NEW YORK -- It was a year and a half ago in Miami that CiCi Bellis first played Serena Williams and, in her fathers words, froze with fear.After winning only two games in the straight-sets loss, Gordon and Lori Bellis told their then-16-year-old daughter, You just played the biggest-serving, hardest-hitting, best player in the game. You have nothing else to be fearful of.Friday night, on one of the biggest stages in tennis, the 17-year-old American played the second-best player in the womens game and learned that while she might have a ways to go to defeat the proverbial big girls, she is no longer fearful.I think today was the best experience Ive ever had in tennis, Bellis said after being vanquished by Angelique Kerber 6-1, 6-1 in 55 minutes. Her groundstrokes are perfect. I hope to one day be able to play like her.It was the tour-leading 50th victory of 2016 for the 28-year-old Kerber, the 2016 Australian Open champ, Wimbledon finalist and French Open quarterfinalist. The second-seeded German -- who made her Arthur Ashe Stadium debut in 2007, when as a 19-year-old she lost in straight sets to Williams -- was complimentary of her young opponent.Shes a great young, really talented player, said Kerber, who moves onto the round of 16 against Petra Kvitova. For sure she will have a great future.Gordon Bellis had half-joked after his daughters second-round victory over French Open quarterfinalist Shelby Rogers that he intended to plead with tournament officials to not have CiCi play the late-evening match because she generally went to bed at 10.Fridays match began just before 10, and while Bellis seemed alert enough in her Ashe debut with two break points in the first game, Kerber would hold and get down to business soon enough.Kerber broke Bellis twice in the 31-minute first set, then three more times in the second, showing her experience and court savvy in a way that inspired Bellis more than anything else.I think were around the same height, Bellis said. She doesnt have the biggest serve in womens tennis. I definitely dont either. I think shes a really good person to model my game after. ... Definitely an unbelievable match for me to be able to play, to play against.Bellis, who first captured the adoration of New York fans as a 15-year-old in 2014 with an opening-round upset over No. 13 Dominika Cibulkova, showed her tennis gumption with a late service break against Kerber to prevent a second-set bagel.In the end, she got to upgrade her hotel room to a suite and enjoy more than a week of tennis with three victories in qualifying and two in the main draw. But Bellis latest US Open ride came to an end with her blowing kisses to the crowd as she left the court.Its the most amazing court I ever played on ... the best court in the world, she said.Bellis said maintaining her amateur status and attending Stanford next year is still an option as she left $140,000 for her third-round appearance on the table. But it will not deter her from her next order of business.Now is going to be the best part of my trip here because now I actually get to go shopping, kind of explore a little bit, she said. My friend just actually came in town yesterday. Were just going to really go hit everything, just play it by ear, see what she wants to do, just figure it out from there. But were going to have a lot of fun. Cheap Maury Wills Jersey . According to a report from the Winnipeg Free Press, the Bombers will name Acting GM Kyle Walters to the post full time. Cheap Fernando Valenzuela Jersey . A knee to the thigh might have stung him the most, but his sixth straight double-double made up for the brief burst of pain. http://www.cheapdodgersjerseys.com/ . Rinne played two periods in his first game since left hip surgery in early May. Gabriel Bourque scored 3:07 into the second period and Austin Watson tallied 5:15 later for Nashville. 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Carolina Hurricanes forward Bryan Bickell has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, the team revealed Friday afternoon.The 30-year-old was acquired by Carolina from the Chicago Blackhawks in the offseason, and he had appeared in seven of Carolinas 13 games this season, scoring once while averaging 9:42 in ice time per game.Since the 2015 playoffs, Ive been struggling to understand what was going on with my body, Bickell said via a statement released by the team Friday afternoon.Again during the past few weeks, it felt like something wasnt right, Bickell added. Obviously this is a bit of shock for my family and me, but I am hopeful I will be able to return to the ice and continue playing the game that I love.Hurricanes general manager?Ron Francis asked for Bickells privacy to be respected.First and foremost, the most important thing is for Bryan to take care of himself, and our thoughts are with him and his family, Francis said in the same statement. He will need to take some time to rest in the immediate future, and we will support him as he takes the necessary steps for his health. We ask that his privacy be respected during the process.Blackhawks president and CEO John McDonough released the following statement on Bickell:Our thoughts are with Bryan, his family and the Carolina Hurricanes during this challenging time. He has built so many lasting relationships in Chicago both inside and outside of the Blackhawks organization based on his play on the ice and character off of it. Together, we will keep him in our thoughts during his fight against the disease.Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville also addressed the news, saying, Hes a special guy. Were thinking about him, and our thoughts and prayers are with him. Its tough to hear something like that. He has a tough road ahead. He was speecial for us and instrumental in us having a lot of success here.dddddddddddd We wish him well.Bickell was part of three Stanley Cup-winning teams in Chicago.Its pretty shocking. What can you say? Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said. I think everyone in this room, in this organization, as close as we all are to Bicks, our hearts go out to him. We wish him the best health possible. Hopefully he can hang in there and find ways to stay strong despite his condition.Bickell is the second NHL player in recent years to be diagnosed with MS, an incurable disease that attacks and scars the protective covering of nerves in the brain and spinal cord.Minnesota Wild goaltender?Josh Harding was diagnosed with the disease in November 2012. Harding played sparingly after his diagnosis.Another former goalie, Jordan Sigalet, was diagnosed with MS in late 2003, and he has been a vocal supporter of research into the disease. Sigalet, a former standout at Bowling Green State University, is currently the goaltending coach of the Calgary Flames. He told ESPNs Joe McDonald that he would reach out to Bickell.I know first-hand what Bryan is going through, and it comes as a shock at such a young age when you are an elite athlete and in the prime of your life, Sigalet said.For me, it was great to have my teammates and family around for support and to keep a positive attitude and outlook. The disease is so different for everyone, but there are so many great treatments and resources available today that can help manage the disease, Sigalet added. My thoughts go out to him and his family, and I wish him nothing but the best.Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. ' ' '