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SPORTS Thursday 31 May 2018
Djokovic discusses lack of confidence after French Open win

By HOWARD FENDRICH Wednesday.
AP Tennis Writer Zverev was down by a
PARIS (AP) — Despite all of set and a break early —
Novak Djokovic's success and down a racket he'd
over the years — the 12 obliterated by then, too —
major championships, the before collecting himself
career Grand Slam, the and coming back to beat
time ranked No. 1 — he still 60th-ranked Dusan Lajovic
finds himself searching for of Serbia 2-6, 7-5, 4-6,
self-confidence these days. 6-1, 6-2. Dimitrov was two
That's what an elbow injury points from defeat against
and forced absence from 21-year-old American
the ATP tour can do to a Jared Donaldson but
player. won 6-7 (2), 6-4, 4-6, 6-4,
Djokovic was reflective and 10-8 in a marathon that
revealing Wednesday after lasted 4 hours, 19 minutes
moving into the third round and featured a couple
at the French Open by of underhand serves by
virtue of a self-described up- the cramping Donaldson.
and-down performance Nishikori got past Benoit
in a 7-6 (1), 6-4, 6-4 victory Paire of France 6-3, 2-6, 4-6,
over 155th-ranked Jaume 6-2, 6-3.
Antoni Munar Clar of Spain. A reporter asked Zverev
Both of Djokovic's matches about what he told himself Serbia's Novak Djokovic serves against Spain's Jaume Munar during their second round match
so far have been against while trailing in order to turn of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Wednesday,
qualifiers; neither win was his match around. May 30, 2018.
particularly impressive. The 21-year-old German Associated Press
"At the moment, I'm not scoffed at the premise.
playing at the level I wish "I mean, you guys make it there really was little in the meaningful moments can have is a match. I
to, but at the same time, sound like we think about way of stunning outcomes. around the grounds came haven't had too many
I understand that it is the it, really. We don't. We just The only top-16-seeded inside the main interview matches, and I really never
process that obviously try to play and win each man or woman who lost room as Djokovic discussed thought that I'm going to
takes time," said Djokovic, point, each game. Being was No. 12 Sam Querrey of his state of mind as he tries be challenged in that way,
whose seeding of No. 20 is two sets to one down is like the U.S., and he's only once to regain his previous status mentally — that I need
his lowest at a Slam in 12 being a set (behind) in a been as far as the third in tennis. matches in order to get
years. "And I'm trying to not three-set match. We're not round in 12 appearances He sat out the last half of confidence. But obviously
give up." going to overthink it: 'Oh, at Roland Garros. 2017 because of a painful I'm learning something
At least he got through in I'm two sets to one down. Among the women, No. 1 right elbow, tried to return new, and, yeah, that's the
straight sets, saving energy What am I going to do? Simona Halep shook off a in January, then decided case," said Djokovic, who
for whatever might come How am I going to play the slow start in a postponed to have an operation in hasn't won a Grand Slam
next at Roland Garros. next point?'" he responded. first-round match to defeat February. title since claiming his fourth
Other leading men were "We try to play our best. We Alison Riske of the U.S. 2-6, Djokovic arrived at Roland in a row at the 2016 French
forced to work a lot harder try to maybe change a few 6-1, 6-1, while second- Garros with a 10-7 record Open.
in matches they would have tactics and see how we round winners included this season. He was at .500 "At times, I do lose maybe
been expected to breeze can win the next point and reigning major champions until showing signs of a a comfort level on the
through: No. 2-seeded the next game." Caroline Wozniacki and resurgence by getting to court and confidence,
Alexander Zverev, No. 4 The lengths, if not quality, of Sloane Stephens, along the Italian Open semifinals and that's something that
Grigor Dimitrov and No. those matches were what with No. 4 Elina Svitolina, on red clay before losing I'm still building gradually,
19 Kei Nishikori all faced amounted to on-court No. 8 Petra Kvitova and No. to 10-time French Open obviously," he continued.
two-sets-to-one deficits intrigue on Day 4 at the 13 Madison Keys. champion Rafael Nadal. "The more matches I play,
and all emerged to win clay-court major, because So perhaps the most "Best practice that you the better it is. q

WORLD CUP: Is the Battle of Santiago the most lawless match?

By PAN PYLAS During his commentary, vice-like defensive grip Amazingly, Sanchez, the held on until two late
Associated Press he described what he was of "catenaccio," which son of a professional boxer, goals saw Chile come
"Good evening. The game watching as the "Battle of literally translates as a door stayed on the field — out a 2-0 winner. Chile
you are about to see is Santiago." It is a label that bolt. referee Ken Aston and his eventually came third in
the most stupid, appalling, has stuck to describe what It was a toxic brew. assistant missed the punch. the tournament while Italy
disgusting and disgraceful is likely the most lawless The 66,000 fans at Chile's But Italy defender Mario went home in disgrace.q
exhibition of football, match in World Cup history. national stadium witnessed David was looking for
possibly in the history of the The backdrop to the game spitting, two-footed revenge after he had been
game." had already added an challenges, punches, felled by a Sanchez left
Those were the words of edge to the match. Two scuffles and even police hook. Soon after, he high-
BBC commentator David Italy players — Jose Altafini intervention. kicked at Sanchez's throat
Coleman as he introduced and Humberto Maschio Italy got much of the blame and was sent off, joining
the British broadcaster's — hailed from South but Chile wasn't immune teammate Georgio Ferrini,
coverage of a group America, while Italian — Maschio's nose, after who had earlier been
match between host Chile reporters had maligned all, was broken following ejected for lashing out at a
and Italy at the 1962 World Chile as a country. Italian a punch from Leonel Chile player.
Cup. football was also in the Sanchez. Italy, down to nine men,