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Friday 7 June 2019
FRENCH OPEN the key, I think," said 2018
Contineud from Previous Page French Open runner-up
And getting the opportu- Thiem, who made only 12
nity to play against Simona, unforced errors, 25 fewer
that's amazing. But how it than Khachanov. "I didn't
ended is even crazier to miss a lot today."
me." Not only has none of the
That's a fair assessment of remaining women won a
the entire tournament. Ser- Grand Slam trophy, none
ena Williams, No. 1 Naomi has participated in a major
Osaka and No. 2 Karolina final.
Pliskova lost in the third "Well," said Halep, who was
round; Angelique Kerber seeded third, "nothing sur-
and Caroline Wozniacki prises me anymore in ten-
were gone in the first. nis."
The highest-seeded player Still, Anisimova's rapid rise is
in the semifinals is No. 8 Ash noteworthy.
Barty, the Australian who Already the first tennis
will face Anisimova. Barty player born in the 2000s to
advanced by beating No. get to a Slam quarterfinal,
14 Madison Keys of the she's now the youngest U.S.
United States 6-3, 7-5. woman into the semis at
"I felt," Barty said, "like I was Roland Garros since Jenni-
in control." fer Capriati was 14 in 1990.
The other semifinal is No. 26 Anisimova or Vondrousova Serbia's Novak Djokovic plays a shot against Germany's Alexander Zverev during their quarterfi-
nal match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Thursday,
Johanna Konta of Britain could each become the June 6, 2019.
against unseeded 19-year- first teenager since Iva Ma- Associated Press
old Marketa Vondrousova joli in 1997 to win the French
of the Czech Republic. Open, where the slow clay ing Halep. and 3-0 in the second. But Anisimova's nascent ca-
Because rain washed out courts require patience And to think: It was in 2016 from 4-1, Halep made one reer, only her fourth major
all play Wednesday, the from shot to shot, the that Anisimova was the ju- last push, getting to 4-all. tournament. It was amusing
women's semifinals — nor- movement and endurance nior runner-up at Roland "Nerves," Anisimova said, to hear her mention how
mally Thursday, one after to get to ball after ball, the Garros at 14. "were kicking in a bit." many coaches she's had
another in the main stadi- smarts to construct points. "I actually kind of miss ju- In the next game, she "throughout my lifetime."
um — will be played simul- Anisimova certainly niors, but, I mean, this is pushed a backhand long Barty, who is 23, missed
taneously on the second- checked all those boxes a new phase," she said, and chewed on a thumb- about two years on tour
and third-largest courts Fri- Thursday. Facing a former shrugging. "Obviously I re- nail. That gave Halep a when she switched sports
day morning. The biggest No. 1 and major champ, spect (Halep) a lot. But I break chance, one point and played cricket. She's
arena will host the men's in the tournament's largest know I'm capable of doing from serving to force a third progressing quickly now,
semifinals: Rafael Nadal vs. arena, the teenager was a lot, and I know I can play set. though: Her first major quar-
Roger Federer, and Novak poised as can be. very well. I mean, I never But it was Anisimova who terfinal came in January at
Djokovic vs. Dominic Thiem. "She was pretty calm," said doubt my abilities. Today steeled herself, Halep who the Australian Open, and
It's the first time the top four Halep, who acknowledged that showed." stumbled. A forehand into now she's gone a step fur-
men's seeds are the last feeling the stress of trying to Did it ever. the net, a return that sailed ther. Against Keys, the 2017
four standing at a major win a second consecutive "For a 17-year-old to play wide and another miscue U.S. Open runner-up, Barty
tournament since the 2013 title in Paris. "She showed that well," said Chris Evert, by Halep let Anisimova used her backhand slice to
Australian Open. that she's able to do good who won seven of her 18 hold, before she broke to great effect, helping cre-
Djokovic stretched his things and big things." major trophies in Paris, "is end it. ate errors on the other side
Grand Slam winning streak Yet to drop a set through pretty awesome." "I'm really happy with my of the net.
to 26 matches as he pur- five matches, Anisimova Most impressive, perhaps, performance," Anisimova Barty was asked whether
sues a fourth consecutive plays with a confident, was this: Halep had won 16 said, "because this is one of she was shocked that her
major trophy, beating Al- take-it-to-the-opponent return games in a row com- the best matches I've ever game, seemingly built for
exander Zverev 7-5, 6-2, style. She doesn't rely on ing in, but Anisimova saved played." hard courts, is suddenly so
6-2. Thiem eliminated No. power so much as preci- 6 of 7 break points. There's not a long list for good on clay.
10 seed Karen Khachanov sion, depositing what she's A seven-game run that be- comparison, frankly. "Yes," she replied, "very
6-2, 6-4, 6-2. called "effortless shots" near gan at 2-2 in the early go- After all, this was just the much so. I've been learning
"Controlling the points was lines and often wrong-foot- ing put Anisimova up a set 43rd tour-level match of every single day."q
After missing earlier drills, Jones is at Dolphins minicamp

By STEVEN WINE play elsewhere. "Voluntary mean voluntary, ally good shape." ing time.
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) — Now that Not so, Jones said Tuesday. so I took the time to get That's a given, Jones said. The rebuilding Dolphins also
Reshad Jones has rejoined "I'm here," he said. "I love physically ready to play a "I don't really have to prove have veteran safety T.J.
the Miami Dolphins, he says this city, I love the fans. I'd 16-game stretch coming anything to anybody," he McDonald, and 2018 first-
he hopes to play for them love to be a part of the Dol- off a surgery in February," said. "I've been one of the round draft pick Minkah
this season. phins organization." he said. best safeties in this league Fitzpatrick and veteran
The two-time Pro Bowl safe- Jones, the team's highest- Asked about his health for a long time. I put the Bobby McCain can play
ty reported to mandatory paid player at $13 million now, Jones said, "I'm not work in year in and year safety as well as corner-
minicamp after skipping this year, said he chose to 100%, but I'm close." He out. That's my pattern." back.
earlier voluntary offseason work out on his own rath- participated fully in the first Other Miami players rehab- "My conversations with
practices under first-year er than attend voluntary of this week's three work- bing injuries attended the Reshad are about play-
coach Brian Flores . Those team practices partly be- outs that conclude the Dol- voluntary practices. Flores book, communication,
absences fueled specula- cause he was recovering phins' offseason drills. shrugged off Jones' ab- fundamentals, technique,"
tion he might be traded from offseason shoulder "It's great to see him," Flores sences but has made no Flores said. "Last year is last
and perhaps preferred to surgery. said. "He looks like he's in re- guarantees about his play- year."q