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sports Diasabra 28 Mei 2022

Rafa vs. Uncle Toni: Nadal to meet Auger-Aliassime in Paris

By HOWARD FEN-
DRICH
AP Tennis Writer
PARIS (AP) — Rafael Nad-
al knew this was bound to
happen. So, too, did his un-
cle, Toni Nadal, who coached
Rafael to most of the neph-
ew's men's-record 21 Grand
Slam titles.
Also well aware this mo-
ment would come, of course,
was Felix Auger-Aliassime,
the promising player who
brought aboard the man
known to many simply as
Uncle Toni for some extra
assistance last year.
Once Toni and Rafael ended
their professional partner-
ship, and once Auger-Alias-
sime hired Toni to work in
tandem with full-time coach
Frederic Fontang, they all
figured that somewhere,
sometime, their paths would
cross. Now it'll happen in the
French Open's fourth round:
Nadal vs. Auger-Aliassime.
Which in some ways is also a
matchup of Nadal vs. Nadal.
So, the 13-time champion
at Roland Garros was asked,
might there be some awk-
wardness there? Probably no ing another player," he said. said. a 19-year-old who leads the Kaia Kanepi of Estonia, who
way you'll be chatting with "But honestly, for me, it's On the horizon is the pros- tour with four titles in 2022 at 36 is twice her age. Kanepi
your uncle ahead of Sunday's zero problem." pect that if Nadal wins, he and became, at the Madrid won the French Open junior
meeting against the ninth- Auger-Aliassime, meanwhile, could find yet another fa- Open this month, the only title in 2001 — three years
seeded Auger-Aliassime, a resolved one little bit of in- miliar face in the stadium for player in history to beat both before Gauff was born.
21-year-old from Canada, trigue, saying that he expect- the quarterfinals: defending Djokovic and Nadal at the No. 18 seed Gauff plays No.
right? ed Uncle Toni to sit in a neu- champion Novak Djokovic. same clay-court event. 31 Elise Mertens next; other
Nadal shook his head and tral spot in the stands, rather Both the top-seeded Djokov- Alcaraz was facing 21-year- fourth-round matches are
said he already had spoken than being forced to choose ic, who beat Aljaz Bedene old American Sebastian No. 27 Amanda Anisimova
to Toni straight after beating between one player's guest 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 on Friday and Korda on Friday night in against 2021 U.S. Open fi-
26th-seeded Botic Van De box or the other. now takes on 15th-seeded Court Philippe Chatrier, nalist Leylah Fernandez,
Zandschulp 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 on As for what sort of insights Diego Schwartzman, and with the winner to play No. Stephens against No. 23 Jil
Friday. Toni might reveal about his Nadal have won all nine sets 10 Cameron Norrie or No. Teichmann, and Martina
"For me, it's very simple. former player to his current they've played on the red clay 21 Karen Khachanov in the Trevisan against Aliaksandra
He's my uncle. I don't think one, Auger-Aliassime smiled. of Paris so far. And both have fourth round. Another Sun- Sasnovich.
he will be able to want me Not too many unknowns ceded just 23 games total. day match will be No. 3 Al- Stephens arrived in Paris on a
to lose, without a doubt, but about Rafael at this point, not They have played each other exander Zverev vs. Bernabe five-match losing streak. But
he's a professional and he's at age 35, not after so many 58 times already, more than Zapata Miralles, a qualifier she's 3-0 on this trip.
with another player," said the years on tour. any two other men in the who edged No. 23 John Isner "I don't think you ever know
fifth-seeded Nadal, who has "I know him. I've seen him Open era, and No. 59 might of the U.S. in five sets. when it's going to happen or
dealt with chronic foot pain play. I know what he does come next week. Asked ear- Three American women when it's going to click. But
and a rib injury this season well. We all know," said Au- lier in the tournament about reached the fourth round: I'm just trying to make the
but also won the Australian ger-Aliassime, a 2021 U.S. that "pretty good lefty in your 18-year-old Coco Gauff, most of it, honestly," said Ste-
Open in January. Open semifinalist who ad- quarter of the draw," Djokov- 20-year-old Amanda Anisi- phens, the 2018 runner-up
"It's not a story at all for me. vanced Friday by defeating ic played dumb and joked: "I mova and 2017 U.S. Open at Roland Garros. "Happy to
I know what the feelings are Filip Krajinovic 7-6 (3), 7-6 don't know who you are talk- champion Sloane Stephens. put the wins together now.
that we have between each (2), 7-5. ing about." Gauff, the youngest player Didn't at any other tourna-
other. I know he wants the "But nobody — Toni, Fred or Also on their half of the left in the field, was a 6-3, ment, so God bless."
best for me. Now he's help- me — has the answers," he bracket: No. 6 Carlos Alcaraz, 6-4 winner against the oldest,

Carlos Martínez suspended 80 games for positive drug test

NEW YORK (AP) — For- er signed a minor league ERA in 4 1/3 innings. He Sox. He was 4-9 with a 6.23 major league drug program:
mer All-Star pitcher Carlos contract with San Francisco was released on May 17. ERA in 16 starts for the Car- Milwaukee pitcher J.C. Me-
Martínez was suspended on March 19. He was re- Martínez pitched for the St. dinals last season. jía and Brewers catcher Pe-
for 80 games Friday under leased and signed a minor Louis Cardinals from 2013- Martínez is the 23rd player dro Severino for 80 games
baseball's minor league drug league contract with the 21, going 62-52 with a 3.74 suspended this year under each; Baltimore pitcher Matt
program following a positive Boston Red Sox on May 7. ERA in 139 starts and 135 the minor league drug pro- Harvey for 60 games; and
test for the performance-en- Martínez made a pair of relief appearances. He was gram. His suspension will free agent outfielder/first
hancing substance Ibutamo- starts for Triple-A Worces- an All-Star in 2015 and 2017, start when he signs with a baseman Danny Santana,
ren, which increases Human ter, at Toledo on May 8 and and Martínez made five re- major league organization. pitcher Richard Rodríguez
Growth Hormone. against Rochester on May lief appearances in the 2013 Six players have been sus- and infielder José Rondón
The 30-year-old right-hand- 14, going 0-2 with a 20.77 World Series loss to the Red pended this year under the for 80 games apiece.