Payet (MF - West Hammers) - Dream scenario from zgr123's blog
RIO DE JANEIRO - Rafael Nadal showed no problem with his tender back in his second match since returning from the injury, defeating fellow Spaniard Albert Montanes 6-1, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals of the Rio Open on Thursday. Markelle Fultz Red Jersey . The No. 1-ranked Nadal tweaked his back warming up for the Australian Open final, which he lost almost four weeks ago in a major upset against Stanislas Wawrinka. His first stop after the layoff is the clay in Rio as he tests the back and tries to stay healthy for the French Open in three months. A year ago he used the Latin American swing to test his recovery from an injured left knee. Nadal seemed to move freely against Montanes and wore a large, blue elastic bandage on his lower back as a precaution. "The back, well, its bothering me a little," Nadal said. "Right now its not hurting my game, but Im serving a little more gently than Im used to doing." Nadal said he pushed his recovery "a little bit" to play in Rio, after pulling out of the tournament the week before in Buenos Aires. "I am here and very happy being here," he said. "When you get an injury in the final of a Grand Slam, and you stop (playing/practicing) for 2 1/2 weeks, the comeback is not easy." Asked if nagging injuries might force an early retirement, the 27-year-old joked a bit before getting serious. "I cant predict the future, but my intention is to play many years," he said. In the other key mens match, third-seeded Fabio Fognini reached the last eight beating Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-3. Second-seeded David Ferrer advanced on Wednesday. Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine advanced to his second quarterfinals of the year, beating Facundo Bagnis of Argentina 6-7 (4), 6-2, 7-6 (4). Dolgopolov said he hadnt considered leaving the tournament to return to his Kyiv birthplace, where more than 100 people have died in anti-government protests this week. Government snipers killed at least 70 on Thursday. "Its sad. I cant do much, but just support," he said. "Whoever is right doesnt matter now when people are dying." Dolgopolov, who lives in the wealthy European enclave of Monte Carlo, said he was lucky to have the chance to make money playing tennis. "Obviously I would like the people in the (Ukraine) to feel better. If I could, I would change that," he said. On the womens side of the combined ATP-WTA event, fifth-seeded Kurumi Nara of Japan and Lourdes Dominguez Lino of Spain set up a quarterfinal matchup after second-round wins. Nara defeated Anna-Lena Friedsam of Germany 6-0, 7-6 (3), and was in sight of her first WTA semifinals. Dominguez Lino beat Chanelle Scheepers of South Africa 2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-1. Nara said she likes the hot weather in Rio and is getting used to the clay. "Now I like the clay court," she said. "Last year, I didnt like it." Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania also made the last eight, as did Brazils Teliana Pereira. She is the first Brazilian woman in 23 years to crack the WTAs top 100. The last was Andrea Vieira. Brazils most famous womens player is Maria Bueno, who won seven Grand Slams singles titles, the last at the US Open in 1966. Markelle Fultz Authentic Jersey . 1 Pete Sampras. Speaking ahead of an exhibition match against Andre Agassi in London on March 3, Sampras said on a conference call Wednesday that he is impressed by Federers longevity. Markelle Fultz Swingman Jersey . Kevin Durant certainly played like there was on Sunday night, scoring 36 points and grabbing 10 rebounds as the Thunder made quick work of the visiting Pacers with a 118-94 win.The NFL Draft takes place in Chicago on Thursday night, when the best players in collegiate football will find out which NFL team they will end up representing. That led us to thinking what might happen if another sports players were also subject to a draft before they entered the league.So, with a little bit (okay, a lot!) of artistic licence, lets take a look at which Premier League players would be selected if the National Football League drafted association footballers. Richard Graves Mock Draft SSN HQs man in Chicago delivers his verdict 1. Los Angeles Rams select Riyad Mahrez (FW - Leicester Foxes) - The Rams need an exciting playmaker, and who better than the PFA/Heisman Player of the Year with his 17 goals and 11 assists. Hell fit in well in Hollywood as well.2. Philadelphia Eagles select Mesut Ozil (MF - Arsenal Gunners) - Another team needing an offensive spark, and he will create chances galore for the Eagles offense - at a record level, perhaps?3. San Diego Chargers select Harry Kane (FW - Tottenham Hotspurs) - They need a points scorer and there is no one better available in this draft. Wes Morgan is just the bolster to bolster a defense 4. Dallas Cowboys select Wes Morgan (DF - Leicester Foxes) - Nobodys stock has risen more in the last 12 months than Big Wesley. Hes ideal for the Cowboys who need a stopper in the heart of their defense.5. Jacksonville Jaguars select Ngolo Kante (MF - Leicester Foxes) - The Foxes are dominating the draft and Kante gives the Jaguars a huge boost on both sides of the ball. He will rack up the tackles on defense but can also play on offence as well.6. Baltimore Ravens select Sergio Aguero (FW - Manchester Citizens) - He comes with a few injury questions, but the talent is unquestioned. Should be able to finish off plenty of scoring plays in his rookie season. Sky Sports Digital Mock Draft We deliver our verdict from 1-32 7. San Francisco 49ers select Toby Alderweireld (DF - Tottenham Hotspurs) - Another team with plenty of holes to fill but the one-season Spurs man has done enough to prove he is one of thhe most talented defenders available. Markelle Fultz Blue Jersey. 8. Cleveland Browns select Jamie Vardy (FW - Leicester Foxes) - They traded down in the hope of still getting an offensive spark, and it worked to perfection. He went under the radar early in his career but no doubting him anymore.9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Hector Bellerin (DF - Arsenal Gunners) - They need defensive help, especially down the flanks, and the Spanish graduate has impressed many with his play at both ends of the field. Who better to protect a leaky defense 10. New York Giants select David De Gea (GK - Manchester Red Devils) - Protection, protection, protection - thats what the Giants need, and its exactly what they get.11. Chicago Bears select Dele Alli (MF - Tottenham Hotspurs) - Surprising to see him drop to the Bears, given his undoubted talent. Maybe recent temperamental issues caused teams to take him off their board? Previous No1 pick QBs Looking back at the good and bad of QB No1 picks 12. New Orleans Saints select Robert Huth (DF - Leicester Foxes) - Another team in need of a big guy down the middle. Huth might be a bit of a reach here, but the talent pool in his position is pretty thin at the moment.13. Miami Dolphins select Dimitri Payet (MF - West Hammers) - Dream scenario for the Dolphins, who needed an offensive spark and a special teams whizz. They get it, all rolled into one French package. Dimitri Payet perfect for special plays 14. Oakland Raiders select Eden Hazard (FW - Chelsea Blues) - Its like Al Davis is alive still. So much talent to pick from and the Raiders pick a player who has almost disappeared this season. Will he be another Raiders first-round disappointment?15. Tennessee Titans select Alexis Sanchez (MF - Arsenal Gunners) - Marcus Mariota needs someone to connect with and the little Chilean should be a perfect complement. Also See: Sky Live: NFL Draft Beginners guide to the Draft Draft Day moments Sky Sports Digital Mock Draft Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
The Wall