Fun-Ecke » from the St. Louis

SINGAPORE - After Serena Williams embarrassing defeat to Simona Halep in the WTA Finals group stage, the American narrowed her eyes at the post-match news conference and said she was looking forward to having a chance to avenge the loss.She didnt have to wait long. The pair will face off again on Sunday in the final of the season-ending championships after winning their semifinals on Saturday in contrasting fashion.Williams beat Caroline Wozniacki in a thrilling contest 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6) to remain on course for a third-straight title, while Halep swept aside Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2, 6-2 to put herself in a position for the biggest title of her career.Halep beat Williams 6-0, 6-2 in the group stage, inflicting the Americans heaviest loss in 16 years, and the 18-time Grand Slam winner joked about her diminished expectations for the re-match.My goal is to win three games, Williams said. Im going to go from there. Hopefully I can hold serve — that would be good. Most of all, I hope to break once.Halep has been the form player of the tournament, dropping only 27 games across four matches against top-eight-ranked opponents, and the Romanian was justifiably confident entering Sundays final.I have to believe in my chances against her, the French Open finalist said. I can think that I have the game to beat her.I will be nervous because its the final, but I cant wait for tomorrow because my dream came true, so I have to do everything I can to win.The irony of Sundays final is that Williams only qualified for the semis because Halep lost in three sets rather than two in her final group match against Ana Ivanovic. Had the already-qualified Halep eased off and lost in straight sets, Williams would have been packing her bags.The Americans hopes of reaching the final looked just as tenuous throughout Saturdays clash with Wozniacki.The Danish player served for the match at 5-4 in the third set, but Williams broke back and prevailed in the tiebreaker on her third match point after trailing 4-1.It was a bittersweet win for Williams, who has developed a close off-court friendship with Wozniacki. The pair attended a Mariah Carey concert together on the eve of their semifinal.It was the first match I didnt feel great — if you take (sister) Venus out of the equation — where I wasnt happy after I won, Williams said.I really wanted to cry because Caro is so nice. We get along and we do so much together. Shes like my little baby sister, from a different mother, and father, and different country.Wozniacki reciprocated the affection, but being on the wrong end of a 10-1 head-to-head record meant she understandably wanted to see less of the world No. 1.I told Serena Can you just leave me alone? I love you, but stay away from the other side of the court. Quite frankly Im sick of losing to you, Wozniacki said.Twice before this year Williams had to come back from a set down to beat the Dane and she again made a slow start, taking only three points off Wozniackis serve in the opening set and the frustration showed. After the seventh game, she repeatedly smashed her racket into the court, bringing a warning from the chair umpire.I dont know how many times I hit it but, boy, that racket will never do me wrong again I tell you, Williams said. It was definitely legendary. I kind of lost my cool a little bit.Wozniacki, who had a perfect 3-0 record in the group stage, took the opening set in 26 minutes and held serve to open the second.I really thought she was going to win because she was playing so well, Williams said. She had a whole new strategy. I finally was able to kind of figure it out in the second and then I just was able to play better.It clicked today. I thought Ha! I got you now.The momentum had shifted and, three games later, Williams created her first break points of the match, converting to take a grip on the set, which ended on Wozniackis double fault.The third set went on serve until the ninth game when Wozniacki made the first break. She served for the match but was only able to save one of two set points.Williams survived a break point on her serve to go up 6-5. Wozniacki then held serve under intense pressure in the 12th game, saving one match point in a dramatic rally.She started the tiebreaker confidently, but the relentless Williams wore her down with powerful serves and groundstrokes.Being so close and still losing, it really (stinks), Wozniacki said. It was just small things, but that is why champions are champions. All of them step up when it matters. Dion Lewis Jersey . The Extreme Heat Policy was enacted at Melbourne Park just before 2 p.m. Thursday, suspending all matches on outer courts until the early evening and requiring the closure of the retractable roofs at Rod Laver and Hisense arenas before play could continue on the show courts. Bennie Logan Jersey . The freestyle skier from Calgary finished sixth in the qualification round with a total of 82.00 points. Groenewoud won a silver medal at the X Games last month, just over five weeks after undergoing double knee surgery. http://www.titansauthenticofficialonline.com/authentic-harold-landry-jersey.html . 1. Did the Senators trade the wrong goalie? Lets make one thing clear: The Ottawa Senators acquired Ben Bishop from the St. Louis Blues for one reason and one reason alone. Luke Stocker Titans Jersey .B. -- Canadas Rachel Homan had ideal preparation for the playoffs at the Ford World Curling Championships with a pair of hard-fought wins over tenacious opponents Thursday. Tennessee Titans Jerseys . -- The top-seeded Alberta Pandas set up of an all-Canada West final against arch rival UBC at the CIS womens volleyball championship after a 3-0 win over the No.BUFFALO, N.Y. - Boyd Gordon is a specialist. He kills penalties, blocks shots and above all else wins more faceoffs than he loses.Thats why on many power plays, Edmonton Oilers coach Dallas Eakins chooses to put his fourth-line centre on the ice.Boyd, hes so good on the faceoffs, we want that puck right away, Eakins said. Thats where he gets a lot of his extra PP time.Gordon isnt a goal-scorer. The 31-year-old entered this season with 47 in 560 career NHL games.But in the absence of star left-winger Taylor Hall, whos out with a knee injury, the Oilers would love for Gordon to get a little more offensive. With a goal in each of the past two games, hes obliging.I think you want to contribute, Gordon said. I think all four lines get pretty equal, shared ice time. If you have different guys chip in every night, it definitely gives us a better chance to win a game.Gordon scored just the fifth power-play goal of his career Thursday night at the Boston Bruins. More importantly, he had the game-winner Friday night when the Oilers came back from two deficits to beat the Buffalo Sabres and snap their losing streak at four.And this wasnt a garbage goal or a wacky deflection in front. After Matt Hendricks forced a turnover, Teddy Purcell made a slick pass to Gordon, who fired past former Washington Capitals teammate Michal Neuvirth.Gordon went sliding into the boards with his arms in the air having sealed Edmontons first victory since Oct. 27.Gordo, hes been working hard, Im glad, Hendricks said. Thats back-to-back goals for him. Hes on a hot streak.These weree the first two goals of the season for Gordon, so no one expects his hot streak to continue Sunday when the Oilers visit the New York Rangers or pick up Tuesday when they finish up this road trip at the Nashville Predators.ddddddddddddWhat Eakins, the coaching staff and Gordons teammates expect him to do is continue to do what he does best. Often, thats not what the most skilled players enjoy to do.He works so hard, and yet hes never looked sideways once at the number of times he has to start in his D-zone, Eakins said. He takes great pride in it and takes great pride in our penalty kill. He just quietly goes about his business.Gordon is a man of few words. Any questions?About his goal, the Unity, Sask., native said it was fortunate the puck went in the net. About the victory, he said he was just glad this young, still-learning Oilers team was able to end their losing streak before it got out of control.Theres no doubt the Oilers, still last in the Western Conference with 11 points at 5-8-1, have much to learn about winning close games like the one in Buffalo on Friday night.(Players) understand what process were going through, they understand where were at and where were going and thats our main concern right now, Eakins said.Gordon, who was eighth in the league in faceoffs last year at 56.5 per cent, isnt a part of Edmontons core but hes the quintessential role player.Eakins appreciates that.I cant say enough about Boyd, he said. He does a lot of heavy lifting, dirty, dirty work and is happy to do it.---Follow @SWhyno on Twitter Cheap Jerseys China NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Wholesale Discount Basketball Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Baseball Jerseys Free Shipping Cheapest College Jerseys Sale Cheap Football Jerseys China Nike NFL Jerseys Canada Wholesale NHL Jerseys From China MLB Jerseys Outlet Canada Wholesale NBA Jerseys Canada Store Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Cheap Authentic Jerseys Canada ' ' '