Page 15 - aruba-today-20230124

SPORTS Tuesday 24 January 2023
A15

Shelton, Paul give U.S. 3 men in quarters at Australian Open

By HOWARD FENDRICH an American in the semis,
AP Tennis Writer so I’m really excited about
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) that, too.”
— Ben Shelton’s concerns Completing the trio is Se-
leading into his first Aus- bastian Korda, who plays
tralian Open had less to his quarterfinal Tuesday
do with playing tennis and against No. 18 Karen
more to do with everything Khachanov of Russia. Like
else associated with the Shelton and Paul, Korda
trip. has made it this far at a
His first time outside of the major for the first time. And
United States. His first time like Shelton, Korda’s Dad
using a passport. The jet played tennis: Petr Korda
lag. The time difference. won the 1998 Australian
The food. The driving on the Open.
left side of the road. And, There is nothing new about
oh, yeah, the whole part all of this, of course, for No-
about keeping up with on- vak Djokovic, the 21-time
line classwork as he begins Grand Slam champion
a new semester this week who looked indomitable
while pursuing a business during a 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 win
degree. over No. 22 seed Alex de
Shelton, you see, is still just Minaur of Australia and de-
20. A year ago at this time, Ben Shelton of the U.S. reacts as he waits to return a shot to compatriot J.J. Wolf during their clared that his bothersome
he was attending classes fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, left hamstring is no longer
and competing in college Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. an issue.
tennis at the University of Associated Press “I didn’t feel anything to-
Florida, where his dad, a on the plane with no ex- been a big contribution to Melbourne. Roddick’s title day,” Djokovic said, noting
former pro himself, coach- pectations,” Shelton, who my success.” at the U.S. Open 20 years that he has been taking “a
es the men’s team. As of won the 2022 NCAA singles Now the 89th-ranked Shel- ago remains the last major lot of” anti-inflammatory
Monday, when he edged championship, said of his ton meets yet another un- singles championship for a pills.Djokovic, who couldn’t
J.J. Wolf 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-7 (4), performance at the sec- seeded American, 35th- man from the country. play in last year’s Austra-
7-6 (4), 6-2 at John Cain ond major tournament of ranked Tommy Paul, who “It’s like every person’s lian Open because he
Arena, Shelton is, suddenly his nascent professional ca- eliminated No. 24 seed dream when they start wasn’t vaccinated against
and stunningly, a Grand reer. “It maybe has helped Roberto Bautista Agut of playing tennis to play the COVID-19, moved a step
Slam quarterfinalist one me a little bit, kind of not Spain 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5. big matches at the Slams,” closer to a record-extend-
of three American men having that expectation or Their matchup will be the said Paul, a 25-year-old ing 10th championship in
to make it that far at Mel- the feeling that I have to first Slam quarterfinal be- from New Jersey. “I’m re- Melbourne by never fac-
bourne Park, the most for perform, but being able to tween two men from the ally excited to get out ing a break point and by
the country since 2000. just go out there, be myself U.S. since 2007, when Andy there on Wednesday. We claiming a half-dozen of de
“Definitely a surprise. I got and play free. I think that’s Roddick beat Mardy Fish in know there’s going to be Minaur’s service games.q

AP source: Lakers acquiring Rui Hachimura from Wizards

By TIM REYNOLDS the season started, which Hachimura told reporters
AP Basketball Writer prompted speculation that last week. “And I want to
The Los Angeles Lakers are the Japanese power for- be somewhere that likes
acquiring former lottery ward wouldn’t be in their my game. ... I just want to
pick Rui Hachimura from long-term plans. be somewhere that be-
the Washington Wizards And it would make sense lieves in me and I can be
in exchange for Kendrick that the Lakers would be myself.
Nunn and a package of seeking help. At 22-25, That’s my goal.”
second-round draft picks, they’re in 12th place in the Hachimura has appeared
a person familiar with the Western Conference, but in 30 games for the Wiz-
negotiations said Monday. entered Monday just two ards this season, all off the
The person, speaking to The games behind the Los An- bench, averaging 13.0
Associated Press on condi- geles Clippers for the No. 6 points on 49% shooting
tion of anonymity because spot and four games back from the floor and 34% from
the trade has not been fi- of the New Orleans Pelicans 3-point range. He was the
nalized and approved by for No. 4 in the West with No. 9 pick in the 2019 draft.
the NBA, said the teams LeBron James averaging Nunn is in his fourth NBA
are working under the ex- nearly 30 points per game season, his second with the
pectation that the deal will and a belief that Anthony Lakers, though he missed all
be completed later Mon- Davis will be back from in- of last season with a knee
day. jury sooner than later. problem. He has averaged
Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura (8) smiles after Hachimura and the Wiz- “I just want to be some- 6.7 points in 39 games this
scoring against the Orlando Magic during the second half of an ards did not agree on a where that wants me season, 37 of them in a re-
NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, in Washington.
Associated Press rookie extension before as a basketball player,” serve role.q