09062017 sports

SPORTS SECTION E

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2017

Jonquel Jones WNBA Most Improved Player of the Year

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

t has been a phenomenal year for Grand Bahamian Jonquel Jones and the Connecticut Sun in the Women’s National Basketball Association.

Still celebrating her rise to the top of the chart as the best rebounder in the WNBA in a regular season, the Sun’s starting centre was named the Associated Press’ Most Improved Player of the Year.

The latest honour came from a 15-member media panel that votes for the weekly poll. The 23-yearold, six foot six Jones earned the recognition after she broke the singleseason rebounding mark by becoming the first WNBA player to top 400 rebounds in a season.

Jones, the second Bahamian to play in the WNBA, surpassed the previous league mark of 398 by Tina Charles in her rookie season with Connecticut in 2010 with 8:50 left in the third quarter on Sunday when she pulled down her 399th rebound on a missed shot by Sparks forward Nneka Ogumike.

After finishing with 10 rebounds in the game, Jones wracked up a total of 403 for her career. “I just wanted to come into this game and get into my groove as early as possible when it came to rebounding,” said Jones of the historic accomplishment, which she added made her “feel really, really good.”

At the end of the game, she produced another double double with 10 rebounds and 20 points. “She’s a very special elite rebounder and she’s only scratched the sur-

I

SEE PAGE 13

MEDAL HOPES FOR MEN’S NATIONAL SOFTBALL TEAM

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

“SHE’S A VERY SPECIAL ELITE REBOUNDER AND SHE’S ONLY SCRATCHED THE SURFACE. SHE WILL GET BETTER DEFENSIVELY AND OFFENSIVELY. SHE WILL ONLY GET STRONGER AROUND THE BASKET.” face,” said Sun’s head coach Curt Miller of his secondyear player. “She will get better defensively and offensively. She will only get stronger around the basket.”

A lot of what Jones did helped in the panel’s decision to award Miller, who was also named the AP’s Coach of the Year yesterday. He received 14 of the 15 votes as he led the Sun to a fourth-place finish in the standings after the team lost Chiney Ogwumike to an injury before the season started. The Sun lost five of their first six games before winning 17 of the next 21.

“I’m humbled because there wasn’t a lot of expectations on this group,” Miller said. “Such a credit to those players, every adversity we had, they responded.”

In addition, Jones was named to the AP second team All-WNBA with Breanna Stewart, Maya Moore, Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi.

US OPEN, Page 14

GRAND BAHAMIAN Jonquel Jones, of the Connecticut Sun, goes up for a shot after being fouled by Phoenix Mercury’s Brittney Griner (42) during a WNBA game in Uncasville, Connecticut, on Sunday, August 20.

(Dana Jensen/The Day via AP)

BAHAMAS Softball Federation president Ted Miller anticipates that with the mixture of youth and experience selected for the men’s national softball team, he doesn’t see why they should not return home from the WBSC 10th Pan Am Tournament with a medal.

Since 1981, the WBSC Americas Softball has organised the Softball Pan American Championships, which serves as the qualifier for teams going to the Olympic Games, World Championships and the multi sports Games.

This year’s championships, scheduled for September 14-24 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, will qualify teams for the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.

The team is preparing to travel to the Dominican Republic next week Thursday for the tournament. The Bahamas has been placed in Group B with Argentina, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama and Mexico. Group A will feature Aruba, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, the United States of America, Puerto Rico, the host Dominican Republic and Venezuela.

Named to the Bahamas team, managed by Perry Seymour and coached by Richard ‘the LionHeart’ Johnson and Haziel McDonald, are the following: Alcott Forbes, Angelo Dillett, Austin Hanna, Courtney Smith, Desmond Russell Jr from Grand Bahama, Garfield Bethel, Lamar Watkins,

SEE PAGE 12

KENDAL ISAACS GYM IN TIP-TOP SHAPE TO SERVE AS HURRICANE SHELTER

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WITH Hurricane Irma looming on the horizon, the National Sports Authority is doing all it can to ensure that the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium is in tip-top shape so that it can serve as a storm shelter.

NSA manager Jeffery Beckles said staff members are busy completing the necessary preparations before they open their doors to the public.

“By tomorrow (today), we will be fully ready to receive any designated person,” Beckles said. “As we speak, we are about 70 per cent ready.”

Originally, the new Thomas A Robinson National Stadium was to be designed by the People’s Republic of China as a hurricane shelter, but that didn’t work out, so Beckles said they have been able to utilise the gym because of the adequate space inside.

Last October, Hurricane Matthew hit the Bahamas and the gymnasium served its purpose as a shelter.

Beckles said they intend to see the equal level of preparation and usage for the gymnasium over the next week or so.

“Last year we had just over 400 patrons, which was a heavy number,” he said. “But this year, I think we will probably see several hundred, depending

on when the storm actually turns north, which will dictate how people will respond in Nassau.

“Nonetheless, we are preparing for a full house of about 400 people or more.”

While their responsibility will only be to prepare the gymnasium, Beckles said the Department of Social Services will manage the shelter.

“We just have to properly prepare it and make sure that the proper protection is put down and the security is put into place,” he said.

“We do have a security team, who will stay with the shelter as long as it stays open. They will be there to help familiarise the people from the Department of Social Services on how it functions.

“Once the gym becomes ready and is available for use, our job will become support for the Department of Social Services, who act as shelter managers.”

“We are encouraging people, if there is a legitimate need, to take advantage of the shelter because it’s there to provide your safety,” he said.

“From Hurricane Matthew, there are still a lot of homes that are vulnerable so we are asking and encouraging people if you live in a low-lying area that you know floods typically, if you live in a home that was threatened or damaged, then come to the shelter.

“We are encouraging

SEEKING SHELTER: The Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium will serve as a hurricane shelter during the passing of Hurricane Irma.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff everyone to pay attention to where your nearest shelter is and if you fall into one of those categories, or you have someone who is senior or disabled, go ahead and get into a shelter very quickly.”

At the gymnasium, Beckles said he knows that the Department of Social Ser-

vices will have sleeping cots, blankets and the necessary items needed, but he’s advising them to bring their own personal items when they come.

“You’re not going to a lunch area, you are going to a facility that is safe structurally and sound,” he said.

“So the expectations is that

everyone coming will bring their little care package and whatever food they need.

“It’s not a hotel. It’s a place that has been deemed safe by NEMA, so that is what we are encouraging people to do. Don’t come to the shelter and expect for people to provide you with a blanket and pillow and

sleeping bag or cot. If you have them bring them with you.”

In cases of emergency, Beckles said the persons coming into the shelter will be accommodated, but he warned that it’s not going to be a situation where they will be able to provide for everybody.

PAGE 12, Wednesday, September 6, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Bolt predicts his world records could stand for 15-20 years

By JIM ARMSTRONG Associated Press KYOTO, Japan (AP) — Usain Bolt is feeling no pressure in retirement, confident his best times can remain world records for decades.

The only sprinter to capture the 100- and 200-metre track titles at three consecutive Olympics, Bolt retired last month after the world championships in London. He holds the world record of 9.58 seconds in the 100 and 19.19 in the 200 — both set in Berlin in 2009.

“I think (they’re) going to last a while,” Bolt said during a promotional event in Japan yesterday. “I think our era with Yohan Blake, Justin Gatlin and Asafa Powell and all these guys was the best era of athletes.

If it was going to be broken, it would have been broken in this era, so I think I have at least 15 to 20 more years.”

Bolt’s farewell major meet didn’t go to plan in London. After a surprising third-place finish in the 100 behind Americans Gatlin and Christian Coleman, Bolt’s last race ended in the anguish of an injured hamstring while anchoring Jamaica’s 4x100-metre relay team.

Gatlin, often cast as the villain during Bolt’s long dominance, said he thinks his rival will be back. But Bolt brushed off that notion.

“I have nothing to prove, that’s the main reason I left track and field. After you do everything you want

there is no reason to stick around,” Bolt said.

Bolt was the life of the party every time he competed, captivating fans with his charisma and smile.

As for the next biggest star in track, Bolt said he doesn’t see anyone at the moment who he expects will follow in his footsteps.

“It’s hard for me to pick someone,” Bolt said. “I think what made me stand out was not only the fast times that I ran but my personality that people really enjoyed and loved.

“If you want to be a star in sports and take over a sport you have to let people know who you are as a person, not just as a track athlete.”

Jamaica won only one gold medal at this year’s Worlds, a disappointing haul given its success in the last decade. Bolt said his country’s young athletes will have to step up now that he’s gone.

“The biggest thing with Jamaica now is if the youngsters want it,” Bolt said. “Over the years, one thing I’ve learned is you have to want to be great. If you don’t want to be great, it won’t happen.”

Of course, wanting to be great and doing what it takes to make it happen are two different things, too.

“I’ve noticed a lot of the young athletes, as soon as they get their first contract and start making money, they really just don’t care as much anymore,” Bolt said. “A lot of them are satisfied with getting their first contract, going out and making their first team. If

By DANIELLA MATAR Associated Press SPAIN and Serbia are on the verge of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia after wins yesterday, while Croatia and Iceland are top of a very tight Group I. Spain followed up Saturday’s 3-0 win over Italy by crushing Liechtenstein 8-0 to remain top of Group G, three points ahead of the Azzurri, who laboured to a 1-0 win over Israel. Serbia is similarly in control of Group D after beating Ireland 1-0 to go four points clear.

Matters are far less clear in Group I, where four teams are separated by just two points with two games left. Group leader Croatia and Iceland have 16 points, while Turkey and Ukraine are both just two points behind.

IN this image made from video, Usain Bolt of Jamaica speaks during an interview in Kyoto, western Japan, yesterday. (AP Video via AP) they are satisfied with that, then we’re in trouble.

“Hopefully, a few of these young guys are going to be hungry and want to be great and if we get those guys we will be OK but so far, it is not looking good.”

The 31-year-old Bolt said he had good people around him from his earliest successes who were also there at the end, helping him make the most of his talent.

“My first two Olympics were easier, I was confident, I was young, I was enjoying the sport,” he said.

“But I think my last three years were the toughest years for me because then I had done so much I found myself thinking ‘Why am I still doing this? I’ve accomplished everything. I don’t really need to prove anything else.’ But the team that I had around me really

helped me to push myself to set the bar so high.”

As for the future, Bolt says he is interested in playing soccer and possibly settling down and getting married.

“Something I’ve always wanted to do is play football,” said Bolt, a die-hard Manchester United supporter. “My team is working on that but we haven’t confirmed anything yet!”

BRAZIL, FRANCE ALLEGE RIO OLYMPICS VOTE-BUYING SCHEME

By PETER PRENGAMAN and STEPHEN WADE Associated Press RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazilian and French authorities said yesterday they uncovered an international corruption scheme aimed at buying votes in awarding the 2016 Olympics. This is the latest allegation to sully the legacy of the Rio Games, the first Olympics in South America.

The disclosures came as police in Rio de Janeiro raided the home of Brazilian Olympic Committee President Carlos Nuzman. They emerged with suitcases, documents and a computer. Police said detention warrants had been issued for Nuzman and an associate, businessman Arthur Cesar de Menezes Soares Filho, who authorities believe to be in Miami.

Nuzman left his house accompanied by his lawyer and later appeared at a police station for questioning. Lawyer Sergio Mazzillo said his client would cooperate but “did not commit any irregularity.”

“Unfortunately, this has created a media spectacle,” Mazzillo said.

In total, 11 detention warrants were issued for people in both Brazil and France in what police dubbed “Operation Unfair Play.”

At a news conference, investigators said Nuzman, an honourary member of the International Olympic Committee, was a central player in buying votes for Rio’s Olympic bid in 2009.

Nuzman brought together Soares Filho and Lamine Diack, the former head of track and field’s governing body who at the time was an IOC voting member, according to authorities. Soares Filho’s company, Matlock Capital Group, allegedly paid Diack $2 million through accounts in the Caribbean.

Construction and concession

SOFTBALL MEDAL HOPES FROM PAGE 11

national championship MVP Lyle Sawyer from Abaco, Martin Burrows Jr, Micah Bethel from Eleuthera, Philip Johnson, Sherman Ferguson, Thomas Davis and Wayne Johnson.

“We have a little situation with Thomas Davis, who got hit in his jaw with a in-drive during a practice,” Seymour said. “He wants to

A FEDERAL police officer carries a bag filled with items confiscated from the home of Carlos Nuzman, president of the Brazilian Olympic committee, yesterday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

CARLOS NUZMAN arrives at the Federal Police headquarters yesterday in in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(AP Photo/Leo Correa)

companies that stood to gain were behind the push to bring the games to Rio by any means necessary, prosecutor Fabiana Schneider said. She said Sergio Cabral, the former governor of Rio de Janeiro who has been jailed on a different corruption conviction, was also a key player.

“The Olympic Games were used as a big trampoline for acts of corruption,” Schneider said.

The IOC said it had “learned about these circumstances from the media and is making every effort to get the full information.”

The 75-year-old Nuzman was an IOC member for 12 years and one of the most prominent figures in bringing the games to Rio. He is part of the 2020 Tokyo Games coordination commission, which advises organisers in running the event.

Chicago, Madrid, Tokyo and Rio were candidates for the 2016 Olympics. The vote was held in 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark, with Rio defeating Madrid 66-32.

tors’ Office, which has been leading the inquiries, said Tuesday its investigations have “uncovered the existence of a system of large-scale corruption organised around Papa Massata Diack.” It also said its evidence indicates votes by members of the IOC and the ruling track body were “negotiated against payment to obtain city hosting rights for the biggest global sports competitions.”

Since the Rio Games ended a year ago there has been a steady stream of accusations surrounding the awarding of building projects.

Former Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes is being investigated for allegedly accepting at least 15 million reals ($5 million) in payments to facilitate construction projects tied to the games.

Paes, who has denied wrongdoing, is one of dozens of top politicians implicated in a sweeping judicial corruption investigation in which construction giant Odebrecht illegally paid billions to help win contracts.

go, but he has to get clearance. So we’re waiting on the doctor to do that. If he doesn’t go, we’re hoping that Edney (’the Heat’ Bethel from Eleuthera) will get his passport sorted out because he too wants to go.”

While they wait for those two issues to work itself out, Seymour said they are also keeping their fingers crossed that their trip won’t be hampered by the passing of Hurricane Irma later this week.

“We have a good team.

We just have to do what

SPAIN AND SERBIA CLOSE IN ON WORLD CUP SPOTS

Chicago, seen as having the best bid and most ready-to-go facilities, was eliminated in the first round of voting.

“This is quite damaging” to the IOC, said Andrew Zimbalist, an economist who recently wrote a book on fallout from the Rio Olympics. “The IOC tried to say goodbye to Rio in August 2016, but the issues arising from the $20 billion plus extravaganza won’t go away.”

Soon after the Rio Games, IOC President Thomas Bach awarded Nuzman the “Olympic Order,” given to those who have made extraordinary contributions to the Olympics.

In France, a 2-year-old investigation into corruption in sports first came to light with the arrest in November 2015 of Diack. The French have been looking into allegations that Diack, one of his sons, Papa Massata Diack, and others were involved in blackmailing athletes and covering-up failed drug tests.

The French Financial Prosecu-

the other countries in the region do and that is play together,” he stated. “We have a bunch of young guys, mixed with some veterans.

So if we don’t qualify from the tournament, we have a chance to advance to the Pan Am Games as the team from the English-speaking countries with the best record.

“We only have about a couple of teams that we need to concentrate on from the English-speaking country, so if we can play the small ball and limit the amount of long balls that

our opponents get, I think we have a very good chance of qualifying for the Pan Am Games. We have a very good team.”

Seymour said they are hoping that the hurricane doesn’t prevent them from continuing to prepare for the tournament as they are looking forward to having the full team assembled this weekend for their final practice before they travel next week.

Watkins, who is expected to lead the charge for the team on both the offensive and defensive ends of the

field, said they are looking good and ready to compete.

“The team is looking real good. We have basically the same pitchers, but we have added a little more speed with some guys who haven’t been to this level before,” he pointed out. “The game is all about hits, runs and errors, so if we can piece it all together and do what we suppose to do when we get there, we will be okay.”

The only concern he said they have is the hurricane and hopefully they won’t be adversely affected because they are all looking forward

GROUP D A goal from Aleksandar Kolarov guided 10-man Serbia to a 1-0 win over Ireland, putting the Balkan nation on the verge of a place at next year’s World Cup. Kolarov ran onto a pass from Filip Kostic in the 55th minute and unleashed a fierce shot. Serbia was reduced to 10 men after defender Nikola Maksimovic was sent off for a desperate lunge on Daryl Murphy in the 68th as the Ireland forward ran through on goal.

The win in Dublin leaves Serbia top of the group, four points clear of Wales with two games remaining against Austria and Georgia. Wales struggled to create many chances against a defensively minded Moldovan team until 17-yearold Liverpool player Ben Woodburn came on as a substitute.

After scoring the winning goal for Wales against Austria on Saturday, Woodburn revitalised his team against Moldova with smart passing and provided the cross for Robson-Kanu’s diving header in the 80th.

Aaron Ramsey made it 2-0 for Wales deep into stoppage time.

Austria drew 1-1 at home to Georgia.

GROUP G Alvaro Morata and Iago Aspas each scored two goals as Spain maintained its three-point advantage over second-placed Italy with two matches remaining. Spain also scored through Sergio Ramos, Francisco “Isco” Alarcon, David Silva and an own goal by Max Goeppel as it repeated its 8-0 victory over Liechtenstein last year and guaranteed itself of at least second place in the group.

Spain has a much better goal difference than Italy so it can virtually secure first place — and a guaranteed spot for next year’s tournament in Russia — with a home win against Albania in Alicante on October 6.

Italy is all but assured of a spot in the playoffs as Ciro Immobile’s secondhalf goal means the Azzurri need just one point from their final two qualifying matches to secure second spot and a playoff berth.

It next plays Macedonia in Turin October 6, three days before it visits Albania.

Albania’s hopes of sneaking into the playoffs are almost certainly over after it was held to a 1-1 draw in Macedonia.

to making the trip and getting the Bahamas qualified for the Pan Am Games.

Miller said the federation wants the team to bring back the gold, but he knows that things don’t always go as planned.

“So I expect this team to perform, from what I’ve been seeing since they were together practicing, that they should be able to come back with a medal,” he said.

“I think Richard (Johnson) and Perry (Seymour) have been working out the knits with them, so I expect them to do very well.”

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, September 6, 2017, PAGE 13

‘She’s a very special elite rebounder and she’s only scratched the surface’ FROM PAGE 11 Sylvia Fowles, named as the AP’s WNBA Player of the Year, led the firstteam All-WNBA that includes Tina Charles, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Candace Parker and Ogwumike.

Connecticut finished the regular season in fourth place with a 21-13 win-loss record. They were 10-6 in conference play with a 12-5 mark at home and 9-8 on the road. They were 6-4 in their last 10 games, but ended up losing their last two games, including the season ending 81-70 decision to the defending champions Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday.

By virtue of their position, the Sun were awarded a bye into the second round and will host a onegame match-up on Sunday, September 10 against the winner between the Seattle Storm and the Phoenix Mercury that will be contested tonight.

If the Sun are successful, they will advance to the best-of-three semi-finals against the Sparks starting on Tuesday, September 12.

The winner of the series

will advance to the best-offive finals.

Jones, a 2015 graduate of George Washington where she set the pace for her professional career, averaged 15.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.4 block shots in 28.5 minutes per game.

It was a tremendous breakout year in the WNBA for Jones, who posted a career high of 29 points and 11 field goals against Indiana on July 1 and 22 rebounds and six assists against Washington on August 29.

Additionally, she produced five blocked shots twice, four steals as many times and five three-pointers in a game against New York on June 23, while playing a total of 37 minutes three times.

Jones also participated in her first All-Star game and in her starting role in the mid-season showdown on July 22 in Seattle.

As a starter, she not only finished with 24 points, but she left the crowd in awe with her one-handed slam dunk on a breakaway in the 22 seconds as they lost 130121 to the West.

PAGE 14, Wednesday, September 6, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Williams edges Kvitova for 1st US Open semi-final since 2010

By HOWARD FENDRICH Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — When her work was done, her first trip to the US Open semi-finals since 2010 secured, if just barely, Venus Williams sat in her sideline chair and beamed .

Williams reached her third major semi-final of the season — something she last did 15 years ago — by edging two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (2) last night to a soundtrack of thunderous partisan support under a closed roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“I have to say, I felt every single one of you guys behind me — all 23,000,” Williams told the crowd.

“I mean, that feels good. It feels amazing. And I didn’t want to let you guys down.”

She sure didn’t. The 37-year-old Williams, who won titles at Flushing Meadows way back in 2000 and 2001, trailed 3-1 in the third set before digging out of the hole with a little help: Kvitova’s eighth doublefault handed over the break that made it 3-all. And Kvitova’s ninth double-fault got Williams to match point in the tiebreaker.

Williams will face unseeded Sloane Stephens on Thursday in the first allAmerican women’s semi-final in New York since 2002.

Stephens advanced earlier yesterday with a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (4) victory over 16thseeded Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia. It is Stephens’ deepest run at any major since 2013 and the apex of a recovery from foot surgery in January.

Kvitova, seeded 13th, was hoping to prolong her comeback from a knife attack less than nine months ago by reaching the first US Open semi-final of her career.

She needed surgery on her racket-holding hand after she was cut by an intruder at her home in the Czech Republic in December. She returned to the tour at the French Open in May, losing in the second round there and at Wimbledon.

Kvitova has said she still does not have full strength in her left hand. But she was often at her powerful best against No. 9 Williams, especially in the last two sets, repeatedly delivering

COWBOYS’ ELLIOTT HAS SUSPENSION UPHELD, BUT WILL PLAY WEEK 1

By SCHUYLER DIXON Associated Press

VENUS WILLIAMS, of the United States, celebrates after defeating Petra Kvitova, of Czech Republic, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (2) in a quarter-final at the US Open tennis tournament yesterday.

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens) big, flat forehands. Neither woman played with a ton of subtlety, mainly trading stinging groundstrokes from the baseline on exchanges that grew in intensity as the 2-hour, 34-minute encounter went along.

“First of all, everything that she’s gone through — to go through that is unbelievable, and you don’t imagine that you’re going to wake up one day and that’s going to happen,” Williams said. “So it’s so wonderful to see her back and playing amazing.”

Williams, who revealed in 2011 she had been diagnosed with an energysapping autoimmune disease, is the oldest women’s semifinalist at a major tournament since Martina Navratilova at Wimbledon in 1994.

But this sort of throwback run is becoming almost routine again for Williams, who made it to the Australian Open final in January of this year, then the Wimbledon final in July. In 2002, she participated in three Grand Slam finals, losing each to her younger sister

Serena.

The older Williams made sure Little Sis got a mention Tuesday, too: When she was asked in her on-court interview about the success of American women at this US Open — 15th-seeded Madison Keys and 20thseeded CoCo Vandeweghe play their quarter-finals today — Venus replied, “Have to give some credit to Serena.”

Stephens, ranked 83rd, has won 13 of her past 15 matches, all on hard courts, reaching the semi-finals at three consecutive tournaments for the only time in her career.

She had an operation in January, and while forced to stay away from her sport, she found a new appreciation for it. The time off also allowed her to enjoy other aspects of life.

“I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t do all the things that I wanted to do. But I did get to hang out with my family and see my little cousin’s soccer games and go to weddings and baby showers and stuff. All the things that I thought

SLOANE STEPHENS, of the United States, reacts after beating Anastasija Sevastova, of Latvia, during yesterday’s quarter-finals.

(AP Photo/Adam Hunger) before I was missing out on, (now) I really wasn’t,” said Stephens, whose late father, John Stephens, was the 1988 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year for the New England Patriots, and whose mother, Sybil Smith, was Boston University’s first All-American in women’s swimming.

“It was just kind of, like, eye-opening,” Stephens added. “When I wasn’t playing, like, of course I loved my time off, but when I got back to playing tennis, it was, like, this is where I want to be. This is what I love doing.”

In the men’s quarterfinals, 12th-seeded Pablo

Carreno Busta of Spain had no trouble beating No. 29 Diego Schwartzman of Argentina 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. It was Carreno Busta’s first match of the tournament against an opponent who was not a qualifier.

Carreno Busta’s debut in a Grand Slam semi-final will come Friday against No. 17 Sam Querrey of the US or No. 28 Kevin Anderson of South Africa, who were scheduled to play last night.

“I know that I didn’t win matches against top players — top-10 or top-20 players,” Carreno Busta said, “but I am very happy with my tournament.”

SHERMAN, Texas (AP) — An arbitrator denied Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott’s appeal of a six-game suspension in a domestic violence case Tuesday, but the 2016 NFL rushing champion will play in the opener because of the timing of the decision.

Elliott attorney Jeffrey Kessler told the judge near the end of a nearly 2 1/2-hour hearing in federal court that Elliott’s suspension was sustained by arbitrator Harold Henderson.

At the start of the hearing, NFL attorney Daniel Nash told the judge it was “his understanding” that Elliott could play Sunday night against the New York Giants because the league didn’t want to rush the judge.

U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant said he would rule on Elliott’s request for a temporary restraining order by Friday. If the request is denied and no further legal action taken, Elliott’s suspension would start in Week 2 at Denver.

He would be eligible to return November 5 against Kansas City.

“We are extremely disappointed with Mr. Henderson’s inability to navigate through league politics, and follow the evidence, and, most importantly, his (sic) conscience,” attorneys Frank Salzano and Scott Rosenblum said in a statement released after the hearing.

Elliott was suspended

by Commissioner Roger Goodell after the league concluded he had several physical confrontations last summer with Tiffany Thompson, a former girlfriend.

Prosecutors in Ohio didn’t pursue the case, citing conflicting evidence.

The 22-year-old Elliott denied the allegations in sworn testimony during an appeal hearing last week.

MAKE IT 13: INDIANS BEAT WHITE SOX 9-4 FOR 13TH STRAIGHT WIN

By JAY COHEN Associated Press CHICAGO (AP) — Jose Ramirez hit two more homers, Austin Jackson also connected and the Cleveland Indians beat the Chicago White Sox 9-4 last night for their 13th straight victory, the longest run by a major league team this season.

Danny Salazar got just two outs in his return from right elbow inflammation, but Cleveland’s deep bullpen took over from there.

Seven relievers combined for 8 1/3 scoreless innings as the Indians moved within one of their franchiserecord 14-game win streak last year.

Jackson and Ramirez hit back-to-back homers during Cleveland’s three-run first against David Holmberg (2-4). Ramirez added another solo shot in the second, and the AL Central leaders went ahead to stay on Greg Allen’s tiebreaking, two-run double in the third. Yan Gomes tacked on a three-run shot in the ninth.

Ramirez has five homers in his last three games. He is batting .500 (17 for 34) with seven homers and nine RBIs on Cleveland’s 11game road trip.

Matt Davidson hit a three-run drive for lastplace Chicago, which has dropped six of eight. Top prospect Yoan Moncada went 1 for 5 in his return from a bruised right shin.

ager Terry Francona decided to give Bruce another day. LHP Andrew Miller (right knee patellar tendinitis) threw a side session Monday in Cleveland and is scheduled for another one on Wednesday.

2B Jason Kipnis (right hamstring strain) worked out with the team before the game. The Indians were awaiting clearance for OF Bradley Zimmer, who was going through the concussion protocol. He was expected to see a doctor right before the game.

CHICAGO White Sox’s Matt Davidson hits a three-run home run off Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Danny Salazar during the first inning of yesterday’s game.

(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) Davidson’s 24th homer with Ramirez’s 25th of the two scoreless innings for tana was shaken up after he chased Salazar and gave the season and then a clutch hit the win. The White Sox was hit on the right leg by a White Sox a 4-3 lead in the by Allen in the third. With put two on in the eighth, pitch from Carson Fulmer first. It was the first time the two outs and runners on but Bryan Shaw struck out in the seventh, but stayed Indians had trailed since first and second, Allen hit a Yolmer Sanchez to end the in the game. OF Jay Bruce (sore neck) was held out for they were down by one liner into the corner in left inning. the fourth straight game. against the New York Yan- to give the Indians a 6-4 lead.

TRAINER’S ROOM With the White Sox sending kees on August 28.

Dan Otero (3-0) pitched Indians: 1B Carlos San- a lefty to the mound, manCleveland responded

White Sox: RHP James Shields got in a full workout and expects to make his next scheduled start after he was hit on the right knee by a line drive in the seventh inning of Chicago’s 5-3 loss in the series opener. ...

OF/INF Nicky Delmonico (sprained right wrist) was slated to take batting practice with the team. If he responds well, he could be activated in the next day or two.

Minor league RHP Tyler Danish dislocated his left shoulder when he was involved in a car accident Monday night in Florida.

He is expected to recover in seven to 10 days. ... Minor league RHP Dylan Cease, acquired from the Cubs in the Jose Quintana trade, was scratched from a playoff start with Class A Kannapolis because of shoulder fatigue. But he is expected to pitch in the instructional league this month.