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SPORTS Thursday 13 July 2023

Chris Eubanks’ magical Wimbledon ends against Daniil Medvedev

By HOWARD FENDRICH actually opted for trading
AP Tennis Writer big swings with Rybakina,
WIMBLEDON, England (AP) whose game is built that
— Chris Eubanks woke way.
up Wednesday morn- “If you want to hit hard,”
ing ahead of playing for Jabeur said, “I’m ready to
a berth in the final four at hit hard, too.”
Wimbledon against 2021 No. 6 Jabeur plays No. 2 Sa-
U.S. Open champion Daniil balenka on Thursday, when
Medvedev and, first thing, the other semifinal will be
like so many of us, reached between unseeded players
for his phone to see what Elina Svitolina and Marketa
the buzz was about on Twit- Vondrousova. None of the
ter. four remaining women has
“It was just constant me,” won Wimbledon; Sabalen-
Eubanks said. “I was just like, ka is the only one who al-
‘This is so weird.’ I looked at ready owns a major trophy.
it. I was like, ‘Man, I’m re- Sabalenka, who is from Be-
ally about to play a Grand larus, and Medvedev, who
Slam quarterfinal today. is from Russia, were banned
This is cool.’” from the All England Club a
He took less than 10 min- year ago, along with every
utes to let that sink in, then, player representing those
as the 27-year-old Ameri- Christopher Eubanks of the US at the net during his men’s singles match against Russia’s Daniil two countries, over the in-
can who captivated the Medvedev on day ten of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Wednesday, July 12, vasion of Ukraine. The war
crowds at the All England 2023. Associated Press continues, but Russians and
Club and many folks back Belarusians were allowed
home put it, “was able to drop.” what’s happening? Why is sideline, head held high, back this time.
lock back in.” And so he If Medvedev was unsteady it happening like this?’” and yelled, then got to the If Alcaraz’s victory was al-
pushed Medvedev the dis- for a bit, perhaps distract- Alcaraz’s 7-6 (3), 6-4, 6-4 sideline and yelled “Va- tered by the first-set tie-
tance, taking a two-sets- ed by a back-and-forth victory over No. 6 Holger mos! Vamos!” breaker “He gained more
to-one lead before running with the chair umpire over Rune at Centre Court was “It was nerves. Tension. It confidence from that set; I
out of aces and energy. a stray ball that headed to- the first men’s quarterfinal was everything,” Alcaraz didn’t,” Rune said Medve-
Basking in the roars from the ward the stands, he gath- at Wimbledon in the Open explained later. dev’s started to tilt midway
stands at No. 1 Court, the ered himself well. era, which dates to 1968, In the women’s quarterfi- through the fourth-set tie-
unseeded Eubanks came “Happy that I managed to with two players who are nals, Ons Jabeur eliminated breaker.
within four points of win- put myself back together. not yet 21. Both Spain’s Al- defending champion Ele- Eubanks put a forehand
ning to extend his deepest There was a moment in caraz, who won last year’s na Rybakina 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-1 in a corner that drew a
run, by far, at a major tour- the match I started just los- U.S. Open, and Denmark’s in a rematch of last year’s netted backhand from
nament before Medve- ing kind of everything the Rune are 20. title match, and reigning Medvedev, making it 3-all.
dev pulled away for a 6-4, focus, the momentum of When Alcaraz smacked a Australian Open champion Many in the seats rose,
1-6, 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-1 victory the match,” said the No. backhand return winner to Aryna Sabalenka defeated cheering wildly, and Eu-
to reach the Wimbledon 3-seeded Medvedev, who seal the first set, he threw No. 25 seed Madison Keys banks pumped his right fist,
semifinals for the first time. will face No. 1 Carlos Al- threw his head back and 6-2, 6-4. staring toward the support.
“It’s like his level elevated caraz in the semifinals on screamed. He paused for Jabeur, known more for “The fans,” he would say
into the fifth,” Eubanks said, Friday. “When I started los- a second and screamed her spins and slices and afterward, “definitely got
“where I had a little bit of a ing it, I was like, ‘All right, again. He strutted to the variety than her power, their money’s worth.” q

Jimmie Johnson, Chad Knaus nominated for NASCAR Hall of Fame

By The Associated Press the 61-person committee Alabama Gang, will be on
Seven-time Cup Series meets on Aug. 2. the pioneer ballot for the
champion Jimmie Johnson Together, Johnson and first time, along with fellow
and his former crew chief Knaus won Cup titles in drivers AJ Foyt and Sam
of the No. 48 Hendrick Mo- 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, Ard, car builder Banjo Mat-
torsports Chevrolet Chad 2010, 2013 and 2016. John- thews and car owner Ralph
Knaus headline a list of 15 son’s seven titles as a driver Moody.
nominees for the NASCAR tie him with Dale Earnhardt Longtime NASCAR execu-
Hall of Fame Class of 2024. and Richard Petty for the tive Les Richter joins the
There are 10 nominees on most in NASCAR history. Landmark Award ballot
the modern era ballot and Joining Johnson and Knaus for the first time after being
five on the pioneer ballot, on the modern era ballot on the Hall of Fame bal-
which is designed to honor are former drivers Carl Ed- lot three times before the
those whose careers be- wards, Neil Bonnett, Jeff award was created.
gan more than 60 years Burton, Ricky Rudd, Harry The Landmark Award hon-
ago. Two modern era can- Gant, Tim Brewer, Harry ors those who made sig- Jimmie Johnson (48) celebrates his win in a NASCAR Sprint Cup
didates and one pioneer Hyde and Larry Phillips. nificant contributions to Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway Sunday, Nov. 4,
candidate will be selected Donnie Allison, an original the growth and esteem of 2012, in Fort Worth.
for the Hall of Fame when member of the fan-favorite NASCAR.q Associated Press