as a child, seeks her fourth consecu- return winner to break again in the seventh you have never played before.” because the guy from Switzerland lives in my village. He comes and tive title. “To play here is always special to game. Kvitova next faces Russian 30th seed sees me the day after my surgery, and one week later.” me,” she said. Williams had to fight off two break points Ekaterina Makarova, who ousted Ukraine’s As for equal prize money, Federer said he’s all for it. “I’m happy But Williams, whose back-to-back finals in the final game, saving one with her 12th Lesia Tsurenko 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. that tennis has produced some of the greatest female athletes in the losses at the and Indian ace and the other with a service winner, and Uzbek Denis Istomin rallied to beat world,” he said. “Equal prize money is a good thing.” Wells were her first since 2004, had to with- she blasted her 13th ace on match point to Croatia’s Borna Coric 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 in a first- The first marquee match at Key Biscayne will be on the men’s side, stand a fightback from her 23-year-old rival finally end matters after two hours and sev- round match to book a Saturday matchup with Federer facing another Grand Slam champion mounting a with the match on her racquet. en minutes. Williams fired 13 aces and 36 with British second seed Andy Murray, who comeback from an injury. Del Potro returned to the tour in February “She definitely started fighting back,” winners with 43 unforced errors while won their first two meetings back in 2013. after an 11-month layoff during which he twice had surgery on his Williams said. “And she’s clearly capable of McHale managed seven aces and 26 win- “He hasn’t lost to me but I will try my best left wrist. — AP playing great tennis.” ners against 31 unforced errors. to beat him,” Istomin said. — AFP