US teen Gauff shakes off nerves to advance at US Open
NEW YORK: Wimbledon teen sensation Coco Gauff shook off nerves and rallied Tuesday to reach the second round of the US Open, defeating Russia’s Anastasia Potapova 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.
The 15-year-old American, who ousted idol Venus Williams on her way to the fourth round at Wimbledon, drew energy from a cheering crowd at Louis Armstrong Stadium to advance.
“It was because of the crowd,” Gauff said. “No matter where I was on the court, I could always hear somebody supporting me and I’m grateful for that.”
It was an atmosphere that forced Gauff to soak in the moment and accept the nervousness that followed.
“It was crazy,” she said. “I was nervous going out on the court, such a big court, and my home Slam, I wanted to do well. It was a great atmosphere to play in and a great experience for me.”
Potapova, an 18-year-old also making her US Open main draw debut, jumped ahead 3-0 and took the first set.
“I was like, ‘I have to reset, stop thinking about what would happen after the match, just think about what I need to do to win the second set,’” Gauff said.
She rolled to a 4-1 edge in the final set before Potapova fought back. “I wanted to win and I was trying to calm myself down,” Gauff said. “It was the crowd that helped me because I was down and I was almost out.”
Gauff faces Hungarian qualifier Timea Babos on Thursday with a possible showdown against top-ranked defending champion Naomi Osaka of Japan in the third round. “I first met Naomi (when) I hit with her at the Miami Open maybe three years ago,” Gauff said. “She’s doing amazing, obviously. Hopefully I can get to her level. I mean, she’s amazing. She’s a nice person. I can’t even say anything bad about her, her family, because they’ve always been super nice, even since I was 12.”— AFP MIRI: More than 200 children from Taman Tunku, Taman Jelita and surrounding areas competed in futsal at the inaugural Taman Tunku ( TT) Children Activity Centre (PAKK) Sports Carnival recently.
They were divided into 12 teams for the Under-14 and Under-17 categories for matches at Jelita Futsal Court in Taman Tunku here for two days.
TT Cobras and Isedap. com emerged as U14 and U17 champions respectively.
Welfare Department (JKM) assistant community development officer Siti Fatimah Buah said the tournament aimed at attracting children to healthy activities especially sports while strengthening ties among the local community.
She expressed the hope that carnival participants would continue to be actively involved in programmes organised by PAKK TT.
“It is hoped that in future such activities will gain more support from all walks of life including leaders and locals for greater community relations and social problems to be eradicated together,” she added during the closing ceremony.
PAKK TT Sports Carnival was held in conjunction with National Month with such activities as children’s questionnaire on PAKK activities, lucky draws and other leisure activities.
PAKK is a programme and support service under JKM set up to organise prevention and protection programmes and support services especially for children who are abused by their families.
PAKK in Taman Tunku is one of the active PAKK in Miri whose volunteers comprised professionals such as teachers, doctors, police officers and government officials.
It welcomes children from nearby residential areas to form study groups, read or relax at the centre in the evening or during leisure time.