Flying blind
China’s Duan Yingying on Wednesday said she’s never seen Venus Williams play and will be relying heavily on her coach’s guidance ahead of their third-round clash on Friday at the Australian Open.
“I don’t know anything about Venus’ play; I’ve never seen her play,” said Duan, who vanquished Varvara Lepchenko of the US 6-1, 3-6, 10-8 in the second round.
“I don’t really watch much tennis, so I think my coach will do the job to try to tell me what to do on the court. I’ll take one day off and let the coach do the job.”
More positively for Tianjinbased Duan, Williams also said she knows nothing about her opponent — and had no plans to find out ahead of their match.
“I don’t know anything about her. I have never seen her play. Zero, like zero,” said Williams, 36.
“So I’m going to maybe get a scouting report in the warm-up when we hit for five minutes and kind of see how it feels.”
ESPN under fire
US broadcaster ESPN was plunged into controversy after one of its commentators compared Venus Williams to a gorilla on Wednesday, prompting a flood of criticism online.
Commentator Doug Adler made the remark during the American’s match against Stefanie Voegele, which Williams won 6-3, 6-2 to advance to the third round.
“She misses a first serve and Venus is all over her,” said Adler, a 58-year-old former player.
“You see Venus move in and put the gorilla effect on, charging.”
Viewers were quick to register their distaste on social media, while tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg called it “appalling stuff”.