Bewerbungen » of four games to date.

NEW YORK -- When the U.S. Open decided to give 2009 champion Juan Martin del Potro a wild-card invitation this year, it rankled American player Steve Johnson.What if, Johnson wondered aloud, del Potro was to wind up beating someone from the United States in the first round of the countrys Grand Slam tournament?That didnt come to pass: del Potro faced a fellow Argentine in his opening match at Flushing Meadows. As it happens, though, del Potros opponent in the second round in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday night will be -- yes, you guessed it -- Johnson himself.As it is, Johnson barely made it to this intriguing matchup.In the first round on Tuesday, the 19th-seeded Johnson, who won two NCAA singles titles at Southern California, dropped the opening two sets and needed to save six match points before coming all the way back to beat Evgeny Donskoy 4-6, 1-6, 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-3. Johnson saved four match points while trailing 5-2 in the third set, then two more while down 6-5 in that set.Afterward, Johnson acknowledged that he came out tight in that match because he felt the pressure of being an American playing in the U.S. Open.I shouldnt let the moment get the best of me, he said, and it did for a bit.Del Potro had a much easier time in his opening match, beating countryman Diego Schwartzman 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (3).A little more than two weeks ago, fresh off earning a silver medal at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, del Potro was awarded his wild card, allowing him into the main draw of the U.S. Open for the first time since 2013. He missed 2 1/2 years worth of major tournaments because of three operations on his left wrist, only returning to Grand Slam action at Wimbledon in June.Once ranked as high as No. 4, he is currently at No. 142 because of so much time away from the tour, and he wasnt high enough to gain direct entry into the field at Flushing Meadows.The worst part of my life is totally in the past, del Potro said, and Im living a good present and looking forward for a good future.Here is what else to watch on Day 4 of the U.S. Open:WILLIAMS SISTERS: Both Williams sisters will be in action, in consecutive matches on Ashe. First, No. 6-seeded Venus Williams will take on Julia Goerges of Germany in the last day session match in the main stadium. Then No. 1 Serena Williams will face Vania King in an all-American matchup to start the night session. The siblings are coming off quite contrasting first-round outings on Tuesday. Venus labored during a three-set victory. Serena, who came to the U.S. Open with questions about a sore right shoulder, looked perfectly fine during her straight-set win, pounding serves at up to 121 mph, including 12 aces. Serena is bidding for a 23rd Grand Slam singles title -- that would break a tie with Steffi Graf for the most in the Open era, which dates to 1968.MURRAY: Three-time major champion and two-time Olympic singles gold medalist Andy Murray faces Marcel Granollers in the afternoon. Theyve played seven previous times, with Murray winning six. Murray, who won his first Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open in 2012, can become only the fourth man in the Open era to reach the final of each major tournament in a season, joining Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rod Laver. Murray lost to Djokovic at the Australian Open in January, and the French Open in June, then won Wimbledon in July.FORECAST: There is rain predicted for Thursday, which used to create major scheduling headaches at the U.S. Open, but shouldnt be as much of a problem now. Thats because the tournament finally has a retractable roof atop Ashe -- and the $150 million structure passed its first test, used during a match for the first time Wednesday night as Rafael Nadal beat Andreas Seppi.---Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrichCheap Denver Broncos Jerseys . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. Cheap Cleveland Browns Jerseys . Tests earlier this week revealed a Grade 2 left hamstring strain for Sabathia, who was hurt in last Fridays start against San Francisco. Its an injury that will require about eight weeks to heal. He finished a disappointing campaign just 14-13 with a career-worst 4. https://www.cheapjerseys-wholesalechina.com/?tag=cheap-kansas-city-chiefs-jerseys .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. Cheap Minnesota Vikings Jerseys . -- Devin Hester is done returning kicks in Chicago. Cheap Philadelphia Eagles Jerseys . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club.The Philadelphia 76ers, who in recent years have redefined futility, will be looking to extend a rare (if modest) winning streak when they host the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night.The Sixers equaled the NBA record for consecutive losses in a single season by dropping 26 games in a row in 2013-14, and set a league mark by dropping 28 straight spanning the 14-15 and 15-16 seasons.They finished 10-72 last year, falling one loss shy of equaling the worst full-season record in NBA history, established by Philadelphias 1972-73 team.Their 109-102 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday was, however, their second straight at home. They followed that up with a 110-86 defeat Thursday night at Minnesota, extending their road losing streak to 21 games, dating back to last season. The franchise record is 23, from March 29 to Dec. 23, 2015.Wednesdays game was billed as a matchup of two of the games best young centers, the Timberwolves Karl-Anthony Towns and the Sixers Joel Embiid. Towns, however, finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Embiid collected 10 points and 10 boards.Minnesotas Anthony Wiggins led his team with 35 points and 10 rebounds, while Dario Saric topped the Sixers with 16 points.This (Timberwolves) group that you are looking at played with each other all last year -- many, many, many games together, Philadelphia coach Brett Brown told the Philadelphia Inquirer after the game.Minnesota shot 50.6 percent, limited the Sixers to 37.3-percent accuracy and owned a 49-40 reboundding advantage.ddddddddddddIts just part of the evolution, where we are at, Brown told the Inquirer. They are two years ahead of us. Its on me and my staff to keep our guys up and help them.Embiid, who sat out his first two seasons as a result of a pair of foot surgeries, is being limited to 24 minutes a night as a precaution. The teams leading scorer (17.0) and rebounder (7.6), he has also been held out of four games to date. The Sixers have not yet said whether he will be available Saturday.Seven players cracked double figures, five of them reserves, as the Suns (4-9) snapped a three-game losing streak by winning 116-96 at Indiana on Friday night, Phoenixs third game in a six-game road trip. One of those subs, Brandon Knight, led the way with 17 points, while Jared Dudley and Alan Williams provided 16 and 15 off the bench, respectively.The Suns enjoyed a 78-35 advantage in bench scoring.The Sixers will be without forward Ben Simmons, the No. 1 pick in the most recent draft, until at least January. He is recovering from foot surgery. Guard Jerry Bayless (wrist) has also yet to play, but he has ramped up his workouts and has said he hopes to return by the end of the month.Center/forward Nerlens Noel, who had been rehabbing from surgery on his left knee in Alabama, returned to Philadelphia on Friday, according to the Inquirer. He has also yet to play this season. ' ' '