Second Thoughts

Wozniacki, Isner battle at fault line

John Isner, of the United States, during a match with Sam Querrey, of the United States, at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015, in Mason, Ohio.
John Isner, of the United States, during a match with Sam Querrey, of the United States, at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015, in Mason, Ohio.

American John Isner, the No. 13 seed, began play in the U.S. Open with a 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Malek Jaziri on Tuesday afternoon in New York.

photo

AP

Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, reacts after a point against Jamie Loeb, of the United States, during the first round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015, in New York.

photo

AP

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) runs on the field for pregame against the Cleveland Browns before an NFL game at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015.

Isner's news conference following the match was interrupted by Caroline Wozniacki, who also won Tuesday and was waiting for her own news conference.

A reporter asked Isner how much confidence he was feeling going into the U.S. Open.

"Yeah, a lot of confidence," Isner said. "I played well this summer. It started in Atlanta, and I played well in D.C. and Montreal. Went deep three tournaments in a row, and it really did a number on me physically. I lost a super tough match in Montreal where I left it all out on the court there and didn't have much in Cincinnati.

"I'm rested up and I'm ready to go. I'm happy to get off the court today in a quick fashion, ala Caroline Wozniacki. I don't win many matches like that. I don't win 0-0 like she does.

That's when Wozniacki walked into the interview room and some good-natured back-and-forth began.

"Just because you have been playing really well leading up to the U.S. Open, you're close to the top 10 again, doesn't mean that you should push my press conference out," Wozniacki said. "I would appreciate being you being on time?"

"Now that I'm close to the top 10, Caroline is actually talking to me again," Isner said. "When I was ranked like 90, she would walk right by me. If I could get in single digits, I think I can get some of Caroline's attention. That's my goal."

"I was standing in the hallway and you walked straight past me," Wozniacki said.

"I didn't see you," said Isner, who stands 6-10.

"He says, 'I didn't see you,' " Wozniacki said. "It happens twice in a row and I said, 'Well, then look down.' "

"I have to get in single digits," Isner said. "This is my incentive. Caroline talks to me if I get in single digits."

"Will you be on time then?" Wozniacki asked.

"Yes, I apologize. That's my bad," Isner said. "Are you next?"

"I'm not here just for fun," Wozniacki replied as the room erupted in laughter.

"You never know," Isner said.

"No offense," Wozniacki said.

"I thought you really wanted to watch my press conference," Isner said.

Not a chance

Tim Cowlishaw of The Dallas Morning News doesn't expect Robert Griffin III to be a Dallas Cowboy.

The Washington Redskins announced Monday that Griffin will back up Kirk Cousins to start the season.

"As a rookie, Griffin threw 20 touchdown passes to go with five interceptions while leading Washington to the playoffs," Cowlishaw wrote. "Cowboys owner Jerry Jones admitted that it was going to be a challenge to face him twice year after year.

"In two seasons since, Griffin has missed 10 games with injury, thrown for 20 touchdowns with 18 interceptions and 11 fumbles and, most importantly, he no longer strikes fear into opposing defenses as a running threat after so many injuries.

"Could a team with less realistic Super Bowl hopes than the Cowboys see Griffin as a worthwhile risk? I'd say it's possible, but his $6.7 million salary cap hit this season makes that problematic for anyone.

"For now, Griffin's simply a backup. But being that it's the Redskins, Griffin will get another chance because you know things will change sooner than expected.

"When someone compared the team's soap opera nature to the Kardashians, Fox's Troy Aikman said, 'I don't think that's fair. I don't think the Kardashians are nearly as dysfunctional.' "

SPORTS QUIZ

Which team eliminated the Washington Redskins from the 2012 NFL playoffs?

ANSWER

The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Redskins 24-14 in a NFC wild-card game at Landover, Md.

Sports on 09/02/2015

Upcoming Events