Clanregeln » massive courage to step in that ring with

NEW YORK -- Well into the fourth set, he sat slumped in his changeover chair, a towel draped over his head, apparently lost in some sort of Zen trance.In fairness, the past two months of Novak Djokovics 2016 season have been tumultuous, to say the least.After completing his career Grand Slam at Roland Garros, the No. 1-ranked Serb was bounced in the third round of Wimbledon, saw his private issues set off a tabloid feeding frenzy and lost in the first round at the Rio Olympics. Upon his arrival in New York, he acknowledged a recurring left wrist injury.But amid the chaos, Djokovic still has an opportunity to make a special kind of history: With a title here at the US Open, he and Roger Federer would be the only men to win three Grand Slam singles championships in a single season -- three different times. Djokovic and Rod Laver are the only ones besides Federer to do it twice.So, one of the leading questions of the fortnight: Can Djokovic check all that baggage at the door and focus on the daunting task at hand? Will he even be in the building when the finals and, presumably, the momentum-aplenty Andy Murray roll around?The early returns, as it were, were inconclusive. In the first US Open night match under Arthur Ashe Stadiums new roof on Monday night, Djokovic never looked completely comfortable in taking out Jerzy Janowicz 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, 6-1.There was, of course, drama -- how could there not be? Djokovic called for the ATP World Tour trainer in the first set to work on his right arm and, on a few occasions, grabbed at that offending limb. And then, Janowicz ran off with the second set. But Djokovic, scuffling, scrambling, sneakers squeaking under duress, bore down and produced a thoroughly professional win. There was even a sneaky serve-and-volley that helped nail down the third set.When it was over -- 2 hours and 37 minutes after it began -- Djokovic looked weary and quite relieved. The first on-court question concerned his health.Thank you for staying this late, Djokovic told the crowd. It was hard to put up a show after Phil Collins.And then he broke into a song, I Cant Dance, made popular by the drummers former band, Genesis. Collins performed on opening night at Arthur Ashe Stadium.I cant dance, I cant talk, Djokovic sang. The only thing about me is the way I walk.Sorry, sorry. I had to do it. I promised myself Im going to do it.Djokovic did not address his wrist and arm injuries until prodded a second time.Look you know, its never easy to play at this level throughout the year, he said eventually. There are days and weeks when youre not feeling youre 100 percent.I dont think its necessary to talk about this now.There will be plenty of time for that before Wednesdays second-round match against Jiri Vesely, who beat Djokovic in their only meeting, earlier this year in Monte Carlo.Ultimately, this was a predictable first-time result -- an outcome actors Alec Baldwin and Susan Sarandon, fashion designer Vera Wang, former boxer Mike Tyson and chef Emeril Lagasse probably came out to see -- between players who are ranked No. 1 and No. 247 in the world.Djokovic has never, ever lost a Grand Slam match to a player ranked outside the top 100; he pushed his record to 33-0. The winner of the seasons first two Slams, the Australian Open and French Open, Djokovic is a scalding 52-5 for the year.Janowicz, on the other hand, has yet to win an ATP-level match this year. A surprise Wimbledon semifinalist three years ago, the 25-year-old Pole was forced to sit out between January and July with knee and back injuries.The 2007 junior finalist has lost his past five Grand Slam singles matches and is still looking for his second career US Open win. But there were real flashes that suggest hell soon be competitive again.When it was over, Djokovic slowly walked toward the net with an exceptionally somber expression on his face. Even his signature celebration to all four corners of the arena seemed to take unusual concentration and effort.Djokovic finds himself the defending US Open champion and seeks his third title overall. Hes now a sparkling 20-1 in Arthur Ashe night matches at the US Open.I feel like when I step in here, its in a dark tunnel but there is always a light, Djokovic said. At Arthur Ashe, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.Right now, that light looks awfully far away. Stitched Nike NBA Jerseys . Once again Jordan Cieciwa (@FitCityJordan) and I (@LynchOnSports) go head to head in our picks. Last weekend at UFC Fight Night 32 my #TeamLynch got the best of #TeamJC by a score of 9-6. Let us know which side youre on for UFC 167 use the hashtag #TeamLynch or #TeamJC on Twitter. Cheap NBA Jerseys China . The Lightning are 2-0 so far on a four-game road trip, giving the club five straight wins as the guest and improving Tampas away record this season to 11-8-2. http://www.cheapjerseysnba.com/ . The quest begins with what is supposed to be an easy one, although Germany has traditionally been a stubborn opponent to Canadian teams at international tournaments. Discount NBA Jerseys . The news was first reported on Gonzalezs Twitter account and confirmed by the Rockies. Gonzalez has a six-week window before position players have their first workout at spring training in Arizona. NBA Jerseys China . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. Anthony Joshua insists a shelved fight with Wladimir Klitschko has not dampened his motivation to defend his IBF world heavyweight title against Eric Molina.The 2012 Olympic gold medallist makes a second defence of his IBF strap against stand-in opponent Molina at the Manchester Arena on Dec. 10, after a fight against Klitschko fell through.After the Klitschko fight was put back until at least spring 2017, Joshua was linked to a clash with fellow Briton David Price. While that bout may have been more popular in the UK, Joshua said he was not being distracted by future fights or that he underestimated his American opponent.Nothing has changed, I always knew I would have someone who is game and everyone is going to up their levels by 50 or 60 percent when there is a championship belt on the table, Joshua said.I have to put Wladimir Klitschko or David Price or whoever is in pecking order to the back of mind. If I was sparring for Klitschko or Molina you have the same ambition, and thats to win.Former world heavyweight No.1 Klitschko, who was champion for over nine years until losing on points to Briton Tyson Fury nearly a year ago, lies in wait for Joshua so long as he beats Molina. Joshua-Klitschko is being lined up for March or April and possibly at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.Joshua was due to face Klitschko until the Ukrainian suffered a slight calf injury in training and it was also decided there was not enough time to promote the fight.Joshua, though, is not the first world champion Molina has faced. Thee 34-year-old was knocked out in the ninth round when he challenged fellow American Deontay Wilder for the WBC strap last year.ddddddddddddt took massive courage to step in that ring with Deontay Wilder who is known as a one-punch knockout artists and he stood up to a lot of his punches so that shows what he is made of, Joshua said.You can expect the usual: combinations and a good night of boxing. This a gladiatorial sport, we put our lives on the line.Molina has registered two stoppage wins since losing to Wilder, including a 10th round knockout of former world cruiserweight and light-heavyweight champion Tomasz Adamek in April. The Texan insists he deserves his shot at Joshuas world title as he aims to become the first professional opponent to avoid getting knocked out by the Londoner.Hes going to have the toughest fight of his career -- thats a guarantee, Molina said.This is the heavyweight division and what makes it so exciting is that any one punch can change the fight and I bring that to the table. If you slip up you end up on your back and hes a clever guy and I think he appreciates that.The experience that Ive got, I just dont see him running over me. In this game when you lose, everyone leaves your side, but Ive had to do it the hard way and Ive earned my ticket here.We had a lot of momentum heading in to the Adamek fight and Im thankful for this opportunity and Im ready to go. ' ' '