The Original Game » ncluding that the earlier one was at a run-of-the-mil

NEW YORK -- The last time the two womens finalists at this U. Joe Carter Jersey .S. Open, Angelique Kerber of Germany and Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic, played each other, it really was no contest.Pliskova dominated the higher-ranked and more-experienced Kerber, not merely winning in straight sets, but dropping only four games along the way.Like Saturdays matchup, the one three weeks ago was played on a hard court.Like Saturday, there was a title at stake.There are, however, some key differences, including that the earlier one was at a run-of-the-mill event and the upcoming one is at a Grand Slam tournament. And, perhaps most significantly of all when it comes to the outcome this time, when Kerber lost at Cincinnati in August, she knew she had to win to make her debut at No. 1 in the WTA rankings -- whereas now, shes guaranteed of wresting the top spot from Serena Williams on Monday, regardless of what happens in Arthur Ashe Stadium.So while there is still a lot on the line, of course -- millions of dollars, a major trophy -- Kerber does not have to deal with the pressure of trying to ascend to No. 1. Shes already assured of that.That was always a dream for me, the No. 2-seeded Kerber said after beating Caroline Wozniacki 6-4, 6-3 in the semifinals Thursday night, when 10th-seeded Pliskova upset Williams 6-2, 7-6 (5). I was trying to not think too much the whole last few weeks about this, and now I reach it. So its something really special for me.All in all, its been quite a special 2016 for Kerber.This will be her third appearance in a Grand Slam title match: She beat Williams in the Australian Open final in January, then lost to the American in the Wimbledon final in July.Kerber has a tour-leading 53 match wins, two titles and now three runs to major finals this season, which accounts for her move up.She gets a lot of balls back. She also knows how to change the pace. She gets good angles. And, yeah, shes playing really well, said Wozniacki, who spent 67 weeks atop the WTA, finishing 2010 and 2011 at No. 1.You know, its not a lot of people who have been No. 1. Its a huge thing. She definitely has a target on her back now. Everyone wants to beat the No. 1 player in the world. Shes going to enjoy it. First, she has a match here that shes focused on.That comes against Pliskova, who never had been past the third round in 17 previous major appearances but became only the fourth woman to beat both Williams sisters during one Grand Slam tournament.I hope I didnt stop yet, that there is still one more step to go. Ill do anything for getting the title, Pliskova said. Even if I dont get it, its a big result. Im really happy to be there and even have the chance to play in the final here.The match offers an intriguing contrast in styles. As Venus and Serena Williams saw first-hand, the 6-foot-1 Pliskova goes right at opponents with big, flat groundstrokes and tough-to-handle serves. She averaged 109 mph on her first serves Thursday -- faster than the younger Williams, known for the best serve in the womens game -- and leads the tour in aces this year.The 5-foot-8 Kerber, meanwhile, is terrific at retrieving and counter-punching, dropping down to a knee at times along the baseline to get balls back.Her serve is a weakness: She was broken while serving for the match against Wozniacki, for example, and lost three service games in the first set alone of her quarterfinal against 2015 runner-up Roberta Vinci. Kerber acknowledged that aspect of her game will be key on Saturday.She also said she wants to try to control points more than she did the last time she faced Pliskova.I was just pushing too much the balls there, Kerber said, so I think I will change this a little bit. Go for it, being aggressive.---Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich Roger Clemens Jersey . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. Toronto Blue Jays Jerseys . 31, the CFL club announced Monday. The team also has yet to decide on the future of Doug Berry, who began the season as a consultant to the head coach but took over the offensive co-ordinators duties in July. http://www.officialbluejaysgearshop.com/...ta-Kids-Jersey/ . -- Anaheim Ducks defenceman Luca Sbisa will be out at least six weeks with a torn tendon in his right hand. A vacation that consists of stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Miami is always going to provide you with some highlights but, like the last time I travelled to the U.S, it was a small-ish town in Louisiana that stole the show.In 2014, I embarked on a similar sports-thirsty holiday with teammate Tom Lynch. Our final stop was Baton Rouge in the heart of college football country. With a population of around 200,000, Baton Rouge is very similar to many of Australias large rural towns like Townsville or Cairns in far North Queensland. However, the LSU Tigers dont reside in far North Queensland - they live in Death Valley!Baton Rouge is home of Louisiana State University - a mighty college that competes in the southeastern conference of NCAAs collegiate football. Its basketball team has seen players like Australias No. 1 overall NBA draft pick Ben Simmons, the legendary Shaquille ONeal and before him Pistol Pete Maravich go through its doors.Aside from Simmons, LSU has an ever-growing Aussie contingent among its ranks with three boys from Down Under having played for the Tigers football team. Brad Wing started the trend and is now enjoying a promising career in the NFL with the New York Giants. Rockhamptons Jamie Keehn followed Wing to Baton Rouge and just last season, he graduated after four years in the Bayou. The latest addition to the squad is South Australias Josh Growden, a former Greater Western Sydney AFL player, who battled injury before packing his bags for Louisiana.The game we were in town for just happened to be among the biggest in world sport annually. When LSU and Alabama get together, fireworks ensue, both literally and figuratively. Tiger Stadium holds just over 100,000 people and whilst there were a tick over 102,000 in the house, the noise the crowd made felt like 102,000 jet aeroplanes.Games like these attract people from far and wide.NFL alumni like Patrick Peterson, Kevin Minter and Tyrann Mathieu were on-hand to see their beloved Tigers in action. Mathieu, like many before him, was presented on the field during a time-out after making a $1 million donation to the university.But there were a few more recognisable faces inside Tiger Stadium.Newlyweds Rory and Belinda Sloane called in from New Orleans and despite being anything but gridiron addicts, told us they had the time of their lives. Adelaide club doctor Marc Cesana and his partner Tara also caught the game. Doc is a huge college football fan and he had stops in South Bend and Tuscaloosa before Baton Rouge. Three more iconic college towns you will not find.NCAA football is a brief season, just 12 regular season games meaning the crowd only gets six opportunities to see its team aat home. Steve Pearce Jersey. Trust me when I say this, they make all six a party worth remembering. Camper vans fully decked out in LSU purple and gold park in the adjacent streets, BBQs are stoked up and the southern food is cooked to perfection - food and drink is available to all.?If you are here for a good time, youre in the right place.Jamie and his American girlfriend Helen were kind enough to take myself, Hannah, Rory and Belinda to a few tailgates - something all sports fans must experience. It was tent after tent after tent of endless food, drinks, entertainment and excitement as the hours counted down before their Tigers took to the field. Jamie estimated that as the players arrived roughly three hours before the kickoff, 150,000 people would have been surrounding the stadium, all partying like there was no tomorrow.You just asked yourself - 150,000 people does not go into a 102,000-seat stadium - great math, you are correct. At every LSU home game, there are always tens of thousands who come for the party but dont have a ticket to the game. Its truly a mind-blowing event to see live.The match ended up 10-0 in favour of the unbeaten Crimson Tide of Alabama but even me, a now avid LSU fan, could hardly care less. The game day experience was something none of us will ever forget and it is something we all want to experience again.I must say an ENORMOUS thanks to Jamie Keehn who looked after Hannah and I all weekend. He took care of Lynchy and I in 2014 and he came though with the goods again. Josh Growden also deserves a mention, we had the pleasure of sitting with his parents for the game and theyre extremely lovely people who hail from Clare in South Australias wine region. Its a small world.A popular hashtag used by fans of the team is #ForeverLSU - I can say that after two games in person, I am an LSU man forever!#GeauxTigersOur final night was spent in LA watching another famous sports team, the Los Angeles Lakers. The Kobe-less Lakers put in a stellar performance despite 39 points from my man Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns. Staples Center is a remarkable arena and it was a stellar way to cap off an amazing and memorable holiday.Thanks to ESPN Australia and those people I thanked above for making it all happen and thanks to everyone who engaged with me on social media. I had a such fun bringing the games back to you as I did watching them.Well, we are literally just touching down in Adelaide. Time to go see the dog and get ready for pre-season but never fear, it will soon be time to start planning another U.S sporting extravaganza. 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