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sports Diahuebs 20 Januari 2022

Osaka, Barty advance toward Australian Open showdown

(AP) — For the first set, Open.
Naomi Osaka’s rediscov- “On a day we’re bringing cul-
ered love of the game After a long off-season to tures together, bringing peo-
meant it was anything but reset, she’s unbeaten in five ple together ... it was great for
fun for Madison Brengle matches in Australia this year. me to be able to play a small
in the second round of the role doing what I love.”
Australian Open. Asked how she rated her
form, Osaka said that’s Rafael Nadal didn’t get it all
The defending champion not how she’s approaching his own way in the subse-
conceded only four points in things. quent match on Rod Laver
the first four games Wednes- Arena, needing five match
day and rifled forehand win- “Honestly I’m trying not to points before beating 126th-
ners seemingly at will as she do that,” she said in an on- ranked German qualifier
breezed to 6-0 in a mere 20 court TV interview. “I’m a bit Yannick Hanfmann 6-2, 6-3,
minutes. of a perfectionist. If I com- 6-4.
pare myself with the past, I’ll
The second set started with never be satisfied. The sixth-seeded Nadal,
Brengle celebrating a ser- aiming for a men’s record
vice hold like she’d finished “The goal for me is just to 21st Grand Slam singles ti-
a long-distance race, but have fun ... (and) I think tle, had two match points on
gradually the No. 54-ranked we’re accomplishing that.” Hanfmann’s serve and two
American’s keep-the-ball-in- more on his own before fi- Roger Federer and Novak held off Kwon Soon-woo
play strategy ground down Since the draw for the first nally clinching a spot in the Djokovic, and he doesn’t 7-6 (6), 6-7 (3), 6-7 (6), 7-5,
Osaka to a stage where she fi- major of the year was made, third round when his rival have either of them in the 6-2 in 4 hours, 25 minutes
nally converted a break-point a big focus has been on a po- sent a forehand long. draw this time. on Margaret Court Arena,
opportunity — after missing tential encounter between and Sebastian Korda edged
her first nine chances. Osaka and Barty, the 2021 Nadal converted four of his Federer is skipping the Aus- Corentin Moutet 3-6, 6-4,
Wimbledon and 2019 French 16 break-point chances, in- tralian Open while he con- 6-7 (2), 7-5, 7-6 (6) in 4:47.
That triggered a change in the Open champion who is aim- cluding one of eight in the tinues his recovery from in-
former No. 1-ranked Osaka, ing to be the first Australian third set, but only faced two jury. Djokovic, a nine-time In the women’s draw, French
who responded by breaking woman since 1978 to win her break points on his own serve champion at Melbourne Open champion Barbora
back immediately and reel- home championship. and fended them both off. Park, was deported after an Krejcikova set up a third-
ing off the last nine points to 11-day saga that he ultimate- round match against No. 26
complete a 6-0, 6-4 victory. Barty was front and center For the 35-year-old Nadal, ly lost because he didn’t meet Jelena Ostapenko, advanc-
She finished with 37 winners when the tournament cele- after fatigue, injuries and ill- Australia’s strict COVID-19 ing along with No. 5 Maria
and 32 unforced errors. brated its inaugural First Na- ness curtailed his 2021 season vaccination regulations. Sakkari, No. 8 Paula Badosa
tions Day, albeit only for 52 following the French Open, and No. 15 Elina Svitolina,
Osaka will next face Aman- minutes as she beat 142nd- time on court is more impor- Miomir Kecmanovic, who who next plays two-time
da Anisimova, a 20-year-old ranked qualifier Lucia Bron- tant than anything. was originally drawn to meet Australian Open champion
American who beat Olympic zetti 6-1, 6-1. Djokovic in the first round, Victoria Azarenka.
gold medalist Belinda Bencic “I said here before the tour- advanced to the third with a
6-2, 7-5. The winner of that is “It was nice for me to be a nament started, things are 7-6 (7), 7-5, 7-6 (8) win over Svitolina was leading 6-3,
likely to face top-ranked Ash part of it in a way that I feel not going to be perfect, but Tommy Paul. 5-7, 5-1 when Harmony Tan
Barty in the fourth round. most comfortable,” Barty, every day that I’m going to retired with a left leg injury,
who has Indigenous heri- spend on court, the chances Olympic gold medalist Alex- and waited on court until Tan
Osaka won the Australian tage, said of the day dedicated to play better are higher,” he ander Zverev, Wimbledon fi- was removed in a wheelchair.
Open last year, her fourth to the Aboriginal and Tor- said. “After two matches is nalist Matteo Berrettini, No.
Grand Slam title, but then res Strait Islander people of the moment to make a step 17 Gael Monfils and No. 23 “It’s always horrible when
withdrew from the French Australia. “Out on the tennis forward. I’m excited about Reilly Opelka advanced in any athlete gets injured in
Open and skipped Wimble- court is how I express myself it.” straight sets. competition,” Svitolina said.
don as she took a break for as an athlete, it’s how I’m able “It’s tough to see a player go-
her mental health. She then to express myself as a person Nadal shares the men’s re- In two marathon five-setters, ing out like this.”
was ousted early at the U.S. as well. cord of 20 singles titles with No. 14 Denis Shapovalov

NHL pioneer O’Ree ‘overwhelmed’ as No. 22 raised to rafters

(AP) — Willie O’Ree’s No. The first Black player to ap- the Bruins’ matchup with career, as well as comments scheduled for last season but
22 now has a permanent pear in an NHL game, O’Ree the Carolina Hurricanes on from various people who ex- was postponed in hopes that
home in Boston’s TD Gar- became the 12th player in Tuesday night. pressed how O’Ree touched both O’Ree and fans would
den. franchise history to have their lives. be able to attend in person.
his number retired prior to The honor came 64 years to O’Ree planned to be in at-
the day after he became the The Canadian-born O’Ree tendance for the rescheduled
league’s first Black player on said during his speech that event on Tuesday, but persist-
Jan. 18, 1958, when he suited as a young boy growing up ing concerns about the pan-
up against the Montreal Ca- in Fredericton, New Bruns- demic changed those plans.
nadiens. O’Ree was induct- wick, he grew up rooting for He participated virtually
ed into the Hockey Hall of Montreal. from his home in San Diego.
Fame in the builder category
in 2018. “But on Jan. 18, 1958, when Boston Mayor Michelle Wu
the Bruins called me up to declared Tuesday “Willie
“It was a memorable night,” make my NHL debut in a O’Ree Day,” and landmarks
O’Ree said. “I’m just thrilled game against the Canadiens, around the area including
and overwhelmed.” I knew my heart would be Boston City Hall, Fenway
with the Bruins forever,” he Park, TD Garden and Gil-
The pregame ceremony in- said. lette Stadium were lighted in
cluded a video montage gold in his honor.
with highlights of O’Ree’s The ceremony was originally