NEW YORK -- The last time the two womens finalists at this U.S. Open, Angelique Kerber of Germany and Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic, played each other, it really was no contest.Pliskova dominated the higher-ranked and more-experienced Kerber, not merely winning in straight sets, but dropping only four games along the way.Like Saturdays matchup, the one three weeks ago was played on a hard court.Like Saturday, there was a title at stake.There are, however, some key differences, including that the earlier one was at a run-of-the-mill event and the upcoming one is at a Grand Slam tournament. And, perhaps most significantly of all when it comes to the outcome this time, when Kerber lost at Cincinnati in August, she knew she had to win to make her debut at No. 1 in the WTA rankings -- whereas now, shes guaranteed of wresting the top spot from Serena Williams on Monday, regardless of what happens in Arthur Ashe Stadium.So while there is still a lot on the line, of course -- millions of dollars, a major trophy -- Kerber does not have to deal with the pressure of trying to ascend to No. 1. Shes already assured of that.That was always a dream for me, the No. 2-seeded Kerber said after beating Caroline Wozniacki 6-4, 6-3 in the semifinals Thursday night, when 10th-seeded Pliskova upset Williams 6-2, 7-6 (5). I was trying to not think too much the whole last few weeks about this, and now I reach it. So its something really special for me.All in all, its been quite a special 2016 for Kerber.This will be her third appearance in a Grand Slam title match: She beat Williams in the Australian Open final in January, then lost to the American in the Wimbledon final in July.Kerber has a tour-leading 53 match wins, two titles and now three runs to major finals this season, which accounts for her move up.She gets a lot of balls back. She also knows how to change the pace. She gets good angles. And, yeah, shes playing really well, said Wozniacki, who spent 67 weeks atop the WTA, finishing 2010 and 2011 at No. 1.You know, its not a lot of people who have been No. 1. Its a huge thing. She definitely has a target on her back now. Everyone wants to beat the No. 1 player in the world. Shes going to enjoy it. First, she has a match here that shes focused on.That comes against Pliskova, who never had been past the third round in 17 previous major appearances but became only the fourth woman to beat both Williams sisters during one Grand Slam tournament.I hope I didnt stop yet, that there is still one more step to go. Ill do anything for getting the title, Pliskova said. Even if I dont get it, its a big result. Im really happy to be there and even have the chance to play in the final here.The match offers an intriguing contrast in styles. As Venus and Serena Williams saw first-hand, the 6-foot-1 Pliskova goes right at opponents with big, flat groundstrokes and tough-to-handle serves. She averaged 109 mph on her first serves Thursday -- faster than the younger Williams, known for the best serve in the womens game -- and leads the tour in aces this year.The 5-foot-8 Kerber, meanwhile, is terrific at retrieving and counter-punching, dropping down to a knee at times along the baseline to get balls back.Her serve is a weakness: She was broken while serving for the match against Wozniacki, for example, and lost three service games in the first set alone of her quarterfinal against 2015 runner-up Roberta Vinci. Kerber acknowledged that aspect of her game will be key on Saturday.She also said she wants to try to control points more than she did the last time she faced Pliskova.I was just pushing too much the balls there, Kerber said, so I think I will change this a little bit. 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Returning NBA champ Matthew Dellavedova says he still cant comprehend the scale of Clevelands celebrations in the wake of the Cavaliers breakthrough win.Dellavedova landed back in Melbourne on Wednesday after a week of revelry and recovery after Clevelands triumph.It was not only the Cavaliers first NBA title in their 46-year history but the citys first major sporting triumph in 52 years.The enthusiastic Australian relished the success but said he expected it would be the aftermath of the triumph that would stay with him forever.Strangers coming up to you, older people that are 45, 50 (years old) that havent seen a championship in their whole life, he said.Theyve got tears in their eyes as they shake your hand ... it gives me goosebumps thinking about it now.Its really hard to describe what it meant to the city of Cleveland - the outpouring of love and emotion.For the city and the team, its something that I dont know anyone had seen before.The nature of the NBA beast means he might not bask in northheast Ohios glow for much longer.ddddddddddddThe 25-year-old is a free agent and subject to the ruthless off-season trading period that could send him anywhere across the league.The Cavaliers, featuring superstars LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and JR Smith, face significant salary-cap pressures.Dellavedova said he wanted to stay with the Cavs but was wise to the realities of the system.In the NBA, you never know whats going to happen. Ive had a great three years there and I hope we can figure something out, he said.With the amount of money they pay a lot of other guys, well have to see what happens.For now, though, its all about Rio.The tenacious point guard will compete at his second Olympics in August and heads into a training camp next week ahead of the Rio tournament.I really feel like the time is right to do something special. Theres that feeling in the group, he said. Jerseys NFL Cheap Wholesale NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap NFL Jerseys China Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap ' ' '