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Dialuna 3 Januari 2022

Latvia, Germany win World Cup luge golds; US grabs a bronze

Kristers Aparjods and the doubles
sled of Marlins Bots and Roberts Britcher was fifth in the women’s
Plume finished in 2 minutes, 24.294 race, good enough to clinch eligi-
seconds. Austria’s team of Madeleine bility to be nominated for the U.S.
Egle, Nico Gleirscher and the dou- Olympic team. If officially selected,
bles sled of Thomas Steu and Lorenz Britcher would make the Olympics
Koller was second in 2:24.652. for a third time.

The Americans — Summer Britcher, The full U.S. team will be formally
Tucker West and the doubles team of nominated later this month.
Chris Mazdzer and Jayson Terdiman
— got the bronze in 2:24.802. Ger- “This race was one of the races where
many, on home ice, managed only I was showing more kind of average
fourth in 2:24.955. potential for speed, but I was able to
have a little bit of consistency with
It was the second team relay medal the changing weather conditions here
of the season for USA Luge, which and a little bit of luck on my side I
grabbed silver in the season-opening was able to have my best regular-for-
relay on the new track in Yanqing, mat World Cup result of the season,”
China, that will be used for the Bei- Britcher said.
jing Olympics next month.
Brittney Arndt was 12th and Ash-
WOMEN’S SINGLES ley Farquharson 16th for the U.S.
Germany found the top of the podi- women. Emily Sweeney did not fin-
um in the women’s race earlier Sun- ish for the Americans, crashing out in
day, with Julia Taubitz (1:53.167) ral- her second heat after posting some of
lying to overtake fellow German slid- the fastest split times of anyone in the
er Natalie Geisenberger (1:53.408) in race.
the second heat to claim the gold.
UP NEXT
Egle was third for Austria. Taub- The World Cup luge series moves to
itz moved 102 points ahead of Egle Sigulda, Latvia, next weekend. It will
in the women’s overall World Cup be the final weekend of racing before
(AP) — Latvia won gold in a the U.S. grabbing third. standings with five races remaining; the Americans announce their Olym-
World Cup luge team relay on the margin between the two had been pic roster.
Sunday, with Austria second and The Latvian team of Eliza Tiruma, 72 entering Sunday.

US over Canada easily, Russia beats France at ATP Cup

(AP) — The United States the deciding doubles match the year.”
beat Canada and defend- to clinch victory over France.
ing champion Russia de- Isner broke twice in the first
feated France at the ATP Roman Safiullin beat Ar- set and used his strong serve
Cup on Sunday, with the thur Rinderknech of France to capitalize on the advan-
the Americans taking a 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 before No. tage. The American hit 10
much easier route. 35-ranked Ugo Humbert aces and won 46% of his re-
evened the match for France turn points.
John Isner and Taylor Fritz with an upset 6-7 (5), 7-5,
beat their Canadian singles 7-6 (2) win over No. 2 Daniil “I actually really like this
opponents and then clinched Medvedev. court. It’s not too fast, which
the match in doubles for a I prefer. It gives me a little
3-0 win. But Medvedev and Safiullin time to swing out on my
came back to beat two fresh shots being so big. That helps
Isner beat Brayden Schnur opponents in the doubles — me out a lot,” Isner said.
6-1, 6-4 in 66 minutes to give Fabrice Martin and Edouard
the Americans the early lead. Roger-Vasselin — 6-4, 6-4. On the opening day Saturday,
Schnur was a late replace- Argentina and Spain both
ment for Denis Shapovalov, In night matches, Britain and cruised to 3-0 victories over
who withdrew from the Italy took early leads. Daniel Georgia and Chile, respec-
opening singles match Sun- Evans beat Germany’s Jan- tively. Serbia, despite play-
day due to fatigue. The Cana- Lennard Struff 6-1, 6-2 while ing without No. 1 Novak
dian is recovering from hav- Italy’s Jannik Sinner defeated Djokovic, beat Norway 2-1
ing contracted COVID-19 at Australia’s Max Purcell 6-1, and Poland took advantage
a recent tournament in the 6-3 in opening singles. of Stefanos Tsitsipas’ injury-
Middle East. enforced absence in singles
Isner saved the only break to beat Greece 2-1.
Fritz then came from a set point he faced against his Ca-
down to beat No. 11-ranked nadian opponent. The 16 teams are divided into
Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-7 four groups, with the win-
(6), 6-4, 6-4 and clinch the “I surprised myself with how ners of each group advanc-
match before the Americans well I played out here,” Isner ing to the semifinals on Jan. 7
won the doubles 6-4, 6-4 said in his on-court inter- and 8. The final is scheduled
over Auger-Aliassime and view. “You always work hard for Jan. 9.
Shapovalov. in the offseason, but you
never really know what could
Russia, meanwhile, needed happen in that first match of