Wawrinka struggling after surgery
rome: Stan Wawrinka is still struggling to regain his form following surgery on his left knee. Playing his first match since February, the three-time Grand Slam champion lost to 55th-ranked Steve Johnson 6-4, 6-4 Sunday in the first round of the Italian Open. Wawrinka committed 30 unforced errors to Johnson's 17, was broken once in each set and failed to take advantage of his only two break opportunities. Wawrinka was operated on in August - twice - and returned in January at the Australian Open, where he was eliminated in the second round by Tennys Sandgren. He then retired from a match against 193rd-ranked Ilya Ivashka in Marseille in February, citing a left knee injury. Also on the red clay of the Foro Italico, Italian wild card lorenzo Sonego had strong fan support as he came back from a set down to defeat Adrian Mannarino 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3. Meanwhile, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova withdrew from the tournament citing a muscular injury that occurred during a grueling three-set win over Kiki Bertens in Saturday's Madrid Open final - her second title in two weeks after also taking the Prague Open.
Halep seeks French Open boost in Rome
rome: World number one Simona Halep said on Sunday she was looking to lay the groundwork for a Grand Slam breakthrough at the French Open in the Rome WTA clay-court tournament. The 26-year-old finished runner-up in Rome last year before losing in the final in Roland Garros for a second time. She was also a finalist in the Australian Open this year. "Of course, the Grand Slam is now for me the most important tournament," said top seed Halep ahead of the French Open which starts in Paris on May 21. Romanian Halep has received a first round bye and will open against either former two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka of Belarus or Japan's Naomi Osaka on the clay surface at the Foro Italico. "But, I cannot plan anything. So I'm taking every tournament as important. I'm giving everything I have every week. like I did before Melbourne, I went to Shenzhen, I won singles, doubles.
Woods, Spieth shoot 65 in florida
ponte vedra: Tiger Woods dominated the front nine while Jordan Spieth dominated the back nine to card 65 each to enter the top-10 even as Webb Simpson maintained the lead after third day at the 'PlAYERS' Championship. Overnight leader Simpson (68) did not let slip-up, ending at 19-under, which equalled the record for a 54-hole total. Simpson, now holds the largest lead at seven in the history of the tournament. Simpson is seven clear of Danny lee (70) and nine ahead of Dustin Johnson (69), while five players were at 9-under. Among the seven at 8-under and 11 behind were Woods and Spieth, who shot 65 each and are capable of coming out with that or better yet again. Simpson, who had four birdies, an eagle and two bogeys in his 68, said, "I feel like I'm playing good, solid golf, but … I've holed out a few times from off the green and made some long putts," Simpson said. "To get that score, you have to do that."
Baisoya best Indian at Tied 6th in b’desh
dhaka: Honey Baisoya recorded his best performance outside India as he finished tied sixth at the AB Bank Bangladesh Open here on Sunday. The 21-year-old from Delhi, who has won twice on the PGTI Domestic Tour this season, carded 2-under 69 in the final round to finish at 8-under 276. His previous rounds were 71-67-69. Baisoya's best finish on Asian Tour was a fifth at the Panasonic Open India in 2016.