KEY BISCAYNE, Fla.
James
Conner Steelers Jersey . -- Serena Williams beat Maria Sharapova for the
15th consecutive time, rallying in both sets for a 6-4, 6-3 victory in the Sony
Open semifinals on Thursday. Williams, seeking a record seventh Key Biscayne
title, improved to 16-2 against Sharapova and hasnt lost to her favourite foil
since 2004. "I have always felt when Im playing at my best, then its hard for
people to beat me," Williams said. Rafael Nadal could say the same. He advanced
to the semifinals by hitting a flurry of forehand winners down the stretch to
beat Milos Raonic 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. On Saturday, the No. 1-ranked Williams will try
for a record seventh Key Biscayne title against No. 2 Li Na, who overcame 40
unforced errors to beat Dominika Cibulkova 7-5, 2-6, 6-3. Williams is 10-1
against Li. No. 7-seeded Tomas Berdych advanced to Fridays semifinals, beating
Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine 6-4, 7-6 (3). Berdych was the Key Biscayne
runner-up in 2010. The No. 1-ranked Nadal, who is 0-3 in Key Biscayne finals,
needs one more win to get there again. His opponent Friday night will be No.
7-seeded Tomas Berdych, who advanced by beating No. 22 Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-4,
7-6 (3). Nadal has beaten Berdych 16 times in a row over the past seven years.
"This tournament is a tournament where I really feel the love of the people so
much," Nadal said, "so Im going to try my best to keep playing well." Three-time
champion Novak Djokovic will play in the other semifinal Friday against No.
20-seeded Kei Nishikori, who eliminated Roger Federer on Wednesday. The No.
1-ranked Williams won with a superior serve and better returns. She hit nine
aces and broke five times, helping her rebound from deficits of 4-1 in the first
set and 2-0 in the second. Williams earned her 14th consecutive victory against
a top-10 player. Her opponent in Saturdays final will be either Australian Open
champion Li Na or Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia. Williams first won Key
Biscayne in 2002 and is the defending champion. She has worn Miami Dolphins
orange and turquoise throughout the tournament and considers it her home event
because she lives 90 minutes up the road. "When I grew up I always wanted to
play here," she said. "I guess I just dont want to let go. Its my favourite stop
on the tour. Its home. All my friends come. So its perfect for me." There was no
evidence of a home-court advantage at the start, when Williams failed to convert
four early break-point chances and fell behind. Sharapova cracked a succession
of winners from the baseline and earned applause from Williams after besting her
in one exchange. But Williams broke back when Sharapova committed three
consecutive backhand errors, and gained momentum from there, sweeping the final
five games of the first set. The story was similar in the second set, and after
falling behind, Williams resorted to her dominating power. She quickly won one
game with two aces and two service winners during a period when she swept 11
consecutive points. Sharapova committed groundstroke errors on the final three
points, and a victorious Williams trotted to the net, her left fist leading the
way. She has more victories against Sharapova than against any other opponent.
"Despite my results against her, I still look forward to playing against her
because you learn so much from that type of level which she produces," Sharapova
said. "You finish the match, and you know where you need to improve and the
things that you need to work on."
T.
J. Watt Womens Jersey . -- Andy Dorman and Kelyn Rowe scored in the second
half to lead the New England Revolution to a 2-1 victory over Sporting Kansas
City in the first leg of their Eastern Conference semifinals series on Saturday
night.
T.
J. Watt Jersey . -- Chris Jones and Louisville have done a tremendous job
protecting the basketball this season and thats led to easy victories.
http://www.shoptheofficialsteelers.us/steelers-juju-smith-schuster-super-bowl-jersey-authentic/ . The moves were the first punitive steps taken by the Dolphins since a report
on the NFLs investigation of the case was released last week. Investigators
found that guard Richie Incognito and two teammates engaged in persistent
harassment directed at tackle Jonathan Martin, another offensive lineman and an
assistant trainer.PHOENIX - Hands crossed behind his back, Ryan Braun stepped up
in front of the cameras and reporters ready to take the hits. A long-awaited day
had finally arrived: the Brewers slugger is officially back with his team for
the first time since being suspended for 65 games for violating Major League
Baseballs anti-drug agreement as part of the Biogenesis doping scandal. Once
again, hes sorry. And hes ready to move on. "I took responsibility for that
mistake I made," Braun said Thursday. "For me, my focus again is on this year
and moving forward and learning a new position and getting ready for the
season." One that includes a move from left to right field, and questions about
whether Braun is over the right thumb injury that also limited him in 2013. But
it was that other topic that again dominated a respectful question-and-answer
session on a sunny day outside the Brewers spring training complex. And the 2011
NL MVP offered familiar answers. "Like I said, Ive addressed it multiple times.
I appreciate your interest. I appreciate everybodys interest," Braun said to one
of several questions about why he used a banned substance. "I understand you
have a job to do, but Ive already addressed that multiple times at multiple
press conferences." There was a statement in August. A gathering with reporters
in Milwaukee during a Thanksgiving food drive. Another press conference at fan
outreach event last month, his first major public appearance in Milwaukee since
the suspension. Its easy to see why theres still interest. After the Yankees
Alex Rodriguez, Braun is perhaps the most well-known player suspended for using
performance-enhancing drugs. He remains relatively popular in Milwaukee despite
the suspension, judging by fans still wearing his No. 8 jersey at the teams
winter outreach event. One such fan watched intently from about 50 feet away
behind a steel fence at the Maryvale baseball complex, holding on to a yellow
Braun jersey. Nearly two years ago to the day, Braun offered a vociferous
proclamation of innocence at spring training. At the time, a 50-game suspension
for a positive drug test had been overturned by an arbitrator. "We won," he said
then with conviction, "because the truth is on my side." Turned out not to be
the case. "Certainly I wish that I haadnt done the press conference.
T.
J. Watt Youth Jersey. I wish that I had known then what I know now," Braun
said Thursday. "If I had, certainly I wouldnt have done it at all." The front
office and manager Ron Roenicke appear to be more than satisfied with how hes
made amends with teammates. "Yeah, he doesnt need to address anything anymore.
If he wants to, fine," Roenicke said. "He feels like hes said enough. Hes said
enough certainly for me." Now if he can just get back to that MVP form under a
glare of suspicion that will almost certainly still follow him in the short
term, especially on the road. Braun hit .298 with nine home runs, 38 RBIs and
four steals in 61 games in 2013, well below his career averages. He is usually
good for at least 30-plus homers, 110 RBIs and 20 steals, along with a .320
average. "I feel good, but like I said its always a challenge getting use to
facing pitching again and seeing curveballs and sliders and some spin on the
ball," Braun said about his thumb. "Theres always an adjustment phase but I feel
pretty good." Then theres the new position. As part of the acclimation process,
Braun brought up the possibility of being an "all-time" defender in a
minor-league game this spring, meaning he would be a fielder for both sides.
Roenicke said he first thought about shifting Braun in 2011. "It wont be that
easy of a transition, even though hes a very good left fielder," Roenicke said.
"Its different when that ball turns the other way." Braun also declined comment
when asked about his relationship with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron
Rodgers. The former business partners are two of Wisconsins biggest stars, and
Rodgers expressed disappointment after Brauns suspension last summer. To others
in baseball, the return of Braun and accompanying drama might be viewed as a
headache. Braun is certainly aware that he might get negative reactions away
from Miller Park. Roenicke, however, confidently predicted he would not be a
distraction for the Brewers. "I think everybody knows the kind of player he is,"
he said. "We like him for one, and we need him on this team, and hes paid the
penalty that Major League Baseball has put in place, and its over." ___ Follow
Genaro Armas at http://twitter.com/GArmasAP
Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
