statement and from the praise du Plessis heaped on him,

NEW YORK -- During player introductions before the nights final match on Arthur Ashe Stadium, the American received polite applause, the Argentine hearty cheers.Fact is, the U.S. Open faithful clearly consider 2009 champ Juan Martin del Potro an honorary New Yorker. And Steve Johnson is still establishing his credentials as the top mens player from the host nation.Johnson did win fans with a casual behind-the-back shot during his straight-set, second-round loss Thursday. It didnt win him the rally, though, and indeed came at a critical juncture. Del Potro wound up with triple break point, and he converted to get the second set back on serve. That was part of a run of seven straight games as he took control for what would be a 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-2 victory.Had a bad 10 or 15 minutes where shots were kind of going sideways in the second when I was up a break, Johnson said. Kind of unfortunate timing for a bit of a dry spell on my side.The Argentine even did Johnson one better early in the third set with a between-the-legs shot -- he eventually won that point, though not the game.Based on the rankings, Johnson was the overwhelming favorite; hes seeded 19th, while del Potro is No. 142 in the world. Some numbers, however, that were far more relevant to Thursdays matchup:- Johnson has never made it past the round of 16 at a major or been ranked in the top 20.- Del Potro is a former top-five player and a two-time Olympic singles medalist who has defeated three of the U.S. Opens top four seeds since the start of Wimbledon.The fans in New York still remember how del Potro rallied to stun five-time defending champ Roger Federer in the 2009 final. And they appreciate how hes come back from the three left wrist surgeries that had him contemplating retirement.Its amazing for me having this love from there, del Potro said.He upset Stan Wawrinka at Wimbledon, then topped Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal at the Olympics before pushing Andy Murray to four grueling sets in the gold-medal match.Johnson had noted last week that if del Potro received a wild card into the U.S. Open, it was possible the Argentine could eliminate an American in the first round. As it turned out, del Potro knocked Johnson out in the second.Just kind of a bummer I played him today, Johnson said. Thats about it. He deserved the wild card. Finalist in the Olympics and had Andy on the ropes.Johnson is just 15 months younger than del Potro, but when the Argentine was winning the U.S. Open at age 20, the American was playing in college at Southern California. Hes proving that path can lead to a fruitful pro career, reaching a career-best ranking this summer. He briefly overtook his buddy John Isner for the top ranking among American men, though Johnson insists he considers Isner the No. 1 no matter what the numbers say.Thursday was his first career match on Ashe, the court where del Potro won his major title seven years ago. But because of nagging injuries to both wrists, the Argentine hadnt made it to the third round at Flushing Meadows since 2012.On Thursday, del Potros serve -- not his signature forehand -- was the difference. He had 15 aces and won 85 percent of the points on his first serve. Johnson grinded through five sets in the first round, and del Potro said he could tell in the latter stages Thursday his opponent was fatigued, so the Argentine played more aggressively.Ashes new roof was closed for Thursday nights first match, but after that ended, it was opened for del Potro-Johnson with no further rain -- supposedly -- in the forecast. Except in the middle of the first set, a few drops started falling during a changeover. 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Sneakers Online Uk Sale . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. If you wanted to know how badly South Africa wanted to win 5-0, you need look no further than Imran Tahir. In the 38th over, with Australia requiring 119 runs at more than nine an over, and shortly after David Warner had survived a lbw appeal, Tahir took it on himself to tell Warner who was boss. He sprayed down a shower of words which lasted into the next over and took the intervention of the umpires, the captain Faf du Plessis and Hashim Amla to calm down.While Warner said he had no idea, what set Tahir off, du Plessis explained it was merely a case of the legspinner following through on his request for South Africa to boss the opposition with body language.He wears his heart on his sleeve. He loves doing well. I havent seen him like that but it just shows how badly he wanted to win the game, du Plessis said. He realised David Warner was playing a great knock and he had to try and get under his skin. They had a few words.Whether Tahir will be punished by the ICC remains to be seen but as far as du Plessis is concerned, his only crime was passion. I dont see anything wrong with that. When Immi was done, they put their arms around each others shoulder said lets have a beer afterwards. Immi is obviously going to have a glass of water, du Plessis joked.The major damage Tahir inflicted on Australia was not of the verbal kind, though. In his first over, Tahir struck a double-blow when he bowled both Aaron Finch and Steven Smith and derailed Australias chase. After bbeing rested from the Port Elizabeth game in favour of Tabraiz Shamsi, Tahir wanted to make a statement and from the praise du Plessis heaped on him, he made it loud and clear.ddddddddddddHe is an absolute gun, du Plessis said. He is the reason we are where we are in one-day cricket. He is a competitor, he wants to win games and he wanted to show everyone that he is still our No.1 which he is. He is my banker.Tahir was not the only standout from South Africas win. Rilee Rossouw batted with a fractured finger to score his third ODI hundred and first of the series, Andile Phehlukwayo topped the wicket-takers list and JP Duminy scored a second half-century in the series to ensure South Africa had contributions from several sides. Ultimately, the team effort is what du Plessis hopes will be the legacy of this series, in which South Africa made history by white-washing Australia.We didnt expect 5-0; we just wanted to beat the Aussies, du Plessis said. And then when we got to 3-0, it was important for us to make sure we dont take our foot off the gas. We wanted to make history and we did that.Its a special feeling. I am hoping tomorrow when we wake up, we will see this incredible team effort and it will last a long time. I am incredibly proud to sit here and be captain of a side that has done that. We were a team right through the series. ' ' '