The Original Game » a chance to get a point. We lost to a very go

NEW YORK -- The big man was relentless. Jason Sanders Jersey . His serves crashed down like loose boulders onto a narrow mountain road. His forehand swung from one side of the court to the other with the force of a wrecking ball, demolishing the game -- and the US Open hopes -- of the little man.It was a savage beating, and on the surface, it appeared a mismatch of the kind that would ordinarily drive a crowd howling into the corner of the smaller man.But this was different.The towering figure was 6-foot-6 Juan Martin del Potro, a former US Open champion whose career has nearly been destroyed by wrist injuries and surgeries. He was playing a much-loved underdog, 5-foot-9 David Ferrer. But nobody wanted to see the Little Beast slay the beloved giant.So the fans continually called out del Potros name; they periodically broke into the singsong chant, Ole, Ole, Ole, Delpo, Delpo. Once again, they helped lift del Potro to a win, as he overcame a sleepy start to take the third-round clash, 7-6 (3), 6-2, 6-3.All of New York appears to be in love with Delpo and his hard-luck story. Even Ferrer, whos almost always on the receiving end of the crowds affection, didnt have a bitter word to say about the crowds embrace of his opponent.This is a show, Ferrer said after losing. And the crowd was supporting Juan Martin del Potro. I am trying to focus on my match; I dont care.I feel I am [in] my home [country], del Potro said after the match, referring to the support he felt despite being 5,470 miles from his home in Tandil, Argentina. You make me so happy every day.Del Potro, whos 27 and in the tournament as a wild card, made his great breakthrough at the age of 20 here at Flushing Meadows with a startling and unexpected upset of Roger Federer in the 2009 final. Just months later, his right wrist became sore; rest and therapy were of no avail. He had surgery and missed all of 2010.Del Potro was barely rounding into playing shape when his left wrist went hinky. After two surgeries failed, the depressed player almost quit the game. He had one more procedure and began his comeback last summer. His ranking at the start of this year was in quadruple digits: No. 1042.Somehow, through all that grief, Delpo has managed to win the sixth-most career titles (18) of all active players.Spectators at tennis tournaments seem to know del Potros story, but thats only a partial explanation of his popularity. Many of them also respond at a more visceral level. Hes the quintessential gentle giant. Little children especially like him, said Guillermo Salatino, a veteran Argentinian broadcaster. He is like a strange thing, a giant, but he is also a nice one.Ironically, del Potro hasnt always been as popular at home as abroad. He has missed some Davis Cup ties, alienating many of his fiercely patriotic countrymen. However, del Potros inspired performance in Rio has won them over, according to Salatino. In Rio, del Potro upset top-seeded Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. He ultimately settled for the silver medal.Del Potro described his Rio experience as The happiest moment of my life.The moments he has experienced thus far at Flushing Meadows may be building toward a comparable peak. Theyve provided him with emotional fuel and inspiration. After his win against Steve Johnson on Thursday, del Potro said, Thats amazing when I get into the court, and the people likes just to see me. Im having great days at the US Open.Its heartwarming when a crowd of 20,000 adopts a player and showers him with the kind of love usually reserved for a lost, wet puppy. The rush is real when a player hears his name chanted. But while helpful, that support wont win you tennis matches. Del Potro is advancing inexorably in this tournament because hes a very big man hitting a very big ball like he hasnt done in a long time.As Ferrer said: He was injured two years; now he change a little bit his game. He is playing more aggressive with his forehand and with the serve.Del Potro won the match Saturday because he shook off the cobwebs and played aggressive tennis. His served clocked up to 133 mph, enabling him to win 81 percent of his first serve and 55 percent of his second-serve points. (Ferrers numbers in those key categories were 63 and 50 percent respectively.)More importantly, del Potro simply hit the ball deeper, harder and closer to the lines than Ferrer did, time and again. It counts, and it doesnt ever show up in the stat sheet.Ironically, this is how del Potros game might have evolved had he been on the tour, healthy, all these years. But in his case, necessity was the mother of invention. Del Potro still has to use his backhand sparingly if he can and slice more often than he might like.Thats why Im trying to play aggressive with my forehands, with my serves, del Potro said. Im trying to come into the net more often than years ago. Im trying to find a different way to play than I did in the past.His search is progressing nicely. Good luck to his rivals if and when he regains full use of all his shots. Mike Gesicki Jersey . -- The Magic have their first victory of the new year. Minkah Fitzpatrick Jersey . The recently retired Stern was elected Friday to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and will be enshrined with the class of 2014 on Aug. http://www.cheapjerseysmiamidolphins.com/ . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. For a guy who is enduring the longest winless stretch of his brief yet staggeringly successful managerial career, Pep Guardiola seems unburdened by the lack of results for Manchester City of late.Looking to regroup from being ousted from the EFL Cup, Manchester City try to stop the rot and avoid a seventh consecutive match without a win in all competitions Saturday against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.Though the Citizens (6-2-1) are leading the Premier League on goal difference over both Arsenal and Liverpool, things are not all rosy on the blue side in the north of England. Manchester City have not won since a 3-1 victory at Swansea City on Sept. 24, going 0-3-3 in what is the clubs longest winless spell since 2008.Of course, among the opponents Guardiola did not defeat were title hopefuls Tottenham Hotspur, his former club Barcelona and most recently neighbours Manchester United -- though all three of those matches were on the road. And while winning four trophies is no longer in the cards for City following their 1-0 loss Wednesday on the red side of town at United, Guardiola was pleased with how his youthful side responded to the challenges of derby life.Aleix (Garcia) was outstanding -- Pablo Maffeo as well, fighting with (Marcus) Rashford and (Paul) Pogba, said Guardiola, referring to two of the nine changes he made from last weekends 1-1 draw versus Southampton. We made a good performance, so no regrets. We were fighting until the last minute.We are a young team. Kelechi (Iheanacho) is 20, Leroy (Sane) 20, Pablo 19 -- it is a good experience for them.Guardiola conceded the six-match winless stretch is not a good situation, but the game served as a testament to his long-term vision for the club that was not going to be sacrificed in this competition -- even against Citys archrivals.The manager did make one move as a precaution, replacing oft-injured captain and defender Vincent Kompany at halftime. Teammate Gael Clichy noted the team dipped in form after the talismans departure, but supported Guardiolas decision, noting, Hes been out for quite some time and he played 80 minutes three days ago. He was sensible in not getting injured again.A common thread for Citys struggles has been the lack of scoring from Sergio Aguero, though the Argentina innternational did not play Wednesday at Old Trafford. Cornell Armstrong Jersey. Aguero, who fired in 11 goals in his first seven matches in all competitions, has not found the back of the net in 325 minutes over his last five contests.But the danger man for City in this match could be David Silva, who has four goals and three assists in his last eight against the Baggies. Aguero, though, hasnt been a slouch with five goals and three assists in eight lifetime contests versus West Bromwich Albion.West Brom (2-4-3) enter this match 13th in the table, ahead of Burnley and West Ham United on goal difference. They are winless in their last four matches (0-3-1) after dropping a 2-1 decision at Anfield to Liverpool last weekend.The Baggies lone goal came from Gareth McAuley on 81 minutes.The defeat again showed what a fine line manager Tony Pulis rides as he seeks his primary target of 40 points and safety in the Premier League. West Brom have struggled offensively all season save their stunning four-goal outburst last month versus West Ham United. Their defence has been just good enough to keep them in games while posting just two clean sheets thus far.The two goals were more or less errors on our part unfortunately, defender Jonas Olsson told West Broms official website. If we had scored our goal earlier we maybe wouldve had a chance to get a point. We lost to a very good side and thats the way it goes sometimes.Pulis, who received a one-year contract extension this week, will have to make at least one change since midfielder Claudio Yacob will serve a one-match ban after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season. He likely will make a second since centre back Jonny Evans is set to return after serving a one-match suspension at Anfield.The series has been one way of traffic as Manchester City have won nine on the bounce in league play since a scoreless draw on Boxing Day in 2011. The Citizens are 12-1-0 against the Baggies in the top flight since a 2-1 setback Dec. 21, 2008.West Brom have been gracious hosts to City at The Hawthorns, losing the last four there by a combined 11-4 scoreline and taking just one point in the last six league contests. NFL Jerseys From China China Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys China NFL T-shirts From China Jerseys NFL Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Cheap NFL Jerseys Throwback ' ' '