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Coco Gauff begins US Open title defense with easy win after two straight losses

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NEW YORK (AP) — The cry echoed through the cavernous Arthur Ashe Stadium on the U.S. Open on Monday before Coco Gauff’s first service game in her first match of her first Grand Slam tournament as defending champion: “Here we go, Coco! Here we go!”

Arriving at Flushing Meadows after a series of early exits in other events, Gauff was already down 1-0 to Varvara Gracheva, having lost the primary game of the match at zero, committing 4 errors on deep shots. What followed was a troublesome, close game, with 14 points in eight minutes and three break possibilities for Gracheva.

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The most significant thing, after all, was that Gauff saved all of her break points, won the sport and suddenly had full control of the sport, allowing her to assert a 6-2, 6-0 victory. Not only did it secure the 20-year-old American’s place within the second round, it also showed her — and everybody else — that her game was in higher shape than had seemed recently.

“The last few weeks have been tough and I was like, ‘I have to do this and that, but I don’t have to prove anything to anyone but myself.’ So … (these) two weeks are just about proving all the expectations I have for myself,” said the No. 3 seed Gauff. “I have a lot of years to come back here and I’m not going to win every year. Just that perspective and just believing that I can — but not expecting that I should.”

The first day of the yr’s final Grand Slam went in addition to it could for Gauff and one other young American, Ashe, thirteenth seed Ben Shelton, a semifinalist last yr who beat 2020 champion Dominic Thiem 6-4, 6-2, 6-2. It was the last U.S. Open match for Thiem, who turns 31 next week and is retiring after this season.

“She obviously plays with a lot of passion,” Shelton, 21, said of Gauff. “You can tell she cares. She’s into it every time she’s on the court. I think that’s something people love.”

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Gauff wasn’t the one former U.S. Open champion on Monday’s schedule. The night session at Ashe began with 2017 winner Sloane Stephens blowing an enormous lead against Clara Burel, losing 0-6, 7-5, 7-5 after winning the primary nine games. Then Novak Djokovic — whose collection of 24 Grand Slam titles includes last yr’s triumph in New York — beat Radu Albot 6-2, 6-2, 6-4.

Among the seeded women, winners included: No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, a two-time Australian Open winner who finished second to Gauff in New York last yr; No. 7 Zheng Qinwen, an Olympic gold medalist in Paris earlier this month; No. 24 Donna Vekic, a silver medalist; No. 12 Daria Kasatkina; and No. 14 Madison Keys.

No. 9 Maria Sakkari retired after one set with a right shoulder injury. The highest seeded player within the bracket in the course of the day session was No. 15 Holger Rune, who was eliminated by Brandon Nakashima of the United States 6-2, 6-1, 6-4.

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The men who advanced included: No. 4 Alexander Zverev, runner-up to Thiem 4 years ago; No. 6 Andrey Rublev; No. 8 Casper Ruud, runner-up at Flushing Meadows in 2022; No. 9 Grigor Dimitrov; and No. 12 Taylor Fritz.

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Zheng is having fun with a breakthrough season that began with a run to the Australian Open final in January and peaked when she won China’s first singles gold on the Summer Olympics. Monday was a troublesome start against 2019 French Open semifinalist Amanda Anisimova, but Zheng eventually got here back to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

“Everything starts from scratch. You are no longer an Olympic champion,” Zheng said. “Just be humble and try to work, fight in every match, because if you don’t fight, you have a big chance of losing.”

The same may be said of Gauff’s approach as she returns to the location of her best triumph to this point.

If she was trying to begin over after early exits in three events on the Paris Games (not that she desired to forget concerning the trip to France; Gauff wore an Olympic rings necklace during Monday’s match) after which skidded twice on the hard courts of North America, then Gauff did the job well.

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That wasn’t a surprise to Gauff. Not in any respect. She knew she hadn’t played great in Toronto or Cincinnati in recent weeks. But she could also tell she’d been hitting the ball well in practice.

“Usually that first round can sometimes set the tone for the tournament, whether you play well or not. … I had a good mentality. Does that mean I’m going to play great in the next few matches? Yes or no,” Gauff said. “But I think the mentality that I have this week will be there and hopefully the execution will stay there.”

She needed just 66 minutes to win on Monday, using a few of her 10 service aces to erase all eight break points Graczewa amassed and constructing a 16-5 advantage in winning plays.

“We all knew from the very beginning that Coco was going to be an incredible player, and she’s incredibly mature and carries herself in a way that I wish I had carried myself when I was her age,” said Keys, 29, who lost to Stephens within the U.S. Open final seven years ago. “It’s also very impressive that she was able to … despite all the pressure and expectations that were put on her, still do so well.”

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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com

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Allan Houston is thinking about an interview with Dr. Clarence Jones

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For five days in mid -April 1963, Dr. Clarence Jones broke about five sheets of empty paper under the jersey for a jail in Birmingham (Ala.) To give a prisoner. The recipient was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

He was arrested for conducting a peaceful protest against segregation, an outstanding activist for civil rights wanted to put in writing his answer to local white clergy criticizing his protests and calling him to return to his hometown of Atlanta.

King gave pieces of paper to his lawyer and author before he left. Without Jones’s knowledge, the magazines became a letter from the prison in Birmingham.

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It was one in every of the various stories that Jones told the previous NBA player Allan Houston and his father Wade Houston during their two -hour interview in December in San Francisco. Jones talked about his life experiences, including serving alongside the king throughout the movement for civil rights.

Allan Houston met Jones on the New York Knicks match for Martin Luther’s day King Jr. in 2024. The Olympic gold medalist entered the band’s executive apartment and saw a gaggle huddled around Jones.

Allan introduced himself and shared his relationship with his father, Wade, the primary black coach on the south -eastern conference. He told Jones that his father inspired him to create a social brand Fisll (faith, honesty, victim, leadership and heritage).

When Allan mentioned Wade, Jones raised his hand, signaling him to stop talking.

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“Your father is Wade Houston?” Jones said. “I am very familiar with you, your father and your story. Your father was an icon because at that time black trainers had to be better. “

The shocked Allan Houston kindly asked Jones to justify and immediately FieTimed Wade.

“Like a small child, I brought a phone call to Dr. Jones. He took him and began to talk to his dad as if they knew each other, “Houston said. “And when I watched this conversation, I said:” I would really like to be a video, but he has my phone. ” “

Allan Houston’s wish got here true lower than a yr later.

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Allan Houston shared his time with Jones with his father and the influence he had on their relationship and his individual goal.


From left to right: Allan Houston, Wade Houston and Dr. Clarence Jones talk about Jones’s experience with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Allan Houston

From the camera he told us that Martin would call him at Jones confirmed that Martin was powered and motivated by a mission, but sometimes he told his friend: “Brother, I have to sleep a bit” once they were approaching early.

Imagine talking to someone who trusted these dialogues. A conversation with someone who challenged his thought process but was still inspired.

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After almost two hours of sitting, we went to dinner. For the following hour he shared more convincing stories, which made me appreciate my role on this world and the goal much more.

I began studying mathematics on the University of Tennessee, but I desired to graduate in 4 years, so I modified my studies to African -American studies. I wrote my older newspaper about Selma, where my father recruited basketball players. Now I’m with a brand influencing the community rooted within the values ​​wherein my father and the heritage of Dr. King taught me, talking to the person with a connection with the Edmund Pettus bridge in Selma.

For this reason, I touched me essentially the most, as Dr. Jones talked about the importance of my father and I, since it applies to black culture. A son honored with a loved father. Rare but possible. Rare but powerful.

“I am very touched because I sit here and see a generational bridge,” said Jones, referring to my father and me while sitting. “I see and experience something that I would like to experience every young black man.” I used to be moved when Dr. Jones also said: “I’m 93 years old, but because of this of being here, I do know that I intend to live 95, 96, 97. Oh yes, I’m inspired. I’m not going anywhere. I won’t leave it.

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His words illuminated the strength of unity and community.

Dr. Jones and my father knew Muhammad Ali. He lived two houses from my childhood house in Louisville. Jones, as a lawyer, helped organize some Ali fights.

From left to right: Allan Houston, Dr. Clarence Jones and Ben Jones, son of Clarence Jones.

Allan Houston

When I used to be 2, Ali visited our house. Before he left, my father asked him: “What was your most difficult fight?”

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In his third and last fight with Joe Frazier in Manila Ali, he said he didn’t need to get out of his stool within the 14th round. His coach, Angelo Dundee, pushed him off the stool, after which struck the phrase in 14. The competition became often known as “Trełka in Manila”.

“I wanted to give up, but someone pushed me out of the stool,” Ali told my father.

My close friend called me someday, and he said, “When we talk, he keeps me.” I added my dad to call, and he shared the story of Ali. My friend was crying. A couple of days earlier he thought about give up. However, our conversation pushed him out of the stool.

So, when Dr. Jones concluded that our interview rejuvenated him, I spotted that although he could conclude that he was in his years of dusk, he was inspired that folks who approached him enough to maintain this message about unity.

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It seems to me that it is my duty to take care of the heritage of Dr. Jones and my father, in order that more young people will be inspired by the facility of the community. Along with this scholarship comes responsibility and support, as Jones offered King. Fisll tries to supply the identical to young people and their families.

My conversation with Dr. Jones gives me only more fuel and motivation to be sure that that the following generation didn’t miss the importance of individuals like Dr. Jones.

We still have problems dividing this country. It is vital to not say: “Hey, we recognize our black icons this month” and we go further.

We must consistently illustrate these values ​​of religion, honesty, dedication, leadership, heritage and heart of God once we attempt to honor Dr. Jones and those that paved our path to being here.

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Joshua Heron is an independent sports journalist dedicated to the humanization of athletes by telling stories. He was born in New York, but he considers himself an actual “Yaad Man” due to his Jamaican education. If you get to know him well enough, “Wah Gwan” will probably develop into a part of your vocabulary.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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Victor Wembanyama expected to miss the rest of the season after the diagnosis of blood clot, Spurs announces

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The star of San Antonio, Victor Wembanyama, just isn’t to play again this season after finding a curd in his right shoulder, an enormous blow to the league and the second vital hit related to health for Spurs this season.

The state of the weembany-depth of the deep vein-the staunted one diagnosed this week after coming back from the All-Star game, Spurs said on Thursday. It is sort of at all times treated with blood drugs, which normally excludes the player involved sport, corresponding to basketball.

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Athletes involved involved sport are often beneficial to avoid using such drugs due to the increased probability of bleeding.

The situation of Wembanya appears about 3 1/2 months after coach Spurs Gregg Popovich had a stroke and was forced to leave the side line.

Wembanyama with an area of ​​7 feet and three feet was the debutant of the 12 months last season of the 1st Frontrunner, who was the defensive player of the 12 months this season. He has already made 403 3-point and blocked 176 shots this season-a fake player in the history of the NBA never finished the season with these numbers, and Wembanyama did it this 12 months by All-Star Break.

Has a mean of 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3.8 blocks and three.7 assists; The only other player who finished the season, which was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975-76. Spurs open their schedule after All Star on Thursday in Austin, Texas against Phoenix Suns. Wembanyama was mentioned as doubtful for this game because of the disease.

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“I am shocked,” said Kevin Love, Miami striker when he said about news soon after the state of the state of Wembanyama. “Absolute shock”.

Such cases had previously influenced NBA players, including the Hall of Famer Chris Bosh retirement, which profession was reduced after diagnosing blood clots.

Some athletes have returned, sometimes higher than ever, after coping with blood clots.

Serena Williams was diagnosed with an issue often called pulmonary embolism – a clot on the lungs – in 2011, and was the dominant tennis player of women in the world when she returned.

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“The most terrible thing I’ve ever experienced,” Williams said a couple of months after returning.

Wembanyama was a star for the first time this season and is widely considered the most talented young star in the game.

“I saw one quote that says that nobody calls him after 9am because he either reads or sleeps. I think it’s super cool. I think it’s a great dope, “said Lebron James Gwiazda Los Angeles Lakers. “It allows you to know where his frame frame is, where he is intellectually, and I think he was great for Franchise from Spurs. But it will be great for our league for so many years. “

Spurs Center Victor Wembanyama joins Elite Company through 82 NBA NBA careers

(Tagstranslate) NBA

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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Steph Curry makes the shocking confession “End to” weeks after leaving Ayesh’s wife, stunned by removal of Warriors Golden State from his biography on Instagram

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Can Partnership with Billionaire Help Diddy and Steph Curry Become Owners of Carolina Panthers?

Superstar NBA Steph Curry at the level of skilled basketball profession Galeria Galerka ends.

Curry, 36 years old, recently talked to Malika Andrews ESPN about “NBA Today” about his historical run in the league. Andrews asked a 10-fold NBA star what number of thoughts put in a departure from court.

“You can accept and recognize that the end is close,” admitted Curry. “But only because it allows you to enjoy what is happening now.”

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Can a partnership with billionaires help Diddy and Steph Curry to become the owners of Carolina Panthers?
Oakland, California – January 08: Stephen Curry #30 Golden State Warriors looks against Denver Nuggets during the NBA basketball match at Oracle Arena on January 8, 2018 in Oakland, California. Note for the user: The user clearly confirms and agrees that by downloading and or using this photo, the user agrees to the terms of the Getty Images license agreement. (Photo Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The Golden State Warriors Guard continued: “But I think that the more you talk about it, and the more you think it, the more it equalizes the sense of urgency at the moment.”

Curry still undertakes to be warriors. In August, the son of a retired former guard Charlotte Hornets Dell Curry signed an extension of the contract from Golden State in the 2026-27 season for reported $ 62.6 million a yr.

A number of weeks later, some faithful warriors were nervous that their basketball hero modified his heart when Curry removed the team from his biography on Instagram.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRrjahofn9aw

Even Steph’s wife, Ayesha Curry, was confused by the father of her 4 children changing the text on her Instagram page from “Guardian for @Warriors” for “Golden Olympic medalist”.

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“Wait, huh?!” 35 -year -old Ayesha exclaimed when she learned about the biological switch of Steph while filming with the conversation with the host Bloomberg Originals Emily Chang during the charity organization Classic Golf Classic in pair in August.

Steph explained to his spouse: “I was simply proud of being an Olympian.” He won his first Olympic gold medal at the Paris Games in 2024 as part of the men’s basketball team in the United States.

Curry essentially expected that his days as an expert basketball player could end, he soon generated a discussion on social media.

One person Tweet“Honestly, sensitive and there is nothing wrong with looking at his father in the eye and recognition. Having said, No. 30 still has many games to go out to his conditions! “

Self -appointed FAN NBA speculated“I think he plays about 3 seasons and gets 19 seasons and retires.” But someone replied“He got about 2 years old.”

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One of Curry’s supporters It was found“I can’t imagine a league without Steph … In fact, I pray for the next Stepha right after it hangs (up) his shirts.”

Another user X referred to the competition of Curry on the pitch with Los Angeles Lakers Lebron James player. Person suggested“He should play longer than Lebron.”

James, then playing Cleveland Cavaliers, faced curry 4 times in the NBA finals in 2015-2018. Warriors defeated Cavs for the title in three of these 4 duels of the championship rounds.

“This is a funny battle because of the longevity of how long we do it,” said Curry about his friendly competition with Lebron during the ESPN intelligence.

He added: “There is greater recognition and respect than probably during the day. There was a lot of marriage and injuries. The competition was true. “

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James, who began his twenty second NBA season in 2024, won his last win in his ten -year duel from curry. Lakers won 115-113 over Warriors on Christmas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OO4idnpfcy

Curry played 16 seasons from Warriors. The franchise from San Francisco selected him as the seventh general selection at NBA Draft 2009.

During his skilled profession, Curry won the 4 NBA championships, the two Most worthy NBA awards and two point titles as a Golden State guard.

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The outstanding Davidson College was a mean of 24.7 points and 6.4 assists per match in the NBA. It has a record of all time for 3 points in over 3800 and counts.

Golden State is currently in tenth place in the Western Conference rating with a 15-15 record. The Steve Kerr coaching team has 5-5 in the last 10 matches for December 28.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbk9C4NVNCC

(Tagstranslate) Lebron James (T) Steph Curry

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This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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