SPORTS Tuesday, September 12, 2017 23 US Open top 7 quotes “I’m not going to be talking about gambling. Nadal gives You have other ques- tions or not? We’re finished.” - Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov fumes at reporters after his name was linked to a betting Next Gen investigation. “I always wanted to be young. Even when I was 8 years old, I was wake-up call not very happy, when it was my birthday, to be New York With Murray, Djokovic and Wawrinka 9. Still the same. I am 31 afael Nadal’s third US Open and 16th sidelined with injury, the US Open was to be and I am not happy when my RGrand Slam title meant a familiar look the tournament where the “NextGen” was to birthday is going to be 32.” for the landscape of men’s tennis -- and a make its mark. - Nadal on getting older worrying wake-up call in the “City That However, it was grim fortnight for most of Never Sleeps” for the next generation. the young pretenders. The 31-year-old Spaniard defeated Kevin Germany’s Alexander Zverev, who was “I’m a pretty big com- Anderson to ensure that the last five majors seeded four, fell in the second round to Borna petitor. If you put me have been won by men over 30. Coric despite arriving in New York with five out in the parking lot From Wimbledon in 2003, an incredible titles, including the US Open tune-up in of Queens in New York 53 of 58 Slams have now been claimed by just Montreal. City, I’m happy to play five men -- Roger Federer (19), Nadal (16), The 20-year-old’s best Slam performance there. That’s not what Novak Djokovic (12) and Andy Murray and remains his fourth-round run at Wimbledon. matters to me. All that mat- Stan Wawrinka with three apiece. “I’ve been dealing with expectations from ters to me is I’m in the fourth round. To hammer home their enduring appeal a very young age, so for my whole career. For I’m not sure where she is.” and dominance, Federer and Nadal shared the me, this is just another step,” he said after his - Sharapova’s cutting response four Slams in 2017 -- Federer beating Nadal in loss to Coric in a half of the draw thrown wide the Australian Open final before capturing a open after the injury-hit record eighth Wimbledon. withdrawal of Murray. “Of course, Girl. Did Nadal claimed an unprecedented 10th “For me, nothing Rafael Nadal’s path to the title you see that check that French Open before adding another US title changes. I still have to go lady handed me? Like, on Sunday. back to work and then try 1st rd: bt Dusan Lajovic (SRB) 7-6 (8/6), 6-2, 6-2 yes. Man, if that doesn’t Both Federer and Nadal have five titles to win this title maybe in 2nd rd: bt Taro Daniel (JPN) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 make you want to play apiece for 2017, impressive for two men who the future years. “I know 3rd rd: bt Leonardo Mayer (ARG) 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 tennis, I don’t know what were ranked 16 and nine respectively at the that I could have done some 4th rd: bt Alexander Dolgopolov (UKR) 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 will. Man.” end of 2016. big things here.” (AFP) QF: bt Andrey Rublev (RUS) 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 - Sloane Stephens on her motivation to SF: bt Juan Martin del Potro (ARG x24) 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 win a second Slam after clinching the F: bt Kevin Anderson (RSA x28) 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 women’s title. Rafa encourages disaster victims “I’m definitely available New York And in the wake of an earthquake that had some doubting he would ever to answer questions orld number one Rafael in Mexico and flooding from another regain Slam championship form. about tennis. That’s all Nadal encouraged hurricane last week along the Texas “It’s just unbelievable what right now.” theW victims of recent natural coast that played out during the Flushing happened this year,” he said. “After a - Venus Williams refus- disasters not to give up and to fight Meadows fortnight, Nadal used his couple of years with a lot of trouble, ing to confirm that sister back after devastation to their lives moment in the spotlight to say his heart I’ve been playing a very high level of Serena has given birth to a and homes after his US Open final was with those in need. tennis. baby girl. triumph Sunday. “I just want to say sorry for all the “To close the Grand Slam year His victory came as Hurricane Irma victims and keep going for everybody,” winning at New York -- that’s one of was causing extensive damage across Nadal said. the events that’s really high energy, the “I was named after the Florida, the home base for Anderson “It’s very sad moments for our world crowd -- makes me so so happy. mermaid in Splash and and many other top tennis stars, but keep fighting to come back.” “Thanks to life for giving me that I always thought it was after the killer storm had devastated Nadal reflected on a year that followed opportunity... this US Open I feel a little really cool there was a several Caribbean nations. two down seasons nagged by injuries bit like home.” (AFP) street in a big city that had the same name as me. So from then on, I was always, I want to go there and get a Gutted yet pleased, Anderson picture next to it” hopes to build on loss - US Open runner-up Madison Keys Recent champions at “When you look on New York winner. “I’d love to build on these two Centre Court, I under- evin Anderson says don’t weeks,” Anderson said. “It was very the US Open stand completely the Kcount him out just yet even difficult, but I was able to find my way 2017: Rafael Nadal (ESP) business side of things, after an impressive two-week run all the way into the finals. I’ll work 2016: Stan Wawrinka (SUI) but someone who to his first Grand Slam final ended very hard to hopefully give myself 2015: Novak Djokovic (SRB) comes back from a drugs in failure by losing to Rafael Nadal another opportunity. 2014: Marin Cilic (CRO) sentence -- performance Kevin Anderson in the US Open final. Sad yet bolstered, an Anderson who 2013: Rafael Nadal (ESP) enhancing drugs -– and all of a sud- The big-serving 31-year-old has worked to be more emotional 2012: Andy Murray (GBR) den gets to play every single match South African fell to the top- in matches was of two minds after 2011: Novak Djokovic (SRB) on Centre Court, I think that’s a ranked Spaniard at Arthur Ashe finishing. 2010: Rafael Nadal (ESP) questionable thing to do.” Stadium, never managing a break- “It’s a bit of both. It’s a tough 2009: Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) - Caroline Wozniacki criticising the point chance in falling to 0-5 loss, but it was obviously a great 2008: Roger Federer (SUI) decision to schedule all of Maria lifetime versus the 16-time Slam experience,” Anderson said. (AFP) Sharapova’s matches.