CITY » his solo shot off Toronto starter J.A. Happ in the sixth.

On the biggest tennis stage in the world, Angelique Kerber will go for her first US Open title on Saturday. Win or lose, the 28-year-old will be the new No. 1 player in the world on Monday.A world away at her parents house in Belarus, the woman who beat Kerber at the 2015 US Open will be watching. The 27-year-old Victoria Azarenka is a former No. 1 and a two-time US Open runner-up. She had won three titles this season and was 2-1 against Kerber.That was before she found out she was pregnant.It was interesting. Its tough to describe that, Azarenka said of learning that she and her boyfriend would be parents by the end of the year. I dont think you can ever prepare yourself for that. It was just great for me to have such a positive response from my friends and my family. That just made me very comfortable because obviously you feel scared no matter what. ...But at first, its not just me as a person, its me as a tennis player, as a businesswoman, so these [factors] were taken into consideration.Since stepping away from the Tour in July, Azarenka has made a routine out of not having a daily routine.Because one day she can feel drastically different than the next, she is changing up her workouts and only playing tennis occasionally. She was playing three times a week with a friend, but she toned that down at her doctors urging. I cant leave that competitiveness feeling out of me, she said.The last time we played it got a little too intense, so my doctor told me to relax. They said I need to slow down. Its just who I am to be like that, but I just need to do a better job at that now.The two-time Australian Open champion, who was ranked No. 6 when she stepped away, will begin taking classes at UCLA in a few weeks, working toward a degree in business. Calling it something she has wanted to do for some time, Azarenka has five years to complete the flexible program geared to those who are already in the working world.She even toyed with the idea of going to Flushing Meadows to watch the US Open in person, but decided to spend some time in Belarus with her American boyfriend instead.Were just doing a lot of regular daily activities, she said. Im still working out, but most of the time, its just quality time with my family and working on some ideas off-court and getting into some other things that I dont normally have time to.Despite the seven-hour time difference between Belarus and New York, Azarenka still has watched much of the US Open -- and shared her observations on Twitter.Calling it an educational experience, Azarenka is relishing in the rare opportunity to be a spectator. Knowing she will one day be back competing, and that she isnt missing out on an opportunity she wont have again, has allowed her to enjoy watching as a fan.Im obviously not as attached as I normally would be before, but I actually feel a lot more engaged, said Azarenka, who fell in love with Arthur Ashe Stadium in 2005 when she won the juniors title as a 16-year-old. When you just play for yourself, you mostly focus on yourself, and you really dont get to watch many other matches. I never even look at the draw. This is probably the first time Ive looked at the draw, both mens and womens, and tried to follow my friends and see whats happening.Ive also been listening to a lot of commentary and some shows. When you play, you really just want to block out all that noise. Its been interesting to see this different dynamic.Interesting, maybe, but one that she hopes doesnt last long. Azarenka plans to resume competitive training as soon as possible after the birth of her child and return to the Tour sometime next year.I hope Ill have enough time to be ready and feel good about playing in New York next year, she said.Returning after pregnancy certainly wont be easy, but its not unprecedented, either. Kim Clijsters came back to the sport in 2008, one year after the birth of her daughter. She went on to win two more US Open titles and one at the Australian Open. Azarenka hasnt had a chance to speak to the retired Belgian star, but hopes to in the near future.Among the tips Clijsters could potentially share is the answer to a relatively simple, yet crucial, question: Where are the daycare facilities at the tournaments located? Azarenka doesnt know now, but she knows shes going to have to find them and get used to the reality of being a working mom traveling all over the globe.Shes certain there will be help along the way.Serena texted me to say she cant wait to meet my baby, so maybe shell want to babysit once in a while, she said with a laugh.While it is impossible to pinpoint exactly when she will return, she does know one thing. She will definitely be back and with just as much as fire and dedication as ever before.The beauty of tennis is, theres always next year. And, for that matter, theres always next week. I dont want to rush anything, but I want to absolutely make sure that when I do come back, Im as determined as I was before. Cheap NHL Jerseys China . -- The St. Johns IceCaps weathered a wild first period with the help of goaltender Jussi Olkinuora, before finding offensive inroads in the second. Cheap NHL Jerseys Store . 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OAKLAND, Calif. -- Two days after striking out on an unexpected two-seam fastball from John Axford, Toronto slugger Josh Donaldson had a much better view of things when he faced the Oakland Athletics reliever again.This time Donaldson didnt get fooled and prevented the Blue Jays from getting swept in their first series coming out of the All-Star break.Donaldson hit a tiebreaking two-run double off Axford with two outs in the ninth against his former team and Toronto held on to beat Oakland 5-3 on Sunday to avoid a series sweep.He just started throwing a two-seamer and I didnt really know he had that, Donaldson said of Axford. He busted it out on me (Friday), a good pitch. Today I was able to see it and get in a favorable count where I could zone it up more.Donaldson, who was traded to the Blue Jays by the As prior to the 2015 season, also singled and scored in the first inning to help Toronto win after Oakland starter Rich Hill left the game with a blister on his finger in the opening inning.Troy Tulowitzki homered while Russell Martin and Justin Smoak added two hits apiece for Toronto.The Blue Jays needed it after losing their first two games coming out of the All-Star break to fall four games behind first place Baltimore in the AL East.We desperately needed that as a team, Toronto manager John Gibbons said. We had the little lead, they came back and tied it. Thats a big win for us.Smoak and Junior Lake hit consecutive one-out singles off John Axford (3-3) in the ninth. Devon Travis struck out looking before Donaldson lined a 2-1 pitch down the left-field line to drive in pinch-runner Andy Burns and Lake.Donaldson, who played in Oakland from 2010-14, was greeted with a rousing ovation and chants of MVP, MVP from the crowd of 21,626 at the Coliseum.This is where it all started for me so its always nice to see, Donaldson said. TTheres a few faces over there I remember.ddddddddddddIts good to see the fans and be able to play out here.Jason Grilli (3-1) retired three batters for the win. Roberto Osuna pitched the ninth for his 19th save.Marcus Semien homered for the As.Nice little fight until the end, Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. They got a key hit when they had to in the ninth.Tulowitzki hit his 16th home run of the season off Sean Manaea in the fourth. Its Tulowitzkis eighth home run in 23 games since coming off the disabled list June 17.Semien became the fifth shortstop in As history to reach 20 home runs in one season with his solo shot off Toronto starter J.A. Happ in the sixth. Yonder Alonso added a tying pinch-hit two-run double in the same inning.HAPP HIT TWICEHapp had won six consecutive starts but left after getting hit by line drives twice, including once near his left elbow by Jake Smolinskis liner in the fifth. The Blue Jays lefty allowed three runs over 5 2/3 innings with five strikeouts and one walk. Hopefully hell be fine, but you never know if its going to stiffen up on him, Gibbons said. He gutted it out. That doesnt surprise me. Ive seen him get hit in the head.TRAINERS ROOMAthletics: Triggs was diagnosed with a bruised left calf. . Left-hander Ross Detwiler, acquired from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for cash, was sent to Triple-A Nashville.UP NEXTBlue Jays: RHP Aaron Sanchez (9-1) pitches the opener of a two-game series in Arizona on Tuesday. He has eight consecutive wins and a 2.87 ERA since suffering his lone loss of the season to Oakland on April 22.Athletics: RHP Kendall Graveman (5-6) starts against Houston on Monday at the Coliseum. Graveman beat the Astros in his most recent outing July 9. ' ' '