05302018 sports

SPORTS SECTION E

French Open, Page 8

WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2018

BAAA set to host two major national championships DENISE WHILE they wait on the final decision on two important matters, the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations is preparing to host two of its major National Championships next month.

BAAA president Rosamunde Carey indicated that no final decision has been received from the tribunal on quarter-miler Steven Gardiner and the suspension of one of its athletes who tested positive for drugs.

But she said that while they wait for the outcome, the association is forging ahead with the preparation of its Junior and Senior National Track and Field Championships.

Carey, in an interview with The Tribune last week at the Frank Rahming National Primary School Track and Field Championships, said they are looking forward to

some keen competition at the upcoming events.

Youth and Junior Nationals The combined event is set for the weekend of June 15-16 at the original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

“We have combined the youth and junior nationals so that we can get more participation and competition from the athletes,” Carey said.

The championships will serve as a qualifier for the IAAF Junior World Championships, scheduled for July 10-15 in Finland, and the Youth Olympic Games, scheduled for Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 11-23.

Senior Nationals The big event is scheduled for June 22-23 at the new Thomas A Robinson National Stadium. “We

expect all of our elite athletes to participate in this event,” Carey said. “Even though this is considered an off year, we have a number of international events coming up that we have to field teams to compete in.”

The championships will serve as the qualifier for the Central American and Caribbean Games, set for Barranquilla, Colombia, July 20 to August 3 and the NACAC Senior Championships in Toronto, Canada, August 10-12.

For the first time, NACAC will be offering prize money for the top finishers in the championships, which is expected to boost the participation of the top athletes in the region to compete.

Gardiner’s Decision Although a tribunal was convened from August to ascertain

why Gardiner refused to run in the heats of the men’s 4 x 400 metre relay at the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London, England, Carey said no decision has been reached nine months later.

“We’ve asked the tribunal to come up with a definitive date on the outcome of their findings,” Carey said. “We know that he’s in his competition cycle and we don’t want to disrupt his programme.”

Carey, however, refuted any allegations that the BAAA has suspended Gardiner, indicating that they don’t know what the final decision will be made by the tribunal. “We know that the tribunal was scheduled to meet with the head coach (Dianne Woodside-Johnson), relay coordinator (Rupert

SEE PAGE 2

Clean sweep on day 2

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

t was a clean sweep of all three matches played against Antigua & Barbuda on day two of the American Zone III Davis Cup Tie in Costa Rica as the Bahamas men’s national team remain undefeated.

Following their 2-1 win over Honduras on Monday at the Costa Rica Country Club in Escape, Costa Rica, the Bahamas secured a 3-0 decision over Antigua & Barbuda yesterday.

In the opening singles, No.2 seed Philip Major Jr won 6-4, 6-3 over Shakir Elvin in one hour and nine minutes. That was followed by No.1 seed Baker Newman winning 7-5, 7-5 over Jody Maginley. Major Jr and player/captain Marvin Rolle put the icing on the cake with a 6-2, 6-0 decision over Carlton Bedminster and Kevin Gardner in doubles.

“PJ started off pretty good. I think he underestimated the guy a little bit and the guy came back in the first set, but PJ was able to close it out,” Rolle said. “Then in the second set, both of them played pretty well, but PJ managed to pull it out.

“Baker was second in the singles matches. Both players were not playing that well the whole match.

It was much more a mental match more than anything, but Baker was able to pull it out.”

Rolle said in the doubles, he and Major Jr played very well to secure the win. “We won today. We did a great job. Me and Baker struggled in our singles matches, but we won a way to pull it off,” Major Jr said.

“We really wanted it.”

Today was a great day for doubles. “Me and Marvin played very well in doubles,” he said. “We put our best foot forward and competed very well for the Bahamas.”

On his match, Newman said after Major Jr got things started, he had to grind it out to pull the Bahamas ahead for good.

“I didn’t play my best tennis today, but we won,” Newman said.

BAHAMAS EARNS 3-0 DECISION OVER ANTIGUA & BARBUDA

I

SEE PAGE 2

STRACHAN WINS FAMILY FUN WALK RACE DENISE Strachan emerged as the overall winner of Macedonia Baptist Church’s 52nd anniversary Family Fun Walk Race, held on Saturday on Bernard Road, Fox Hill.

The early morning event got started at the church and headed west to the Village Road round-a-bout and back to the church where a screening by nurses from the School Health Unit through the Healthy Lifestyle Unit took place.

For her effort, Strachan was presented with a cellular phone and a gift bag from Aliv, the major sponsor of the event, along with Thompson Trading, who provided Gatorade for all participants.

Shonel Ferguson, the Member of Parliament for Fox Hill, also participated in the event, which was coordinated by Ann Thompson.

A number of categories were contested with the following winners crowned: Female Division Under-15 - Sharae Hall, Deon Rolle, Mikala Cartwright Under-20 - Brenae Stubbs, Savanta Hall, Dinique Rolle Under-30 - Brittany Stubbs Under-40 - Audra Tynes, Sheneka Nixon Over-50 - Denise Strachan, Jacqueline Sands and Veronica Strachan Male Division Under-15 - Lucius Miller, Labron Miller

SEE PAGE 2

BLTA CONGRATS TO ROBERTS THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association congratulates Savannah Roberts, who helped the Hotchkiss Bearcats’ girls varsity team capture another New England championship with a stellar display of singles play in the finals against Andover on May 20.

Roberts, the number two player on the Bearcats, won her singles match in three sets, 6-3, 1-6, 10-3.

The Bearcats (15-1) rallied from a doubles sweep at the hands of the Big Blue with five straight victories to bring home its sixth New England crown and first since 2013.

PHILIP MAJOR JR, left, and Marvin Rolle pose together after their doubles victory.

SEE PAGE 2

Bahamas holding its own at 38th annual VNEA World Championships THE 38th annual VNEA World Championships is underway in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the Bahamas is holding its own.

Pages 3, 5

The championships is being played at the Bally’s Hotel & Casino May 24 to June 2 and the Bahamas is represented by four teams from New Providence and two from Grand Bahama.

In individual play so far, Barry Smith, Akeam Oliver, Kevin Miller, Marcio Smith and James Lockhart led the way for Grand Bahama.

Jarrette Major, Jerome Wright, Keith Cargill, Meko Evans, Gowon Nairn, Eugene Wallace and Dario Woodside were the leaders for New Providence.

Woodside, who also serves as the president of the Nassau Valley Eight Ball Association, was able to fight his way to the 9 ball finals where he placed second behind Carlos Barbosa of Canada.

Wallace also placed in the top eight in the intermediate singles.

DARIO Woodside (left), of the Bahamas, with Carlos Barbosa, of Canada, on the podium receiving their awards.

“The tournament is going great so far,” Woodside said.

“It’s some stiff competition over here, so we really have to

hold our ground. Hopefully the Bahamas can come out on top at the end of the tournament.”

Team play started yesterday and

will continue today at the tournament and Woodside said he’s looking forward to some great performances.

PAGE 2, Wednesday, May 30, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

PHILIP Major Jr (far right) and Baker Newman in action at the American Zone III Davis Cup Tie in Costa Rica. Team Bahamas secured a 3-0 decision over Antigua & Barbuda yesterday.

DAVIS CUP: BAHAMAS EARNS 3-0 DECISION OVER ANTIGUA & BARBUDA FROM PAGE 1 “PJ and Marvin played very well in doubles to clinch it. We are confident that we would have done it in doubles.”

Jody Turnquest, the newcomer on the team, said it was good to watch as the more seasoned players prevailed with another win.

In their opener on Monday, Major Jr won 6-4, 6-2 over Keny Turcios,

Newman took care of Jaime Bendeck 6-2, 6-1, but Rolle and Turnquest fell 6-2, 6-2 to Bendeck and Alejandro Obando in doubles.

The Bahamas will have a day off today and return to action on Thursday when

they face Jamaica. They will complete Group B play against Bermuda on Friday.

The top two teams out of their group will advance to play against the top two teams out of Group A, inclusive of Paraguay, Costa

Rica, Cuba and Panama.

The two winners out of the playoffs this weekend will be promoted to Group II for 2019.

Perry Newton, the public relations officer for the BLTA, said despite the

players not performing at their best yesterday, the Bahamas still prevailed .

And newton said he’s confident that the team will be in a position to advance and move up to zone II next year.

BAAA set to host two major national championships FROM PAGE 1

Gardiner) and the athlete himself (Steven Gardiner), but we have not gotten anything definitive from the tribunal.”

Just before the preliminaries of the relay, Gardiner had ran a national record of 43.89 seconds

to advance to the final where he went on to win the silver medal.

He had indicated that he would have been prepared to run in the final if the team had qualified. In his absence, the team of Alonzo Russell, Michael Mathieu, Ojay Ferguson and Ramon Miller failed to qualify for the final.

Carey, who was in attendance at the championships, also dispelled any rumours that Gardiner was

seeking his green card from the United States so that he could end up competing for that country.

“We are not aware of that,” she said. “We know that Steven Gardiner is a Bahamian and is competing for the Bahamas. He has not said anything otherwise to us.”

Suspended Athlete As for the athlete who was suspended by the IAAF for taking a

banned substance, Carey said the athlete in question is still under suspension.

Following their participation in the IAAF World Relays last April at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, the A sample from one of the athletes came back positive.

“It’s a process and the athlete is still going through the process,” Carey stressed.

“The athlete has to exhaust all of the process that is available to them, including having their B sample provided at their own cost.

“The athlete suspended remains suspended until the process is exhausted. As it stands now, the Athletes Drug Integrity Unit that overseas drug testing and disciplinary actions has not given us any decision.”

SAVANNAH ROBERTS, standing in front row at left, is pictured with her Hotchkiss teammates after their victory.

BLTA CONGRATS TO SAVANNAH ROBERTS FROM PAGE 1

She is the daughter of Mr and Mrs Bruno Roberts and the sister of male tennis player Justin Roberts, who

recently graduated from the University of South Florida where he starred on their Bulls men’s team.

Strachan wins Family Fun Walk Race FROM PAGE 1 Under-20 - Miguel Thompson; Samuel Hall Over-50 - Joel Knowles, Frederick Williams Pastors/Ministers Harold Brown, Brnet Stubbs, Senior Pastor Hartman Nixon

SENIOR Pastor Rev Hartman Nixon presents Denise Strachan with her cell phone certificate and gift bag from Aliv on Sunday for winning the Macedonia Baptist Church’s 52nd anniversary walk race on Saturday.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, May 30, 2018, PAGE 3

Why Cleveland Cavaliers will win the NBA Finals

By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer LEBRON James has rescued the Cavaliers from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals and just pulled them out of a 2-0 hole against Boston.

Neither such comeback had ever been accomplished, so James has stared down tough situations before.

Winning another championship now, leading this group of Cavaliers past a much mightier Golden State team, might even be a bigger challenge. Perhaps it’s simply too much to ask.

Except for the guy being asked.

James is playing at such an extraordinary level that anything is possible, including what would go down as one of the biggest upsets in NBA history.

“No matter what the story line is going to be, no matter if we’re picked to win or not, let’s just go out and play ball,” James said. “We’re going to have a great gameplan. We’re going to try to get better throughout the series, and we’ll see what happens.”

The Warriors are better, and few outside James’ native Ohio would bother to argue. Golden State is deeper, quicker, more potent offensively and much more reliable defensively. The Cavaliers only got one game off them in last year’s finals, and that Cleveland team, with Kyrie Irving, was better than this year’s version.

But none of their weaknesses have stopped the Cavaliers from pulling out two Game 7s in this postseason, or from stomping on a 59-win Toronto team in four straight games.

They find a way to play well enough to keep the games in striking distance so James can will the Cavs across the finish line, and that will be the strategy again starting tomorrow at Oracle Arena.

As Stephen Curry noted, the Cavaliers are more than just James. Tristan Thompson rarely showed up anywhere but the gossip pages for much of the season, but has regained his role as a rugged rebounder and defender in the postseason. If All-Star Kevin Love is cleared from his

LOVE STILL IN CONCUSSION PROGRAMME, STATUS FOR OPENER UNKNOWN

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer

CAVALIERS forwards LeBron James, right, and Jeff Green celebrate a play during the second half in Game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics on Sunday in Boston.

(AP Photo/Elise Amendola) concussion in time to play, Cleveland can surround James with dangerous perimeter shooters such as himself, Kyle Korver, George Hill and JR Smith, forcing the Warriors to play James 1-on-1 — and possibly without one of their top defenders in Andre Iguodala if he can’t return from his leg injury. Golden State won two of the three

finals meetings and is heavily favoured to take this one. But the one Cleveland got is perhaps King James’ crowning achievement, when the Cavaliers overcame that 3-1 deficit to beat the 73-win Warriors in Oakland in Game 7.

Another title now wouldn’t be far behind. It might require four games of around 34 points, nine

rebounds and nine assists — about what James is averaging in 18 games this postseason.

It’s hard to expect that level of anyone, but that’s what’s demanded of No. 23 in Cleveland.

James can do it.

Believe it or not, so can the Cavaliers.

The pick: Cavaliers in seven.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers All-Star forward Kevin Love remains in concussion protocol and his status for Game 1 of the NBA Finals is still unclear.

Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue gave an update yesterday before the team flew to San Francisco for Thursday’s opener.

The Cavs are playing the Golden State Warriors in the finals for the fourth straight year.

Love missed Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals at Boston after banging heads with Celtics rookie Jayson Tatum in the previous game. Jeff Green started for Love in Game 7 and finished with 19 points with eight rebounds in Cleveland’s 87-79 victory.

Love has played centre and forward this season and is averaging 13.9 points and 10.0 rebounds this postseason. He sat out the 2015 finals with a separated shoulder.

WHY GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS WILL WIN THE BIG DANCE

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer IF there is a glaring hole on Golden State’s championship résumé, it’s that the Warriors have never gone back-to-back.

That will change.

The Warriors are about to win their second straight NBA championship and their third in the last four seasons — all of them coming at the expense of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who won’t have enough even if LeBron James plays to the absolute utmost of his capabilities.

The Warriors have home-court advantage, and have three of the best four players who will appear in the series.

They’re just too good to lose.

If they were going to lose, it would have been in the Western Conference finals against the Houston Rockets. Houston was a team that was built for one purpose — beating the Warriors. And the Rockets might have done it, too, had Chris Paul’s hamstring not popped in the final seconds of Game 5 and forced him to the sideline for the rest of the series.

Golden State rallied in both Game 6 and Game 7, as Paul looked on helplessly. Yes, the Warriors caught a huge break.

They won’t waste this chance.

The teams have changed mightily over the last four seasons. There were 20 players who appeared in first CavaliersWarriors game of the 2014-15 season — only eight of them will be in uniform during this series.

Kevin Durant is in Golden State now, Kyrie Irving isn’t with the Cavaliers anymore, the benches are very different particularly in Cleveland’s case.

But the principals are still there: James, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green.

THE GOLDEN State Warriors pose with their trophy after defeating the Houston Rockets in Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference finals Monday in Houston.

(AP Photo/David J Phillip) And over these four years since James returned to northeast Ohio, the Warriors are 17-9 against the Cavaliers.

Golden State needed six games to beat Cleveland for the title in 2015, five games last season and if Andrew Bogut didn’t get hurt in Game 5 of the 2016 Finals the Warriors — who ended up blowing a 3-1 lead that year

— probably would have won that series as well.

James might be playing the best basketball of his life. That’s why Cleveland is still in these playoffs.

Even he won’t be able to save the Cavs this time.

Cleveland looked like a team that couldn’t guard anyone in the regular season, and to its credit has greatly improved on that end

of the court during this postseason. But facing Golden State will be such a bigger challenge than Indiana, Toronto and Boston could provide. And if the Warriors get Andre Iguodala back, their spacing will be even better and put further demands on the Cavs. The Cavs won’t have any pressure on their shoulders.

The Warriors will have it all, but

after Curry, Durant and Thompson found a way to rally from 15 points down in Houston to win a Game 7 on the road and capture the Western Conference, Golden State will come into this series brimming with confidence. That confidence will keep growing until they get handed another Larry O’Brien Trophy. The pick: Warriors in five.

RESULTS: 2018 BAHAMAS NATIONAL BOWLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

PAGE 4, Wednesday, May 30, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

England’s test team in turmoil amid cricket’s changing times

By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer THE sell-out crowds that packed Lord’s for the first three days of England vs.

Pakistan offered no hint of the decline of test cricket in the sport’s birthplace.

The team’s performance in the middle provided plenty of evidence, however.

England’s humiliating nine-wicket loss — wrapped up 90 minutes into Day 4 — to one of the most inexperienced Pakistan teams of recent times further exposed the frailties of a side that seems to have forgotten the basics of test cricket and how apply itself to the longer form of the game.

Yet is it any surprise?

When former test captain Andrew Strauss was appointed in 2015 as the chief overseer of English cricket, he made it clear “the area that most needs attention in English cricket right now is our white-ball cricket.”

Trevor Bayliss, a coach with a superb record in the limited-overs game, was hired to lead the national team.

Test cricket would not be ignored, Strauss was at pains to point out in an effort to appease the traditionalists, but it could not be seen “as being the only thing we’re interested in.”

It was, though, a pointer to the thoughts of those leading English cricket.

Fast forward three years and to Colin Graves, chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, who this month gave his reasons why he was setting up a 100-ball competition — a version 20 balls shorter than the Twenty20 game that has

ENGLAND’S DON BESS, left, and England’s Jos Butler walk from the pitch at the end of play on the third day of play of the first test cricket match between England and Pakistan at Lord’s cricket ground in London on Saturday.

(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

revolutionised cricket over the past decade.

“The younger generation, whether you like it or not, are just not attracted to cricket,” Graves told the BBC. “They want more excitement, they want it shorter and simpler to understand.”

Worrying words for supporters of test cricket in England.

These are worrying times, too.

England is without a win in its last eight test matches, losing the last six of them.

A failure to beat Pakistan in

the second and final test at Leeds starting Friday would make it three straight series losses. It is 13 away tests without a win. And under Bayliss, England has lost 20 of its 41 tests, having started its era under the Australian with a home Ashes series win and a series win in South Africa.

And where are the English in the ICC’s one-day rankings? No. 1.

Bayliss was a breath of fresh air when he came in, encouraging aggressive and attacking play from his test batsmen. It has meant the

art of patience, discipline and grinding out innings has gradually disappeared, only really practiced now by opener Alastair Cook.

In the domestic county season, white-ball competitions are given the bigger platform and PR, pushing the longer-form county championship to the margins. After the Pakistan loss, Bayliss even questioned whether the current framework of the county championship was helping.

“Is playing on wickets where you’re not going to bat for too long, before you

get one that does a heap, is that necessarily good in the long term for learning how to concentrate for long periods?” Bayliss asked.

Bayliss said he was “at a loss” to explain England’s current test problems, saying his recent advice to show care and patience — instead of aggression — if conditions dictated wasn’t getting through.

“In a way, you almost throw your hands up sometimes,” he said.

The Australian has said he is stepping down as England coach after next year’s

home Ashes series, though the Daily Mail is reporting he could lose his job if England is defeated in Leeds.

Bayliss is under pressure.

New captain Joe Root has lost eight of 15 tests and his decision-making is being scrutinised.

There’s a new selector in Ed Smith.

English test cricket is in flux at a time when the powers-at-be seem to be focusing on the shorter forms of the game.

The series is there for the taking for Pakistan at Headingley.

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By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Panthers wide receiver Torrey Smith believes the NFL “dropped the ball” with its new policy that forbids players from sitting or taking a knee on the field during the national anthem.

Smith is upset because he feels like the ruling has created a “false narrative” surrounding the message former NFL teammate Colin Kaepernick was originally trying to convey while taking a knee prior to NFL games.

He said it also paints players as anti-American.

“Guys aren’t against the military,” Smith said.

“Kap originally started that against police brutality. It was never against the military. It was never about the military, but that narrative changed.”

Smith, acquired in an offseason trade with the Eagles, denounced the league’s ruling following Carolina’s practice on Tuesday — its first since it was announced last week at the NFL owners meetings.

He said the restrictions imposed by the league on players go against the beliefs that protesters like Kaepernick have stood up for the past couple years.

“When you see reactive policy ... I always think that’s a problem,” Smith said. “Especially when the message has been changed. ... It makes it seem like Kaepernick or Eric Reid and the guys who started it, what they did was in vain — like they were villains. And that is not the case.”

Smith reacted quickly to the league’s change in policy on social media last week.

He tweeted : “Appropriate respect for flag and anthem” implies that guys were being disrespectful towards it. Which is an opinion. Most people who believe that ignore the responses from the players

CAROLINA Panthers’ Torrey Smith (11) catches a pass during practice at the team’s facility yesterday.

(AP Photo/Chuck Burton) and more importantly why men chose to protest.”

Smith was teammates with Kaepernickin San Francisco in 2015 and 2016 and got to know him well.

The league made the decision to fine teams whose players don’t stand during the national without consulting with the NFL Players Association. There have been protests in different cities since the ruling came down with claims the league is interfering with the right to free speech.

Smith believes the NFL made a mistake bringing the issue — one he felt like was dying off — back to the forefront.

He said the league’s policy to fine teams for players protesting likely will only serve to “stir things up “ between players and owners this coming season.

“You’re being told to be quiet, when it could have been done together to

figure out what we can do to move forward and what would be best for the players,” Smith said.

Smith has long been outspoken on public matters because he feels the platform of being a professional athlete should be used for the betterment of society.

“It’s going to be a longterm process, and we’re just trying to do our part,” he said.

“That’s essentially what the protests started with and we have to continue with. It’s not so much about the protests but the work going forward.”

Smith said he was disappointed, but not surprised by the league ruling.

“At the end of the day, the league is about money, it’s a business,” Smith said.

“To try to silence those guys when they’re trying to do the right thing for our country, I don’t know what to say about it.”

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, May 30, 2018, PAGE 5

Warriors’ triumph seems inevitable HERE we go again! For an astonishing fourth consecutive year, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors will square off in the NBA finals. But although they are both playing for the championship again, their path to the finals is much different than in the past three seasons.

The Warriors, who play their home games in Oakland, burst on to the championship scene in 2015 via the exceptional play of three players they drafted, none picked at a level commensurate with their professional abilities. Stephon Curry (7th overall) and Klay Thompson (11th overall) are both NBA legacies whose fathers were solid professionals in the league.

Draymond Green (35th overall) was the sort of brilliant pick made by championship teams like San Antonio, Chicago and Detroit back in the day.

None of Kawhi Leonard (15th), Tony Parker (28th), Manu Ginobli (57th), Dennis Rodman (27th), Scottie Pippen (5th) or Bill Lambeer (27th) was the top draft choice. (Of course, neither was Michael Jordan.) This meant their teams could pay superstar salaries to their top guns and keep the essential parts of the team together on more moderate, affordable contracts through numerous championship runs.

Since the Warriors did so well in the draft, they found themselves suddenly in a predominant position three seasons ago. They beat the Cavaliers that year, in the first season of the return of native son LeBron James to Cleveland.

But then the Cavs pulled perhaps the greatest upset in NBA history in 2016, coming back from a 3-1 deficit in the finals to win three straight against the reigning champions. It was surely LeBron’s finest moment.

After that 2016 shock, the Warriors reloaded in the most dramatic fashion in recent professional sports history. They signed perennial all-star Kevin Durant from Oklahoma City as he reached free agency. And they lost none of their core stars to clear salary cap room to do so.

The Warriors breezed to another series victory over the Cavs last year.

Durant said when he signed with Golden State he was tired of turning in all star performances with little or no chance of winning a championship. So he made the best team in the league almost immeasurably better. And talented role players from other teams hopped on the Warriors’ bandwagon.

The Cavaliers were built more on good fortune. An astonishing four times in this century, the team has won the NBA draft lottery. Three of the players chosen with those picks have played a key role in the construction of the team facing Golden State in the finals this year.

LeBron himself was the first overall choice in 2003. After an initial mediocre season, he began to assert his ability as the premier player of this (or perhaps any) generation. Until he departed for Miami in 2011 to join Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and general manager Pat Riley, LeBron made the Cavaliers at least respectable.

He left for Miami for the same reasons Durant departed for Golden State five years later: He wanted the chance to win championships, and he got his wish, twice, in Miami. His four years there produced four finals appearances and 2018 represents his fourth in Cleveland since his return. That streak of eight is unmatched except by members

of the Bill Russell championship teams in Boston five decades ago.

Two other Cavs first overall draft picks have made major contributions to the current team.

Kyrie Irving, who played only a handful of games at Duke before turning pro, learned his trade quickly in Cleveland and signed a big contract extension just weeks before LeBron decided to return.

Irving, one of the top guards in basketball, partnered with James to lead the Cavs to the first three of their title match-ups with Golden State.

But Irving wanted to be the big dog on his team and compelled a trade to Boston last summer.

The Cavs got what they could in return, but were forced in mid

season to trade most of what they got from Boston, and more, to three teams in the western conference and reshape half of their roster. Now, many observers feel these Cavs are more like the Cavs of the early LeBron years, essentially a middling supporting cast surrounding a transcendent superstar. As this year’s playoffs began, LeBron’s playmates were even the subject of a mocking Saturday Night Live skit.

The other significant top Cavs pick was Andrew Wiggins of Kansas, who was drafted in the same offseason when Irving signed his extension and LeBron returned to Cleveland. LeBron had no interest in the talented rookie and Wiggins was shipped to Minnesota for Kevin Love,

another perennial all-star who was also weary of excelling for a mediocre team.

So here we are in the Finals.

Both contestants had to advance through higher rated opponents.

In the West, the Houston Rockets were the top seed, with James Harden leading a very talented supporting cast including top guard Chris Paul. Both teams eased into the finals without a significant scare, and reached Game Seven with their series tied.

In Monday’s clash, the Rockets missed 27 three point shots in a row at one point, Harden came up small again in a critical game and the Warriors prevailed on Houston’s home court.

Cleveland was only the fourth seed in the East. After an unexpected struggle with Indiana in the first playoff round, they swept top seed Toronto in the quarterfinals and ground out a 4-3 series win over the youthful Boston Celtics. The series clincher was also on the road for the Cavs.

The Warriors are a massively heavy betting favourite in these finals. There are reports their odds in the coming series are more prohibitive than any in more than 15 years. A major reason could be found in Houston on Monday. While the Rockets sped out to a substantial first half lead, after the break Golden State simply prevailed. Curry began firing up playground-style three point shots, swishing them all, it seemed. He found open teammates for easy baskets. Durant shone. Houston and Harden missed repeatedly and the game was over. Chris Paul missed the final two Warrior wins due to injury.

The Cavs, minus Love for the final two games with a concussion, won them both. James was able at

33 to carry the team again and got support from several teammates.

The very young Celtics, without injured stars Irving and Gordon Hayward, could not match Cleveland’s defensive intensity when it counted most.

In 2016, the Cavs were willed to a title by James. Irving and Love missed important games in that series and the Cleveland triumph was unimaginable. The city threw a parade featuring millions of fans to celebrate its first professional championship in 52 years.

A Warrior triumph seems as inevitable this year as it did two years ago. This accounts for the astronomical odds. The Seer cannot believe in a Cleveland victory and does not advise a bet on the Cavs. But if you can find action on two or even three wins for Cleveland en route to a Golden State series win, that would be a good wager. James can still carry his team that far. ***** READERS will recall the Seer last predicted that Real Madrid would triumph in the European Champions League final against Liverpool. Indeed the Spanish titans did prevail, 3-1 on two Gareth Bale goals. The Welshman was not even in his team’s starting lineup.

Injuries during the game claimed two major players. Star Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah left Liverpool’s line-up early in the first half and Spanish back Dani Carvahal was lost to Real. Salah’s absence contributed to the loss of the Seer’s bet on the over of five goals or more in the match. So, 1-1 on the day.

So the Seer has racked up an even record of 6-6 for 2018 so far.

But the World Cup beckons. We can hardly wait.

Long shots: Odds against Cleveland in matchup against Golden State

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — The odds are longer than a Stephen Curry 3-pointer, Kevin Durant’s wingspan or Draymond Green’s catalogue of technical fouls.

LeBron James and the Cavaliers are being given little — or no — chance of winning their fourth straight NBA Finals matchup against the Golden State Warriors, who have been installed by Las Vegas bookmakers as the heaviest favourites in the past 16 years.

Wanna bet?

The Warriors are 12-point favourites to win Thursday’s Game 1, the largest spread in a Finals game since 1991, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue isn’t blinking.

“We’re all focused on winning a championship,” Lue said yesterday before the team flew to California.

“We played our best basketball going into the playoffs.

We’ve gotten better and better throughout the course of the playoffs. Our main focus and our main objective is to win a championship, so we can’t worry about what the outside guys are saying and who’s being picked. We know what we have here and what we’re trying to do.”

Cavs vs. Warriors, Part IV: an expected conclusion to an unpredictable season.

Lue said All-Star forward Kevin Love remains in concussion protocol and his status for the series opener is in question. Love sat out Cleveland’s Game 7 win at Boston on Sunday after suffering a head injury when he and Celtics rookie forward Jayson Tatum accidentally banged heads during the opening minutes of Game 6.

Love was replaced in the starting lineup by veteran Jeff Green, who stepped up and scored 19 points as the Cavs completed their comeback after trailing 2-0 and 3-2 in the series.

Love is expected back for the Finals, and Lue needs his experience against the Warriors, who like the Cavs rallied to win the Western Conference finals by taking

IN this file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts against the Golden State Warriors during Game 3 of the NBA Finals in Cleveland. The odds are longer than a Stephen Curry 3-pointer. The Cavaliers are being given little - or no - chance in their fourth straight NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors, who have been installed by Las Vegas as the biggest favourites in 16 years.

(AP Photo/Tony Dejak) Game 7 on the road. There was a moment when it looked as if both Cleveland and Golden State could miss the Finals.

It disappeared quickly, “They’ve been tested.

We’ve been tested,” Lue said. “They’ve been to Game 7s. We’ve been to Game 7s.

“We’ve won championships and they’ve won championships, so they understand what it takes and they knew what it took.”

Since the playoffs opened, Cleveland has embraced the “Whatever It Takes” mantra that began as a catchy organisational slogan and morphed into a way of survival.

The Cavs have twice been pushed to seven games, overcome injuries and gotten much-needed contributions to ease the burden on James from role players Green, Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. However, in this series when every possession will be magnified, Lue will count on four players who have been around since the Cavs first met the Warriors in the 2015 Finals.

And because they won a championship in 2016 together, the core four of James, Love, JR Smith and Tristan Thompson share something special.

“Just having these guys here who have been through it, been through the tough

times, been through the great times as well, this is a bond that can’t be broken,” Lue said. “Just reminds me a lot of guys I played with back in the day when you see Horace Grant, Robert Horry, Derek Fisher, just something about winning a championship with those guys that you will never forget, and it’s a bond that can’t be broken.”

While Love has been solid, Smith and Thompson haven’t always come through this season for Cleveland.

One of the streakiest shooters in the league, Smith has had prolonged slumps. Thompson, who missed time with a severe calf injury, wasn’t a factor

until Lue started him in Game 7 of the Indiana series.

Lue never lost faith in either player. It’s a trust that can’t be measured.

“I’m always going to stick behind my guys,” Lue said. “Even when they’re struggling, I just have confidence and a belief that when we need those guys, and we call on those guys, they’ll be ready and they’ll produce. You’ve seen that throughout the course of the playoffs this year and you’ve seen it the last three years, that those guys are up for the challenge. They rise to the occasion. And just because a guy is not playing well, you can’t give up on a guy. “You gotta give

those guys a chance, especially when you’ve been there before with them and you know who they are.”

Unlike the past three Finals, Lue won’t have Kyrie Irving, traded to Boston last summer.

The All-Star point guard was Cleveland’s not-sosecret weapon, the one the Cavs turned to in order to spell James and keep the Warriors off-balance.

“He allowed us to go one on one against the mismatches and can’t nobody stop him one on one,” Lue said. “We’re gonna miss that, but we’re just going to have to play a different style of basketball without him being here.”

Now that’s a safe bet.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, May 30, 2018, PAGE 7

UNBEATEN WASHINGTON, CONNECTICUT OFF TO FAST STARTS IN WNBA

By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer WASHINGTON and Connecticut are off to fast starts this season, using their depth and favourable schedules to sit atop the WNBA. The Mystics are 4-0 for the first time in franchise history while the Sun opened the year with three straight wins for the first time in a decade. The schedule has helped both teams as they have combined to play six of their seven games at home.

“Those are in the bank,” Mystics coach Mike Thibault said of the 4-0 start. “At the end of the year, they do not care when you got them, how you got them, it is just that you got them.

So 4-0 gives us the start that most people would die for, so we will take it.”

Now both teams will get tested on the road.

“I’m pleased with us holding serve at home with this homestand,” Connecticut coach Curt Miller said.

“We were very open talking to the team about our slow starts over the first two years here and how important it was.”

Connecticut has 13 of its next 16 games away from home, beginning with a four-game trip beginning Friday in Chicago.

“We did what we were supposed to do is how I look at it,” he added. “This road trip is a great start for us. Big time barometer where we’re at. We’re still a young team that has to go win on the road in a hostile environment.

Washington has an extremely busy week with three games out west against Seattle, Phoenix and Las Vegas before returning home to face the Sun on Sunday.

The Mystics may be well equipped to handle the road trip with a solid bench that put up 58 points in the win over Minnesota on Sunday.

Connecticut begins its own four-game road trip in Chicago on Friday.

4. Minnesota (2-2): The Lynx had never been below second in the three-year history of the power poll.

They continue a threegame road trip in Atlanta.

5. Seattle (3-1): Breanna Stewart and Jewell Loyd are going to be one of the top tandems in the league for a very long time.

6. Phoenix (2-2): Depth has been the Mercury’s problem so far this season.

The bench averaged just eight points in the two losses this week.

7. Dallas (2-2): Liz Cambage and Skylar Diggins-Smith are carrying the load right now. The Wings can be really good with more consistent play from the rest of the team.

8. Chicago (2-2): The Sky followed up their first 2-0 start in four seasons by dropping the next two games.

9. Atlanta (1-2): It’s going to take a little time for new coach Nicki Collen to get everyone on the same page.

10. New York (0-2): The short-handed Liberty

CONNECTICUT Sun head coach Curt Miller pleads his case with referee Tiara Cruse during the first half of a game against the Las Vegas Aces. (AP) of the season in Connecticut, but are finally starting to get healthy with Candace Parker returning from a back issue in a win over Phoenix.

2. Connecticut (3-0): Became first team in WNBA history to put up over 100 points in the first two games of the season.

3. Washington (4-0): The Mystics are playing well without Emma Meesseman, who is taking the year off to train with the Belgium national team for the world championship.

Buoyed by the strong starts, Connecticut moved up to second in the AP power poll yesterday, the highest ranking for the team.

Washington is one place behind, equalling its best spot in the poll. Los Angeles still leads the way.

POWER POLL A look at this week’s WNBA poll: 1. Los Angeles (3-1): The Sparks lost their first game

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 73° F/23° C

TAMPA

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Partly sunny and breezy

Mainly clear and breezy

Sunshine and patchy clouds

Mostly sunny

Partial sunshine

Some sun with a shower in places

High: 84°

Low: 76°

High: 84° Low: 76°

High: 83° Low: 75°

High: 83° Low: 76°

High: 84° Low: 76°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

94° F

79° F

93°-80° F

95°-82° F

96°-83° F

96°-84° F

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

N

almanac

E

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ABACO

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High: 82° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C

8-16 knots

S

WEST PALM BEACH High: 84° F/29° C Low: 76° F/24° C

7-14 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE E

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FREEPORT

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 78° F/26° C

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High: 84° F/29° C Low: 75° F/24° C

MIAMI

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 75° F/24° C

10-20 knots

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 84° F/29° C Low .................................................... 79° F/26° C Normal high ....................................... 85° F/30° C Normal low ........................................ 72° F/22° C Last year’s high ................................. 91° F/33° C Last year’s low ................................... 76° F/24° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.12” Year to date ............................................... 18.72” Normal year to date ..................................... 8.32”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 76° F/24° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2018

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

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KEY WEST

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 78° F/26° C

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

tiDes For nassau High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

9:07 a.m.

9:30 p.m.

2.3 3.0

3:18 a.m. -0.1 3:09 p.m. -0.1

Thursday

9:47 a.m.

10:09 p.m.

2.3 2.9

3:58 a.m.

3:48 p.m.

0.0 0.0

Friday

10:28 a.m.

10:48 p.m.

2.2 2.8

4:39 a.m.

4:27 p.m.

0.0 0.1

Saturday

11:09 a.m.

11:29 p.m.

2.1 2.7

5:19 a.m.

5:07 p.m.

0.2 0.3

Sunday

11:53 a.m.

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2.1 -----

6:01 a.m.

5:51 p.m.

0.3 0.4

Monday

12:11 a.m.

12:40 p.m.

2.6 2.1

6:44 a.m.

6:38 p.m.

0.4 0.6

Tuesday

12:56 a.m.

1:30 p.m.

2.5 2.1

7:30 a.m.

7:30 p.m.

0.4 0.7

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

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8-16 knots

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10-20 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

GAME OF THE WEEK: Sun at Mystics, Sunday.

This game looks really good right now, but Washington has three games before returning home for this matchup.

6:20 a.m.

7:55 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

8:58 p.m.

7:13 a.m.

Last

New

First

Full

Jun. 6

Jun. 13

Jun. 20

Jun. 28

CAT ISLAND

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PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jewell Loyd earned AP player of the week honours after helping Seattle go 3-0 last week.

She averaged 25.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists.

Other players receiving votes were Elena Delle Donne, Alyssa Thomas and Breanna Stewart.

uV inDex toDay

TONIGHT

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 75° F/24° C

gave Minnesota all it could handle before Maya Moore won the game for the Lynx.

11. Las Vegas (0-3): The Aces had a solid home debut before falling short against Seattle. With Kelsey Plum and Kayla McBride back wins should be coming soon.

12. Indiana (0-5): The young Fever are struggling on defence, which is putting a lot of pressure on them to score.

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 78° F/26° C

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High: 84° F/29° C Low: 78° F/26° C

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LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

8-16 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 83° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 83° F/28° C Low: 78° F/26° C

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 78° F/26° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 86° F/30° C Low: 79° F/26° C

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10-20 knots

8-16 knots

marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday:

WINDS SE at 7-14 Knots SE at 7-14 Knots SE at 8-16 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots SE at 8-16 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots E at 10-20 Knots E at 8-16 Knots SE at 8-16 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots SSE at 8-16 Knots SE at 8-16 Knots SE at 10-20 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 8-16 Knots ESE at 10-20 Knots E at 10-20 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 7-14 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots ESE at 7-14 Knots SE at 10-20 Knots E at 10-20 Knots SE at 8-16 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots

WAVES 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 4-7 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 77° F 77° F 79° F 79° F 78° F 78° F 82° F 82° F 80° F 80° F 80° F 80° F 79° F 79° F 82° F 82° F 81° F 81° F 80° F 80° F 79° F 79° F 81° F 81° F 79° F 79° F

Covering The Bahamas for over 40 years.

NEW PROVIDENCE | GRAND BAHAMA | ABACO | ELEUTHERA | EXUMA

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(BAHAMAS) LIMITED. INSURANCE BROKERS & AGENTS

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PAGE 8, Wednesday, May 30, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Serena wins Slam return in Paris

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer PARIS (AP) — For all that has changed in the 16 months since Serena Williams last played in a Grand Slam tournament — she is now married and a mother — so much was familiar about her at the French Open yesterday.

The fashion statement, this time in the form of a black bodysuit with a red belt that she said made her feel like a “warrior princess.” The cries of “Come on!” The big serves that provided 13 aces. The returns that eventually produced three consecutive breaks of serve.

And, yes, the victory. Competing as a mom for the first time at a major, and only about nine months since giving birth to her daughter, Alexis Olympia, then dealing with postpartum complications, Williams edged 70th-ranked Kristyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic 7-6 (4), 6-4 at Roland Garros.

Already a transcendent sports star and cultural icon, Williams now carries a new title: working mother.

“Well, my priority is Olympia.

No matter what, that’s my priority. I have given tennis so much, and tennis has actually given me a lot, and I couldn’t be more grateful,” Williams said. “She’s my priority, and I work everything around her.”

The 36-year-old American had not played in one of tennis’s biggest tournaments since winning the Australian Open in January 2017 for her 23rd Grand Slam title, breaking a tie with Steffi Graf for the most in the professional era.

Williams, the world found out later, was pregnant at the time.

Her baby was born September 1; Williams married Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in November.

Williams eventually revealed that she had an emergency cesarean section, then encountered trouble breathing afterward because of a pulmonary embolism and needed a follow-up operation.

“Just literally not sure if I was going to make it or not at several different times,” Williams

SERENA WILLIAMS, of the US, clenches her fist yesterday after scoring a point against Krystina Pliskova of the Czech Republic during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France.

(AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) said. “A lot of people have really reached out, because they have so many similar stories, too. I feel like a lot of people don’t talk about it. They talk about the baby and how happy they are. But it’s a lot that goes into it with the pregnancy and with giving birth, and it’s called a ‘miracle’ for a reason.”

The first match of her comeback was in doubles alongside her older sister, Venus, for the US Fed Cup team in February.

She entered two tournaments in singles the next month, going 2-2.

An absence of more than two months followed, until Tuesday in Paris.

So a woman who has spent hundreds of weeks ranked No. 1 is currently No. 451 and unseeded at the French Open, a subject of some debate: Should her past success accord her the protection a seeding offers?

Williams faces 17th-seeded Ash Barty of Australia next.

“She’s a genuine champion,” Barty said. “What she’s done to be able to get back ... is a pretty amazing thing.”

Tuesday’s return was striking, from Williams’ powerful shots to her outfit, which called to mind the “catsuit” she wore at the 2002 US Open.

It was by far the most significant event of Day 3 at Roland Garros, even though there were so many other Grand Slam champions in action. Rafael Nadal finished off a rain-interrupted victory as he begins his try for a record-extending 11th French Open title. Maria Sharapova, a two-time champ in Paris, was pushed to three sets in a win. Garbine Muguruza, who beat Williams in the 2016 final at Roland Garros, beat another past champion, Svetlana Kuznetsova.

All eyes were on Williams, though. On the fifth point, she delivered an ace at 112 mph (181 kph). Moments later, the chair umpire intoned, “Jeu, Madame Williams,” — French for “Game, Mrs Williams,” a change from the “Mademoiselle” used for unmarried female players.

Pliskova, a lefty whose twin sister upset Williams in the 2016

US Open semi-finals, actually hit more aces, 15. That’s the most anyone has hit against Williams since at least 2008, according to the WTA. Indeed, Williams appeared to have trouble reading Pliskova’s serves early on. There were other blips, of the sort to be expected from someone who hasn’t played lately. Williams double-faulted seven times. She had nearly as many unforced errors, 25, as winners, 29.

But she is not simply skilled.

She is smart, too, and she figured things out.

After trailing 3-0 in the tiebreaker, she reeled off six points in a row. After falling behind 2-0 in the second set, Williams came up with a trio of service breaks.

All was not perfect, of course.

In the final game, Williams’ right foot gave way as she sprinted toward the net and she landed on her backside. At least she was able to laugh at that as she went to the sideline to towel off. A spectator yelled: “That’s all right, Serena! You still look great!”

After months of worrying more about diapers than drop shots, of breastfeeding for what she called “a really, really, really long time,” of organising her practice schedule around her newborn’s nap schedule, Williams was back to doing what she’s most famous for, in an arena where she earned trophies in 2002, 2013 and 2015.

On Tuesday, she noted that she showed up at her news conference more promptly than she used to, so she could have more time to spend with Olympia.

“I don’t want her to ever feel like I’m not around. I’m a super hands-on mom,” Williams said.

“Maybe too much.”

A reporter wanted to know whether Williams believes she can win the title again.

“I’m definitely here to compete and do the best that I can do, obviously. I’m not putting any pressure on myself as I normally do,” Williams began.

Then, perhaps questioning her own words as she heard them, she paused, before adding with a laugh: “I think deep down, we all know the answer to that.”

SHAPOVALOV, 19, WINS HIS FRENCH DEBUT

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer PARIS (AP) — Denis Shapovalov plopped himself down for his news conference yesterday after winning his French Open debut, leaned into the microphone and said, “‘Sup?’” Then he smiled broadly as can be. This was a milestone day in the nascent career of the rapidly rising Canadian teen, who seems as carefree on the court as he is off it, compiling significant victories and praise from opponents in equal doses.

Shapovalov’s first Grand Slam match as a seeded player — he is No. 24 at Roland Garros — became a 7-5, 6-4, 6-2 victory over 59th-ranked John Millman of Australia, thanks in large part to a 32-9 edge in total winners. A year ago, not only wasn’t Shapovalov seeded, he didn’t even make the main draw, losing in the opening round of qualifying.

“It’s tough to climb the way I did. It’s been pretty crazy. Even I didn’t expect it,” Shapovalov said. “I mean, I’m SHAPOVALOV just trying to stay focused. Like I always say, doesn’t matter the week, doesn’t matter the result, I’m always trying to get back on the court and get better. I’m only 19. I have a lot to improve, a lot to learn.”

Asked how he thinks he can get better, Shapovalov began by saying there are so many areas he wants to work on that it could take hours to list them all.

Still, he gave it a try, rattling off various categories: returns, net play, first-serve percentage, using shifts in momentum to his advantage, being mentally stronger. “To me, it’s kind of positive that today I am where I am, (ranked No. 25), and I feel like I have so much room to improve.”

He began to show signs of what was to come by winning the Wimbledon junior title in 2016. Then, as a qualifier at last year’s US Open, Shapovalov became the youngest man to reach the round of 16 there since Michael Chang in 1989.

By October, he had moved into the top 50 in the ATP rankings, the youngest player to do that since Rafael Nadal in 2004.