Page 18 - ARUBA TODAY

A18 SPORTS
Wednesday 29 august 2018
U.S. OPEN sors, they're kind of sitting in
Continued from Previous Page their offices, where (there's)
"Survival mode," Djokovic an A.C. system on, where
called it. it's cool. And we have to
With the temperature top- be out there. They tell us it's
ping 95 degrees (33 Cel- fine; they're not the ones
sius) and the humidity playing," said No. 4 seed
approaching 50 percent Alexander Zverev, who
— and that combination won in straight sets in the
making it feel more like early evening, when it was
105 (40 C) — nearly every- far less harsh. "For sure, the
thing became a struggle rule should be more strict.
for every player across the There should be a certain
grounds on Day 2 of the temperature, certain con-
U.S. Open, so much so that ditions where we shouldn't
no fewer than five quit their be playing."
matches, with three citing How bad was it out there at
cramps or heat exhaustion. its worst Tuesday?
About 2 hours into the day's "Bloody hot," said two-time
schedule, the U.S. Tennis major semifinalist Johanna
Association decided to Konta, who lost 6-2, 6-2 to
do something it never had No. 6 Caroline Garcia.
at this tournament: offer "Brutal," said 2014 U.S. Open
men the chance to take a champion Marin Cilic, who
10-minute break before the advanced when his oppo-
fourth set if a match went nent retired in the third set.
that far. That is similar to "Really not easy," said
the existing rule for women, three-time Grand Slam title Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, takes a moment behind the baseline during his match against Marton
Fucsovics, of Hungary, during the first round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, Aug. 28,
which allows for 10 min- winner Angelique Kerber, 2018, in New York.
utes of rest before a third who defeated Margarita Associated Press
set when there is excessive Gasparyan 7-6 (5), 6-3.
heat. "Terrible. It's awful out elbow. ic said. "It was quite a mag- continuing. Things probably
The whole thing raised sev- there," said Tennys Sand- He is a popular pick to hoist nificent feeling, I must say." would have gotten worse. I
eral questions: Should the gren, an American who the trophy again, coming Because action began at probably would have hurt
genders have the same won in straight sets and will off a Wimbledon title in July 11 a.m., and the USTA im- myself."
rules moving forward? face Djokovic in the sec- and a victory over Roger plemented the heat rule Travaglia also thought it
Should the U.S. Open avoid ond round. "I don't know Federer in the final of the for men at about 1 p.m., wasn't fair that the USTA's
having matches during the how guys are hanging in hard-court Cincinnati Mas- those playing in the earliest decision to offer the 10-min-
hottest part of the day, not there. I was thinking in the ters in August. Federer was matches weren't able to ute breaks came too late
just for the players' sake third set, like, 'It's getting re- among those lucky enough get that sort of relief. for him.
but also to help specta- ally bad. I just don't know to play a night match Tues- That included Italy's Ste- "We all should play with the
tors? Should the men play how long I have to play out day, facing Yoshihito Nish- fano Travaglia, who quit in same rules in this sport. Un-
best-of-three-set matches there.' And I think every- ioka of Japan. the fourth set of his match fortunately, they don't ask
at majors, instead of best- body kind of feels similarly." Djokovic was apprecia- after feeling dizzy and (players) anything, and
of-five? Should the 25-sec- Djokovic certainly did. tive of the chance for a cramps. Afterward, he said, they decide," he said. "If
ond serve clock, making its "Everything is boiling — in chance to recover a bit he could barely walk. they're going to have a
Grand Slam debut here, be your body, the brain, every- after the third set. He even "My head was spinning. ... break, they need to say
shut off to let players have thing," said Djokovic, who's took about a minute for a I didn't have any energy. I so in the morning, before
more time to recover be- won two of his 13 Grand quick ice bath — as did saw four balls when I swung. matches begin — not after
tween points? Slam titles in New York but Fucsovics, nearby. It was a terrible feeling. I I almost was going to pass
"At the end of the day, the sat out last year's U.S. Open "Naked in the ice baths, couldn't stay on court," he out because my blood
ATP or a lot of the supervi- because of an injured right next to each other," Djokov- said. "There was no sense in pressure was so low."q
Bolt to play 1st game for Australian club in quest to go pro

GOSFORD, Australia (AP) — the home game in Gos- club. He appeared at times
Usain Bolt will make his de- ford, north of Sydney. to struggle with the pace
but for the Central Coast Bolt, who is at home on a and demands of training.
Mariners in an Australian much larger stage, expect- Some critics have said Bolt's
A-League pre-season ex- ed to be nervous on his de- bid to turn professional is
hibition game against an but. little more than a gimmick,
amateur team. "There definitely will be but staff at the club say
The eight-time Olympic nerves, it's not like it's a they're giving the world's
sprinting gold medalist from charity game anymore," fastest runner a chance to
Jamaica is on trial with the Bolt said. "I expect to make prove himself.
Mariners, hoping to win a mistakes but I also expect "The thing he's struggling
professional contract. to go out there, make my- with more than anything
He has been practicing this self proud and to push my- else right now is getting
week on the left wing and self. "I know I'm not going to used to the football fitness,"
expects to play about 15 to have a perfect game." Mariners coach Mike Mul-
20 minutes in that position Bolt had his first full practice vey said. He said in terms of
Jamaica's Usain Bolt at his press conference with the Central during Friday's exhibition session with the Mariners on skills, Bolt is "doing OK."
Coast Mariners soccer team in Newcastle, Tuesday, Aug. 21, match. Tuesday after taking time "He's got rudimentary skills,
2018. Club officials are predict- to ease into his new role there's no problem about
Associated Press
ing a crowd of 12,000 for during his first week with the that ," Mulvey said.q