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d player in Kvitova, Keys was
in Pony-Like Screenshots Mon Nov 18, 2019 1:30 pmby chenwen121314 • 609 Posts
RIO DE JANEIRO -- There will be bigger matches for Madison Keys, bigger tournaments. Goose Gossage Rangers Jersey . But on a sun-splashed afternoon at the Olympic Tennis Center, no one was going to tell the 21-year-old that going home without a shiny round piece of hardware around her neck was anything less than heartbreaking.Keys 7-5, 2-6, 6-2 loss to the Czech Republics Petra Kvitova on Saturday in the womens bronze-medal match came less than 20 hours after she fell to Angelique Kerber in the semifinal. Both were equally frustrating, and both brought out the best and worst in the young American.Against Kerber, Keys was 0-for-10 on break-point opportunities. Against another more experienced player in Kvitova, Keys was 2-for-10. And though Keys played at a high level at times against two of the hardest hitters in the game, she was sloppy, committing 90 unforced errors in those matches (41 versus Kerber; 49 against Kvitova).Keys had a double set point on Kvitovas serve in the first set but failed to capitalize. And though Keys came back strong to win the second set, she was frustrated throughout the match, slamming her racket often.When I needed a point, she played her best tennis, Keys said of her bronze-medal match. Its one of those where a point here and there could really change it, and unfortunately, I didnt win those today.As for Kvitova, she was plagued by mono last year, a stomach illness early in 2016 and then an abdominal pull. Still, she is a two-time Wimbledon champ but has not been past the quarterfinals of a major since winning her last one in 2014. This year, she fell in the second round at the All England Club.But Saturday, Kvitova was nimble and quick, winning 7-of-9 net chances and taking command of the final set. She broke Keys serve in the first and third games and never looked back.I was preparing for the Olympics from the beginning of the season, Kvitova said. I had so many troubles with injuries and everything. I know I love playing this kind of tournament.And playing for the Czech Republic is something always special for me. I just came here to do what I can. Im so happy. I saved my best tennis for this event.While Keys, who broke into the top 10 of the world ranking for the first time in June, has been steadily climbing toward elite status, her lone obstacle is a Grand Slam title. Red-eyed and holding back tears after both her semifinal and the bronze matches, Keys will try to benefit from this Olympic week.Right now, its not super easy to see the positives, but Im definitely going to take what I learned and use it -- use everything that happened here just as experience and ... and move on, she said.There were a lot of matches I could have potentially lost, and I was able to fight. Also, it is a very unique experience being a part of a team and the Olympic Village. I think it was a really, really fun experience, and Im just going to focus on that.Keys was not the only player who was emotional Saturday, as Kvitova told reporters that she was sorry if she broke into tears.This means almost everything, the Czech said. The fact that I have a medal from the Olympics is one of the best things [to] happen in my career. I have my two Wimbledon titles, Fed Cup and WTA [Finals]. Its definitely one of the best days today, so I hope Im going to celebrate it. And Im very proud I could bring it to the Czech Republic.Unfortunately, I didnt win the gold medal, but to have a bronze, its great. Its different [than Wimbledon]. ... Its something special. Jesse Chavez Rangers Jersey . -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last Sunday. Zack Granite Rangers Jersey . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. https://www.cheaprangersbaseball.com/572...ey-rangers.html . The Browns coaching search remains incomplete. OAKLAND, Calif. -- With a little more playing time these past few days, Athletics slugger Billy Butler is finally getting comfortable at the plate -- even in a rare appearance against a right-hander.It might not be enough to get him out of a part-time role in Oakland. Still, its a step in the right direction for the former All-Star first baseman.Butler hit a tiebreaking home run off Erasmo Ramirez with one out in the eighth inning and the As held on to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 on Sunday.Ive shown it my career, I can come through in those situations day in and day out, Butler said after helping the As complete a 7-3 homestand. Its one of those things where I really havent had any opportunities to be frustrated. I just havent had my number called a lot. Coming through in those situations, maybe Ill get my number called more.Oakland lost the first game of this series then won the next two on walkoff hits. The As led 2-0 in the finale until Logan Forsythes tying two-run homer in the top of the eighth.Ramirez (7-8) retired Khris Davis on a fly ball before Butler hammered an 0-1 pitch over the wall in center. Its Butlers third home run of the season and first since June 7.Butler also had an RBI single in the first, giving him 18 RBI over his last 35 games.Its tough for a guy that plays every day to try to get himself into a rhythm if hes not, but thats a big hit today, As manager Bob Melvin said. Hes staying positive . but this has been a tough year for him, based on the fact hes asked to do something hes not used to doing.Davis added two hits while Jake Smolinski doubled twice and scored for the As.Ryan Dull (4-2) retired two batters for the win despite giving up Forsythes home run. Ryan Madson pitched the ninth for his 21st save.Home runs have beat us up a lot this year, Rays manager Kevin Cash said. Obviously when you give up that many, theyre coming at the wrong time.Forsythes home run in the eighth ruined an otherwise stellar day for As starter Jesse Hahn.Called up from the minors before the game, Hahn faced just two over the minimum through six innings and allowed only one runner to reach second base before leeaving with a 2-0 lead with two outs in the eighth. Goose Gossage Jersey. . The right-hander walked one and matched his season-high of five strikeouts.Oakland jumped on Tampa Bay rookie left-hander Blake Snell early and strung together four consecutive one-out hits in the first. Davis had an RBI double and Butler added a run-scoring single to put the As up 2-0.Snell allowed two runs over 6 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked two.THIN BENCHWith only one fully healthy player (Matt McBride) available off the bench Melvin was asked if he had any pitchers hed consider using as positional players if the need arose. Ive got a couple of guys that would like to do it, Melvin said, specifically mentioning Sonny Gray and Kendall Graveman. I hope I dont get to that point. Position players always think they can pitch . and pitchers who are athletic always think they can play positions.TRAINERS ROOMRays: Desmond Jennings (strained left hamstring) ran the bases and took batting practice without a setback during a minor league rehab appearance. ... RHP Brad Boxberger threw 22 pitches in a rehab outing and is hopeful of rejoining the big league club in Los Angeles.Athletics: Coco Crisp was a late scratch because of neck soreness. He joined Josh Reddick (lower back soreness) on the bench. ... Rich Hill threw 30 pitches while wearing a protective covering on the middle finger of his left hand. Hill, who left his last start after five pitches because of a blister, will continue to throw bullpens for conditioning until the blister heals. ... Arismendy Alcantara was optioned to Triple-A Nashville.UP NEXTRays: RHP Chris Archer (5-13) pitches against the Dodgers in the opener of a two-game series on Tuesday. Archer entered the weekend leading the AL with 147 strikeouts.Athletics: RHP Daniel Mengden (1-1) returns to his native Texas to face the Rangers on Monday. Mengden was born in Houston and attended Texas A&M.- -- -This version correctly shows that the As took three of four games and did not sweep the series. ' ' '
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