Briefs | TENNIS: Gasquet, Seppi reach Shenzhen Open quarters

Third-seeded Richard Gasquet of France saved all six break points he faced in defeating Gilles Muller of Luxembourg 6-3, 6-2 to advance to the Shenzhen Open quarterfinals yesterday. Gasquet, who lost his previous two meetings with the left-handed Muller, set up a quarterfinal clash with Juan Monaco of Argentina, who beat seventh-seeded Vasek Pospisil 7-5, 2-6, 6-3, despite 11 aces by the Canadian. Eighth-seeded Andreas Seppi of Italy also won, 6-4, 6-3 over compatriot Simone Bolelli, who won their only previous match six years ago. Seppi goes on to face either fourth-seeded Tommy Robredo of Spain or Sam Groth of Australia.

RUGBY: Springboks make 2 changes for Australia

South Africa made two injury-forced changes for the Rugby Championship test against Australia, giving flanker Teboho Mohoje his first start and promoting scrumhalf Francois Hougaard from the bench. Mohoje replaced Francois Louw, and Hougaard was in for Ruan Pienaar. Louw and Pienaar were injured in South Africa’s loss in New Zealand two weeks ago and won’t play any further part in the championship. Mohoje’s selection for Saturday’s home test against the Wallabies eases mounting pressure on the Springboks to pick more black players. South Africa is once again questioning the speed of transformation in its generally white rugby team 20 years after the end of apartheid.

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