NEW YORK -- Barely 48 hours after Angelique Kerber waxed eloquent about how part of her championship journey this year included overcoming a tendency to lapse into negativity and express herself with adverse body language, there she was -- wagging her head, bouncing her racket, flipping her palms up in frustration.She had good reason. She had just lost control of the US Open final, making unexpected errors that allowed first-time Grand Slam finalist Karolina Pliskova a service break. The challenger, seeded No. 10, went on to win the second set. With the wind at her back, Pliskova then broke No. 2 Kerber to take a 2-1 lead in the third.It seemed that Kerber was about to produce an object lesson in how easily we regress to an earlier self, even if it isnt a better one. But Kerber had one more major surprise in store this year.She pulled out of her swoon, breaking Pliskova in the sixth game for 3-all. Suddenly the pessimistic mannerisms evaporated. Her energy level spiked, and her vaunted consistency returned. Kerber won it going away in a high-quality, 2-hour, 7-minute final, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.I was trying to change it [my negativity] in the third set, but it was not so easy because Karolina is a tough opponent, Kerber said. I just told myself, OK, stay positive. I was thinking a little bit of the [third set in the] final in Australia. I believed then my game, and I did it today, as well. So that was in my mind to stop the negative emotions.Kerbers victory over her doubts and the kind of perfectionism that too often yields disillusion in the ubertalented is the main theme of her spectacular year. It sets an example for all the other talented but flawed WTA contenders, and blows apart the theory that parity is inevitable. Whats even more remarkable is that she effected this transformation at a relatively late age.At 28, shes the oldest first-time No. 1 player, and just the fourth Open-era player to reach three Grand Slam finals in the same year she reached her first. Kerber upset top-seeded Serena Williams in the Australian Open final but lost the rematch at Wimbledon. They never met at the US Open. Li Na, now retired, is the only other woman who won her first two Grand Slam titles after 28.Kerber embarked on this year with two goals: She wanted to improve her fitness and wanted to be more aggressive, taking charge of points with an eye to finishing points when she had the opportunity. When you know you can run forever on court, youre not worried that you can play three sets, Kerber said. I think this is really important for your confidence.A string of close, frustrating losses in 2015 also convinced Kerber and her team that she needed to play more aggressive tennis. As with negativity, old habits are difficult to overcome. She had no trouble being aggressive in practice. In matches, she reverted to poking back the ball. Just to make the transfer to matches, that was the challenge, she said.Kerber made the transfer successfully in Australia, realizing the lifelong dream of every pro when she won a Grand Slam title. But in the ensuing months, she backslid. Her new status entailed obligations and a raft of pressures. Her results fluctuated wildly. She won Stuttgart, but lost her opening matches in the big combined clay-court tournaments in Madrid and Rome, and flamed out in the first round in the French Open. It was beginning to look like her run in Australia was just one of those things. More proof that nobody was really ready to step forward and make a bid to knock Williams off her No. 1 perch and take command of the WTA.Looking back, Kerber admits she just couldnt deal with the pressure when she arrived in Paris. But after she lost there, she went home and told herself, OK, just start practicing hard and go for it. You did it once, you still have two Grand Slams in front of you. Dont make things too complicated. Try to relax, enjoy every moment, get used to everything.Kerber has found her game and reinvented herself at an auspicious moment. With the Williams sisters grudgingly but inevitably giving more and more ground to age and injury, Kerber is not merely a nominal No. 1. She earned the honor the hard way, at Grand Slam events. She secured it with an impressive act of transformation. She showed that old habits and selves die hard, but they can be reformed.Definitely I would say now that [Kerber] deserves to be No. 1 because she did so well, Pliskova acknowledged after the final. She has two Grand Slam titles, one final, few other titles. Shes been just playing great this year, and constant. She deserve to be No. 1. And after years what Serena was there, I think its a nice change.Nice or not, it certainly makes for an interesting scenario for next year. NCAA Jerseys Wholesale Free Shipping . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. Cheap Jerseys . -- Most satisfying to Russ Smith about No. http://www.cheapnfljerseyschinasupply.net/ . First off, the fans ripped the Cubbies introduction of a fuzzy new kid-friendly mascot named "Clark". Baseball Jerseys . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. Soccer Jerseys . The Masters champion and winner of last weeks Australian PGA has a three-round total of 14-under 199 at Royal Melbourne. "Im in a really good position for tomorrow," Scott said. THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- If Jared Goff can avoid an NFL pass rush as gracefully as he dodges questions about his playing time, the Los Angeles Rams quarterback of the future will be a star.The Rams (3-4) still have no idea whether Goff has true star potential because the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft hasnt played a snap as they hit their bye week.As the newness of the Rams homecoming wears off, Goffs holding pattern has become the most compelling theme of another .500 season for a franchise that hasnt made the playoffs since 2004.Im confident in myself, Goff said this week after running the Rams first-team offense in practice. Im confident in what I can do. I feel like if my numbers get called, Ill be ready, but its not up to me to decide what that time is.Case Keenum has played all seven games for the Rams, and he will be their starter next weekend against Carolina. Few people suggest the steady Keenum is the main reason for the Rams wins or losses. But not even coach Jeff Fisher believes Keenum will suddenly lead a transformation in the NFLs 30th-ranked offense, which has struggled for consistency from everyone -- even running back Todd Gurley, the 2015 Offense Rookie of the Year.Los Angeles has lost three straight after a 3-1 start, and Keenum threw four interceptions in last weeks loss to the Giants in London. But Fisher remains steadfast in his decision to take his time with his prize draft acquisition, even while his team hovers near mediocrity yet again after four straight losing seasons under his watch.You just kind of wonder at some point, this thing is going to get turned around, Fisher said this week, turning a question into an answer. Thats where we are right now, is holding on to hope that the health of this football team, and the experience, is going to get it turned around.While fellow rookie quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Dak Prescott are becoming stars, Goff still hasnt touched the field near the midway point of his first NFL season. He doesnt betray a trace of frustration publicly, instead focusing on his work with the scout team and spending his Sundays at Keenums shoulder.Its part of the process, part of whats going on, Goff said. IIm not going to sit here and complain or gripe.dddddddddddd Im going to support Case, and continue to get ready and be ready, and continue to be confident in myself and be ready when the time comes.With a chance to run the first-team offense in practice before the Rams split for their bye weekend, Goff looked confident and comfortable. He has been Keenums backup for the past six weeks on a team that only dresses two quarterbacks on game day, which proves Fishers contention he would be comfortable if Goff had to play.We wouldnt scale anything back, Fisher said. We wouldnt change a thing. Hes got that good of a feel for what were doing.So why isnt Goff playing already, if its inevitable? Fisher simply doesnt think its time yet.Goff played three college seasons in Californias spread offense, which bears scant resemblance to an NFL scheme, and he just turned 22 years old this month. He is adjusting to adulthood fairly well, but preparing for the pro game is even tougher.The time schedule is probably a little bit more (demanding) than college was, as far as time commitment, Goff said. But I talked to my friends, theyre in midterms right now, and I get to come out here and play football every day. So its good.Keenums inconsistencies pale in comparison to the running games struggles. Gurley is seventh in the NFC with 403 yards rushing, but hes managing just 3.0 yards per carry, the lowest average among the conferences top 24 ball carriers.Yet there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic heading toward the holidays: Los Angeles defense has been largely outstanding in a series of tough games, and its special teams have been nearly flawless.And though theyre back below .500, the Rams will have every opportunity to make a move. Their four November opponents are a combined 8-18, and they play five of their final nine regular-season games at the Coliseum after a year filled with difficult travel.We have a great opportunity, and it starts with the next opponent, Fisher said.---AP NFL websites: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap Throwback Baseball Detroit Tigers Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Colorado Rockies Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Houston Astros Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Kansas City Royals Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Los Angeles Angels Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Miami Marlins Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Milwaukee Brewers Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Minnesota Twins Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball New York Mets Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball New York Yankees Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Oakland Athletics Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Philadelphia Phillies Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Pittsburgh Pirates Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball San Diego Padres Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball San Francisco Giants Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Seattle Mariners Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball St. Louis Cardinals Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Tampa Bay Rays Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Texas Rangers Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Toronto Blue Jays Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Washington Nationals Jerseys ' ' '