Page 22 - AT

A22 SPORTS
Tuesday 29 OcTOber 2019

Simona Halep of Romania reacts as she plays against Bianca
Andreescu of Canada during their WTA Finals Tennis Tourna-
ment in Shenzhen, China's Guangdong province, Monday, Oct.
28, 2019.
Associated Press
Halep, defending

champion Svitolina

win at WTA Finals

In this Monday, Oct. 16, 2017 file photo, Sergino Dest of the U.S controls the ball during the FIFA
U-17 World Cup match against Paraguay in New Delhi, India.
SHENZHEN, China (AP) — After exchanging service Associated Press
Simona Halep saved a breaks in the first set, Svito-
match point before beat- lina converted her seventh Dest chooses to play for
ing Canadian teen Bianca set point. Pliskova also had
Andreescu 3-6, 7-6 (6), 6-3 a chance to take the first
won the Wimbledon title at 9-8 in the tiebreaker. U.S. over Netherlands
Monday at the WTA Finals.
set, but she failed to take
Halep, a former No. 1 who advantage of a set point

in July, saved the match "You tell yourself to stay in
point in the 12th game of the moment," Svitolina said By MIKE CORDER the last couple of years tory is remarkably similar to
the second set. of the lengthy tiebreaker. THE HAGUE, Netherlands and I strongly believe in the Dest's — both have fathers
"Today was a challenge "You just try to play one (AP) — Ajax defender Ser- plans and potential of U.S. who were U.S. servicemen
because she's almost 10 rally at a time, to don't giño Dest has decided Soccer," Dest said Monday. and both were brought up
years younger than me," rush. Even when I had the to remain with the United He made his Ajax debut at in the Netherlands."As a
Halep said. "I was really chances to finish the set, States national team rather the beginning of this sea- dual national myself, I un-
proud of what I did after because there was few, I than switch to the Nether- son and has been a regular derstand the choices that
having a back injury for al- thought I could play bet- lands. starter in the Eredivisie and these young players face,"
most a month." ter." The 18-year-old outside the Champions League. Stewart said. "Our job is to
After the tiebreaker, both After the tiebreaker, Plis- back, who has a Surinam- Dest is a typical Ajax de- provide a clear pathway
players sought medical kova struggled to stay in ese-American father and fender. Skillful and quick, and maintain honest and
treatment. Halep had the match. Dutch mother, played for he tries to push forward open communication, and
her foot treated while the "I think that decided all the U.S. in the Under-17 and deliver crosses. then ultimately it comes
19-year-old Andreescu, the match," the Czech player and Under-20 World Cups. He told Ajax teammates down to a personal deci-
U.S. Open champion, had said. "Even though I had He made his senior national of his decision in the locker sion."
a lower back problem. An- some chances in the sec- team debut for the Ameri- room after training on Mon- Berhalter is rebuilding the
dreescu also called for the ond set, too, it was a big cans last month when he day. He also called Koe- U.S. national team after
trainer in the third set. part of the match, the first played in friendlies against man to break the news. its failure to qualify for the
"I think she fought really set. Mexico and Uruguay, "Of course, he was disap- 2018 World Cup.
hard," Andreescu said. "I "Everything what I just won but because he had not pointed, but he respected Dest could make his com-
didn't take my chances in was because I made a played a competitive my choice," Dest told Ajax petitive debut on Nov. 15
the second set and after winner or because I was match had the ability un- TV. when the U.S. team plays
that my back really hurt. pushing her. Overall I think der FIFA's rules to change Berhalter flew to Amster- Canada at Orlando, Flori-
"I'm just really pretty disap- she didn't give me many his affiliation to the Dutch dam last week to watch da, in the CONCACAF Na-
pointed." mistakes." national team. Ajax play Chelsea in the tions League. He is a natu-
Earlier, defending champi- Svitolina jumped ahead 2-0 In recent weeks, both Neth- Champions League. The ral right back but played on
on Elina Svitolina stretched in the second set and then erlands coach Ronald Koe- only goal of the match the left for the Americans
her unbeaten run at the broke again for a 4-3 lead. man and U.S. counterpart came after U.S. midfielder in the September matches
season-ending tournament Pliskova, who had won all Gregg Berhalter had spo- Christian Pulisic dribbled and could be on a back
into a new year, beating three of her previous open- ken to Dest in an attempt past Dest and passed for line that includes Newcas-
Karolina Pliskova 7-6 (12), ing matches at the WTA Fi- to persuade him. Michy Batshuayi to give tle's DeAndre Yedlin on the
6-4 in her opening match. nals, leads the tour with four "Of course, it was a tough Chelsea a 1-0 victory. right.
Svitolina, the only player in titles this season — winning decision for me when the Berhalter and USSF sport- "We are thrilled to have
this year's field who has not in Brisbane, Rome, East- Dutch men's national team ing director Earnie Stewart Sergino commit to our pro-
won a title this season, was bourne and Zhengzhou. showed their interest, but I spoke had lunch with Dest gram," Berhalter said. "He is
unbeaten in the tourna- She also leads the tour with have built up a very good and the player's father an exceptional young play-
ment last year. most aces served at 481.q feeling with Team USA over the next day. Stewart's his- er with a bright future."q