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A20 SPORTS
Friday 7 February 2020
Aussie Open champ Kenin continues busy stretch with Fed Cup

By TIM BOOTH "I think it is a great opportu-
AP Sports Writer nity to share the court with
EVERETT, Wash. (AP) — such a great player," Osta-
When Sofia Kenin looks penko said. "She's done like
back on the past week, it so much for our sport. She
truly is a blur. was always my idol since
As last Saturday night I was growing up. Now to
turned to Sunday morning, play against her, as I said,
Kenin was basking in the it's a great opportunity. I'm
adulation following her first going to try to enjoy every
career Grand Slam tourna- moment."
ment title as the winner of Kenin will face Anastasija
the Australian Open after Sevastova in the opening
beating Garbiñe Muguruza match Friday. Kenin beat
in the final in three sets. Sevastova earlier this year
By Thursday, she was prep- in Brisbane.
ping to be the No. 1 sin- The singles matches will
gles player for the United be reversed Saturday, al-
States in its Fed Cup match though there can be sub-
against Latvia. stitutions, and that's where
"It's still sinking in slowly. I'm Gauff could come into the
still processing this," Kenin picture.
said. "I was super excited The U.S. announced Alison
to win a Grand Slam. It was Riske and Bethanie Mattek-
the best experience, the The United States Fed Cup team, from left, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Alison Riske, Serena Williams, Sands as its doubles pair
Coco Gauf, Sofia Kenin, and team captain Kathy Rinaldi pose during the draw for their Fed Cup
best two weeks of my life. tennis matches against Latvia, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020 at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Wash. for Saturday, leaving Gauff
(U.S. captain) Kathy (Rinal- Associated Press as the only member of the
di) told me I'm going to join team without a scheduled
Fed Cup and it was such an said. "Even though it was a when she returned to ten- "There's only a few tourna- match. Gauff reached the
honor. I'm super excited. I long journey, I would have nis following the birth of her ments in selective states. In round of 16 at the Austra-
told her we're going to do done anything to represent daughter. Gauff is taking particular, women's tennis lian Open — including an
some stuff." my country and be with the part in the Fed Cup for the does not get to play in a lot upset of third-seeded Nao-
With other Americans like guys on my team." first time, her previous inter- of areas. That's one thing mi Osaka — before falling
Serena Williams and Coco The U.S. isn't short on big national experience in this that is exciting about Fed to Kenin in three sets.
Gauff grabbing the atten- names for its qualifying event coming at the junior Cup, is we can go to states, "This team is incredibly solid
tion, it was Kenin playing matchup in Everett, Wash- level, where she helped the parts of the country that's and deep. You don't really
steady, at times gutsy, ten- ington, against Latvia. The U.S. to the title in 2018. not represented." go into it thinking about the
nis to land the first major ti- winner of the best-of-five So there is plenty of star Williams drew the No. 2 substitutions right off the
tle of her young career last matches will advance to power for arguably the singles spot for the U.S. and bat," Rinaldi said. "We have
week in Melbourne. the Fed Cup Finals taking most significant women's will face Latvia's No. 1 Jele- really strong players all the
Rest? That'll wait for the place in Budapest, Hun- tennis event to come to the na Ostapenko in Friday's way through. Obviously
21-year-old now ranked gary, in April under a new area. second match. Ostapen- health, making sure ev-
No. 7 in the world. format. "It's definitely important, ko, the 2017 French Open erybody is fit, ready to go,
"I was happy to take time Williams is participating for especially in the United champion, is ranked 40th in that's first and foremost the
off and come here," Kenin the first time since 2018, States," Williams said. the world. most important thing."q

McAvoy lifts Bruins past Blackhawks in OT

defenseman’s first goal of Halak made 21 saves. McKegg also scored for
the season. David Krejci Chicago wasted a ter- the Rangers. Rookie goalie
threw the puck outside to rific performance by Robin Igor Shesterkin made 27
a streaking Jake DeBrusk, Lehner, who made 38 stops saves to win for the fourth
who made a perfect pass in his first start since Jan. time in five 7starts this sea-
to McAvoy for the tap-in 21. The Blackhawks also son. Auston Matthews had
on the right side of the net. lost defenseman Adam two goals and John Tava-
The Blackhawks thought Boqvist to a right shoulder res also scored and add-
they had taken a 2-1 lead injury in the second period. ed an assist for the Maple
with 1:05 left in regulation Alex DeBrincat had Chica- Leafs, who are in a tight
when it looked as if Drake go’s only goal. race for a playoff spot in
Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy, right, celebrates Caggiula beat Jaroslav RANGERS 5, MAPLE LEAFS 3 the Eastern Conference.
with left wing Anders Bjork, center, and center Charlie Coyle Halak for a short-handed NEW YORK (AP) — Chris Backup goalie Michael
after scoring against the Chicago Blackhawks during over-
time in an NHL hockey game in Chicago, Wednesday, Feb. 5, goal. But it was waved off Kreider and Mika Zibane- Hutchinson, who had won
2020. The Bruins won 2-1. by the referees after Bruins jad scored in a 6-second his previous four starts, had
Associated Press defenseman Torey Krug span late in the first period 30 saves for Toronto. Start-
tripped Olli Maatta for a to lead New York past To- er Frederik Andersen left
By The Associated Press cago Blackhawks 2-1 on penalty. ronto. Kreider and Zibane- Monday’s loss to Florida
CHICAGO (AP) — Charlie Wednesday night for their Sean Kuraly also scored for jad each had a goal and with a neck injury. The Ma-
McAvoy scored 1:19 into fifth straight victory. Boston, which was coming an assist, Pavel Buchnevich ple Leafs blew a 3-1 third-
overtime, and the Bos- McAvoy finished a pretty off a 4-0 victory over Van- had a goal and two assists period lead and lost 5-3 to
ton Bruins beat the Chi- passing sequence for the couver on Tuesday night. and Filip Chytil and Greg the Panthers.q