Chat-World » ths ago. The 30-year-old, who stepped up from his role

NEW YORK -- Since Christina McHale won a first-set tiebreaker against her idol Serena Williams at Wimbledon last month, shes played three tournaments and World Team Tennis to prepare for the U.S. Open.Before considering a rematch, McHale needs to defeat first-round opponent Mona Barthel of Germany on Monday.McHale hasnt advanced past the third round of a Grand Slam, but her confidence grew after a 6-7 (7), 6-2, 6-4 loss to the eventual Wimbledon champion, who earned a record-tying 22nd major singles title.There were a lot of positives I took from my Serena match, McHale said. The first and most important for me being that I can compete with the best. That match has really motivated me to keep working and improving.McHale served well early and kept Williams off balance in winning the tiebreaker during the second-round match at Wimbledon. In the second set, McHale went up 40-15 on serve, with two chances to take a 3-0 lead.But she double-faulted and Williams ran off 11 straight points. McHale also double-faulted on a game point and Williams attacked her second serves to break for 5-4.It was a lesson in thought management for the 24-year-old McHale.You think about the big picture all of a sudden, Billie Jean King said. Your brain goes from one ball at a time to, `Oh crap, Im up playing for 3-0 and Im up a set already. I should win this.McHale played nearly every day for two weeks in early August for the New York Empire in the World Team Tennis league co-founded by King. The tennis great knows its important to stay focused and relaxed during critical points.Serena talks about being in the zone, King said. Everybody understands that means stay in the present and be in the now. It sounds so easy. Before the point is how you tee it up and get ready. Seventy-five percent of the time in the match, you are not hitting a ball.McHale started playing tennis in Hong Kong, where she lived from age 3 to 8 and learned to speak Mandarin. She also was a competitive swimmer growing up in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. She turned pro in 2010, and last year, she moved to South Florida to train at the USTA National Tennis Center in Boca Raton.Her older sister Lauren graduated from North Carolina, where she played tennis for the Tar Heels. Lauren is engaged to American tennis player Ryan Harrison.Christina reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 24 in 2012. Shes coached by Jorge Todero, who has guided her the last five years. McHale has posted wins over former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki and Grand Slam champions Victoria Azarenka, Petra Kvitova and Svetlana Kuznetsova.Hes gotten me to use my forehand more, McHale said of the Argentine. I try to hit as many forehands as I can, go to my strength in the pressure moments.Shes currently ranked 55th with a 31-20 record this year. Her first serve percentage is just 59 percent, with 64 percent of those points won. Shes had 119 aces and 136 double-faults.After Wimbledon, McHale upset eighth-seeded Monica Niculescu at the Citi Open in Washington in mid-July. She then lost to Jessica Pegula, daughter of Buffalo Bills and Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula, 7-5, 6-2.She bowed out in the second round in Montreal at the Rogers Cup, but joined Asia Muhammad to defeat the top-ranked doubles team of Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza 6-3, 6-4 in the quarterfinals before losing in the semifinals.McHale, who recently reached the second round in Cincinnati, is among 19 American women in the U.S. Open. Next up is Barthel, who she beat in matchups in Seoul in 2014 and Madrid in 2015.If McHale gets past her, shell play the winner of Roberta Vinci vs. Anna-Lena Friedsam. Vinci took out Williams in the semifinals of the U.S. Open last year, ending the quest for a calendar year Grand Slam.Patrick McEnroe, who coached the Empire and McHale, calls her a grinder.Shes right there. Ive always been impressed with her work ethic, said McEnroe, who previously helped McHale while leading the USTA player developmental program. From the first time I saw her, shes really been committed to putting in the work to be the best she can be. Jerian Grant Jersey . -- If Henry Burris has his way, he will be the starting quarterback to lead the Hamilton Tiger-Cats back to the Grey Cup next year. Grant Hill Magic Jersey . Halladay signed a one-day contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday that allowed the veteran right-hander to retire as a member of team with which he broke into the majors and spent the bulk of his distinguished 16-year career. http://www.magicauthentic.com/kids-nikola-vucevic-magic-jersey/ . Coach Tom Thibodeau says the former MVP will probably start travelling with the team in the next few weeks. Rose tore the meniscus in his right knee at Portland in November and was ruled out for the remainder of the season by the Bulls. Aaron Gordon Jersey . Thousands of fans at Mosaic Stadium will be cozying up to each other in an effort to stay warm in chilly temperatures and block the Prairie wind that locals say can knock your socks off. Dwight Howard Jersey . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday.Ladies boss Scott Rogers insists Liverpool are in great shape and has praised the one-club mentality Jurgen Klopp has helped instill since his arrival at Anfield 13 months ago. The 30-year-old, who stepped up from his role as Matt Beards assistant to take charge of Liverpool Ladies in October last year, was invited to Melwood by Klopp last month to watch the first-team train and talk tactics.It was a fantastic opportunity for me as a young coach to tap into his knowledge and experience, Rogers told Sky Sports at Liverpool Ladies end-of-season awards dinner at Anfield. Rogers says Liverpool are in a very positive place I learnt a lot in the time that I spent with him. He was very welcoming and said that we [my assistant Phil Backhouse and I] can come down whenever we want and that just shows the one-club mentality we have here at Liverpool, and the fact that hes prepared to support me and my staff in our development.Im told that at every club that Jurgen has been at he has adopted this one-club mentality. Hes a big believer in that its one big family. I think were in a very positive place as a football club - both the mens and the womens teams - and thats down to everyone at the club. Liverpool and Liverpool Ladies launched the 2016-17 kit together (pic: Liverpool FC) Liverpool sit top of the Premier League for the first time since 2014, despite rivals Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal dwarfing their transfer spending over the summer.Jurgen buys into the team ethic. You dont the need the most money in the world. Its only 11 v 11 on the pitch, Rogers added.If you can get the players to buy into how you want to play, and your philosophies and beliefs, you can be successful. Hes come in and freshened the place up and the football is exciting again.ddddddddddddhe way the mens team is playing at the minute is fantastic, arguably they are the best in the league and hes been a breath of fresh air. Caroline Weir was named Fans Player of the Season and was presented with her award by ex-gymnast Beth Tweddle Klopp paid tribute to Ladies skipper Gemma Bonner via a pre-recorded video message shown on the big screen at the Beautiful Game Suite inside Liverpools new Main Stand during Monday nights awards.Two-time title winning captain Bonner was presented with a special recognition award for her service to the club and Rogers is banking on the Leeds-born central defender to feature prominently for his side going forward.Gemma has been fantastic for me and has put a lot of trust in me as a young manager by signing a new contract [last November], he said. Liverpool legend John Aldridge with award winners Sophie Ingle and Gemma Bonner (R) Shes bought into what I want to do, shes a great role model for the club and I want to keep her here long-term.Rogers was also full of praise for Wales international Sophie Ingle who scooped the Players Player of the Year award after a sterling debut season at the club following her move from Bristol at the turn of the year.Sophie has been brilliant, Rogers admitted. I knew what I was getting when I signed her. Her passing range is unbelievable and she really doesnt know how good she is. Shes a fantastic footballer who reads the game really well and can play in numerous positions. Also See: Liverpool video Liverpool fixtures Liverpool stats Get a ￡10 free bet! ' ' '