MOSCOW: Simona Halep started her campaign at the Kremlin Cup with a straight-sets win on Tuesday, while Ons Jabeur retired from her first-round match.
Halep won 6-1, 6-4 against Anastasia Potapova despite losing her serve three times and next plays Veronika Kudermetova in the second round after the Russian beat 18-year-old qualifier Oksana Selekhmetova 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4. Halep hasn’t won more than three consecutive matches since returning in August from a three-month layoff with a calf injury that kept her out of the French Open and Wimbledon.
Eighth-ranked Jabeur retired when 6-1, 1-0 down against Ekaterina Alexandrova. There was no immediate information from the Tunisian or the WTA about the reason for her retirement, which makes it harder for Jabeur to qualify for the WTA Finals.
Marketa Vondrousova eliminated seventh-seeded Elena Rybakina 6-4, 6-4 and plays qualifier Lesia Tsurenko in the next round.
Anett Kontaveit won 6-3, 6-3 against Katerina Siniakova to set up a second-round match with experienced German Andrea Petkovic, who was leading 2-6, 6-0, 2-0 when her opponent Jelena Ostapenko retired.
In the men’s draw, fifth-seeded Alexander Bublik was upset by Illya Marchenko 6-4, 6-3 and veteran French player Gilles Simon surprised eighth-seeded Laslo Djere 6-7 (3), 7-5, 6-3.
Halep beats Potapova in Kremlin Cup opener, Jabeur retires
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Halep beats Potapova in Kremlin Cup opener, Jabeur retires
- Halep won 6-1, 6-4 against Anastasia Potapova despite losing her serve three times
- Tunisian Ons Jabeur retired from her first-round match
’Flag can fly’ as Russia wins first Paralympic medals in 12 years
- IPC has allowed six Russian athletes and four from their allies Belarus to represent their countries
- Voronchikhina said: “For us it’s been a really long time when we were without a flag
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy: Russia won its first Winter Paralympic medals since 2014 on Saturday as Varvara Voronchikhina and Aleksei Bugaev claimed bronze in the women’s and men’s downhill standing events in Cortina.
Despite Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has allowed six Russian athletes and four from their allies Belarus to represent their countries, accompanied by their national flags, rather than competing as neutrals.
The move sparked a backlash with Friday’s opening ceremony being boycotted by seven countries, including Ukraine, and the Russian delegation was booed by some spectators in the Verona Arena during the athletes parade.
Speaking after winning her nation’s first medal since the 2014 Games in Sochi, 23-year-old Voronchikhina said: “For us it’s been a really long time when we were without a flag.
“I’m really glad and all my country and all my teammates also.
“I’m very happy because it’s the first medal for me.”
Russia was banned from the 2018 Games due to a doping scandal, although some athletes were permitted to compete under neutral colors.
Russia and Belarus were then banned from the 2022 Paralympics following the invasion of Ukraine, although they were permitted to compete as neutral athletes in the Paris Summer Paralympics two years later.
Four years ago,
Voronchikhina said that four years ago in Beijing, she was ready to compete before Russia was suspended by the IPC.
“In Beijing we were there,” the Paralympics debutant said. “I had third training in downhill and after we (had to) go back home.
“For me it was really, really sad and I hope in these Games I will be better and it will be.”
Later on Saturday, three-time gold medallist Bugaev picked up the eighth medal of his Paralympic career as he finished third in the men’s downhill standing.
“It was a difficult medal, I would say, even one of the most difficult of my career,” he said. “But I am very happy that I can represent my country again.”
The 28-year-old added: “It’s nice when you’re not deprived of anything, not restricted, not forced to not reveal yourself, like it was in Korea (2018) for example, when they combined the two colors of our flag.
“We’re just happy that we can compete here on equal terms. And even more so to bring home a medal so that the flag can fly.”
Both Voronchikhina and Bugaev received a polite smattering of applause from the crowd at the bottom of the Olympia delle Tofane piste as their medals were placed around their necks during the podium ceremonies.
At least one Russian flag was held aloft in the stands to greet their success.
