TOKYO, Japan – Auburn gymnastics incoming freshman Sunisa Lee and Team USA put it all on the line Tuesday, winning a silver medal in the women's artistic gymnastics team competition at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
"I'm extremely proud of Suni and how she stepped in during really difficult situation," Auburn head coach Jeff Graba said. "She hit all her events and even hit her big floor routine without any warmups. Having to go last for Team USA without much preparation is huge. She definitely showed her heart tonight!"
After superstar Simone Biles was pulled after the first rotation, Lee guided the young U.S. squad on uneven bars and beam with huge scores to cut the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) lead heading into the final rotation.
She started with a massive score on uneven bars in the second rotation, earning a 15.400 in the anchor spot for the Americans. Lee followed with a 14.133 on beam for the second-best score on the apparatus on the day.
Lee, who was supposed to only compete on bars and beam, replaced Biles and moved into the anchor spot for Team USA on floor in the final rotation. With a medal on the line, Lee put together a great routine and scored a 13.666 to secure silver for the Americans.
The soon-to-be Tiger returns to competition Thursday as she competes in the women's individual all-around final. Action starts at 5:50 a.m. CT.
In addition, Lee will go for gold on uneven bars (August 1, 3 a.m. CT) and beam (August 3, 3 a.m. CT).
TENNIS
Auburn tennis alumnus Tim Puetz saw his Olympic run in Tokyo come to an end as he and German partner Kevin Krawietz fell to Andy Murray and Joe Salisbury of Great Britain 6-2, 7-6 (2) in second-round men's doubles action Tuesday afternoon at Ariake Tennis Park.
The match start was delayed 1:10 by inclement weather, and the British pair took a 2-1 lead in just 14 minutes of action before the rain came again, causing a 2:00 delay. When play resumed, Murray and Salisbury pulled away to take the first set by a 6-2 score.
The second set was back and forth, as Puetz and Krawietz held the lead at 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, 4-3, 5-4 and 6-5. The set went to a tiebreaker at 6-6, and Murray and Salisbury prevailed 7-2 to capture the match.
The British tandem moves on to face the winner of the second-round match between Maren Cilic/Ivan Dodig (Croatia) and Rajeev Ram/Frances Tiafoe (USA) in the quarterfinals.
The Germans advanced to the Round of 16 with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Argentina's Diego Schwartzman and Facundo Bagnis on Saturday.
SOFTBALL
Auburn softball assistant coach Emily Carosone ended her Olympic campaign on Monday as Team Italy closed competition with an 8-1 loss to Canada in six innings at Yokohama Stadium.
Carosone, the first Olympian in Auburn softball program history, went 0-for-1 at the plate and reached base once via a hit by pitch. The former three-time All-American for the Tigers held a .231 on-base percentage at the Tokyo Olympics and led the entire field with three HBP during the preliminary stages.
Italy ended pool play with an 0-5 record.
UP NEXT: TUESDAY EVENING
Swimming
Zach Apple (USA) – Men's 100 Free Semifinals, 8:30 p.m. CT