Medien Diskussion » s movement and leaving him on the defensive. Th

TROON, Scotland -- The pubs and bars in this quiet Scottish town had better ensure their cellars are fully stocked this weekend because Andrew Johnston is going for Open glory.The Englishman carded a second successive round of 69 to sit at 4 under and just six off leader Phil Mickelsons pace?headed into the weekend at Royal Troon.And one can only imagine the sort of party he would throw if he triumphed in his home major championship. This is, after all, the man who told ESPN he would be drunk for a week if he won the U.S. Open last month.Johnston, known as Beef to friends and fans alike, has developed something of a cult following with his bright persona, and the 27-year-old was unashamed in his ambition going into this weekend -- hes in Troon to win the big one.Why not? Johnston said when asked if he could catch Mickelson. Youve got to believe. If youre in the tournament, why cant you win it? But its miles off. Weve still got two rounds to go.Fridays wet and wild conditions stood in stark contrast to the balmy sunshine of Thursday, and Johnston caught the worst of the pouring rain as he teed off his second round shortly after 8 a.m. local time. But the world No. 104 insisted it was a case of mind over matter as the rain lashed down on the South Ayrshire coast.Youve just make sure youre concentrating, Johnston said. I dont like wearing too many layers -- I said to my caddie, I dont mind if I get a bit wet. As long as the clubs are dry and my hands are dry, Im happy.Johnstons broad grin and bushy beard mark him out as a character to follow on the course. He once celebrated a hole-in-one at the BMW PGA Championship by chest-bumping with a friend in the gallery, and spectators at Royal Troon have warmed to him as they await the first British winner here since Arthur Havers in 1923.But for all the laughs and antics, there should be no doubt over how seriously Johnston is taking his Open tilt, and he refused to let thoughts of lifting the Claret Jug cloud his concentration ahead of the traditional third-round moving day.Youre obviously thinking about whats going to happen Saturday and Sunday, but realistically you just got to stop talking about that, Johnston said. Now weve got 36 holes to play, so theres no point even thinking about it.Ive just got to go out and play tomorrow and see what happens after that and evaluate after the third round and go on from there.I dreamt of this as a kid, playing in these events and people shouting your name. I absolutely love it. 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Aledmys Diaz Jersey . "Theyve both been real good," said Babcock. "Havent changed our minds." A decision has seemingly been made - Sundays Group B-deciding tilt against Finland ahead - but it could not have been an easy one. Price opened the tournament with a sturdy 19-save performance against the Norwegians, yielding just one goal. PARIS -- Rafael Nadal groused last week that he was playing so badly he might soon be home fishing in Mallorca. Then came a transformation. Nadal stood at the net following his latest French Open win wearing that familiar crooked grin, clay caked on his arm, his leg and even the back of his shirt, landlocked and loving it. The fish were spared, and Nadal has lately enjoyed smooth sailing at Roland Garros heading into his semifinal showdown Friday against top-ranked Novak Djokovic. After falling behind in each of his first three matches, Nadal has won 12 consecutive sets. Hes 57-1 at Roland Garros and on the verge of becoming the first man to win eight titles at the same Grand Slam event. "I really am playing better here," he said. "I said I needed to make a change. I was confident that I can do it, and I did." And so hes ready to renew his rivalry with Djokovic. The winner will play for the title Sunday against No. 4-seeded David Ferrer or No. 6 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who meet in the other semifinal. Tsongas trying to become the first Frenchman since Yannick Noah in 1983 to win Roland Garros, and partisan Parisians might consider his match the main event Friday. But Nadal vs. Djokovic has the feel of a final, and its a match much anticipated since the draw was announced two weeks ago. Because Nadals ranking slipped during a recent injury layoff, he and Djokovic wound up in the same half of that draw. As a result, theyll meet before the final at a major event for the first time in five years. While tennis players are known to complain, neither Nadal nor Djokovic seems to mind meeting in the semifinals. "I dont want to talk about what if," Djokovic said. "Its going to be a good match." Nadals 19-15 against Djokovic, including 12-3 on clay, 6-3 in Grand Slam events and 4-0 at the French Open. Nadal won when they met in the final at Roland Garros a year ago. But he bristled at the suggestion hes the favourite this time. "I dont care at all," he said through a translator. "Frankly, what words could I find to tell you? I mean, what else can I say? I try and play my best tennis, and the least of my concerns is to know if Im favoured or not. These are words that will be carried away by the wind." He knows too well that Djokovics dangerous even on Nadals best surface. The Serb won their most recent meeting six weeks ago in the Monte Carlo final on clay, although that was best-of-three sets, rather than the more grueling Grand Slam format that plays to Nadals strength. "Its tough to compare," Djokovic said. &"Its best-of-five here, Grand Slam, different conditions.dddddddddddd But still, there is some kind of mental edge maybe if you win against or lose against somebody in the previous encounters. ... I have a good game for him because my style is to be aggressive, but I can also defend well and have that transition game. Im going to be confident and step into the court with self-belief that I can win." Djokovic has cause for confidence. The six-time Grand Slam champion has reached the semifinals at 12 consecutive major tournaments, and hes 33-4 this year. "Im glad that I have been playing very consistent and always playing my best tennis in the Grand Slams," he said. "Thats what I want." Roland Garros is the only major title he has yet to win, but with two more victories this week, he would become the eighth man to complete a career Grand Slam. And he has beaten Nadal more than any other player. "I know what it takes to win against him," Djokovic said. Hes one of only two players to defeat Nadal this year. Since returning in February from his seven-month layoff because of a left knee injury, Nadal is 41-2 with six titles. But he looked vulnerable when the French Open began, dropping the opening set in each of his first two matches -- remarkable considering he has lost only 16 sets in nine years at Roland Garros. His shots lacked their usual depth and sting, and there was speculation his troublesome knees were hindering his movement and leaving him on the defensive. Then the heat rose in Paris, and Nadal warmed to his task. "It has always been the case: The deeper I go, the better I play usually," Nadal said. "Its the same this year. Its the same old story." In recent matches the left-hander has looked much more comfortable striking the ball, his vicious saw-blade topspin reducing each opponents one-handed backhand to shreds. Djokovic has a two-handed backhand. He also has the superior serve, the larger repertoire of shots and plenty of motivation. He has listed the French Open as his most important tournament this year. And when his childhood coach died last week in Belgrade, he said he wanted to win the title for her. But the match also means plenty to Nadal, his clay-court reign at stake each time he takes the court. "Im going to be nervous," he said. "If not, go home and do another thing. Because if you are not nervous to play the semifinals against the best player of the world, its because you are not enjoying or you dont feel passion for this game." Fishing can wait. ' ' '