MELBOURNE, Australia -- Torontos Daniel Nestor and French partner Kristina Mladenovic won the Australian Open mixed doubles title Sunday over Indias Sania
Mirza and Romanian Horia Tecau 6-3, 6-2.
Jay Ajayi Green Jersey . The 58-minute victory marks the fourth mixed title for the 41-year-old Nestor and second for
his team in the last three grand slams. He and Mladenovic won the Wimbledon
title last summer after finishing runner-up at the French Open eight months ago.
"Weve been playing our best tennis here," said Nestor. "Its great to win this
title. "I have what I believe is the best partner in mixed. Kristina helps me
out and I have to cover less of the court -- thats good at my age." Nestor now
owns three Melbourne mixed titles, winning with Elena Likhovtseva in 2007 and
repeating three years ago with Slovenian Katerina Srebotnik. Nestor and
Mladenovic beat Mirza and Tecau at Wimbledon last summer on the way to their
title together. Nestors team beat the sixth seeds with five aces 14 winners, 24
unforced errors and four breaks of serve. Mladenovic converted on a third match
point as she sent a passing shot past Tecau to take the victory. "Australias a
great place to be at this time of year," Nestor said of a match played in 26
Celsius summer conditions, "Its certainly a bit colder in Canada. "Leaving home
at around Christmas time is always a blessing." Nestor was accompanied on his
trip by his family, which had to return home this week for school. The Canadian
will travel to Tokyo for next weeks Davis Cup tie with Japan.
Jake Stoneburner Dolphins Jersey .com) - The Winnipeg Jets got over one hurdle by snapping their longest losing streak of the
season.
Earl Mitchell Dolphins Jersey . LUCIE, Fla.New Orleans, LA (SportsNetwork.com) - Fair Grounds commences its road to the
Kentucky Derby Saturday with the 71st running of the $200,000 Lecomte Stakes.
Eleven newly turned 3-year-olds have entered for the mile, 70 yard stakes with a
post time of 6:24 p.m. ET. Team Valors Savoy Stomp makes his first start of the
year and will break from post 6 with Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith riding the
colt for the first time. You certainly try this time of year to get on good
young horses - especially Kentucky Derby horses, said Smith. Todd (Pletcher) is
definitely one you want to ride for. Trainer Todd Pletcher conditions the
3-year-old who will be making his fourth career start. Savoy Stomp won his debut
race in September at Belmont Park but was fifth in the mud in Aqueducts Nashua
Stakes in November. He didnt like the wet dirt (in the Nashua); (the kickback)
stung him and he ran horribly, Team Valors Barry Irwin explained. Then in his
(Dec. 17) race the rail was golden and he could have stayed there, but (jockey
Javier Castellano) was so worried about the kickback that he stayed outside. On
a normal track like Fair Grounds going two turns, he should do well. Savoy Stomp
was favored in the Gulfstream Park allowance in December but finished third to
Bluegrass Singer, winner of this months Mucho Macho Man Stakes. Pletcher has
always liked the horse, Irwin said. The question with him is what his best trip
is. I always thought he wanted to run longer and Pletcher is hopeful he will,
but (Pletcher) told me that if hhe turned out to be a late-running sprinter, he
wouldnt be surprised.
Jay Ajayi Limited Jersey. You never know which way theyre going to go. Its a matter of timing and what their progression
is. Leaving from the far outside post will be Eagle with Brian Hernandez Jr. in
the saddle. The chestnut colt is owned by William S. Farish and trained by Neil
Howard. Eagle, a half-brother to Shared Belief, has two wins, a second and a
third from four starts. He was third in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes behind
El Kabeir at Churchill Downs in November. The colt has banked $81,602. Mike
Makers stakes winning colt International Star has drawn the inside post with
Miguel Mena riding. Owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, International Star won the
Grey Stakes at Woodbine last October and earlier recorded seconds in Belmonts
Rockville Center Stakes and Saratogas With Anticipation on the turf.
International Star was ninth, just 3 1/4 lengths off the winner, in the Breeders
Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 31. The colt has earned $200,979 from
six starts. The Ramseys and Maker combined to win last years Lecomte with Vicars
in Trouble. Here is the field for the Lecomte in post position order:
International Star, Miguel Mena; Tiznow R J, Robby Albarado; Four Leaf Chief,
Florent Geroux; War Story, James Graham; Hero of Humor, Alexander Reznikov;
Savoy Stomp, Mike Smith; Runhappy, Shaun Bridgmohan, Killingit, Jamie Theriot;
Dekabrist, Sal Gonzalez Jr.; Another Lemon Drop, Calvin Borel and Eagle, Brian
Hernandez Jr.
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